Guantánamo.— In the 25th session of the World Heritage Committee held December 11-16, 2001, in Helsinki, Finland, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (UNESCO)included on its list of World Heritage Sites Cuba's Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt (PNAH), home to the Caribbean's greatest biodiversity, with the largest number of endemic species, and among the most important in the world with these characteristics.
Additionally cited by UNESCO as motivation for the inclusion was the fact that the area is one the region's principal evolutionary centers, a bio-geographical bridge and refuge for Caribbean and American flora and fauna from the Miocene-Pleistocene era (fundamentally the Ice Age), as well as the site of important habitats which support terrestrial and fresh water biodiversity in Cuba, and the development of ecological communities.
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park covers 70,680 hectares (706.8 km²) on the eastern end of the island's northern coast, in the Guantánamo municipalities of Baracoa, Yateras, and Manuel Tames, plus two in Holguin: Sagua de Tánamo and Moa. It is composed of four conservation departments or sectors: Baracoa, La Melba, Ojito de Agua, and Cupeyal del Norte, with it's administrative center in Guantánamo. A total of 22 communities are linked to the park, seven of these within its boundaries.
The park is Cuba's most important protected area, not only because of its natural wealth and endemic species, but also because found here are the country's remaining, well preserved mountain ecosystems, which form the core of the Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve.
A CUBAN NATURAL LANSCAPE
Created in 1996, with the name of the eminent German scientist Alejandro de Humboldt (described by José de la Luz y Caballero as the second discoverer of Cuba) the park is distinguished by its extensive tropical forests and ecosystems, including well preserved, ecologically healthy, marine areas.
Experts estimate that it is home to 2% of the planet's plant species, over 900 of which are endemic (a third of all plants found on the entire Cuban archipelago), many of them exclusive to this particular region, and some inhabiting only a few dozen square meters here.
Among these endemic botanical jewels are five carnivorous plants; two from the genera Podocarpus and Dracaena, some of the most primitive species in the Plant Kingdom, and one in the Buxus genus, thought to be extinct.
Located within the park are 16 of the 28 plant regions present in Cuba, including three types of Cuban rainforest: the low altitude, submontane, and montane; in addition to others like the low altitude cloud forest, the broad and needle leaf evergreen, gallery, spiny scrub, mangrove, and the plant systems existent on the coastline which can be sandy or rocky, and include mogotes.
Precisely the combination of mountains with forests, valleys, mesas, clear rushing rivers; along side coral reefs, pocket bays, and keys; as well as springs, lakes, and waterfalls, in the cool, rainy climate typical of the territory, make this national park one of Cuba's most impressive natural landscapes, carefully preserved to protect the delicate ecosystem and the species living there.
Its woods serve as a refuge for a great number of endemic species, including both resident and migratory birds, like the endangered cotorra and catey, while its marine ecosystems are home to a significant colony of manatees. Rare species of amphibians, reptiles, and fish are found throughout the area.
Alejando de Humboldt National Park harbors the greatest diversity of reptiles in the nation, along with the mollusk species Polymita picta; and other invertebrates like the scorpions Centruroides anchorellus and Rophalurus junceus, both of interest to conservationists and biomedical experts; as well as the endangered almiquí (Solenodon cubanus), an endemic living fossil, unique in Cuba and the world.
Previously unknown species of arachnids, crustaceans, and insects have been identified within the park, while its waters are home to nine species of shrimp, and a vast number of invertebrates.
According to existing evidence, the region was not affected by climate changes which occurred in pre-historic Ice Ages, and has served as a sanctuary for the island's flora and fauna. Its antiquity and relative stability, along with its varied, mostly rocky topography and variable precipitation patterns, have allowed for a great number of habitats and microhabitats, where diverse plant and animal species have originated and survived for millions of years.
SITES OF INTEREST
Among the park's many sites of interest are the Piedra la Vela, a visitors' center from where nature hikes and tours depart; Cabezada de Jaguaní, a river with many waterfalls, flowing through a natural environment of humid tropical forest and conifers; Loma del mulo, one of the best overlooks in the park; El Toldo, a peak and mesa that constitute the highest locations in the Moa-Baracoa massif; and the Cascada fugaz, an impressive waterfall on the River Jaguaní.
