Aripo Savannas Strict Nature Reserve - Environmental Management ...

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2.0 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSED ACTION 2.1 Biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago Biological diversity or biodiversity is the variety of life in all its forms on the earth, and the diverse kinds of habitats in which these plants and animals live together. The word originates from the words “Bios” which is Greek for life, and “diversity” which means variety. Biodiversity includes genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. An ecosystem is the complex interacting web of living organisms and their non-living environment. Examples of ecosystems are swamps, reefs, savannas, tropical forests or deserts. Within these large ecosystems are habitats. Habitats are smaller components of ecosystems where plants and animals live - an earthworm will live in the soil or a scorpion under a rock. Ecosystem diversity is the variety of different habitats or ecosystems. In Trinidad and Tobago we have a very rich ecosystem biodiversity, with different kinds of terrestrial or land, marine and freshwater ecosystems. Species diversity or the variety of species, allows us to tell the difference between living things that make them distinct from each other. We can tell the difference between a dog, a fish, and a beetle, and we can also tell the difference between different kinds (species) of fish. We can identify a carite, a shark and a flying fish, as three separate species of fish. Genetic diversity is the variety within each species. If we look at the human family, each one of us is different from each other, although we are all human. We can identify individuals amongst ourselves because of our different genetic makeup. This difference in genetic makeup has enabled us to use the technologies of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing to solve crimes and determine the parenthood of people 5 . This is possible due to the differences in our genes, which therefore, contribute to make us unique. The importance of biodiversity can be looked at in three broad aspects: Economic, Ecological and Cultural values. Provisioning Goods produced or provided by ecosystemsFood • Freshwater • Fuel wood • Fiber • Biochemicals • Genetic resources Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services Regulating Benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes • Climate regulation • Disease control • Flood control • Detoxification Cultural Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems • Spiritual • Recreational • Aesthetic • Inspirational • Educational • Communal • Symbolic 5 Environmental Management Authority. 2001. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad. EMA: The Administrative Record for the Designation of Aripo Savannas as an Environmentally Sensitive Area
The islands of Trinidad and Tobago have a complex geological history due to the islands’ recent separation from the northern portion of South America, only some 11-15,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age 6 . Trinidad and Tobago are merely offshore islands of the South American mainland retaining the diversity of flora (plants) and fauna (animals) of the continent. In Trinidad and Tobago, few species have evolved, adapting to local conditions, resulting in new species or subspecies/ varieties that are different from similar variations on the South American continent. The local Pawi (Pipile pipile) from the forests of the North East is believed to be a sub-species of a South American variety, and two plant species from the Aripo Savannas are endemic to Trinidad. An endemic species is a species, which is found native to a particular habitat or region and occurs only there 7 . Other sub-species and species for Trinidad and Tobago include the Blind Cave Fish (Rhamdia quelen), Oilbird (Steatornis caripenesis), Golden Tree Frog (Phyllodytes auratus). Although there are roughly 4,174 known species of flora and fauna in Trinidad, there remain many undocumented and un-described species, especially among the lower groups of organisms, for example invertebrates. Information on the country’s genetic diversity is largely confined to the agricultural sector such as the Cocoa Gene Bank in Centeno, the genetic stock of sugar cane and commercial timber species 8 . 2.2 Threats to Trinidad and Tobago’s Biodiversity Habitat loss in Trinidad and Tobago has led to the erosion of biological diversity. The country is the most industrialised of the Commonwealth Caribbean. The expanding population has placed increasing pressures on the islands, which have a limited land space of only 5,123 km 2 . The consequence of these demands means that the natural resources experience pressures that impact on the environment, including the pollution of land, marine and freshwaters, chemical spills, deforestation and the overexploitation of fisheries wildlife and forest resources 9 . Globally, biodiversity is under threat from human civilization, expansion and consumption. Human beings, having the ability to modify their environment have done so on a scale unknown in human history today. Human activities have had a dramatic effect on the natural environment and resources to the extent that species extinctions have become common occurrences; pollution is affecting human health, water resources, livelihoods and the well-being of humans. Environmental degradation has become a serious challenge to our survival, health and civilization as the biodiversity on which all life depends is depleted. The loss of biodiversity holds unique concerns for islands of the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago are small islands and the erosion of biodiversity means that residents will feel the implications directly. Biodiversity contributes in significant ways to the economic development of the country through tourism, recreation, and resources harvested from the natural environment 10 . 6 EMA: Environmental Management Authority. 1997. State of the Environment Report 1997. EMA, Port of Spain, Trinidad. 7 Kricher, J. C. 1997. A Neotropical Companion: An Introduction to the Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems of the New World Tropics. Second Edition, Revised and Expanded. Princeton University Press, New Jersey, United States of America. 8 EMA: Environmental Management Authority. 1999a. Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Trinidad and Tobago. EMA, Port of Spain, Trinidad. 9 EMA: Environmental Management Authority. 1999b. The Administrative Record for Environmentally Sensitive Areas Rules 1999. EMA, Port of Spain, Trinidad. 10 Bacon P.R. 2000 EMA: The Administrative Record for the Designation of Aripo Savannas as an Environmentally Sensitive Area
Page 1 and 2: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Page 3 and 4: (l) Mayaro/ Rio Claro Regional Corp
Page 5 and 6: 1.0 SCHEDULE IV OF THE ENVIRONMENTA
Page 7 and 8: Chap. 16:02 Chap. 66:01 “Environm
Page 9 and 10: Aripo Savannas Strict Nature Reserv
Page 11 and 12: (F) Armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus)
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Page 17: A brief history of action on the Ar
Page 21 and 22: 1765 The Main Ridge Reserve in Toba
Page 23 and 24: National Parks and other Protected
Page 25 and 26: threatened and endangered species,
Page 27 and 28: 3.3 The Role of NGOs The NGOs and C
Page 29 and 30: 4.2 Geomorphology and Soils 29 Old
Page 31 and 32: a. Rhynchospora aripoensis Bitton,
Page 33 and 34: • Agricultural and residential Sq
Page 35 and 36: An Aripo Savannas Bibliography Adam
Page 37 and 38: 3.0 THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE A
Page 39 and 40: Schedule I Schedule II Schedule III
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