Leonor Castiñeiras1, Tomás Shagarodsky1, Zoila Fundora1, Victor Fuentes1, Odalys Barrios1, Victoria Moreno1, Lianne Fernández1, Raúl Cristóbal1, Vicente González2, Maritza García3, Fidel Hernández3, Celerina Giraudy4, Pedro Sánchez1, Rosa Orellana1 and Aracely Valiente5

The biodiversity maintenance by farmers in Inventory of the The results confirmed that the registered home gardens is a type of in situ conserva- agrobiodiversity and their use cultivated diversity in the studied home tion of plant genetic resources, which has The inventory revealed the existence of gardens, is distributed among the three studied the advantages of preserving the evolution 508 species that belong to 352 genus and regions, constituing this, the starting point to processes and adaptation of crops in their 108 families. Around 80% of the diversity analyze these areas like possible Minimum microenvironments, and to conserve the corresponds to cultivated species and the rest Effective Units of In Situ Conservation of diversity at all levels (ecosystem, species and to wild species used by the families. Plat Genetic Resources in . genes) (Jarvis 2000; Eyzaguirre & Linares The study of the diversity showed the The ornamental species occupy an impor- 2001). In this context some researches were presence of seven cultivated species in the tant place in the home gardens orchard (197 conducted to promote the use and develop home gardens that had not been reported registered species), following by medicinal of the rural home gardens for the in situ in the last inventory of cultivated plants plant (114), woods for construction and conservation of the agricultural biodiversity carried out in Cuba (Esquivel et al. 1992). An repairing the houses (54), fruits (38), condi- in Cuba, demonstrating the value of them outstanding detail was the presence of three ments (25), other uses like insecticides, in the maintenance of the diversity through endemic species: Protium cubense, Garcinia coal, etc. (20), living fences (12), wood for their use. aristata and Piper aduncum subsp. ossanum, construction of work instruments (11), roots The research work was performed with maintained and used as condiments in some and tubers (10), beverages (10), grains (9) the participation of 39 home gardens from home gardens from the eastern region. and food animal (7). Most of them are used western, central and eastern regions of Cuba. Only 25% of the total diversity registered is for the family consumption. The selected families live in the nucleus or in common (coincidence of species) among the Cuban farmers manage the diversity the periphery of the protected areas: Reserves three studied regions, being this, an indicator through their use, and select it according of the Biospheres “” (western of their differences. There was less number of to the necessities of the family, especially region) and “Cuchillas del Toa” (eastern species in the eastern region, in comparison at the species level and within the species region). The members of the communities of with the rest of the study areas; however, it (Castiñeiras et al.. 2000; 2001), but the these areas have received an environmental had more infraespecific variability. number of individuals for species/ variety/ education adressed to the conservation of the The isolation and the difficult access of wild flora and fauna of the locations. In the the area located in the eastern region, and case of the central region the communities of also some social and cultural features (strong the selected area have a strong influence of the Haitian influence), differentiate the eastern Botanical Garden of , the oldest in region of the rest of the communities of the country, been founded in 1901, and meets the Island, and this, have an implication on both, the conservation and training functions in the agricultural management of the species. the region. Interviews were carried out mainly Roots and tubers are of wider acceptance with the owners for gathering information that in the rest of the regions and a bigger concerning to genetic resources, and social, variability has been observed in those species; 1 Instituto de Investigaciones Fundamentales en Agri- cultural and economical aspects related to an example is yam (Dioscorea spp.), whose cultura Tropical “Alejandro de Humboldt”; MINAGRI. them. cultivation is characteristic of that region. On Calle 1 y 2, Santiago de las Vegas, Municipio Boyeros, The possibilities of integration of the the other hand, the farmers from this region CP 17200, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba. E-mail: [email protected]. genetic resources in situ conservation of also cultivate and consume more species 2 Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática, CITMA. Ciudad cultivated plants, with that of the wild flora of grains; so there, the variability is very de la Habana, Cuba. 3 Estación Ecológica Sierra del Rosario, CITMA. Pinar and fauna of each region, and educational high (Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus lunatus, del Río, Cuba. national programs, was one of the aspects Cajanus cajan, Zea mays and Vigna umbel- 4 Unidad de Servicios Ambiéntales de Guantánamo, that was considered during the development lata are the most frequent), with regard to CITMA. Guantánamo, Cuba. 5 Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos, CITMA. Cienfuegos, of the work. the other two study regions. Cuba.

