Case Studies

Detailed sanctuary habitat maps were created by MGIBlue of Jamaica’s south coast, providing critical information on these environments important for sustaining marine life and ecosystems.  Maps display the distribution of eight benthic habitat types: Hard Coral, Mangroves, Mud, Pavement, Rubble, Sand, Sparse Sea Grass and Dense Sea Grass. These were created for the project “Classification …Read more  »

Animations below show results plotted for (i) total velocity, (ii) sea-surface height and (iii) the tracks of buoyant particles. The particle-tracking numerical model was based on the hydrodynamics model’s velocity field. This shows the tracks of particles released just outside of the Kingston Harbour and their journey along the shelf. Simulations such as this is …Read more  »

Freshwater discharge along the southeast coast of Jamaica can be sourced from riverine outflow, underground seeps or run-off flow. Generally, the volume of the fresh water discharges affect changes of the current flow structure due to the water density difference, and that causes density current. The density current which has the density difference can exist …Read more  »

Reefal bays are a common type of bay system found along most Caribbean coasts including the Jamaican coastline. Fringing reefs, in particular, hug many parts of the coast, buffering shoreline wave action, providing protection for marine life and influencing sediment flow. Where the reef are associated with bays, the circulation maintained by the presence of …Read more  »

An index has been developed by MGIBlue for rating the natural durability of Jamaica’s beaches to withstanding erosion. Each coastal community was given a score for their beach durability based on physical and morphological characteristics, terrestrial and marine sediment supply, wave action and the presence of protective agents such as seagrass, coral reefs and mangroves. …Read more  »