12.1.1 Seagrasses
Seagrasses, known locally as ‘‘seibadales’’, are marine angiosperms on unconsolidated sediment bottoms. Six species of angiosperms have been recorded in
Cuba: Halophila decipiens, Halophila engelmanni, Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, Syringodium filiforme, and Ruppia maritima. The greatest amount of
primary production on the Cuban platform is due to marine phanerogams, especially T. testudinum which generally constitutes more than 70 % of the macro
phytobenthos wet biomass on the Cuban platform.
Seagrasses are the main energy entrance pathway for biological and fishery
productivity on the Cuban platform. It constitutes a major ecological reserve of
matter and energy in biomass. Part of this is exported to the reefs and the ocean
and increases productivity in these biotopes. They also stabilize the substrate,
preventing the erosion on reefs and nearby beaches. They regulate oxygen concentrations on the sea water and strongly affect local biogeochemical processes.
Development of calcareous algae, mainly Halimeda, in the seagrass beds produce
most of the sand of beaches (Alcolado 2007).
12.1.2 Coral Reefs
Cuban coral reefs appear in the shape of ridges (‘‘restingas’’), coral barriers,
promontories (‘‘cabezos’’ or patch reefs), alternating bars with sand canals (bottoms of ‘‘camellones’’ (ridges), or ‘‘macizos’’ and canals), and carpet boulders and
rocky terraces, amongst other varied structures (Ionin et al. 1977). More than 98 %
of the Cuban marine platform edge is surrounded by frontal reefs, ridges, or
barriers (Alcolado 2007).
The seagrass-reef complex is the source of approximately 60 % of the commercial catches of fish of high commercial value. Reefs contain a great diversity of
microorganisms, plants and invertebrates that have biologically active substances.
These are used or constitute potential resources as drugs or biochemical and
experimental reagents of interest. Its barriers or ridges are an effective protection
for coastal lines against wave erosion. They also protect coastal towns and
buildings. They are extraordinarily attractive for diving tourism, i.e. the reefs of
Archipiélago de los Jardines de la Reina (Alcolado 2007) (Fig. 12.1). Recently,
Figueredo-Martín et al. (2010) evaluated the environmental quality of coral reefs
at Jardines de la Reina and concluded the area was in optimal conservation
condition.
Isle of Youth, National Park of the National System of Protected Areas of Cuba
(Fig. 12.1), has a marine area of 5.15 km
2 with coral reefs of major species and
biotope diversity. Forty two species of algae, three phanerogams, 29 sponges, 21
gorgonians, 35 corals, and 79 fishes have been identified in this area (De la
Guardia et al. 2004). The most representative habitats between the coastline and a
12 Echinoderms of the Cuban Archipelago
405
Seagrasses, known locally as ‘‘seibadales’’, are marine angiosperms on unconsolidated sediment bottoms. Six species of angiosperms have been recorded in
Cuba: Halophila decipiens, Halophila engelmanni, Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, Syringodium filiforme, and Ruppia maritima. The greatest amount of
primary production on the Cuban platform is due to marine phanerogams, especially T. testudinum which generally constitutes more than 70 % of the macro
phytobenthos wet biomass on the Cuban platform.
Seagrasses are the main energy entrance pathway for biological and fishery
productivity on the Cuban platform. It constitutes a major ecological reserve of
matter and energy in biomass. Part of this is exported to the reefs and the ocean
and increases productivity in these biotopes. They also stabilize the substrate,
preventing the erosion on reefs and nearby beaches. They regulate oxygen concentrations on the sea water and strongly affect local biogeochemical processes.
Development of calcareous algae, mainly Halimeda, in the seagrass beds produce
most of the sand of beaches (Alcolado 2007).
12.1.2 Coral Reefs
Cuban coral reefs appear in the shape of ridges (‘‘restingas’’), coral barriers,
promontories (‘‘cabezos’’ or patch reefs), alternating bars with sand canals (bottoms of ‘‘camellones’’ (ridges), or ‘‘macizos’’ and canals), and carpet boulders and
rocky terraces, amongst other varied structures (Ionin et al. 1977). More than 98 %
of the Cuban marine platform edge is surrounded by frontal reefs, ridges, or
barriers (Alcolado 2007).
The seagrass-reef complex is the source of approximately 60 % of the commercial catches of fish of high commercial value. Reefs contain a great diversity of
microorganisms, plants and invertebrates that have biologically active substances.
These are used or constitute potential resources as drugs or biochemical and
experimental reagents of interest. Its barriers or ridges are an effective protection
for coastal lines against wave erosion. They also protect coastal towns and
buildings. They are extraordinarily attractive for diving tourism, i.e. the reefs of
Archipiélago de los Jardines de la Reina (Alcolado 2007) (Fig. 12.1). Recently,
Figueredo-Martín et al. (2010) evaluated the environmental quality of coral reefs
at Jardines de la Reina and concluded the area was in optimal conservation
condition.
Isle of Youth, National Park of the National System of Protected Areas of Cuba
(Fig. 12.1), has a marine area of 5.15 km
2 with coral reefs of major species and
biotope diversity. Forty two species of algae, three phanerogams, 29 sponges, 21
gorgonians, 35 corals, and 79 fishes have been identified in this area (De la
Guardia et al. 2004). The most representative habitats between the coastline and a
12 Echinoderms of the Cuban Archipelago
405