102 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ISLAND AFFAIRS 103 population is small; however, for crops that women are in charge of some groups of process in the last years, favoured by new report high economic benefit to the families cultivations, like ornamental and medicinal agicultural policies of delivering lands and in the rural areas, the agroecosystem and plants, as well as the care of a few domestic the encouragement that represents a better the landscape play an important role in the animals, as chickens. price for the agricultural products in the selection of the species, the production is Fruits group is important in the contribution market. The own family self-consumption that performed in a bigger area, with a reduced of vitamins and minerals for the families, as is achieved with the production of the home number of species/ varieties, as well as, a substitute of vegetables, since the last one gardens, favours the farmer's permanency in a high number of individuals per variety. requires of high water consumption, and in the their properties. In this case biotic and abiotic factors of rural areas this resource is scarce, because the ecosystem have influences, because the the season for vegetable cultivation, coincides Effective Minimum Units selection approaches go directed to the yield with the dry season. Casava (Manihot escu- of In Situ Conservation and the adaptation of the species in question, lenta), bananas (Musa spp.), taro (Colocasia Because of the similarities and differences of activities that are carried out with a minimum esculenta), cocoyam (Xanthosoma sp.), beans the agricultural biodiversity found in the three ecological risk, because of the minimum use (Phaseolus spp.) and corn (Zea mays), among areas, the aspects related with the management of chemical products. others, manifest the attachment to a certain of the crops and the motivation of the farm- food culture (their origin goes back to some ers to continue conserving their traditional Exchange of experiences aboriginal cultures from Meso and South varieties with the new participative point of with farmers America), where the roots, tubers and grains view, the three regions studied were propose Workshops with farmers and scientists were are important in the family diet. For this reason, as Effectives Minimum Units of In Situ organized in each region, with exhibitions of they occupy bigger spaces inside the farmer Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources the biodiversity managed in the home gardens property, due to the need of more volumes for in Cuba, with the objective to concentrate by the farmers involved. These meetings had a feeding the family and for domestic animals. and support the in situ conservation in the positive impact in the communities, since they The presence of other species is influenced near future, relating them to other national allowed the exchange of experiences concern- by historical factors; such it is the case of the conservation strategies as Protected Areas ing to “seed” conservation and exchange from coffee plantations (Pérez de la Riva, 1944) that and Botanical Gardens networks. The training different varieties and species among the also has importance in the State economy, and about management and improvement of seeds farmers, as well as, the popularization of the is located in Cuban mountain areas. and soil fertility with the use of different value of conserving agrobiodiversity in home As the number of individuals for cultivated organic methods in home gardens should also gardens, especially to the local, political and species and/or variety is small within home continue. The popularization concerning to the educational authorities in each region, who gardens (sometimes there is only a single importance of the in situ conservation of the were invited to the workshops. plant), it can constitute a threat for the diver- agricultural biodiversity in the home gardens sity conservation. It becomes indispensable and the benefits that this represent from the General considerations to draw national strategies to minimize such economic and social points of view should be about Cuban home gardens risks as possible. extended to all population's sectors. Cuban home gardens are characterized to be The best environmental health, in terms of a dynamic agricultural ecosystem, where a soil fertility and species management inside Conclusions high diversity of useful species is appreciated. the home garden systems, is appreciated Home gardens of the rural areas in Cuban The ornamental garden is almost located in in the family gardens located within the western, central and eastern regions offer the front part and/or one of the sides of the protected areas and its surroundings. In those a material and spiritual guarantee to the household, where some other species are cases, the preparation of soils and weed families and they are a managed reservoir of located too, like fruit trees, medicinal and control is carried out with animal traction or diversity, maintained and conserved by the condiment species. Other groups of species manually; most of the species are cultivated rural communities through their use. These used for family feeding are distributed little without irrigation, with organic fertilization communities have played a decisive role in farther from the house, in a continuous or without fertilization. the conservation over the time, allowing this rotation system, dependente of the size of In terms of socio-cultural approaches, in diversity has arrived to our times. the property, where men and women, both, former times migratory flows of the families participate in the agricultural activities. took place from the fields toward the cities. Acknowledges The home garden is a dynamic unit, With the increment of literacy, farmers’ The authors wants to express its gratefulness to the rural because of its internal mobility in space and children did not carry out studies related communities of the studied regions for its collaboration in the development of the work; to the International Plant Genetic time, also for the variability of labours, which with agricultural activities, and they left Resources Institute; the German Agency for Technical Cooperation influence in the number and variability of the the lands, going to other places, looking for and CROCEVIA (Non Governmental Organization) from Italy, species. Men play a predominant role in the better economic benefits. However, it has for the technical and nancial support for the researchs, as well as, to the Cuban local experts for helping to localize the home management of the home garden, although been observed some kind of reversion of the gardens in the regions.

