The Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE) is excited to launch a major new project that will help us better understand and protect the natural habitats that make our islands so special. With support from the UK Government’s Darwin Plus programme, the project – Building Capacity for Habitat Mapping and Condition Monitoring began in October 2025 and will bring more advanced technology directly into our conservation work.
🌿 Why Habitat Mapping Matters
The Cayman Islands are home to some of the most unique plants and habitats in the world. Our strictly native flora includes 415 species and varieties of vascular plants, with many found nowhere else on Earth.
These include iconic species like:
- Cayman Ironwood
- Silver Thatch Palm
- Yellow Mastic
- Grand Cayman Sage (critically endangered)
- Banana Orchid, our national flower
Our dry forests and mangroves also support unique native species such as the Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac Parrot, the red-legged thrush, and the Blue and Sister Islands Rock Iguana.
But these habitats face growing pressure from development, invasive species, and climate change. To protect them, we need accurate, up‑to‑date information about where habitats are, what condition they are in, and how they are changing over time.
That’s where habitat mapping comes in.
🛰️ How Technology Helps Us Protect Nature
This project brings cutting‑edge tools to the Cayman Islands, including:
Earth Observation (EO)
Technology that collects data from above using satellites, drones, or aircraft to detect patterns we can’t see from the ground like changes in vegetation, land use, and habitat health.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Software that lets us build detailed digital maps and analyze environmental data.
These tools help us:
- Track habitat loss or recovery
- Identify rare or threatened ecosystems – particularly in remote or inaccessible areas
- Monitor mangrove health
- Detect early signs of degradation
- Support better planning and conservation decisions
This project will adapt Natural England’s ‘Living Maps’ approach for the Cayman Islands, using advanced segmentation and machine-learning techniques to generate a detailed habitat map. It combines high resolution EO data, existing detailed flora and fauna survey data, and local specialist expertise in forest ecology and GIS.
🌎 Why This Work Is Important for Our Islands’ Future
Cayman’s natural habitats provide tens of millions of dollars worth of protection and other services each year, supporting tourism, safeguarding property, and helping our communities stay resilient in a changing climate. Our mangroves and dry forests act as natural “green infrastructure,” protecting communities from storms, flooding, and pollution. By using modern technology, we can measure these benefits more accurately and make smarter choices for the future.
With better habitat maps and monitoring tools, the DoE will be able to:
- Quickly assess when habitats have been damaged
- Strengthen conservation management
- Support natural capital accounting
- Prepare for climate impacts
- Protect biodiversity for future generations
This project also builds local skills. By the end, our team will have the training and tools needed to create detailed habitat maps independently and keep them updated over time.
🤝 A Strong Partnership
The DoE has worked closely with JNCC for many years, including on previous projects like inland flood modelling. This new effort builds on that foundation. Cayman already has strong field data, vegetation classifications, and local expertise, making our islands an excellent place to develop and test new mapping methods.
Together with JNCC and Natural England, we are co‑designing approaches that are scientifically robust, practical, and tailored to Cayman’s unique environment.
🔭 Looking Ahead
By 2028, the Cayman Islands will have a more modern, reliable, and faster system for mapping and monitoring our terrestrial habitats. This will help us protect our forests, mangroves, and wildlife – not just for today, but for generations to come.
This project also supports key goals of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy, including:
- Developing skills and talent
- Enhancing environmental resilience
The DoE is proud to lead this work for the future of our islands.
