#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs in the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN
MAB
MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE RESERVES OF BUENAVISTA;
PENÍNSULA DE GUANAHACABIBIES; CIÉNAGA DE ZAPATA, CUBA
There are 3 MAB sites in Cuba, which contain coral reefs but for which little
information was provided.
The Buenavista Biosphere Reserve is 313,500ha on the northern coast with coral
reefs, rocky and sandy beaches. The land part has evergreen coastal and mangrove
forests. The species diversity of flora and fauna is high with more than 200 plant and
over 200 animal species, including endemic and threatened species. The area is
important for the conservation of traditional uses of natural resources by the 25,000
permanent inhabitants of Canario Canaray Islands origin. About 7,000 tourists visit
annually and provide the community with income and purchase handicrafts. There
are many research projects on traditional medicine and ecology, with support from
UNESCO. Coral reefs are estimated at 30% of the natural resources.
The Guanahacabibes Biosphere Reserve is on the western end of Cuba and was
designated in 1987 to protect the vegetation and endemic plants, and also the
important coastal areas with turtle nesting beaches and some of the healthiest coral
reefs in Cuba. The core of the Reserve is a National Park with fishing and hunting
largely controlled. Most research is focused on sustainable development, tourism
impact and ecotourism, and environmental education and its influence on
conservation and the management of biodiversity. Coral reefs are 40% of the natural
resources.
The 600,000ha Cienaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve was designated by UNESCO in
2000 because of the diverse ecosystems and the sparse population of about 9,000
people in small villages. The western reaches are uninhabited. The people are mainly
engaged in fishing, hunting, and, increasingly, in eco-tourism to the mangrove
forests, coastal lagoons and coral reefs. The research conducted is multi-disciplinary
on the ecology and reproduction of local crocodile species, fish and turtle ecology,
impacts of tourism in areas with high conservation value, and socio-economic
studies of the local communities. Coral reefs are 20% of the natural resources.
For all three sites –
Ecological Monitoring: No information was provided - unknown.
Socio-economic Monitoring: No information was provided - unknown.
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