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The Earliest Inhabitants: The Dynamics of the Jamaican Taino

by Lesley-Gail Atkinson

by Lesley-Gail Atkinson

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Soils<br />

Several different soil types are found in Jamaica, depending on <strong>the</strong> source<br />

material and <strong>the</strong> processes that have formed <strong>the</strong>m. <strong>The</strong> main soil types and<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir locations are listed in Table 6.2.<br />

Table 6.2 Main Soil Types <strong>of</strong> Jamaica and Associated Landforms<br />

Soil Type<br />

Rich volcanic soils formed from igneous<br />

and metamorphic rock<br />

Limestone and “terra rosa” (red dirt), rich<br />

in bauxite<br />

Alluvial soils, sand, silt, gravel, clay<br />

Associated Landforms<br />

Mountain ranges in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast<br />

and centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island<br />

Interior hills and plateaus<br />

Lowlands (interior valleys and<br />

coastal plains)<br />

Source: Porter 1990.<br />

Major Landforms and Vegetation Types<br />

<strong>The</strong> major landforms <strong>of</strong> Jamaica are<br />

• Mountain ranges<br />

• Hills and plateaus<br />

• Interior valleys<br />

• Coastal plains<br />

• Rivers<br />

• Shoreline<br />

• Cays and banks<br />

Mountain Ranges<br />

<strong>The</strong> Blue Mountains are <strong>the</strong> highest <strong>of</strong> Jamaica’s mountain ranges, at<br />

2,256 m. <strong>The</strong> John Crow Mountains are lower and fur<strong>the</strong>r east. Both have<br />

patches <strong>of</strong> montane cloud forest and rain forest and are high in endemic<br />

species. <strong>The</strong> Port Royal Mountains form <strong>the</strong> foothills <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Blue Mountains.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Dry Harbour Mountains are found in <strong>the</strong> north-central part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

island. <strong>The</strong> Hellshire Hills in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast are important for endemic vertebrate<br />

species, including <strong>the</strong> endangered <strong>Jamaican</strong> hutia or “coney”<br />

(Geocapromys brownii) and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Jamaican</strong> iguana (Cyclura collei).<br />

N OTES ON THE N ATURAL H ISTORY OF J AMAICA<br />

91

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