Natural Wonders of the Caribbean

This video series was produced by NIHERST in 2005 in cooperation with the Caribbean Council for Science and Technology (CCST) with funding from UNESCO and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. The five 10-minute episodes provide comprehensive profiles of the ecology, economic importance and vulnerability of some of the natural landscapes found in the Caribbean.

“Coral reefs”

Diverse yet sensitive, the coral reef ecosystem is an amazing web of marine life. This episode introduces the viewer to the fringing and barrier reefs of the Caribbean, with glimpses of the dazzling and colourful display of life found therein. Their economic and ecological value is described and the particular sensitivity of reef ecosystems is highlighted.

“Karst landscapes”

This episode features the unique characteristics of landscapes of limestone found in the Caribbean. Harrison’s Cave in Barbados, Trinidad’s Aripo Cave and the Green Grotto Caves of Jamaica are among the spectacular formations featured. The rare and protected animals that make these areas their home and the special value of caves are also identified to the viewer.

“Mangrove swamps”

Considered by some as smelly, swampy areas and mangroves are an important ecological resource. Tolerant of the saline conditions of the coast, they provide a safe nursery for many marine organisms and function as active sediment traps. The mangrove swamps of Trinidad and Jamaica are featured in this episode.

“Rainforests”

With their dense green canopies, tall stately trees and rich forest floors, rainforests are home to more than half the world’s plant and animal species and play a major role in the maintenance of regular rainfall. Forests in Dominica, Guyana and Jamaica are showcased in this feature on our green havens.

“Waterfalls”

Spectacular and majestic, the waterfalls of the Caribbean are a visual delight. With the largest single drop falls at Kaieteur, Guyana and the only waterfall to be found at a river’s mouth at Dunn’s River, Jamaica, these waterfalls are distinctively beautiful. The value of waterfalls from a recreational, aesthetic and ecological standpoint is highlighted in this episode.