Trinidad mangroves
Trinidad mangroves | |
---|---|
Mangroves | |
Geography | |
Area | 259 km2 (100 sq mi) |
Country | Trinidad and Tobago |
Coordinates | 10°25′N 61°03′W / 10.42°N 61.05°W |
The Trinidad mangroves
Location and description
The largest mangrove wetland on Trinidad is the Nariva Swamp, a permanent brackish lagoon, on the east coast. It is separated from the sea by a sand bar, and has a salinity of 18-25 ‰. The water level typically fluctuates by 0.6 - 1.9 meters.[4] The second largest is the Caroni Swamp, formed where the Caroni River enters Gulf of Paria just south of Port of Spain in the northwest of the island.[3] The ecoregion surrounding the mangroves on the inland side is Trinidad and Tobago moist forests, except for the Caroni Swamp, which is surrounded by a thin band of Trinidad and Tobago dry forests.[2]
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification (Af)). This climate is characterized as hot, humid, and having at least 60 mm of precipitation every month.[5][6] Precipitation in the ecoregion averages 1,556 mm/year. The wet season is June to November.[3][4]
Flora and fauna
The most common mangrove tree species is red mangrove (
Protected areas
There are officially protected areas in the two largest mangrove areas:
- mangrove swamp forest, palm forest, swamp, and freshwater marsh.
- Caroni Swamp
- Bon Accord Lagoon
References
- ^ "Trinidad mangroves". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Trinidad mangroves". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "NARIVA SWAMP". RAMSAR Sites Information Service. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ http://www.biodiversity.gov.tt/home/images/stories/pdf/ramsar%20site-%20buccoo%20reef%20bon%20accord%20lagoon.pdf[bare URL PDF]