The Earliest Inhabitants: The Dynamics of the Jamaican Taino
by Lesley-Gail Atkinson
by Lesley-Gail Atkinson
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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