Trinidad And Tobago Case Study Flashcards
1
Q
The Trinidad coastline
A
It is a small island developing state which is low lying and susceptible to the current 0.06m/yr rise in sea level
- 70% of the population live or work on coast
-The wind direction means east coast beaches are subject to LSD - which means they have highest erosion rates. Especially guayaguayare bay (0.63m/yr)
- geology is a mix of low grade metamorphic rocks, and weak sandstone
2
Q
Economic losses for Trinidad and Tobago
A
- It is the 3rd largest economy in Americas after US and Canada. It is heavily dependent on the petrochemical industry off the east coast (40% gdp, 80% exports)
- All major natural gas pipelines come ashore at guayaguayare site to serve the rest of the country (site of greatest erosion)
- Due to lower economies of scale, infrastructure losses to erosion are more severe for SIDS
- Manzanillo behave flood of 2014 destroyed 300m of major access road - replacement could cost up to £5million
There are many luxury beachfront homes in Mayaro currently valued in excess of £700k - 400,000 + tourists visited last year for desirable beach location and growing Eco - tourism industry
3
Q
Social losses
A
- Potential loss of coconut plantations which dominate the east coast. Also home to watermelon and vegetable cash crops which risks the livelihood for inhabitants being ruined
- Transport/access severely affected by road damage during manzanillo flood. Risk is that commuters can’t access oil and tourist industries
- The value of luxury coastal properties is likely to decrease over time with increased erosion rates - costs of relocating and the breaking up of communities has a larger impact for the poorer locals
- Social tensions created by individual management attempts upstream which block LSD sediment (beach).
4
Q
Environmental losses
A
- Nesting sites for endangered turtles along the north and east coast beaches will be at risk
- 16000 acre Trinity Hill wildlife sanctuary and reserve on south coast has wealth of flora and fauna
