Ecologist sounds the alarm about lack of attention to biodiversity in Jamaica

Damion Whyte, a PhD Ecology Student at the University of the West Indies, is raising alarm about the lack of stress being placed on the importance of biodiversity in Jamaica.

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of all of the different kinds of organisms such as plants, animals, insects and microorganisms coexisting to maintain and support life.

This, Mr. Whyte stressed on Sunday, affects all aspects of life including insects becoming food for a larger animal which in turn provides food for human consumption.

The young scientist, who was speaking on Radio Jamaica’s That’s a Rap, added that developments such as housing and hotels sometimes disrupt the growth of plants and insects which are needed to create balance within the ecosystem.

He stressed that greater public education is needed for Jamaicans to understand the true value of the plants and animals on the island, highlighting the fact that Jamaica is home to a number of endemic plants, multiple uses and applications, and significant dollar value in other parts of the world.