An evaluation of GIS technology as a potential tool for coastal watershed management in Jamaica : case study: The Negril and Green Island watersheds

Abstract

This thesis has collated and consolidated existing datasets on natural resources and pollution for the Negril and Green Island watersheds in Western Jamaica. It developed techniques to assess the state of the environment and management needs of the watersheds using these datasets. In particular, it focused on evaluating GIS as a tool for establishing and explaining the relationships between water quality and watershed characteristics. The thesis developed study area specific methods for GIS-based 2.5D digital elevation modelling, hydrological and hydrogeological modelling, visualisation, interpolation and development of environmental indices.