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Wetlands

	What are Wetlands?
	Wetlands - Link in the water cycle
	Wetlands - as breeding and feeding grounds
	Birds and Wetlands
	Wetlands of Trinidad and Tobago

What are Wetlands?

Wetlands are areas of land where there is a large percentage of water - such as a swamp. They are found all over the world from the cold tundra lands of the north and south to the hot steamy rainforests of the equator. Most contain freshwater, some are brackish and others are truly marine. Some wetlands are permanent features - e.g. the rivers of the Amazon Basin and the Caroni and Oropouche water systems in Trinidad. Other wetlands are temporary - e.g. wetlands formed after the onset of a rainy season - as found in the interiors of Africa and Australia.

	Fact: It is estimated that only 3% of the Earth's surface is covered in wetland.
	Fact: The Amazon Basin - the greatest rainforest on Earth - is a mosaic of wetlands - over two-thirds of the world's freshwater is to be found in the 1100 tributaries which feed the Amazon River itself.
	Fact: The great tundra peatlands of Eurasia and North America, after the spring thaw, could be regarded as an enormous peaty wetland system, crowning the globe.

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Wetlands - Link in the water cycle

Wetlands play a vital role in the cycling of water on the planet. Water evaporated from the seas or transpired from plants returns as rainfall filling both upland and lowland wetlands. Wetland systems, and their forested counterparts, slowly release their waters either to the atmosphere or to the sea, playing a major role in governing world climate.

With the flow of water arrives a steady input of nutrients from the surrounding land - the organic silts and sediments settle and, warmed by the sun, provide ideal conditions for the growth of microscopic plants and animals - the base of aquatic food chains.  

Fact: A well established marsh is estimated to be up to 50 times more productive than a similar area of grassland and about 8 times as productive as cultivated land.

The Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia speciosa) - Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust: This important plant is used as a food source at the Trust. Leaves, insects and crustaceans in the roots are eaten by waterfowl. A water purifer, this plant also absorbs large amounts of dangerous pollutants (including mercury and lead) from the water and helps keep any water area clean. Prolific, 10 plants can reproduce to cover an acre of water in 8 months.

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Wetlands - as breeding and feeding grounds

	Fact: The most important hunted wild animal in the world, in terms of gross income derived, is the humble shrimp (one billion dollars worth exported each year from developing countries)
	Fact: Two-thirds of the commercial fish species caught in the U.S.A. and Trinidad and Tobago have spawning grounds in wetlands.
	Fact: Rice - the primary food source for over half the world's population - is a wetland plant.

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Wetlands are the homes for many types of bird including ibis, pelicans, herons, flamingos, cranes, waders and, of course, wildfowl. They are also important feeding and resting places for these birds on migration (as well as for smaller migrants such as swallows, martins, etc.).

Fact: It is estimated that over 7 million shorebirds from Nothern Europe overwinter in the West African wetlands. Such wetlands can record vast numbers of birds - The Banc d'Arguin of Mauretania can support a density of 4,000 birds per square Kilometer!

Wetlands are important nesting sites. The Caroni in Trinidad supports large numbers of Ibis, Herons, Whistling Ducks, Stilts, Rails, Egrets and many more. One Hundred and Thirty Two (132) species of birds are found in the Caroni.

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Wetlands of Trinidad and Tobago

Nariva, Caroni, Oropouche, Los Blanquizales, Cedros, Icacos, Rousillac, Fishing Pond, Godineau, Bucco/Bon Accord, Kilgwyn.

The Nariva Wetlands

The Nariva wetlands are of international importance, being governed by international treaties and conventions, and partly by domestic legislation. It is a RAMSAR site and a PROHIBITED area.  Under the law, we have made a commitment, and, we have an obligation to declare this site an ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA. Further, we now have special legislation under the Environmental Management Act concerning Sensitive Areas and Sensitive Species, and the Rules dictate that the Nariva Swamp must be designated a Sensitive Area.

The Nariva Wetlands are the most ecologically diverse wetlands in Trinidad & Tobago, and is the last bastion for many forms of wildlife.   The Wildlife section, Forestry Division, notes that it is considered among the global 200 eco-regions identified for GLOBAL & REGIONAL PRIORITY CARE.

Under the Environmental Management Authority Act, several of the Nariva Swamp’s biota should be declared sensitive species.  It is home to numerous animal species, including 151 bird species such as the endangered Blue & Gold Macaw; 59 mammals including the endangered West Indian Manatee; 25 reptiles and 7 amphibians and many important commercial species.

It is RECOGNISED as an essential wildlife refuge and an important breeding habitat.

The site is extremely vulnerable to degradation through unsuitable and unplanned development.  In 1992/1997 Nariva was threatened by extensive, illegal rice farming and devastating fires as well as the digging of illicit channels, all causing significant damage to the fragile hydrology of the swamp.  The wasteland of much of Fishing Pond today and the complaints and regrets of the community there is testimony to what could happen to Nariva and it’s communities.  In 2001, Nariva was AGAIN threatened, this time by the “Cocal Estates Development Plan” with threats of large scale dredging and canals to join the Nariva & Ortoire catchments, salt water intrusion, and the draining out of wet-lands for large scale construction.  We know that development of this sort only really benefits the resort developer.  We all also know that serious threats are looming again on the horizon.

Our natural assets must be harvested in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable way as they are held in trust for our present and future generations, and they can be, IN NARIVA, WITH NARIVA as an Environmentally Sensitive Area, by the communities in the area, with help, guidance and support, from Government, Government agencies, The University of the West Indies (UWI), and the NGO’s & CBO’s.

Under RAMSAR, Nariva was zoned for sustainable agriculture, fishing, and community use.  For the surrounding communities, the Nariva Wetland ecosystems, which include the Bush Bush Wildlife Sanctuary, the Cocal and the Barrier Beach, have considerable potential for generating income from nature tourism and recreation as well. 

As a “wilderness area” it has considerable economic significance.  Travelling through it is an adventure, an experience that is exhilarating and exciting, educational and satisfying; and visitors, local & foreign recognise this.

Spectacular scenery, relative ease of access, close views of wildlife, are all factors important to nature-based tourism, AND ARE AVAILABLE IN NARIVA, and can and WILL contribute significantly to the local and national economy.  However this must all be very carefully managed, monitored and used wisely.  There are many other spin-offs that can and will come from the business of nature tourism.  Local communities are already involved in these activities.  They are also involved with fire prevention, a wildlife-breeding programme and with manatee and turtle conservation.

The communities in the area are perfectly aware of the serious and long-term problems that will arise from the destruction and loss of the Nariva Wetlands, as well, as the many benefits that exist for them if the wetlands, the Cocal and it’s surrounding subsystems are conserved and utilised wisely.

Bush Bush Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nariva Wetlands have been and are valuable research sites and many eminent university teachers, professors and students, both local & foreign, have used them and still do, for collecting important data.

Just by being there, gives the Nariva intrinsic value.

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