OUR HERITAGE - CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION

THREATS TO OUR HERITAGE

• DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS AND CONCEPTS: ENDANGERED AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
• IDENTIFY THREATS TO OUR HERITAGE.
DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS AND CONCEPTS: ENDANGERED AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

 Research the meaning of the terms endangered and economic

development using the internet.
DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS AND CONCEPTS: ENDANGERED AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

 Endangered: If a species is endangered, it is in danger of extinction in the

foreseeable future in a significant portion of its range.
 Economic development: improving a country’s standard of living.
THREATS TO OUR HERITAGE

 When we say that something is endangered, we mean that something is under threat and in danger of becoming
extinct or totally destroyed.
 Examples include endangered species, fauna and flora. All of these are threatened by human activities, such as
growing cities that threaten the habitats or existence of our flora (plants) and fauna (animals).
 The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for Trinidad and Tobago is responsible for creating policies
to look after the natural resources of our nation for future generations.
 This includes identifying flora (and areas where flora grow) and fauna that are at risk, and setting up measures to
make sure that they are protected.
THE EMA HAS IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF ‘SENSITIVE AREAS
AND SPECIES’ IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO THAT ARE AT RISK:

 The Aripo Savannahs are host to 457 plant species, of which at least 16 are rare or
threatened. Threats to the savannah include fires, quarrying, residential and agricultural
squatting and poaching.
 Matura National Park has over 200 species of tree and lianas, and is home to
endangered fauna such as the pawi, ocelot and anteater. The area provides income for
the local community by offering treks and hikes through the forest.
 The Nariva Swamp is the largest wetland in Trinidad and Tobago. Its flora includes
swamp, forests, savannahs and marshes. Its fauna includes these species: 45 mammals,
39 reptiles, 33 fish, 204 birds and 213 insects.
 Species at risk in Trinidad and Tobago include the pawi bird, West Indian manatee,
sabrewing bird, golden tree frog, ocelot and sea turtles.
QUESTIONS

1. Name some of the areas or species in Trinidad and Tobago that are at risk.
2. In your own words explain what is endangered.
THREATS TO OUR HERITAGE:

Illegal
poaching

Infusion of
Economic
external
development
cultures
ILLEGAL POACHING

 Illegal poaching is a big problem in Trinidad and Tobago.

 Animals such as anteaters, green iguanas, ocelots and opossums are hunted for their
fur and meat.
 Although hunting is legal at certain times in the year (October to February),
evidence suggests that overhunting of species is not sustainable and will lead to
certain species becoming extinct.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 Physical resources are valuable and essential to the economic development of a country.
 Trinidad and Tobago has huge resources of petroleum and natural gas, as well as other minerals like bauxite.
 Other natural resources, such as oceans, lakes, waterfalls, flora and fauna, have helped to develop the tourism
industry and to attract tourists.
 However, this increased use of our natural heritage can have a damaging effect on the environment.
 Today, the threats to our natural habitats all result from human activities.
FOR EXAMPLE:

 squatting, poaching and illegal hunting

 land clearing (fires), cattle grazing, logging, slash and burn agriculture, overfishing
 invasive alien species
 drilling for oil and gas, quarrying, pollution, such as oil spills and chemical leaks
 global warming and climate change
INFUSION OF EXTERNAL CULTURES

 The infusion of external cultures is also a threat to our natural heritage.

 This is where the influence of an external culture – for example, European culture – is introduced at the expense
of our own cultural diversity in Trinidad and Tobago.
 This can be seen as a threat to the preservation of our heritage.
CLASS DISCUSSION

What is the greatest threat to our natural heritage today and why it needs to
be preserved?
QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think that illegal poaching takes place in Trinidad and Tobago?
2. Outline which human activities put our natural habitats at risk.