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Chaguaramas peninsula
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In this case study:
Chaguaramas Peninsula
Dr. Mary Alkins-Koo of the Life Sciences Department of the University of the West Indies developed case
studies for use in courses at the University. Among these was a case study on the Chaguaramas Peninsula.
The following sections draw heavily on the information from her case study on the Chaguaramas Peninsula.1
Background
The Chaguaramas Peninsula is situated on the north-western end of Trinidad. The Peninsula forms the western
end of the Northern Range, and includes the mainland of Trinidad as well Monos, Huevos and Chacachacare
Islands. Other offshore islands – Gaspar Grande, Diego and Five Islands – are not considered as part of the
Peninsula, but will be included in this study. (See figure 1: Map of Chaguaramas Peninsula).

The location of the Peninsula and offshore islands make them a hotspot for activities that are influenced by both
local and international processes (See figure 2: Local and Regional processes impacting on Chaguaramas
Peninsula).

Chaguaramas Peninsula

Figure 1: Map of Chaguaramas Peninsula

Source: Ordnance Survey Map (undated)
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! Figure 2: Local and Regional Processes impacting on Chaguaramas Peninsula (Dept. of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies,
Source: Alking-Koo (2008) 2003-2007).
History
• The Chaguaramas Peninsula has a strategic local
and regional location that has made it a focus for
many civil and military uses. Amerindian sites
dating back to 100 to 700 A.D. can be found on
Chacachacare Island and the name “Chaguaramas”
is of Amerindian origin meaning “palms”.
• Columbus was reported to have anchored off
Chacachacare Bay on his third voyage in 1498.
• Remnants of fortifications built by the Spanish and
British between 1796 and 1805 can be found at
Point Gourde and Gaspar Grande. Admiral
Apodaca’s fleet of ships, scuttled off Point Gourde
in the British invasion in 1797, still remains in
Chaguaramas Bay.
• The good agricultural lands of Tucker Valley were
used as a sugar plantation in the late 18th century
and later planted with cocoa, coffee and citrus for
export. Cotton and citrus were grown on
Chacachacare.
• The offshore islands and some areas of the
peninsula were private holiday homes from as
early as the mid-1800s. Of note, the Five Islands,
notably Nelson Island, served as a depot where
all East Indian indentured immigrants were
quarantined until they were assigned to a
plantation. Almost 150,000 persons, ancestors of
50% of the population of Trinidad, spent their first
days on these islands.
• During World War II, the Peninsula was leased
by the British government to the U.S. for use as
a major naval base and all landowners were
displaced. Many changes were made; bays were
dredged, land was filled, and infrastructure such as
administrative and residential buildings,
ammunition bunkers, roads and drainage were
constructed. American military facilities included
a naval air station at Carenage Bay, an Omega
submarine tracking station in Chaguaramas Valley
and a submarine station at Scotland Bay.
The Peninsula was returned to Trinidad & Tobago
in 1971.
• The Chaguaramas Peninsula, offshore islands
(Gaspar Grande, Gasparillo, Monos, Huevos, and
Chacachacare) and nearshore coastal waters were
declared a National Park in 1974 and have since
been managed by the Chaguaramas Development
Authority.
With a large range of activities, processes and ecologi-
cal features, associated with Chaguaramas Peninsula,
a number of case studies could be undertaken on the
area. This case study is presented in two parts.
Part A will look at biodiversity and ecosystems of
the Chaguaramas Peninsula; and part B will focus on
recreational activities undertaken on the Peninsula.

