Aripo Savannas

Aripo savannah is a tropical savanna ecosystem in the northeast of Trinidad.

It is a rare example of savannas formed due to edaphic factors, i.e. the growth of trees is restricted not by climate but by a shallow layer of clay.

These factors combined with regular exposure to the uninterrupted tropical sun make the savannas a hostile environment for most plants and animals.

The savannas are home to many rare plants, including at least two endemic species: Rhynchospora aripoensis and Xyris grisebachii.

In the past, the area has been exposed to considerable disturbance due to human activity, but the savannas along with the associated Marsh and Palm forests are now protected within the 1,788 hectare Aripo Savannas Environmentally Sensitive Area.