Observations on the Vegetation and Ecology of the Aripo Savannas, Trinidad

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Abstract
The community developed on impoverished, sandy soils which, due to the presence of a clay pan, becomes water-logged in the wet season and dried out in the dry season. Evidence suggested that the vegetation was influenced by the microtopography. Other factors such as clay pan intensity and depth, drainage, burning, earthworm and termite activity were also considered. The open savanna community was dominated by the grass, Paspalum pulchellmn, which was associated with the sedges Lagenocarpus tremulus, Rhynchoipora barbata, R. podosperma and R. curvula. Small scattered shrubs of Chrysobalahus icaco var. pellocarpa and Byrsonima crassifolia grew within this community. The small herbs Perama hlrsuta and Sauvagesia sprengelii and the insectivorous herbs Drosera capillaris and Utricularia spp. were very common. The ecology of the savanna plants and changes in the composition of the community are discussed.

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