With population growth increasing in Trinidad and Tobago, there is a demand for food, shelter and infrastructure. These social issues regarding the increase in population density is considered to be the ultimate threat to biodiversity of the twin island (CBD 2009). High population density is renowned as a secondary driver to biodiversity as an increase in demand for natural resources such a food and fuel play a main role of biological diversity deterioration (CBD 2009). Over-exploitation of resources and habitat loss and fragmentation contributes to the great risk of extinction in animals and plants. This is especially in areas where individuals are greatly dependant on them as a means of support.
For example, the piping-guan, Pipile pipile that is endemic to Trinidad has become critically endangered to due hunting and forest degradation (EMA n.d). This endemic bird endures limited disturbances in order to persist. However, due to a high demand for housing, agricultural lands and trail development in Trinidad, disturbances to its habitat have caused the population to decline so rapidly that in 2001 the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) declared that the population now consists of 77 to 200 individuals (EMA n.d).
Squatting is also another factor of increased population density that threatens the biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago. The challenges of unemployment, housing and poverty have led to illegal squatting in private and state lands around the twin island. These illegal settlements are often unregulated and ignored. These practices cause a great amount of habitat loss and fragmentation. It was projected that 250,000 individuals in Trinidad and Tobago have been squatting along the coasts as well as along the old train lines (ODPM 2014).
An increase in population density increases urbanization in a country. Thus, rich ecological habitats are continuously disappearing in Trinidad and Tobago. Mangroves are effective and protect against erosion perpetrated by waves and also provide a habitat for a wide range of plants and animals (e.g. Caroni Swamp) (FAO 2005). In the 1970’s at the mouth of Maraval and Diego Martin, mangroves were reclaimed for housing, highways and port facilities. In another example, between the periods of 1922-1985, 494ha were lost from the Caroni Swamp due to the development of roadways (FAO 2005). Additionally, with respect to Tobago, the Buccoo Reef is also being threatened because of tourist activities such as snorkelling. This can affect the habitats of marine life thus, affecting biodiversity and disrupting the marine food chain for some.
Trinidad and Tobago faces several impediments in resolving these threats. One such impediment is ineffective laws and legislation. Trinidad and Tobago has over 50 laws, plans and policies which directly and indirectly address biodiversity, however, many of these are disregarded (The Cropper foundation 2010). Various environmental legislations in Trinidad and Tobago was passed in 2001, thus being outdated and others not being implemented, indicating there is little to no progress to enhance law enforcement. For example, both the National Environmental Policy (1998) and a National Wetland Policy (2001) were developed over 15 years ago, making it no surprise that the country's biodiversity is continuously under threat from the increase in population density leading to the actions of humans (GORTT 2011).
In order to assist in participatory mechanisms to increase biodiversity throughout the twin island, the capacity of various stakeholders need to be built. There is a lack of training in personnel within the field area. For example, several individuals lack technical skills as well as practices and management skills (GORTT 2011). Additionally, there is a lack of balance between the environment and cultural practices in Trinidad.
Another challenge Trinidad and Tobago is faced with is the lack of monitoring and evaluation to aid in the increase of biodiversity. Several of Trinidad and Tobago's policies include proper monitoring of protected areas and on the environment as a whole. However, forested areas are continuously being degraded for squatting as well as slash and burn activities continue to rise due to the need of agricultural lands (GORTT 2011). These unsustainable practices lead to the loss and fragmentation of natural ecosystems.
Management among multiple agencies and the government poses complication to the overall management of safeguarding the biodiversity in the country. In some instances, there is a lack of management with respect to the environment and tradition/culture (GORTT 2011). With the increase in population density in Trinidad and Tobago, means there is also an increase in religious beliefs. For example, the Marianne River in Blanchisseuse provides a site for Hindu worshippers for certain festivals (EMA n.d). The water quality of this river is affected and needs to be managed to prevent social issues.
As biodiversity continues to dwindle at a faster rate than natural influential by human activities, there is concern of various species to become extinct, thus threatening the human population since we are dependent on its goods and services. Biodiversity entails all parts of plant and animal life and provides us with natural resources for the use of survival. For example, animal matter which has been decayed over centuries has provided us with fossil fuels, which are a major part of human life since it is needed to power vehicles for transportation (Ibish and Bertzky 2006). Even the rise of some medicines, the use of plants is needed to manufacture these. If it is that all biodiversity is lost we (that is, if we still exist) would become homogenous and thus have identical vulnerabilities (Ibish and Bertzky 2006). Therefore, an epidemic can kill the entire human population at once since we would have no biological differences which would help us to adapt and survive (Ibish and Bertzky 2006).
If actions are not taken to conserve and preserve existing biodiversity, extinction can occur at a very rapid rate. Proper management, monitoring, education awareness, evaluation and effective legislation needs to put in place in order to save what is left on earth.
References:
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). 2009. “National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.” Accessed January 29, 2016. https://www.cbd.int/kb/record/nbsap/19488?RecordType=nbsap&FreeText=trinidad%20and%20tobago.
Environmental Management Authority. n.d. “Environmentally Sensitive Species: Pawi Trinidad Piping-guan (Pipile pipile) Trinidad and Tobago.” Accessed January 29, 2016. http://www.ema.co.tt/new/images/pdf/pawi.pdf.
Environmental Management Authority. n.d. January 30, 2016. http://www.thecropperfoundation.org/pubs/NRAssessRep/NRA_chp6.2.3thru6.3.2.5.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2005. “Thematic Study on Mangroves.” Accessed January 30, 2016. http://www.fao.org/forestry/9411-07da9602b1de14060617ee3abf5de0591.pdf
Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). 2011. “National Protected Areas Policy.” Accessed January 30, 2016. http://www.ema.co.tt/new/images/policies/protected_areas.pdf
Ibish, P and M. Bertzky. 2006. “Halting Biodiversity Loss: Fundamentals and Trends of Conservation Science and Action.” Accessed January 31, 2016. http://www.bsi.org/bsi_info/conservation/Halting_Biodiversity_Loss.pdf
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM). 2014. “Preliminary Vulnerability Assessment
of Trinidad & Tobago.” January 30, 2016. http://www.odpm.gov.tt/sites/default/files/Preliminary%20Vulnerability%20Assessment%20of%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago%20Rmaharaj%202014.pdf
The Cropper Foundation. 2010. “Fourth National Report of Trinidad And Tobago to The Convention on Biological Diversity.” Accessed January 30, 2016. http://www.biodiversity.gov.tt/pdf/4th_National_report_CBD_2010_changes_inc.pdf.