• Up to the 1930s many of the bays supported

small fishing communities. Whaling was also
conducted in the Bocas during the 19th century
and there were at least four whaling stations on the
islands of Gaspar Grande, Monos and Chacacha
are. A Leprosarium, run by Dominican sisters,
was established on Chacachacare in 1924 and
finally closed in 1984.
 Chaguaramas Peninsula: Case Study A
Ecosystems & Biodiversity
Between 2003 and 2004, a study of the Northern Range of Trinidad was undertaken to assess the contribution
of ecosystem services to human well-being. This assessment was part of a larger global ecosystem assessment
called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. This assessment is used as the Environmental Management
Authority’s (EMA) State of Environment Report 2004. Several excerpts are drawn from this report and used in
Case Study A. 2

The Chaguaramas Peninsula supports terrestrial and marine ecosystems on different areas of the Peninsula.
Although the Peninsula represents a geographically small area of about 5,900 hectares, there are notable differ-
ences in the abiotic conditions that some areas experience. The western parts of the Peninsula tend to be drier
than the eastern parts because of the “rain-shadow” effect that is experienced. [See Figure 3: Isohyetal map of
Trinidad and figure 4: Rain shadow effect]. The differences in rainfall amount lead to the formation of different
types of forest ecosystems. These are described below.

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!Figure 3: Isohyetal map of Trinidad Source: Piarco Meterological Office in NRA (2005)

! Fig 4: Rain shadow effect

Terrestrial Ecosystems: Forests

Four major forest ecosystems include semi-evergreen seasonal forest, deciduous seasonal forest, dry evergreen
forest and montane forest. The forest ecosystems are important for:
• Protection of slopes against soil erosion. Over 70% of Chaguaramas comprises steep slopes.
If the forests on the slopes are removed, the underlying soils will be subjected to severe erosion.
2
Northern Range Assessment (NRA). Report of an Assessment of the Northern Range, Trinidad and Tobago: People and the Northern Range. (State of the Environment
Report 2004. Environmental Management Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, 2005).
 • The process of groundwater recharge in the Tucker Valley and Chaguaramas river Valley is dependant
on the maintenance of forest cover. All of the water that is currently used in Chaguaramas is provided by
wells in Tucker Valley. The importance of this water source cannot be underestimated.
• The forests provide habitats for a wide diversity of mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians and insects.

Semi-evergreen seasonal forest

This is the main forest type in Chaguaramas and it is found on the steep upland areas of the Chaguaramas main-
land. The dominant plant association is the purpleheart-incense-poui. Additional associations include purple-
heart-bois lissette, acurel-moussara-jiggerwood, acurel-gommier and moussara-figuier. Other species found here
include balata, cedar, Cypre, locust and poui.

Excerpt from the EMA State of Environment Report 2004

Semi-evergreen seasonal forest shows physical changes during the dry season with some of the upper canopy
trees being deciduous (on average about one-third of the species) while most understorey species remain ever-
green where moisture conditions are more favorable. This forest type occurs in drier areas where annual rainfall
averages around 1,800mm. Mature trees branch lower on the main stem, between 6m and 9m, than do similar
sized trees in seasonal evergreen forest where branching begins around 15m. Buttressing is not a prominent
feature in semi-evergreen forest. This is mainly a near-coastal forest type in Trinidad’s north-west peninsula,
and north and north-east coasts, but it can also be found on the south-western flanks of the Northern Range.

Deciduous seasonal forest

This type of forest exists on lower areas of the Chaguaramas mainland and particularly on Pt. Gourde and the
offshore islands. The main plant association is Naked Indian-incense-poui ecotone. This association shares
similarities with those on the South-American mainland, but is not present in other areas of Trinidad. This is not
surprising as the Northern Range is the continuation the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela and was once attached
to the South American mainland.

Excerpt from the EMA State of Environment Report 2004

The deciduous seasonal forest is found on the lower slopes of the Northwest Peninsula and on the Gulf islands.
This is the driest forest found in Trinidad where annual rainfall rarely exceeds 1,250mm. This results in an open,
low canopy forest of small trees, with emergents, often with smaller leaves, barely reaching 20m in height.
Common trees in the emergent layer are saltfishwood, yellow savonette, and incense while in the understorey,
yellow poui, wild tamarind and wild guava are abundant. The character of the vegetation reflects the drier con-
dition that prevails. Most trees shed their leaves in the dry season while the evergreen component tends to have
small leathery leaves. Deciduous seasonal forest is confined to areas in the Northern Range such as the offshore
islands, Pointe Gourde, and lower slopes of the north-west peninsula.

