title: Characterizing the Status (Disturbed, Hybrid or Novel) of Swamp Forest Fragments in a Caribbean Ramsar Wetland: The Impact of Anthropogenic Degradation and Invasive Plant Species.
abstract: The last remaining Amazonian-type swamp forest fragments in Black River Lower Morass, Jamaica, have been subjected to a myriad of anthropogenic disturbances, compounded by the establishment and spread of several invasive plant species. We established 44 permanent sample plots (covering 3.92 ha) across 10 of these swamp forest fragments and sampled all non-woody plants and all trees ≥2 cm DBH found in the plots. These data were used to (1) identify thresholds of hybridity and novelty, (2) derive several diversity and structural descriptors used to characterize the swamp forest fragments and (3) identify possible indicators of anthropogenic degradation. These were incorporated into a framework and used to determine the status of the swamp forest fragments so that appropriate management and conservation measures can be implemented. We recorded 43 woody plant species (9 endemic, 28 native and 4 non-native) and 21 non-tree species. The composition and structure of all the patches differed significantly due to the impact of the herbaceous invasive plant Alpinia allughas, the presence and diversity of other non-native plants, and differing intensities of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., burning, cutting and harvesting of non-timber forest products). We ranked forest patches along a continuum representing deviations from a historical proxy (least disturbed) swamp forest to those with dramatically altered structural and floristic attributes (=novel swamp forests). Only one fragment overrun with A. allughas was classified as novel. If effective conservation and management does not come to the BRLM, the remaining swamp forest fragments appear doomed to further degradation and will soon disappear altogether.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prospere
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica. kurt.mclaren@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors.forename: Kurt P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D065928:Forests; D058865:Introduced Species / Q000639:trends*; D007563:Jamaica; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development*; D053833:Wetlands
keywords: Anthropogenic disturbances; Degradation; Diversity; Hybrid ecosystems; Invasive species; Novel ecosystems; Novelty