I chose the Blue Mountains in Jamaica. I was born and raised in Jamaica, and I frequently travel between the two countries. The rugged, mountainous terrain of the Blue Mountains is characterized by steep slopes and deep valleys. The region is known for its elevations, with Blue Mountain Peak being Jamaica’s highest point at 7,402 feet (2,256 meters) above sea level. The Blue Mountains are covered in lush, diverse vegetation, mostly tropical rainforest and cloud forest. The area is famous for its coffee plantations, which are located within the forested slopes. The Blue Mountains coffee plantations are important for Jamaica’s economy. And I’ll be there from October to December for this project, which is the dry season, with clear skies and less rain. The weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F).
Questions of interest (may change with time);
- How does elevation influence the diversity and distribution patterns of coffee plant species in the Blue Mountains?
- How does the productivity of coffee plants vary with elevation, and associated environmental factors?
- How does shade availability at various elevations affect coffee growth, and abundance?
- Are there specific elevation thresholds where coffee plant diversity significantly shifts?
Hi, don’t forget your field journal entries. Your entry for your field site should be specific to where you are doing your measurements as well as any context from the broader area (e.g. blue mountains).