Dry evergreen forest (Littoral forest)

This forest-type is found along the shores of the mainland and the offshore islands. The main plant associations
are seagrape-manchineel and Palmiste-balata.

Excerpt from the EMA State of Environment Report 2004

This forest type occurs behind beaches, along cliffs and headlands and shows the ravages of coastal exposure
with wind-trimming and stunted growth on the seaward side. The vegetation is dense – almost impenetrable –
and lianas are sometimes well established. The evergreen vegetation displays salt spray adaptations with thick,
leathery cutinized leaves and is present along the north-east coast. Cacti and century plant (Agave evadens) are
also common.
Montane forest
The plant association found here is serrette-bois gris (lower).

Excerpt from the EMA State of Environment Report 2004

Montane forests include all the natural forest cover above the 240m contour line in the Northern Range and
can be further subdivided into lower montane, seasonal montane, montane, and elfin woodland. In moving
from lower to higher elevations, temperatures decrease and moisture levels increase. Rainfall levels in montane
forests can be as much as 400cm per annum above the 760m contour line. Lower montane, montane, and elfin
woodland occur on schist soil while seasonal montane is found on limestone above 450m

Activity
What features do littoral vegetation-types possess to withstand the strong winds,
sea-spray and sometimes dry conditions associated with coasts? Compare these features,
such as leaf characteristics, with semi-evergreen seasonal forest vegetation, and suggest
reasons why the biodiversity associated with these two vegetation types may be different.

Biodiversity: Wildlife
This section is adapted from the case study on Chaguaramas Peninsula by Dr. Mary Alkins-Koo.

The vertebrate fauna of Chaguaramas includes approximately 90 species of birds, 17 species of reptiles and 11
species of mammals including the red howler monkey, deer, tayra and ocelot. The fishing bat, Noctilio, can be
seen regularly foraging along the coastline at night. The terrestrial arthropod fauna includes remarkably large
millipedes and centipedes (up to 30 cm long) on the offshore islands (hence the local name for Gasparillo
“Centipede Island”).

During the latter half of the 18th century there was a thriving whaling industry in Chaguaramas. There were
whaling stations at Chacachacare, Gaspar Grand and Monos islands. The whales that were targeted in the
whaling industry are thought to be humpback whales although pilot whales also occasionally occurred in
the area. Dolphins are seen regularly around boats moving between the offshore islands.

Coastal Ecosystems and Communities

This section is adapted from the case study on Chaguaramas Peninsula by Dr. Mary Alkins-Koo, with additional
information from the EMA State of the Environment Report 2004.

Coastal ecosystems surround the Chaguaramas Peninsula including the smaller islands adjacent to the pen-
insula. These ecosystems include beaches, seagrass beds and coral reefs. As with other coastal areas around
Trinidad, the marine conditions and communities are influenced by the seasonal freshwater outflow from the
mainland and local rivers during the wet season. Shallow water coastal communities include:
• Patch reefs dominated by finger coral, Porites. Small fringe reefs are found around the Five Islands,
Monos and Chacachacare; these develop in areas that are shallow, have regular flushing so that the water
is circulated, and little surf. Notably, there are “deep-water” coral communities found at relatively
shallow depths (e.g. 25 m) because of the low transparency of these waters as compared with the clear
“blue” waters elsewhere in the Caribbean. These communities include ivory coral, non-reef building
corals and black corals.
• Rocky substrates covered with an assortment of hydroids and sponges.
• Sand and mud substrates with seagrass beds. Seagrass beds are major primary producers in the marine
environment and form the foundation of many food chains. They provide habitats and nurseries for
 many of the fish species that we consume such as snappers, croakers, grunts, groupers, sea breams,
cirrique crabs, lobsters and shrimp. Seagrass beds also help to stabilize bottom sediments and are
important sources and sinks for nutrients. Extensive seagrass beds are found at Williams Bay.
In the past, seagrass beds were also found in Scotland Bay, Monos Island and Five Islands, however,
human activities have impacted negatively on the beds. Seagrass beds are disturbed by anchoring of
boats, boat propellers, heat and oil pollution and the release of excessive organic materials like sewage.
• Chacachacare salt pond - an inland coastal lagoon on Chacachacare Island which attains salinities of
more than 3 to 4 times that of sea water because of low rainfall and high evaporation rates. Few aquatic
organisms can survive under these conditions and only bacteria, fly larvae (Ephyridae) and water bugs
(Corixidae) can be found.

