"If their ecosystem function is anything to go by, Jamaicans need to rethink their perception of lizards, like all other living things in nature and the places they call their natural home.

This is according to Professor Mona Webber, head of The Centre for Marine Sciences at The University of the West Indies, Mona, who has encouraged Jamaicans to spare a thought for the biological diversity, which refers to the total variety of life on Earth.

This, she said, is especially important given the realities of a changing climate that could lead to significant loss of animal and plant life, their habitats and the services they offer to humans – from the provision of food and clean water to medicines, among other things.

“When we speak of biodiversity, we usually mean species diversity, but there is genetic diversity and habitat diversity. When you think of the value of biodiversity in the context of a changing climate, the genetic diversity aspect is what is really important because as the environment changes, having a higher biodiversity gives you greater resilience. The ability of a species to adjust to the changing climate relates to the genetic diversity,” she explained."