Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESSs) are plants or animals which have been designated as such under section 41 of the Environmental Management Act 2000. The specific regulations related to ESSs are provided in the Environmentally Sensitive Species Rules, 2001.
ESSs may be indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago or, if not, present on these islands for part of their life or reproductive cycle. An ESS may also be an animal or plant that, throughout all or a part of its range is, or is likely to become, in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the threats persist.
Trinidad and Tobago is also party to several international conventions that require ESSs to be protected including:
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW Protocol)
Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
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Aripo Savannah
Location: The Aripo Scientific Reserve is located at the foot hills of the Northern Range. It is generally flat with gentle gradient rising toward the north towards Valencia. It is 30=45m above sea level. Natural topographical features that are observed are the 3-5m deep ravines within the reserve.
History: Before being designated as a Scientific Reserve, the Savannahs and Marsh Forest had quite a history before becoming an ideal environmental interest. The savannahs went through stages of protection but were carelessly interfered by political and global causes. In 1934 the area was proclaimed as a forest reserve by the Forest Ordinance Chapter 141 of 1916 and by the Crown Forest Produce Rules. However 1600 acres of land was leased to the United States of America for military purposes in 1940, thus environmentally disturbing selected areas of this diverse ecosystem. An abandon bunker is the only remnants of a man made influence within the savannahs. In 1956 the area was reverted to the government to be managed as a forest reserve, until in 1987 became a prohibited area. The savannahs proved to be a great source of education, therefore relationships developed between interested organizations to facilitate young minds in education (1998). Finally in 2004 the site was proposed as an Environmentally Sensitive Area due to its rare endemic species. (Pamphlet on Aripo Savannahs) There were also a lot of political influences both locally and internationally in terms of securing the environmental richness of the savannahs. The government of Trinidad and Tobago requested that the Organization of American States assist the country in establishing a plan for a system of national parks and protected areas and creates a policy from which legislation could be enacted. (Leach.M and J Fairhead 2001Science, Policy and National Parks in Trinidad and Tobago. The institute of Development Studies.)
About Aripo: The Aripo Savannah is the largest remaining natural savannah in Trinidad and is an area of approximately 1,600 hectares. Aripo Scientific reserve has an international reputation for its unusual flora in striking vegetation communities. It is a natural savannah determined mainly by soil type,It is one of the more studied ecosystems in Trinidad. The ten open savannahs that make up the Aripo Scientific Reserve have low herbaceous vegetation caused by an impervious hardpan layer a few centimetres below the soil surface. . In terms of Biodiversity at the scientific reserve 457 species have been identified so far, 38 are restricted to the Aripo Scientific Reserve and between 16 and 20 are rare and threatened as well as 2 endemic floral species These species have been categorized into six vegetation communities: Open Savannah, Palm Marsh, Marsh Forest, Palm Island, Intermittent Open Water, and Trackside. (EMA Environmental Management Authority. The Administrative Record for Aripo Savannahs Scientific Reserve) The Marsh Forest however covers most of the reserve, the dominant vegetation type being mostly forest species. There is an overlap between the savannahs and the Marsh Forest also known as an ecotone. Thus far 118 species have been recorded. (EMA Administrative Record for Environmentally Sensitive Area: Aripo Savannahs Scientific Reserve) There are various ecosystems found at the Scientific Reserve, they include: Palm Forest, Marsh Forest and of course the highly diversified Aripo Savannahs. The diversity that presents itself with the Aripo Scientific Reserve is quite important since species that carry out the similar function can easily replace each other thus a change in population density is less likely to affect the population of another. The scientific reserve presents a wide variety of species diversity and richness that is incomparable with the western savannahs of the world. It is a protected area and a permit is required for entry. The Forestry Division can be contacted for permit details.
Abiotic characteristics: (climate) such savannahs as Aripo only exist in areas that have a hot and dry season or a hot and wet season. Trinidad falls within the hot and wet season. The temperature to sustain the conditions for the savannahs is 32 degrees Celsius. This temperature must be sustained during the months March, April and May, reaching heights of 35 degrees Celsius. Trinidad is well within such limits with the highest temperatures reaching 36 degrees within the said period.
(Temperature) The temperature at the reserve at a maximum reaches 30-32 degrees Celsius and at a minimum 20-25 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures tend to be higher in the dry season due to higher rates of isolation and minimum temperatures tend to be lower due to the higher rates of nocturnal radiation of heat. ( Forestry Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Food Production. Management and Development Plan: Aripo Savannahs Scientific Reserve P.O.S Trinidad)
(Humidity) On average the humidity is 72.5 percent in the country. The air is generally saturated giving way to mostly warm conditions.
(Rainfall) In most savannahs rainfall is influenced by the Inter Tropical Convergent Zone. Trinidad’s rainy season is dependant upon it. However since it is a tropical country it is affected by heavy rainfall. The minimum rainfall conditions for the savannah are 750mm per annum. In Trinidad the average annual rainfall is 1723mm of rainfall, with 234 average days with rainfall per year. (-Philip's Certificate Atlas for the Caribbean 5th Edition) Within the Aripo Scientific Reserve the annual rainfall is 2500mm. This rainfall is concentrated during the months of June to December with a monthly average of 250mm. The more dry months are between January and May where the monthly averages are between 50 and 100mm. The soil is mostly waterlogged after the rainy season, but is dried after the more dry months. ( Forestry Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Food Production. Management and Development Plan: Aripo Savannahs Scientific Reserve, P.O.S Trinidad).