An extensive list of fauna, flora, birds, insects, reptiles and marine organisms found in Chaguaramas is provided
by the CDA, and can be accessed at http://www.chagdev.com/Pages/Chag-WildLife-main.htm

Activity
Produce an informative poster identifying the major terrestrial and marine ecosystems of
the Chaguaramas National Park. For each ecosystem, explain at least one way in which it
contributes to people’s well-being e.g. recreational value, provision of freshwater resources.
Research and produce a species account for one key species of plant or animal found in the
Chaguaramas National Park. It may be terrestrial or marine. Include in your account its sci-
entific and common names; its geographic range globally, in the Caribbean and within Trini-
dad and Tobago; features of its biology such as size, appearance, natural habitats, nutrition/
diet, reproduction, life history, value to humans, and highlight any feature that you found
particularly remarkable or interesting. The class can build a booklet of species accounts of
local flora and fauna over a period of years. Check the Naparima Girls Cyberfair webpage
for an example of a project on local places
http://www.moe.gov.tt/cyberfair/websites08/Secondary/naparimagirls/home.html
 Chaguaramas Peninsula: Case Study B
Recreational activities in the Chaguaramas Peninsula have seen notable increases over the last decade. This has
been largely due to Chaguaramas Development Authority’s (CDA) efforts to promote tourism of the area, and
increase interest of Trinidad as a hotspot for yachters in the Caribbean region.

A Brief look at the CDA

The CDA is a statutory government agency established by an act of parliament in 1972 to admin-
ister and coordinate the development of the North-west peninsula in a manner which meets the
requirements of the Town and Country Planning Act (Chap 35:01). While this purpose does sound
a bit nebulous, a master plan for development has been put forward which outlines more specific
objectives. The one we currently use is the first master plan which was approved (made law) in
1974. Since then a number of reviews of the 1974 master plan have been undertaken with the aim
of developing a more current version – no such plan yet exists. The hierarchical structure of these
plans developed by CDA is shown below.

It is useful to consider why there has been

no approved development plan since 1974.
More information on these plans is available
on the CDA’s website, http://www.chagdev.com/

Sea bathing
The Chaguaramas Peninsula is quite popular for its beaches.
Public transport to these beaches is available from Port of
Spain, and the beaches are frequented every day of the week,
with notable increases in the numbers of sea bathers on the
weekend. With the exception of Macqueripe Beach, all of
the beaches are influenced by the Gulf of Paria and share its
characteristic slow currents. The beaches are also shallow
with wide inter-tidal flats making them ideal spots for bathing.

Many of these beaches however, through poor management

of waste disposal and runoff from land- and water-based
activities, coupled with the oceanographic conditions of
the area are polluted with sewage, solid waste and chemical Figure
! 5: Bathymetrical chart of the north Gulf of Paria
pollutants. Source: Hoyte (1986)
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Figure 6: Popular bathing beaches at Chaguaramas Peninsula Adapted from: Alking-Koo (2008)
!
Improper waste management
Possible sources of pollution include:
• Discharge from broken sewer lines on land that contaminate nearshore waters of the beach via seepage
into the underground natural drainage system.
• Discharge from a sewer line that runs across the sea bed of Welcome Bay to Point Gourde. This line was
found to be a source of pollution in Welcome Bay in the 1980s.
• Wastewater from sewage tanks at compounds near to the beach or near to rivers that flow into the beach.
For example the Cuesa River drains the Tucker Valley and empties in the northeast end of Chagville
Beach. This is important to note as large mega-farms which use fertilizers are located in Tucker Valley.
• Kitchen wastewater from nearby compounds, such as nightclubs.
• Rubbish left by people visiting the beaches.
• Pollutants from industrial and recreational activities (haulout yards and marinas) along the shore of
Chaguaramas bay. These pollutants include heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc and mercury, and
harmful compounds like tributyltin (TBT).
Activity and Discussion:
Oceanographic conditions What are some of the effects of these
• Flushing of the water in most of the bays is pollutants on human health?
poor because of low current speeds, so that
pollutants can settle in the bay. Is it possible to have these in low amounts
• Currents run north-east to south-west along and still have a safe beach?
Chagville Beach and turn south near Pointe Gourde.
The current causes debris to collect along the coast from Chagville Westwards with the largest amounts
being swept into Welcome Bay and deposited in the north-western corner of the bay.
• Currents also take solid waste around to Scotland Bay. 3
• The Chaguaramas area is also subject to oil and (diesel) spills occurring in other areas of the Gulf of
Paria, because of the prevailing currents. A noteworthy example of this is an oil spill which occurred in
Sea Lots (south of Port of Spain) in September 2000 and caused damage to yachts in the Chaguaramas
area.

