Status and Trends of Biodiversity
Overview
Jamaica has been ranked fifth among islands of the world in terms of endemic plants. The country also enjoys a high level of endemism for animal species, as these examples illustrate: 98.2% of the 514 indigenous species of land snails and 100% of the 22 indigenous species of amphibians are endemic to Jamaica. Nearly 30.1% of this mountainous country is covered with forests. Jamaica’s highest point, the Blue Mountain Peak, reaches a maximum height of 2,256m. There are 10 hydrological basins containing over 100 streams and rivers, in addition to several subterranean waterways, ponds, springs, and blue holes. The country’s rich marine species diversity include species of fish, sea anemones, black and stony corals, mollusks, turtles, whales, dolphin, and manatee.
