ABSTRACT
Jamaica is known for its rich heritage with regard to forest coverage and flowing streams, especially in the earliest years of its existence (Evelyn and Camirand, 2003; Ahmed, 1998). Most of Jamaica’s natural vegetation has been lost after centuries of improper land use and is now suffering major environmental problems that include flooding, soil erosion, destruction of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and decreased surface flows in streams and rivers (Brown and Edwards, 2005; Evelyn and Camirand, 2003). The goal of ensuring a sustainable future in Jamaica becomes more difficult as the planet warms, rainfall patterns shift, and climate-related natural disasters become more frequent (Clifford and Edwards, 2012). Jamaica, like most developing nations, has invested in health education and infrastructure to prevent the escalation of extreme poverty (Government of Jamaica, 1987). However, continuing environmental degradation in the country tends to threaten the long-term sustainability of the entire nation’s social and economic development (Sachs, 2005).
