Watershed management in tobago ppp

Watershed Management in Tobago

By William TrimMS Forestry

Hydrological cycle

http://www.google.tt/hydrological+cycle&hl

• Condensation- the transformation of a gas or water vapor into liquid form

• Freezing – the transformation of a liquid into a solid form

• Evaporation- the transformation of a liquid to a gas usually under the influence of heat

• Transpiration- evaporation from leaf surfaces

• Precipitation- liquid or solid water falling from the sky to the ground

Hydrological cycle cont’d

• Infiltration- the absorption of liquid water into soil or rock

• Percolation • Runoff- the flow of water

across the soil by water not absorbed by soil

• Collection- accumulation of water from precipitation into a larger body of water

(The Water Cycle, USEPA 2006)

Watershed definitions • A ridge of high land dividing two areas that are drained by

different river systems. Also called water parting.• The region draining into a river, river system, or other body of

water.•

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/watershed • • 1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) the dividing line between

two adjacent river systems, such as a ridge• 2. an important period or factor that serves as a dividing line• • http://www.thefreedictionary.com/watershed

Watersheds

ttp://www.google.ttwatershed

Watershed management Tobago

• 1765: Young commission included in their sub-division of the island a 6,000 narrow acre (2,428.1 ha) band or virgin forest running along the main ridge for the protection of the rains (1764???)

(Dardain 1972; Ramdial 1978

Main Ridge Forest Reserve• 1904: the survey of the present

area of 9776 acres (3,956.2 ha) which included the original belt was completed and subsequently proclaimed a forest reserve, which is protective in function (Dardaine 1972; Ramdial 1978).

• Broad leaf species contribution to the hydrological cycle is 40% greater than conifer species (Bond et al 2008)

• Umbrella, shape; Unlike Haiti

WASA Demarcations of watersheds

• Not according to catchment demarcation

Mission• The mission statement of DNRE is: DNRE seeks to engender recognition

and respect as the lead organization and a catalyst for change in environmental management in Tobago.

DNRE is made up of four units namely:• Environment Unit• Wildlife Unit• Parks and Recreation Unit• Watershed Unit

On the other hand, the mission of the Watershed Unit is: responsible stewardship of natural resources for increased multiple uses, for environmental services, NTFPs and timber and for balanced development. Hereunder, are some of the objectives and strategies of our watershed management.

Strategies • Table 1: The objectives and strategies of the Watershed Unit in Tobago• Objective • Strategy • Maximize the water storage potential of watersheds• Reduce the incidence of squatting and maintain adequate forest and other vegetative cover• Maximize the use of non-wood forest products• Public mobilization and sensitization • Reduce soil erosion• Encourage the use of slope stabilization techniques• Encourage the use of appropriate technology• Encourage the use of portable sawmills and local timber and reduce the wastage associated with logging• Balance the use and protection of natural resources• Reduce the incidence of unplanned wild fires• • Forest restoration and plantation on degraded lands• • Linking forestry and tourism

Watershed UnitThe Watershed Unit plays a major role in natural resources management in

Tobago through these operations:• Forest restoration and forest enrichment• Establishing forest stands or plantations• Implementing wild fire prevention, detection and suppression

programmes on state lands• Managing the Bloody Bay Recreation Site and Nature Trails (BBRSNT) for:

1) multiple uses, mainly watershed purposes and forest recreation, and 2) by linking tourism with forest management

• Enforcing the laws of several forestry and natural resources related Acts• Providing extension services in agro-forestry systems and practices for

hillside farmers• Mobilizing and informing the public for or about forest and watershed

management

Values

Values • Aesthetical • Economical • Leisure/recreational• Environmental-

biological• Cultural – crafts,

hunting• Social

Challenges/issues

• Flooding• Erosion (sugar cane

cultivation)• Landslides • Pollution – air etc, farmers,

waste water, effluent, fecal, hazardous waste, road development, dams, ridge to reef effects

• Bush fires• Many stakeholders & little

networking

Threats

• Aquatic/marine life (toxic)• Plants• Creatures• Overexploitation/use• Wild fires• Runoff • Health • > Developments• Invasive• Mega-aquifers depletion• Climate change

Implications

• Desertification - Haiti • Fire hazardous vegetation• Abandoned areas• Poor water quality and

quantity• High cost of mitigation or

alternatives

Conclusions

Recommendations

• Integrated mgt• Community involvement and input• Buffer zones• Valuing environmental services• Forest restoration• Carbon credits• Research• Education • Sun & H/cycle

• Bond,B.J., F.C. Meinzer and J.R. Brooks. 2008. How Trees Influence the Hydrological Cycle in Forest Ecosystems