104 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ISLAND AFFAIRS References conservation of plant genetic resources in Cuba, aproximación al estudio y fomento de los huertos CASTIÑEIRAS L.; Z. FUNDORA, V. FUENTES, O. BAR- a pilot study. IPGRI/FAO Plant Genetic Resources familiares. Cuadernos Pueblos y Plantas, n. 7, p. RIOS, V. MORENO, P. SÁNCHEZ, A.V. GONZÁLEZ, Newsletter n. 123, p. 9-18. 30-32. M. GARCÍA, A. MARTÍNEZ FUENTES & A. MAR- ESQUIVEL M.; H. KÜPFFER & H. HAMMER. JARVIS D.; L. MYER, H. KLEMICK, L. GUARINO, M. TÍNEZ. 2000. La conservación in situ de la variabilidad INVENTORY OF THE CULTIVATED PLANTS. 1992. SMALE, A.D.H. BROWN, M. SADIKI, B. STHAPIT & T. de plantas de cultivo en dos localidades de Cuba. Rev. In Hammer K., M. Esquivel, H. Knüpffer. “...y tienen HODGKIN. 2000. A training Guide for In Situ Conservation Jardín Botánico Nacional, vol. 21, n. 1, p. 25-45. faxoes y fabas muy diversos de los nuestros...” On-farm. Version 1. IPGRI, Rome, p. 134-141. CASTIÑEIRAS L.; Z. FUNDORA, S. PICO & E. SALINAS. Origin, Evolution and Diversity of Cuban Plant Genetic Pérez de la Riva, F. 1944. El café, historia de un cultivo 2001. Monitoring crop diversity in home gardens Resources. Vol. 3, IPK Gatersleben, p. 213-454. y exportación en Cuba. In: Jesús Montero (Ed.), as a component in the national strategy of in situ EYZAGUIRRE, P. y O. LINARES. 2001. Una nueva La Habana.

1

Pedro M. Alcolado2, Daniela Mercedes Arellano3, Elisa Eva Garcia4 and group of authors

The Cuban experience during the implemen- tation of its Sustainable Development Model has been based in the ecosystem approach. This approach has been the best approach to promote the synergism among all the dimensions of the sustainable development. The sustainable development model adopted by Cuba promotes the environmental planning taking into account the natural resource protection in harmony with the development of the productive forces, and it is aimed to achieve the sustainability at prioritized ecosystems, considering the environmental problems existing in them – included the social component – and their solutions. Based in this conceptual approach, a number of National Programs (of Bays, Watershed, Reforestation, Mountains, Deser- Caguanes, Piedra Key, Sabana Camagüey Archipelago, CUBA tification and Droughts, Wetlands), have been identified, among them, those dealing with of biological events in the Sabana-Camagüey 2). Its archipelago constitutes the largest the fragile ecosystems (small and very small Ecosystem (SCE), in northern Cuba, on the system of keys in the Wider Caribbean and islands of the Cuban Archipelago). rest of the hemisphere, is part of the reason represents 60% of all the Cuban keys in According to the recognized need of for GEF to support a UNDP project to number (2,515 keys). swamps are protecting biodiversity and establishing a consolidate biodiversity protection in that profusely distributed in the keys and along sustainable development of tourism, fishing ecosystem the mainland coast. The keys, beaches and and other economic activities, the project coral reefs of the region are well known for “Protecting biodiversity and Establishing The Sabana-Camagüey their quality and beauty. The larger keys a Sustainable in the Sabana-Camagüey ecosystem, Cuba. Ecosystem” was carried out. This Project The Sabana-Camagüey Ecosystem (SCE) 1 CUB/92/G31 and CUB/98/G32 UNDP/GEF projects. was signed on December 1993 and financed occupies a strip of approximately 465 km 2 Instituto de Oceanología, CITMA (Ministry of Science, by the Global Environment Facility, the along the central north zone of Cuba. It Technology and Environment), Scientific Adviser of the UNDP Project Sabana-Camagüey (marine issues) Cuban Government (Ministry of Science includes the northern watersheds of five 3 Agencia de Medio Ambiente, CITMA, Director of the Technology and Environment, Ministry for provinces of the country, as well as the UNDP Project 4 Foreign Investment and Collaboration) and archipelago, the adjacent marine shelf and Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática, CITMA, Scientific Adviser of the UNDP Project Sabana-Camagüey Environment Canada. The potential impact the oceanic Exclusive Economic Zone (Fig. (terrestrial issues)