Also noteworthy are La Melba, a settlement and area where the Jaguaní River creates large pools and coves in the forest; Alto de Iberia, a well preserved meseta featuring ponds of a type unique to Cuba; Taco, a beautiful bay in the municipality of Baracoa; and Farallones de Moa, a karst landscape with a system of river-created caves.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROECTION
The assets and charm of the park are protected with a Management Plan, which mandates actions and programs for its administration, use, and rational exploitation of natural resources, over a five year period.
Gerardo Begué Quiala, deputy director of the Environmental Services Unit (UPSA) in Guantánamo, affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), explained that protective measures implemented at the site are directed toward the ecological restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems damaged by human action, principally those linked to mineral prospecting by those granted mining concessions in the past.
Begué added that now being mitigated is the ecological damage left by U.S. timber companies' operations in the 1950s, which is still noticeable in some areas of the park given their intensive exploitation of forest resources. Reforestation is decisive in this effort, he said.
The expert MSc noted that studies are being undertaken of the natural history and ecology of several endangered plant and animal species, such as the almiquí (solenodon), the Cuban parrot and catey (parakeet), the hutia andaraz (capromys), as well as the Guaso and Joturo cichlids, fresh water fish endemic to Guantánamo and neighboring rivers in Holguín and Santiago de Cuba.
"Work is also being done on a series of plant and animal species, all endemic to the north of eastern provinces - some endangered - which are of great significance to conservation, and highly valuable given their potential extractive, biomedical, or ecological use, and the possible contribution of bioactive substances to agriculture and cosmetics. Among these are incense, the bullytree (sapotaceae), wild tamarind (lysiloma), jubilla (sideroxylon), laurel (calophyllum) …”
Begué, an ecology and wildlife specialist, reported that notable gains have been made in controlling and managing invasive plant and animal species, which cause severe damage to natural ecosystems and human populations. He cited the example of the mongoose which has proliferated in the mountains, affecting wild and domestic animals, and, in the case of plant species, the African tulip which has proven dangerous given its ability to invade and occupy new areas.
"For 12 years now, work has been done jointly with campesinos and producers in local communities within the park and the buffer zone, on the preservation, management, and development of agro-diversity; with significant efforts to conserve and improve soils; and expand the presence of fruit-bearing, medicinal, aromatic, vegetable species, and other traditional crops - in a veritable example of healthy food production, and the non-proliferation of chemical inputs," Begué explained.
Taking into consideration that this geographic area possesses the most important fresh water reserves in Cuba and the Caribbean Basin, work has been undertaken to preserve the forests which protect water and soils in a number of river basins, among them that of the Toa. Thus, the ecologist reported, all of the rivers within the park are crystal clear and free of contamination.
The research done some years ago, to document the many species of amphibians, salt and fresh water fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds present, is key to the conservation work currently underway. Much appreciated is the rigor of that investigation, for which the Environmental Services Unit was responsible, with the assistance of prestigious national institutions, among them the Institute of Ecology and Systematics (IES), the Eastern Center for Ecosystems and Biodiversity (BIOECO), the University of Havana, and the National Museum of Cuban Natural History. Of bird species alone, more than 90 were identified.
The park has been affected, as well, by several natural disasters, like Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which damaged the flora and fauna, in addition to paths, roads and dwellings.
Via a recovery plan, the effects were minimized as much as possible, with the pruning or felling of trees that had been uprooted, tipped, or broken by the storm, and steps were taken to support the recuperation of flora and fauna, including reforestation, placement of watering holes, and the provision of food for several species. Work was also done to help bees recover.
Experts agree that Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, the best preserved mountain ecosystem in Cuba, is of an adequate size and in good condition to guarantee the long term survival of the ecological systems it harbors, along with the continued evolution of the communities and species within these.
The park is a scientific institution that has been able to maintain an efficient system of vigilance and protection of natural resources, addressing vulnerabilities that exist, including crimes like illegal forestry or poaching, and forest fires.
Its consistent work and scientific care won the park the 2011 National Prize for Conservation, another well-deserved recognition of the park, considered a paradigm in Cuba and the world when it comes to protection of the environment and biodiversity.
