CHAPTER 10 • Developing and Strategy for an ICZM in Cuba: Bases and Principles
10.2.2.5
Mangroves
199
The greater part of the coasts of the Cuban archipelago are bordered by mangroves, as
well as the thousands of lagoons and estuaries which are particularly abundant in the
SE region of the island. Cuban mangroves are 4.8% of the national territory and 22.3%
of the forests in the country.
Mangrove vegetation in the Cuban archipelago is comprised mainly by four arboreal species, three of them considered true mangroves: Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove), Avicennia germinans (black mangrove), and Laguncularia racemosa (pataban).
Conocarpus erecta (yana) is considered a marginal species.
The fauna which develops associated with the mangrove forest is very rich and diverse, blrdlife is outstanding for its abundance as well as for the presence of endemic
species with restricted habitats. Our mangroves act as a refuge and nesting site for many
marine species, specially beautiful is the species Phoenicopterus ruber (flamingo), with
large flocks that carry out their activities in the estuaries and other sites related with
the mangrove ecosystem.
Regarding mammals, in our mangroves there are many endemic mammals of the
genus Capromys (hutia), with five different species, some with a very restricted habitat. A large aquatic mammal is also related with the mangroves, Trichechus manatus
(manatee), under permanent observation for being an endangered species.
There are two species of large reptiles in Cuban mangroves, Crocodylus rhombifer
(Cuban crocodile) and Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile), both of great economical value.
Also, in the mangrove roots there are many molluscs, sponges, polychaete, coelenterate, biozoos and cirripeds. Among the molluscs, the species Crassostrea rhizophorae,
also known as mangrove mussel, is very abundant.
The richness of fis!:). life, which develops under the influence of the mangroves and
includes many species with economic value, should be remarked.
It is estimated that over 30% of mangrove forests in Cuba have been affected; this is
due to two kinds of fundamental causes: natural ones and those caused by human activity. Natural affectations are not extended and are rather local. They include deterioration by the abrasive action of the sea over the coast, desiccation of lagoons, accumulation of sand which covers the roots of the mangrove tree causing its death, the destructive effect of hurricanes and drought.
Anthropic causes that cause destruction of mangroves are the increase in salinity
together with a diminution of organic matter in the sediments of the bottoms, all caused
by construction of roads, dams, drainage systems and other kinds of constructions that
interrupt the normal flow of water in the mangrove; unsustainable forest exploitation
and pollution of the littoral zone.
10.2.2.6
Littoral Lagoons and Estuaries
Lagoons are usually shallow water bodies (0.2-2 m deep) with little water exchange
with the sea that usually takes place through narrow channels and according to the
tides. Generally they are surrounded by mangroves'Olnd most of them receive from the
10.2.2.5
Mangroves
199
The greater part of the coasts of the Cuban archipelago are bordered by mangroves, as
well as the thousands of lagoons and estuaries which are particularly abundant in the
SE region of the island. Cuban mangroves are 4.8% of the national territory and 22.3%
of the forests in the country.
Mangrove vegetation in the Cuban archipelago is comprised mainly by four arboreal species, three of them considered true mangroves: Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove), Avicennia germinans (black mangrove), and Laguncularia racemosa (pataban).
Conocarpus erecta (yana) is considered a marginal species.
The fauna which develops associated with the mangrove forest is very rich and diverse, blrdlife is outstanding for its abundance as well as for the presence of endemic
species with restricted habitats. Our mangroves act as a refuge and nesting site for many
marine species, specially beautiful is the species Phoenicopterus ruber (flamingo), with
large flocks that carry out their activities in the estuaries and other sites related with
the mangrove ecosystem.
Regarding mammals, in our mangroves there are many endemic mammals of the
genus Capromys (hutia), with five different species, some with a very restricted habitat. A large aquatic mammal is also related with the mangroves, Trichechus manatus
(manatee), under permanent observation for being an endangered species.
There are two species of large reptiles in Cuban mangroves, Crocodylus rhombifer
(Cuban crocodile) and Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile), both of great economical value.
Also, in the mangrove roots there are many molluscs, sponges, polychaete, coelenterate, biozoos and cirripeds. Among the molluscs, the species Crassostrea rhizophorae,
also known as mangrove mussel, is very abundant.
The richness of fis!:). life, which develops under the influence of the mangroves and
includes many species with economic value, should be remarked.
It is estimated that over 30% of mangrove forests in Cuba have been affected; this is
due to two kinds of fundamental causes: natural ones and those caused by human activity. Natural affectations are not extended and are rather local. They include deterioration by the abrasive action of the sea over the coast, desiccation of lagoons, accumulation of sand which covers the roots of the mangrove tree causing its death, the destructive effect of hurricanes and drought.
Anthropic causes that cause destruction of mangroves are the increase in salinity
together with a diminution of organic matter in the sediments of the bottoms, all caused
by construction of roads, dams, drainage systems and other kinds of constructions that
interrupt the normal flow of water in the mangrove; unsustainable forest exploitation
and pollution of the littoral zone.
10.2.2.6
Littoral Lagoons and Estuaries
Lagoons are usually shallow water bodies (0.2-2 m deep) with little water exchange
with the sea that usually takes place through narrow channels and according to the
tides. Generally they are surrounded by mangroves'Olnd most of them receive from the