The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a Small Island Developing State and as such, faces much vulnerability with respect to climate change and sea level rise. Hence, planning in the coastal zone is a key area of interest for the islands sustainable development in this era of built development. As a result of built development and development along the coast, the practise of land reclamation has caused the removal of wetland vegetation which is an essential part of the coastal zone. Considering the physical definition of the coastal zone as described by Wade and Webber (2002) as the ridge to reef concept as well as supporting content from authors such as Cicin-Sain and Knetch (1998), the removal of such a crucial part of the coastal zone model triggers imbalances in every other part of the model thus providing the underlying reason for conducting this change analysis and site suitability analysis to demonstrate the use of GIS in resolving the issue of finding suitable areas for development instead of land reclamation. The following papers, reports, and articles attempt to outline the importance of preserving and monitoring the change that has occurred with the wetland vegetation in Trinidad and Tobago, over the time period 1990-2014 in the light of sustainable development.
Timeline
The following papers are the past studies that were done on wetland vegetation change analysis and one site selection analysis which was done in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2005, the Thematic Study on Mangroves, Trinidad and Tobago Country Profile published by the Forestry Department of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations the writers utilised regression analyses; and spectral imagery along with GIS technology to obtain past and c...
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... Country Profile." In Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 edited by M.L Wilkie: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations., 2005.
Wade, B.; Webber, D. "Coastal Zone Management." Chap. 8 In Natural Resource Management for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean Edited by Ivan Goodbody and Elizabeth Thomas-Hope, edited by Ivan Goodbody, Elizabeth M. Thomas-Hope and Inc NetLibrary, 428-64. Barbados: Barbados : Canoe Press, 2002.
Walton, Mark E., Lewis Le Vay, Junemie H. Lebata, Joseph Binas, and Jurgenne H. Primavera. "Assessment of the Effectiveness of Mangrove Rehabilitation Using Exploited and Non- Exploited Indicator Species." Biological Conservation 138, no. 1 (2007): 180-88.
Wen, Ya-li, Fang-miao Hou, and Gerrit Hazenberg. "Institution, Legislation and Policy Analysis of China’s Wetland Protection." For. Stud. China 7, no. 4 (2005): 55-60.
Westfields, a medium sized wetland region, is located on the outskirts of Limerick city and within the floodplain of the River Shannon (CAAS (Environmental Services) Ltd., 1999). Wetland regions are broadly defined within the Ramsar Convention (1971, 1), as, “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.” Identified as some of the most diverse habitats on earth, wetlands are also under severe threat, with a “10% decrease in their area occurring worldwide between the years 1990 and 2006” (CORINE, 2006). Westfields is no exception. Known worldwide for the diverse flora and fauna, in particular avifauna, that are present, the area has seen a dramatic decrease in size from its traditional expansive domain to a present area of twenty-six hectares. Thus, this essay aims to examine in detail the biogeographic merits of these declining wetland regions in particular Westfields, record the current condition of this particular wetland, and explore potential ideas for future conservation.
Today, with our understanding of how fragile the coastal areas are, there are many study and restoration projects underway. Since the implementation of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) in 1990, there have been 151 coastal restorat...
Firstly, we need to gain a general understanding of the structure and functions of the salt marshes in Jamaica Bay. Salt marshes are most commonly manifested through the arrival of seeding’s of the cord grass known as Spartina alterniflora. The grass spreads asexually through the aquatic habitats beneath the earths’ surface. The grass becomes...
Over the past 100 years the Louisiana coastline has suffered greatly from biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors. The abiotic factors include things such as hurricanes or overnutrition that influence the surrounding biota. The biotic factors that contribute to coastal erosion are things like the immigration invasive species and the emigration or extinction of local flora and fauna that help preserve the wetlands. Additionally, there are anthropogenic factors such as pollution that can have strong negative influences on the abiotic and biotic factors of the wetlands. Each one of these factors cause ecological disturbances to the wetlands at a frequency and intensity that is unmanageable for the local flora and fauna. There are currently certain measures that are being taken into consideration to slow or stop the erosion of the Louisiana coastline.
