OBSERVATIONS ON THE VEGETATION AND ECOLOGY OF THE ARIPO SAVANNAS, TRINIDAD

The Aripo savannas are a number of open areas of grass-sedge vegetation which lie within an extensive area of Seasonal Swamp forest. The flora of the Aripo savannas is unique, many endemic species being found within the area. Myers (1933) and Marshall (1934) mention the savannas in their publications, but only Beard (1946, 1953) has made a serious attempt to describe the vegetation. The only other areas in Trinidad which shared some of the unique flora, were the Piarco and O'Meara savannas. Piarco savanna is now an international airport and the O'Meara savanna lies within an industrial development scheme. Even the Aripo savannas. have not escaped from human interference. They lie within an area leased to the United States forces in 1940. A number of drainage channels were excavated at this time and there is little doubt that this has improved the drainage on some parts of the savanna. It seems probable that the vegetation has already undergone some change. It has long been desirable to follow up Beard's initial observations of the vegetation with more detailed studies. It has now become even more important to establish thorough records of the vegetation so that it will be possible to assess any changes which occur in the future. The objects of this investigation were (i) to prepare a complete record of the flora