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The status and conservation of Jamaica's threatened and endemic forest avifauna and their habitats following Hurricane Gilbert

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

Nigel Varty
Nigel Varty
Affiliation:
International Council for Bird Preservation, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 oPJ, U.K.
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Summary

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Despite serious and widespread hurricane damage to the natural forests of Jamaica (43% of trees either toppled or with crowns broken in the John Crow Mountains, for instance), the populations of the endemic Ring-tailed Pigeon Columba caribaea, Crested Quail-dove Geotrygon versicolor, Black-billed Parrot Amazona agilis, Yellow-billed Parrot A. collaria, Blue Mountain Vireo Vireo osburni and Jamaican Blackbird Nesopsar nigerrimus appear to have survived Hurricane Gilbert well. However, the expected reduction in food supplies, notably for the frugivores, caused by the severe damage to many trees, coupled with continuing and in some cases increasing human destruction and disturbance of the forests, puts the longer-term survival of these species in some doubt. The establishment of functioning protected areas encompassing the key forest regions for these birds; upgrading and more rigorous enforcement of the legislation governing conservation and management of wildlife and the natural forests; and the control and improvement of agricultural practices around forest areas, would greatly help to ensure the preservation of the forest avifauna and are recommended.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , June 1991 , pp. 135 - 151
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1991

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