104 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ISLAND AFFAIRS 105 Figure 2. Schematic limits of the Sabana - Camagüey Ecosystem encompassing: in the SCE; watersheds, marine shelf, the archipelago and the Exclusive Economic Zone. • Encourage the creation of employment opportunities, and maximize the benefits for the local population of the SCE; • Strengthen the capacity to manage and execute the recommended strategies, actions and projects in the SCE; and • Recommend pilot investments or projects that will help encourage the economy of the SCE gradually, while providing a vision of the general strategic plan as well as a “step by step” execution program. are populated with diverse plant formations. in accordance with the evolution of the tour- All this variety of habitat encloses a great ism market of the Caribbean. Furthermore, it Strategic plan diversity of marine and terrestrial flora and was and still being necessary to increase the The strategic plan of the whole SCE region fauna, and gives shelter to a high level of efficiency of the incorporation of scientific offers the wide framework for strategies and terrestrial endemism, which places this zone information and environmental concerns to actions. It encompasses all the planning zones among the richest in biodiversity in Cuba the development planning process. These within the region (watershed, marine shelf, and the Wider Caribbean. problems constituted core issues in this keys and the oceanic Exclusive Economic More than 708 species of terrestrial flora project, among others not less important. Zone). The general strategies identified by have been found in the area. Of these, 126 this UNDP/GEF project for biodiversity are endemic. Additionally, 958 species of The Strategy protection and sustainable development can terrestrial fauna, including 549 insects and The strategies for biodiversity protection and be found in Alcolado, García and Espinosa 209 species of birds, have been noted. This sustainable economic development of the (1999). part of Cuba provides winter habitat for region were first developed by the project visiting birds. for the various sectors based on the “issue Ongoing second phase analysis” process (problem driven approach), of the project in which biodiversity and sustainable develop- The ongoing second phase, the project Prior- Brief review of the resources, ment issues were identified and options for ity Actions to Consolidate Biodiversity Pro- use and threats at the their solution examined. The options were tection in the Sabana-Camagüey Ecosystem Sabana-C amagüey ecosystem analyzed further within the interdisciplinary (UNDP/GEF CUB/98/G32) , that began The most generalized and traditional use of working group and the strategies as outlined in 2000, is aimed at formal adoption and the marine shelf of the Sabana-Camagüey here are presented as the result of the multi- implementation of prioritized actions of the Archipelago is fishing, though activities of oil disciplinary, multiagency review and analysis. proposed strategy. The objectives and their exploration and extraction are accomplished The sectoral strategies were taken and were implementation of this second phase, are since few years ago in the most western prioritized (based on resources and time) and summarized as follows: extreme. integrated (across the sectors) to develop the Establishment of eight key priority protected The influence of the improper management Strategic Plan for the Region. areas for conservation, demonstration and of the watershed, over fishing and harmful replication. All these areas (which constitute fishing practices partially affected the fisher- 15.35% of the SCA with its marine shelf), ies of the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago and Objectives of the strategic plan The strategic plan objectives are envisioned have been chosen as a result of studies carried its marine biodiversity. For different reasons, as follows: out during the first phase of project. At present the mortality of important areas of mangrove • Contribute to the conservation of Cuba’s time, four of this eight protected areas have swamps has occurred in some places. Coral biodiversity, based on the protection of been legally established, their management reefs have been affected by the herbivore sea species and habitats of the SCE; plans designed and implemented, information urchin (Diadema antillarum) mortality and • Promote the conservation of the cultural printed for distribution, interpretative trails several kinds of coral diseases, as well as heritage, including historical, cultural, set up, park personnel trained in biodiversity by macroalgal proliferation due both to architectural and archaeological sites of planning and management, and minimal low herbivore population and land based interest in the SCE; scientific and logistical equipment provided nutrification. • Promote the expansion in Cuba of tourism to ensure monitoring and feedback to plan- Before the Project the tourism development and ecotourism industry related to the ter- ning and management functions. In the other plans presented a development stereotype restrial and marine environment, as well as four protected areas, although not yet legally that would be in conflict with important other activities and investment opportunities established, their operative plans are already biological resources, and they were not fully