Activity: Measure faecal coliform levels at Welcome Bay and Macqueripe Bay. How do these
compare? Does the oceanography of each area have anything to do with these differences?
3
P.E. Norman. Report of a Bacteriological Survey on Welcome Bay and Chagville Beach Chaguarmas. 1982.
Chaguaramas National Park
The Chaguaramas Peninsula was designated a National Heritage Park in 1975 with the objectives of:
• Conservation and protection of biodiversity such as the red howler monkey;
• Preservation of ecological, historical and archaeological resources.
Areas above the 60m contour line are considered to be within the national park, which is about 80% of the
Chaguaramas Peninsula. There are provisions for special activities in the area such as agriculture in Tucker
Valley and hunting of wildlife is prohibited. It is unclear from current information sources whether any national
legislation exists to guide the national park.

National parks or protected areas are large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect
large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems
characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and
culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor
opportunities. The primary objective of the national park is to protect natural
biodiversity along with its underlying ecological structure and supporting
environmental processes, and to promote education and recreation. 4

The Chaguaramas National Park promotes recreational activities which include:

• Hikes/ Nature Trails – guided tours are available to waterfalls like Edith Falls; to ecological wonders
such as Gasparee Caves and the Chacachacare salt pond; and archaeological sites like Huggins Ruins
and Lumber Lane.
• Golf course located in Tucker Valley.

! Figure 7: Chaguaramas Conservation Areas Adapted from: Caribbean Forest Association (1996)

Discussion:
4 Does Chaguaramas National Park comply with
IUCN.Guidelines for Protected Areas Management Categories.
the definition of an IUCN National Park?
(IUCN, Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland, 1994), 261.
 Night Clubs
A number of nightclubs and restaurants are situated on the Chaguaramas Peninsula. Some of these include:
Pier 1, MoBS2, The Lure, Anchorage, The Lighthouse and Sails. This type of recreational activity is not without
its share of problems. Traffic congestion is a major problem that arises when major events are held in Chaguara-
mas Peninsula; this is prevalent during the carnival season (January to March) when events are held simultane-
ously at different nightclubs. Waste discharge – sewage and grey water – is a potential problem with all of these
activities concentrated in the small area.

Marinas
Information for this section is drawn from a report that was produced by the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in 2002 as part of a larger project to develop a regional marine-based
tourism strategy. 5

It is only within the last 15 years that Chaguaramas began to develop a thriving yachting sector. The number
of yacht arrivals at Chaguaramas increased by five times from 1990 to 2000 (See Figure 8). This increase in
yacht arrivals has seen both benefits and drawbacks for Chaguaramas. Before looking at the benefits and
drawbacks, let us consider some important questions:
- What makes Chaguaramas attractive to yachters?
- What activities are associated with yachting?
- Where in Chaguaramas do yachting activities occur?

3500
Number of Yach Arrivals

3000
2500
2000
1500
Figure 8: Number of yacht arrivals
1000 to Chaguaramas from 1990 to 2001
500
Source: ECLAC (2002)
0
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
00
01
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
20

Year
5
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Trinidad and Tobago: The Yachting Sector. (Development of a Regional Marine-based Tourism
! Strategy, 2002).
What makes Chaguaramas attractive to yachters?

