MAIN FINDINGS OF AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NORTHERN RANGE. Community Exchange and Information Fair on the Northern Range 17 March 2006 Keisha Garcia

Transcription

1 MAIN FINDINGS OF AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NORTHERN RANGE Community Exchange and Information Fair on the Northern Range 17 March 2006 Keisha Garcia

2 Why the Northern Range? The Northern Range is a natural system important to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago It occupies one quarter the land area of Trinidad Significant for the things we use everyday, both those that are evident, and those we don t see Generally we understand how we affect the natural resources of the Northern Range and how this in turn affects us But, scientific understanding not very good

3 Northern Range Boundaries

4 How was it done? Involved about 30 persons from the public sector (Ministries), private sector, from the University of the West Indies, and from various other organizations and communities Contributions at Northern Range workshops: Launch workshop in March 2003 Northern Range Workshop in November 2004 Involved three Northern Range Communities to get their perspectives Bon Air, Grande Riviere and Petit Curucaye No new research: Used information that already existed

5 What exactly did we look at? The benefits provided by the Northern Range, and their importance to us : as individuals, communities or as a nation The ways in which our activities impact on the NR What has been happening to the resources as a result of human activities, AND how changes in resources (both in quality and quantity) affects us What has been done, or is being done to manage the NR and its resources What more can we do?

6 Millennium Assessment Framework Human Well-being and Poverty Reduction Basic material for a good life Health Good Social Relations Human Well-being Security Freedom of choice and action Indirect Drivers of Change Demographic Economic (globalization, trade, market and policy framework) Sociopolitical (governance and Indirect Drivers institutional framework) Science and Technology Cultural and Religious Ecosystem Services Direct Drivers of Change Changes in land use Species introduction or removal Direct Drivers Technology adaptation and use External inputs (e.g., irrigation) Resource consumption Climate change Natural physical and biological drivers (e.g., volcanoes)

7 Linking Natural Resources and Human Needs

8 Importance of the Northern Range Water Biodiversity: range of plant and animal life (wildlife) Forests Coastal areas

9 Water Northern Range is vital for providing freshwater for Trinidad several areas known as watersheds within the Northern Range 80% of the surface water (from rivers or streams) used in Trinidad are found in NR also important for groundwater for NR communities Rivers also provide subsistence livelihoods for some Northern Range communities (eg. fish and crustaceans) Rivers are also popular for river liming, and for religious festivals (e.g. Hindus and Baptists)

10 Eastern parts of the Northern Range are in a better state and so provide more water of a better quality

11 What has been happening to Northern Range Freshwater Resources. Activities that cause a decrease in the quality and amount of freshwater provided by the Northern Range are: deforestation (removal of tree cover) pollution of rivers/ streams/ groundwater paving rivers or changing their shape and size In 20 years, Trinidad (as an island) will barely be able to meet our water needs, especially during the dry season greater demand for freshwater by the public will make the situation worse

12 Biodiversity Wide range of plant and animal life in the Northern Range Some species found only in the NR (endemic) Golden Tree Frog, luminous lizard and several plants

13 Some animals of economic value especially for NR communities: game species e.g. lappe, agouti, deer ecotourism e.g. leatherback turtles, Pawi, oilbird Economic Value (TT$) Agouti Cage Birds Deer Lappe Lizards Quenk Tattoo Total 0 Y 1993/1994 Y-1994/1995 Y-1997 Y- 1999/2000 Y-2000/2001 Y-2001/2002 Year

14 Some plants can be of economic value e.g. Ryania speciosa, orchids, ferns Some plants can be used as natural medicines Biodiversity important for aesthetic beauty in the Northern Range

15 What has been happening to Northern Range biodiversity.. Activities affecting Northern Range biodiversity: Deforestation Overhunting/ overfishing Water pollution Resulting in a decrease in: the numbers of plant and animal species the areas in which we find specific species Species most threatened are those that depend very heavily on specific resources for their survival eg pawi, oilbirds, ocelot, howler monkey

16 The Pawi The Pawi is found only in the forested areas of the Matura reserve About 200 individuals alive in the wild The Pawi depends heavily on the forests for its survival Therefore removal of the forest results in a reduction of numbers of animals The animal is a source of income to Grande Riviere residents through eco-tourism

17 Forests Northern Range forests important for many reasons: Vegetation cover helps in trapping rain water and providing freshwater in rivers/ groundwater Vegetation cover helps in reducing the severity of flooding in low-lying areas Recreation (e.g. wildlife hunting) and ecotourism Timber is harvested and sold Non-timber forest products

18 Non-timber products: Wildmeat Fibres and basket making materials utilised for handicraft Ryania speciosa stems exported in limited quantities and used for organic insecticide Other potential uses The commercial cutflower and potted plant industry (orchids) Landscaping Industrial chemicals Cosmetics Medicinal and related applications

19 What has been happening to Northern Range forests. The area covered by forests has decreased in the Northern Range, especially in western parts For housing and agriculture Deforestation increasing in the eastern parts of the Northern Range

20 Coastal Areas Several types of areas on the coast beaches wetlands (mangrove swamp) seagrasses coral reefs algal communities Important for protecting the coast Important for recreation beach limes sport fishing holidays

21 Some NR communities gain income from resources from the coast e.g. fish, seamoss Matelot 13% Toco 5% Blanchisseuse 10% Maracas 72% 2002 Fish Catch Data: MALMR

22 What has been happening to coastal areas.. Main activities threatening the coast: activities inland (e.g pollution of rivers with fertilizers, pesticides, sewage and garbage) overcrowding of beaches etc. without proper facilities such as toilets, bins over-exploitation of coastal resources such as fish and seamoss natural events (such as the waves at Maracas beach)

23 Activities affecting Northern Range Resources Land use and changes in land cover (vegetation) Residential developments (approved and unauthorized) Agriculture and agricultural squatting Logging (legal and illegal) Quarrying Commercial / industrial developments Wildlife/ fish harvesting Wastewater treatment (e.g sewage treatment plants) Fires

24 Activities affecting Northern Range Resources Human factors or activities Economic forces Governance Population demographics (e.g. urbanization) Increasing demand for recreation Culture and behaviour Environmental factors Climate variability (e.g. changes in rainfall patterns)

25 What can we do? Implement policies and enforce them Public agencies need to work together Governance arrangements (especially local level) Joint management of resources (joining the efforts of the government with community initiatives) Public responsibility and public education Funds/ Money dedicated to help manage natural resources Ongoing research about the Northern Range and proper documentation (especially for the public) Monitor and evaluate how effective policies and other activities are

26 What can we do? Specific policies and actions for different issues Biodiversity Amenity value Land use Forest resources Freshwater resources Coastal resources Agriculture Quarrying

27 How are we using the Northern Range Assessment? Bon Air North Sustainable Living Project idea for outreach to other communities in the NR Programme in Environment and Resource Education (IERE) working mainly with schools, helping to develop learning materials also support work with NR communities Follow-up with Policy makers working with relevant Ministries

28 thank you.