(Soil features) The soils are derived from weathering and underlying alluvial materials. The hardpan and the infertility of the soil due to weathering are the two most important features of the soil. The hard pan layer prevents the vertical movement of water creating alternative conditions of drought and water logging where the hardpan layer is located close to the soil surface. The soils at the reserve are generally low in terms of fertility and are only capable of supporting the life of mainly grasses and herbs. .( Forestry Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Food Production. Management and Development Plan: Aripo Savannahs Scientific Reserve, P.O.S Trinidad). Most of the plants are therefore specially adapted to fixing their own nitrogen or are parasitic or insectivorous. Ground orchids are common. Tiny sundew, which is a carnivorous plant with leaves adapted for catching insects are found there. Several species of bladderworts that are aquatic plants with leaves adapted for catching insects and crustaceans are also found in this savannah. (Light) In terms of light Trinidad is balanced with 12 hours of sunlight, roughly decreasing by 1hour from October to January. (-Philip's Certificate Atlas for the Caribbean 5th Edition).
Picture of sundew (a carnivorous plant found at the Aripo savannah)
Bladderwort - another carnivorous plant with leaves adapted for catching insects and crustaceans
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Contact Us
National Focal Points (NFPs)
A focal point is the person or institution designated by a government to represent the Party (member of a convention) between meetings of the Conference of the Parties (decision making body) in its routine dealings with the Secretariat in matters involving the convention. This includes activities like communications, dissemination of information, representation at meetings, responding to various requests, collaboration with other stakeholder groups, monitoring, promoting and facilitating national implementation of the convention. The relevant NFPs for the CBD and its Cartagena Protocol may be contacted as follows:
Convention on Biological Diversity
Ms Joanne Deoraj Permanent Secretary Ministry of Planning and Development Eric Williams Financial Complex Finance Tower, Level 14 Eric Williams Plaza, Independence Square Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago
CBD Primary NFP, CHM NFP, Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) NFP and Protected Areas NFP +1 868 627 9700 (Tel) +1 868 623 8123 (Fax)
Mr John Radjman Conservator of Forests Forestry Division Long Circular Road St. James Trinidad and Tobago
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) NFP +1 868 622 4860 (Tel) +1 868 628 5503 (Fax) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Ms Lydia Jacobs Permanent Secretary Ministry of Legal Affairs 72-74 South Quay Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago
Please visit the following links for related information:
CBD Information Centre – The source for relevant information on the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Environmental Management Authority – the national body charged with several functions including developing and implementing policies and programmes for the effective management of the environment.
Chaguaramas Development Authority – a national authority which has the principal function to develop the North-West Peninsula of Trinidad in accordance with National objectives, including the Chaguaramas National Heritage Park.
Buccoo Reef Trust – a non-profit organisation that was created to assist in addressing the threats facing Tobago's marine environment and to explore opportunities for the sustainable development of marine tourism, fishing and aquaculture in the Caribbean region as a whole. Environment Tobago – a national, non-governmental organisation committed to the protection and restoration of Tobago’s environment.
Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge – a world-class natural history destination for students of tropical ecology and is of particular interest to birdwatchers. The Centre is involved in projects ranging from species-specific specific projects, such as the Pawi Education Project, to its support for community-based conservation initiatives such as the Blanchisseuse Environmental Arts Trust (BEAT).
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Country Profile
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Geographical location:
Southernmost islands of the Caribbean archipelago; lies on the South American Continental Shelf.
Geographical co-ordinates:
Latitude – 10° and 11°, 30’ N Longitude – 60° and 62° W
Total Land area:
4828 km2
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):
75,000 sq. km
Climate:
Tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Average annual rainfall:
1200 to 3500 mm
Mean temperature:
22 - 31°C.
Biodiversity influences:
Directly influenced by the Orinoco and the South Equatorial Current. Marine conditions are thus heavily influenced by rainfall, nutrient and large freshwater volume output from the Orinoco River. Endemism is lower than in the rest of the Caribbean as separation from the continental mainland occurred relatively recently, therefore the biota and terrestrial habitats reflect the ecology of equatorial South America, unlike the other Windward Islands which have ecosystems dominated by island endemic species..
Water masses; mud bottoms; mud flats and sea grass beds, coral reefs and communities; sandy bottoms and rocky shores.
Biodiversity:
Approximately 2160 species of flowering plants, 110 of which are endemic; 433 species of birds (411 Trinidad and 210 Tobago); 100 mammals; 37 amphibians and 93 reptiles including 47 snakes (44 Trinidad and 21 Tobago).
Marine eco-systems support a range of macro- and micro-biota including a large array of commercially important fish species and 36 species of reef building corals.
Protected species:
Manatee, golden tree frog, crab-eating raccoon, blue and yellow macaw.
Threats to biodiversity:
Mismanaged planned development, squatting, forest fires, deforestation and over harvesting of commercially important species.
Value of Biodiversity:
An average harvest of timber, fisheries and game is valued at over $150 million annually.