- Location below the restricted or costly hurricane insurance boundary of 12o40’ North.
- Low cost of living compared with the other islands in the eastern Caribbean.
- Relatively well skilled labour force derived from an industrial background and synergies with the oil
sector.
- Private sector initiatives in plant and equipment and the consequent availability of a wide range
(and concentration) of services.
- Supportive policies by the Customs and Excise and Immigration departments and by TDC.
- Efficient system for boats to import parts duty- and VAT- free.
- Competitive price levels for yachting services.
- Events like Carnival.

What activities are associated with yachting in Chaguaramas?

- Charter boat companies rent pirogues for trips down to the islands off the peninsula,
or boats are rented to host parties.
- Marinas: yacht storage; maintenance.
- Marine services: sail making, engine repair, marine electronics and out-haul facilities.

Where in Chaguaramas do yachting activities occur?

Benefits
One of the major benefits of the yachting industry in Chaguarmas is its contribution to national GDP.
The contribution can be divided into direct and indirect contributions:
1. Direct contributions come from the expenditure of the yachters for the purchase of yacht materials,
for repair services, for mooring permits, and for the purchase of food and personal items.
2. Indirect contributions come from the purchase of goods and services by the establishments and
employees that are direct recipients of the yachter’s expenditures. These establishments include marinas
and marine service stores.
Although the yachting industry does contribute to national GDP, it is not recognised as a sector in the sense
of national accounting or among national revenue-contributing activities. Another benefit is the employment
that is provided through the yachting industry. For example many local persons are hired as repairmen, sales
clerks, and food providers.

Drawbacks
The yachting industry in Chaguaramas has come under heavy criticism as a source of heavy metal, sewage
and solid waste pollution. What is still largely unclear are the contributions that the yachting industry makes in
Chaguaramas because there are so many other activities occurring in Chaguaramas which could all be potential
sources of pollution. For example the CL Marine Dry dock located in the northwest area of Chaguarmas Bay
is a potential source of heavy metal pollution; mega-farms in Tucker Valley are a potential source of chemical
pollution because runoff from the farms drain into the Cuesa River which drains into Chagville Bay; improper
functioning sewage plants onshore can release sewage into nearshore areas.
In light of the criticism of being a major source of pollution, the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and
Tobago (YSATT) has adopted a policy for solid waste management at the yards and marinas.
This policy is outlined in the table below.
Table 1: Waste disposal policy adopted by YSATT. 6
Waste Type Waste Container Method of Comment/
Type Removal Disposal Method
Recyclables
Glass Carib glass eco bin Remove/ replace Recycled at Carib
bin Glassworks
Paper Poly-bag shredded Remove bag Recycled at various
paper recyclers
Steel/ Iron -- -- Company may sell
externally
Wood General container General bin --
Organic waste General container General bin
Box General container General bin --
Liquid hazardous waste
Waste oils Tank/ drum Suction High temp.
incineration
Others Drum Drum removal High temp.
incineration drum
disposal
Solid hazardous waste
Filters Fixed drum with Poly bag removal High temp
poly bag and cover incineration
Batteries N/A N/A Recycle into new
batteries
Plastics/ paint cans General container General bin Recycled at Pirahna
International
Limited
Oily rags Fixed drum/ poly Poly bag removal High temp
bag and cover incineration
Fluorescent light Unbroken in box or Box removal Cement
bulbs wrapped in card encapsulation prior
board to bury in specific 6
ECLAC 2002
landfill
 Activity
Make an inventory of the waste produced by one land- or water-based activity that takes place
at Chaguaramas which you have observed/studied. Research the best practices for disposal
of these wastes. Develop a detailed waste disposal plan for this activity. Include use of
alternative materials or processes if identified wastes cannot be disposed of safely.