This report will be based upon fieldwork conducted on the 5th of May 2015, along the Narrabeen coastline. It will cover questions such as what has been done to stabilise and reduce the effects of natural processes.
Globally coastal wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, the problem is most of society does not realize the value of these precious wetlands. Coastal wetlands provide an important role in the coastal ecosystem. “Coastal wetlands provide critical services such as absorbing energy from coastal storms, preserving shorelines, protecting human populations and infrastructure, supporting commercial seafood harvests, absorbing pollutants and serving as critical habitat for migratory bird populations”(Anonymous, 2011). Coastal wetlands are an economical asset as well as an environmental one.
While the human population continues to grow so does the need for land to contain the growth. In man’s attempt to fulfill this need we find that we are encroaching on lands used for diverse wildlife and plant-life. The problem comes from the fact that when man moves into these new areas he usually takes over and in the process damages or destroys ecosystems that were in place. This loss of ecosystems equates to the loss of animal species and also plant species. This is happening in our world at an alarming rate. One issue that should be sending up a big red flag is that no one knows how the loss of these plants and animals is going to affect our planet. Luckily there are groups established such as the World Heritage Group which work to preserve these areas and unique ecosystems along with their plant and animal life. One such place is the Belize Barrier Reef platform which lies on the Atlantic-Caribbean coast of Belize. The Reserve was inscribed as a natural World Heritage property in 1996 and belongs to the Central American biogeographically province. It is made up of the following areas: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, the northernmost part of Ambergris Caye, the west area of Chetumal Bay, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Blue Hole Natural Monument, Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve and Sapodilla Cays Marine Reserve. As you can see this is a vast area encompassing many places it is good to see that all of these places are now under government and civilian protection. (www.eoearth.org)
There are, thankfully, steps being taken to protect the world’s coral reefs. Primarily, large areas are being designated as Marine protected areas, which, in a manner similar to that of national parks, restrict potentially damaging activities, promoting responsible behavior and habitat protection. Unfortunately, these have yet to be shown to make a significant impact in conservation. This is likely due to a lack of participation and of funding, among other factors.
Costal areas are very popular areas to live within throughout the world. As costal development continues to develop quickly it poses threats to nearby coral reefs. Costal Development
Mangrove forests provide habitats for many marine and terrestrial species. These intertidal zone forest support richest biological diversity and primary productivity and it also support the livelihood of millions of people across the world that is why the mangrove consider an ecosystem by itself and has its own food chain.
An analysis of the field data based on the following hypothesis: “The dynamic coastal environment requires the implementation of coastal management strategies to ensure its sustainability.”
...s are considered as part of a larger watershed, the recognization of the complexity of environmental stresses can be understood. Management plans can be developed to reduce impacts to mangroves, seagrasses and the reef ecosystem, based upon accurate data and a better understanding of the system. EPA is in the process of developing guidance for a watershed approach to coral ecosystem protection.
...urce users in or surrounding area is actively involved and participated in decision-making and managing their natural resources in sustainable ways and local wisdom controls. They already have knowledge and experiences about their environment and surrounding much better than the government. The awareness to protect their ecosystem and maintain the sustainability of the natural resources might came from their own experiences as well as cultural wisdom which are very familiar for them for several generations. However, sometime this awareness could change for some reasons. There are other aspect such as socio-political and economical aspect that could turn the communities and resources users to terminate the establishment of marine protected area. A better approach and regulation might necessary to keep maintain the awareness and obedience of the related stakeholders.
...f of the CZMU. Although the CZMU’s mandate is to address coastal management with an integrated approach, it is worth questioning whether all interests are accounted for equitably? Barbados’ urban planning strategies employ the top-down approach and the department is reputed for pursuing economically profitable projects. To have both the CZMU and the Town and Country Planning department engaging in public participation consultation would be favourable to pursuing environmental policy in tandem with socio-economic equity.
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, incl...