This interdisciplinary project examines community participation in conservation
management by assessing the impact of land use practices on biodiversity in the buffer-zone of
Jamaica’s Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. Our project looks to provide an
independent assessment of how biodiversity conservation in the agricultural matrix of the park’s
buffer zone could be improved. One of the park’s primary ecological threats is the spread of
non-native species, which is facilitated in part by land clearance for agriculture. However, the
communities surrounding the park are marginalized in terms of social services, economic
development, and land access. We conducted surveys and interviews in three local communities
and with the co-managing organizations and agencies of the park to assess attitudes and
behaviors that affect land use decisions and to evaluate how management could encourage
greater local participation in conservation efforts. To better understand community perspectives
we measured variables to assess social and economic diversity within the three communities.
We also compared field data on non-native invasive versus native vegetation to assess the
impacts on biodiversity through the trophic level interactions of plants, insects, and birds. Our
results demonstrate that community residents’ attitudes towards conservation and park
management are generally quite positive, but that marginalization along with limited and
inconsistent community outreach has hampered sustainable livelihood development.
Ecologically, our results indicate that moderate levels of forest disturbance increase insect food
resources and support greater biodiversity at higher trophic levels. This suggests that the specific
role of invasives as a mechanism for trophic alteration remains unclear. Our recommendations
include a localized approach to conservation outreach, focused attention in building local
capacities, greater attention on sustainable local forestry management, and more collaboration
with local farmers.