106 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ISLAND AFFAIRS elaborated and implemented and their park This will allow the costs of environmental region, with ecosystems and pressures over personnel trained in biodiversity planning variables and biodiversity conservation to their biological resources, due to excessive and management, in the same way. be internalized in development plans and human impacts, particularly tourism and Consolidation of coordinated institutional programs and will prevent the misuse of overfishing, and the climate changes. capacities for sustained long-term integrated benefits resulting from particular mecha- The Cuban government has demonstrated, coastal management. This objective includes nisms and economic incentives. by supporting this project and in by other the following activities: Education and awareness raising for envi- ways, its appreciation of the need to protect • Establishment of an Authority for Integrated ronmental management, sustainable devel- the biological heritage of this part of the Coastal Management (AICM) for the SCE. opment and biodiversity conservation and country. It is a narrow window of opportunity It include formal institutional and inter- sustainable use. The biodiversity component to develop tourism in right way, while institutional structuring, staff training, and has included the introduction of provincial responding to the other challenges of biodi- the acquisition of minimum required equip- biodiversity education policies; workshops versity protection and sustainable economic ment for integrated coastal management. and seminars to raise awareness among development in the region. On completion of the project, the Authority decision makers and different community for Integrated Coastal Management for the and economic sectors that affect biodiversity; SCE would have been legally established production of didactic materials; dissemina- and would be in operation. tion of biodiversity values through the mass • Inventories and rapid environmental assess- media. References ments carried out in areas of globally During the development of the first and Alcolado, P.M., E.E. García y N. Espinosa (Eds.). 1999. Protecting Biodiversity and Establishing Sustainable significant biodiversity, prioritized on second phase of the Project, relevant problems Development in the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago. the basis of special protection needs or have been identified. These problems have GEF/UNDP Project Sabana-Camagüey CUB792/G31, existing or potential threats. been created by conditions and use trends in Cuba. CESYTA S.L. Madrid, 145 p. Arellano,M. Some Introductory Notes on the Conceptual • Detailed zoning and planning in prioritized the Sabana-Camagüey Ecosystem. In conse- Base of Sustainable Development in Cuba (in prepara- areas in order to incorporate biodiversity quence, management objectives, proposed tion) conservation and environmental protection actions and their solution implementation Claro, R., J.A. Baisre and J. P. García-Arteaga. 1994. VIII. Evolución y Manejo de los Recursos Pesqueros. criteria. have been developed. Some of the most 435-492 pp. In: Ecología de los Peces Marinos de • Establishment of a network of four (plus important of them are summarized below: Cuba (R. Claro Ed.), CIQRO, México. Olsen,S., J. Tobey and M. Kerr. 1996. A common one already existing at Cayo Coco) small By means of workshops, meetings and framework for learning from ICM Experience. Interna- environmental monitoring stations. exchange of information, the lessons learned tional Workshop on Integrated Coastal Management in • Evaluation of financial mechanisms for during the development of this project have Tropical Developing Countries: Lessons Learned from Successes and Failures, Xiamen, People’s Republic biodiversity conservation and management. been widely disseminated in the Caribbean of China, May, 1996 (Manuscript), 15 p.

Problems posed by conditions and use trends in the Sabana Camagüey Ecosystem Some Problems: Progress: Management objectives:

Deficiencies in man- During the GEF Project implementation, a col- Gradually implement the ICM of the SCE through the agement and decision- lective way of planning work and opportunity creation of the AUTHORITY FOR INTEGRATED COASTAL making processes. and problem identification has been applied MANAGEMENT OF THE SCE. (participation of the SCE provinces and the staff of institutions, scientific and technical disciplines, and economic sectors involved in the studies, conservation and development of the SCE). Lack of an organized A huge volume of data introduced in a GIS has Interconnect the information bases and databases of the and interconnected been generated during the GEF Project, and part main national and provincial performers of ICM in order to information and data- of the information is at the participant institutions. facilitate management actions and decision-making. base system. Lack of a Protected The project has made a very important proposal Formalize and implement a protected area system Area System. aimed at implementing a Special Region of encompassing the whole SCE so to protect its valuable Sustainable Development comprising the whole biodiversity resources. archipelago and part of the coastal mainland

Land based Marine In the Project, an analysis of the land-based Stop the increase of organic pollution and gradually reduce pollution pollution was carried out at the sub-watershed it to recover biodiversity and fishing potential; gradually level and its extension and effects on the marine introduce technologies for waste treatment that are both biodiversity have been determined at a strategic more economical and friendly with the environment; and scale. This allows conducting future actions more monitoring. properly (Environmental Licensing processes, for instance).

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