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).
Activities in Aripo: Research
http://www.trinoutdoors.com/pages/natural_attractions.htm
Picture of sundew (a carnivorous plant found at the Aripo savannah)
Bladderwort - another carnivorous plant with leaves adapted for catching insects and crustaceans
