|
|
Moist forest covers most of Trinidad and the smaller island of Tobago. In the lowlands, tall evergreens reach soaring heights of 150 feet (45 m). Epiphytes and lianas cling to the buttressed roots and twisting branches of these large trees. Giant flowers hang from the knobby branches of stout wild chataigne trees. Small groves of tall mora trees stand out against the horizon. Orchids abound in the moist forest, with 200 different species found in Trinidad. As elevation increases, vegetation becomes dense and lush, with mosses, ferns, and the occasional bright begonia covering the forest floor. Mountain palms mix with the stunning red-leaved chaconia tree. At the highest elevations, stunted, gnarled forest grows, buffeted by strong winds.
Trinidad and Tobago lie in the southeastern tip of the Caribbean, with Trinidad only seven miles (11 km) off the South American coast and Tobago only 19 miles (30 km) northeast of Trinidad. Trinidad was once part of the mainland but is now separated by the Gulf of Paria. Tobago is also thought to have been connected to the mainland at some point. Many of the native plants and animals of these two islands are of South American origin, with new plants and animals still being introduced to the islands. South American plants are forcefully uprooted by the mighty Orinoco River and swept out into the Gulf of Paria, some eventually washing ashore on Trinidad. Animals are also transported in this manner, or they may come ashore with humans, either accidentally or purposefully released. Amazing species diversity occurs here due to the overlap of Caribbean and South American species. More than 600 butterflies and 400 birds can be found in this small nation. The oilbird, or guacharo,which lives in Trinidad and northern South America, is the world’s only nocturnal fruit-eating bird. Spending its days sheltered in cool caves, the guacharo ventures out at night to feast on palm nuts. These plump brown birds were once hunted for food and lamp oil. Iridescent blue morpho butterflies flit through the montane forest while rare white-tailed sabrewing hummingbirds drink nectar from bright orange heliconia blossoms. A Trinidad piping guan sits on a branch beneath the thick forest canopy, the blue pouch of its throat standing out against the green vegetation. Found only here, the Trinidad piping guan is a threatened subspecies of the common piping guan. Another bird, the crested oropendola, weaves a nest in a tall immortelle tree, its bright yellow tail feathers flashing as it works. This small black bird nests colonially, with many long nests dangling beneath the nearby branches. Higher up in the trees, a small troop of white-fronted capuchin monkeys swings through the branches, the females carrying their young offspring on their backs. These dextrous primates make use of their prehensile tails when navigating through the forest. The call of the red howler monkey, another Trinidad native, fills the air. A peccary, a piglike mammal with formidable tusks, walks on the ground below. These mammals, along with large rodents such as the agouti and paca, are highly prized by hunters as food. These hunters must be careful when they venture into these forests, however: Four venomous snakes lurk within the moist forest, including the fearsome fer-de-lance and the bushmaster.
Moist forest is cleared for agriculture and development. Shifting cultivation and squatters (settlers who don’t own or rent the land) also encroach upon forest areas. Another threat to these forests is over-harvesting of trees by the logging industry and of other plants for medicinal use. And private collectors may take orchids and ferns. Mammals are over-hunted and native birds are taken for the pet trade. For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report. All text by World Wildlife Fund © 2001
|
More Photos
