The complex geologic and evolutionary history of the Dolphin Head Mountains has generated a landscape rich in biodiversity, endemism, and unique ecosystems. The continued pressure on natural resources as a consequence of development and increased population represents a conservation challenge for this unique area.

The Global Significance of the Dolphin Head Mountains

If Jamaica is ranked 5th in the world in terms of plant biodiversity, with a 28% rate of endemism, then the mesic limestone forest ecosystem of Dolphin Head ? a clearly defined, 3,000-acre area located within Hanover-- is proudly deserving of both national and global recognition with an endemism level of 32%. The wet limestone forests of the Dolphin Head area are among the most fragile ecosystems globally. The area has more rare or threatened plant species per unit area than anywhere else in Jamaica. To date, it has 163 types of plants belonging to 53 families. Of this number 91 are endemic, found only in Jamaica and twenty (20) of that number are found only in Dolphin Head. Additionally it contains habitats which are home to 21 of Jamaica?s 35 endemic bird species and 11 migratory species. Like many ecosystems that are high in bio-diversity, the Dolphin Head area is also host to human habitats whose interaction and dependence on the area for farming, income generation and critical life support is having an overall impact on the area. Damaging activities include forest clearance associated with progressive, shifting cultivation, burning of forest margins, and structural degradation of forests resulting from unregulated logging. The combined effect of these activities, results in increased fragmentation and isolation of forest blocks, and inevitably, threatens the existence of species, many of which are endemic to the area.

Nature Tourism : Carrying capacity Threat or conservation measure?

A Hiking trail and Live Botanical Museum have now been constructed within the Dolphin Head Forest Reserve through funding received from The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica and the Global Environmental Facility.

The rationale of this initiative is to engender a solid stewardship ethic in the area such that the local stakeholders currently destroying the forests will mobilize to protect the Forest Resources because they have such a high stake in the unspoilt environment which has the potential to be an income generator for them. The NO ACTION alternative would definitely result in ongoing and systematic destruction of the forests through clear cutting and burning for cultivation of illegal crops.

The Trust is cognizant that Nature based tourism carries the potential threat of breaching the carrying capacity of the areas fragile ecosystem. To this end , we will not be promoting this Trail for ?cheap mass tourism? but rather for small groups of Nature lovers and Researchers. The largest groups will be school groups and these will be minimized monthly.

The area is a very remote location and there is no piped water into the area. As such there can be no flush toilets. Rainwater can however be harvested to solve this problem , but would not be sufficient to flush toilets year ?round. In addition to this , th e Trust is concerned with changes in the chemical constitution of the soil and sub-surface material that could result if there was disposal of waste?water into the environment. The trust is also trying to minimize the movement of large equipment like Cesspool emptiers coming into the Forest area.

In order not to lose the gains which come from the actual conservation of this area of high biodiversity through unsustainable practices like soak-away pits ,composting Toilets from all over the western hemisphere have been critically assessed online and through dialogue with several organizations and individuals. The Trust has selected the ?Envirolet Composting Toilet? as the solution to some of the concerns it has. These toilets would have to be shipped in from Florida. We will get assistance from either the EFJ or the Forest Conservation Fund to facilitate a duty free shipment into the island.

The Dolphin head Trust is intending to commence the operation of the Dolphin head Hiking Trail and Live botanical Museum. The National body for tourism standards ?the TPDCo , requires the provision of Bathroom facilities at the start point and midpoint of the Hiking Trail. These cannot however be the common water using flush toilets for two reasons:
1.There is no piped water coming into the area and there was no rainwater harvesting mechanism set up to collect water.
2. The Nature based tourism should be operating on the assumption that actions being taken should not impact in a negative way on the area?s fragile ecosystem. It is assumed that waste water disposal would create sub-surface alterations in the pH and nutrient constitution of the soils in the area.

The ?Envirolet Composting Toilets? does not require flushing and consumes little or no water. It looks exactly like the ceramic toilets found in modern households today. It however utilizes a system of biological decomposition to breakdown the waste that is deposited into the chambers. The chambers are equipped with a battery operated fan which vents the chamber 15 ft into the air , thereby eliminating unpleasant odours typically associated with composting toilets. With respect to disposal of the compost after accumulation, the Trust will be commencing a greening and beautification project in the wider Lucea in late 2008 trough a collaboration with the TPDCo and the Tourism Enhancement Fund. The compost will be utilized by the Dolphin Head Forest Protectors who will be playing a major role in the landscaping and maintenance aspect of that project.