Investigate the ways in which one major waste product or activity can affect the biodiversity
of the Chaguaramas area. You can consider one of a range of potential pollutants (chemicals,
sewage, noise from fetes) or activities associated with recreation (nightclubs, boating,
hiking), agriculture (megafarms) or commerce/industry (marinas, boatyards).
Biodiversity can be considered at the ecosystem level (e.g. eutrophication), species
level (habitat fragmentation on populations of wildlife), or individual level
(effect of heavy metal pollution on an organism).

Bibliography
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Institute of Marine Affairs.
Alkins-Koo, Mary. 2005. Case Study - Chaguaramas
Peninsula. BIOL 2461, Dept. of Life Sciences,
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine,
Trinidad and Tobago.
Alkins-Koo, Mary. 2008. Chaguaramas Peninsula
Background. Presentation to St. Mary’s College.
De Verteuil, Anthony. 2003. Western Isles of
Trinidad. Port of Spain, Trinidad: Litho Press
Economic Commission for Latin America and the
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Chaguarmas.
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Trinidad.
Shurland-Maharaj, Susan and Lisa James. A Safe
Haven: History and Growth of the Yachting Industry
in Chaguaramas. Trinidad Guardian, June 28.
The Cropper Foundation (TCF). 2009. Sustainable
Development Terms and Concepts: A Reference for
Teachers and Students. Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Northern Range Assessment (NRA). 2005. Report of

an Assessment of the Northern Range, Trinidad and
Tobago: People and the Northern Range. State of the
Environment Report 2004. Environmental Manage-
ment Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. 184pp.

APPENDIX A: Acronyms used in this case study

CDA Chaguaramas Development Authority

ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
GDP Gross domestic product
IMA Institute of Marine Affairs
IUCN World Conservation Union
TDC Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago
TBT Tributyltin
YSATT Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago
APPENDIX B: Glossary of terms used in the case study

Abiotic Without life. The abiotic elements of an ecosystem constitute its climatic,
geological and pedologic (soil) components.

Bathymetry The study of underwater depth

Biodiversity The variability among living organisms from all sources: terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems, as well as the ecological complexes of which they are part.
Biodiversity includes diversity within and among species (genetic and species diversity)
and diversity within and among ecosystems (ecosystem diversity).

Ecosystem Dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living
environment interacting as a functional unit.

Gross domestic The market value of all final good and services produced within a given country in a
product (GDP) given period of time. Final goods are those that are consumed rather than used to make
another product. For example a car is a final good.

Littoral Of or on the shore of the sea or lake

Plant association A group of plants that live together in a geographical region and constitute a community
with a few dominant species.

Peninsula A piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting far into a sea or lake.

Sea bream Bream is a general term for a number of species of freshwater and marine fish.

APPENDIX C: Plants included in this case study

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name

Acurel Trichilia smithii
Balata Manilkara bidentata
Bois gris Licania ternatensis
Bois Lissette Mouriri marshalii
Cedar Cedrela odorata
Cypre Cordia alliodora
Figuier Ficus yoponensis
Gommier Protium insigne
Tapirira guianensis
Incense Lonchocarpus sp.
Jiggerwood Bravaisia integerrima
Locust Hymenaea courbaril
Manchineel Hippomane mancinella
Moussara Brosimum alicastrum
Naked Indian Bursera simaruba
Poui Tabebuia serratifolia
Purpleheart Peltogyne porphyrocardia
Seagrape Coccoloba uvifera
Serrette Brysonima coriacea
Wild guava Psidium friedrichsthalianum
Wild tamarind Lysiloma latisiliqua
Yellow savonette Lonchocarpus punctatus
APPENDIX C: Animals included in this case study

Common name Scientific name

Black coral Antipathidae (family)
Cirrique crab Callinectes sp.
Croakers Sciaenidae (family)
Deer Mazama sp.
Finger coral Porites porites
Fishing bat Noctilio sp.
Fly larvae Ephyridae (family)
Groupers Epinephelus (subfamily)
Grunts Haemulidae (family)
Ivory coral Ramariopsis kunzei
Ocelot Felis pardalis
Red howler monkey Alouatta seniculus insularis
Snappers Lutjanidae (family)
Tayra Eira barbara
Water bugs Corixidae (family)