How Many Species Live Here?
Cuban pine forests are the main habitat for nearly 400 species, yet only a small number are endemic. The Cuban Pine Forests and the species that live there are currently at risk and have experienced concerning fluctuations in species population. According to the Threatened Species Red List produced by the IUCN, 17 species are considered vulnerable, 15 species are near threatened, 13 species are endangered, and 1 species is extinct.
According to the World Wild Finder’s website regions of Cuban pine forest contain 1 endemic species indicated by the light shade green of green in the map above.
Picture above: there are an average of 282-288 species residing in each cuban pine forest region
Both natural and human causes contribute to the fluctuations and extinction of species in the Cuban pine forests. Large amounts of precipitation have resulted in high levels of soil erosion, which damages the natural resources in the habitat. Social and economic development has also reduced habitat area and limited the expansion of species populations.
Trends in Degradation
Today much of the Cuban pine forests’ soil is degrading, which negatively affects many species’ habitat. According to the Degree of Degradation Map on the Land Assessment in Dryland Area (LADA) these areas of the Cuban pine forest (see maps below) range from a moderate to high degradation rate. Land degradation continues to increase in Cuba.
Land degradation continues to increase in areas of Cuban pine forests. In the LADA’s Increase of Degradation Map (pictured below) half of the Cuban Pine Forest has an increase rate of slow degradation, while the other half has an increase rate of moderate degradation.
Natural Causes of Degradation
Cuba is located within the Tropic of Cancer, which means Cuba receives a large amount of solar radiation and experiences moderate to high temperatures during all seasons of the year. High temperatures forces the air to rise and produces a convective cycle which contributes to cloud and rain formation.
Cuba experiences high precipitation throughout the year. The data and maps (pictured above) from the World Climate Website support this observation of high annual precipitation rate. The High amount of rain can result in an increase of runoff, and ultimately an increase soil erosion and land degradation.
Water Erosion
The LALDA Water Erosion Map (pictured above) illustrates the areas of Cuban pine forest that are affected by soil erosion. Most of these regions have at soil erosion rate of at least 50% or more, and the remaining areas have a soil erosion rate of at least 25%. The severe water erosion is largely due to the abundant precipitation since Cuba is located in the Tropic of Cancer.
Human Causes of the Degradation of Cuban Pine Forests
Agricultural Activity and Deforestation
According to the LADA’s Agroforestry Map and Reduction of Vegetation Cover Map (pictured below), most of the deforested areas are used for agricultural activities. It is evident that the Cuban pine forests located on the East side of Cuba are affected by large-scale deforestation, a reduction of approximately 75-100% vegetation cover, while small-scale agricultural activities have resulted in approximately a reduction of 0-15% vegetation cover of agroforestry.
Land degradation in Cuban Pine Forests significantly affects species’ habitat and the population size of species.
Natural causes are currently threatening many species in Cuban pine forests and human impact has created additional concerns. Humans have placed added pressure on habitats and accelerated the rate of habitat loss. Human impact has directly affected species numbers leading to extinction of those species (Aitken 1998). Extinction is a consequence of habitat reduction (Pimms and Askin 1995). When habitats, such as forests, are destroyed or degraded the remaining habitat becomes small and fragmented; supporting a population that a variety of populations in such a small area becomes difficult (Pimms 1991). As land degrades and natural resources decrease species may not have the necessary resources to maintain a healthy population for growth and survival.
Solutions to Destruction
Afforestation and Forest Protection
In the LADA reference map (pictured above) the Cuban pine forest located in Western Cuba has regions that are approximately 75% to 100% protected and have afforestation. However, the Cuban pine forest located on the Eastern end on the island are not under protection and have no afforestation.
Nutrient Management
Although there is nutrient management in Cuba, the managed regions do not overlap with the locations of the Cuban pine forests (see map above). Humans may not be able to prevent all erosion or other natural causes of habitat destruction, but they can take steps to reduce their environmental impact and improve conservation efforts. For example, maintaining a high nutrient level in the forests, banning logging and detrimental agricultural practices, and educating and spreading awareness to the public on endangered species are all important steps in preserving Cuban pine forests, a habitat and haven for important species.
References
Photo References:
“Cuban Pine Forests Map.” Map. Global Species. Myer Enterprise II, n.d. Web. 21 May 2015. <http://globalspecies.org/ecoregions/display/NT0304>> .
“Cuba Temperature and Precipitation Maps.” Map. World Clim – Global Climate Data. World Clim, n.d. Web. 21 May 2015. <http://worldclim.org/current>> .
“Ecoregion Maps of Cuban Pine Forest.” Map. World Wildlife Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2015. <http://WorldWildlifeFund> .
“Land Degradation Maps of Cuba.” Map. Land Degradation Assessment in DryLand (LADA). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d. Web. 21 May 2015. <http://www.fao.org/nr/lada/index.php?option=com_content&id=166&Itemid=200033&lang=en>> .
Scholar Paper References:
Aiken, G. N. (1998)Extinction (Biology and Philology 13)
Pimm, S. L.(1991)The Balance of Nature? Ecological Issues in the Conservation of Species and Communities (Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago).
Pimm,S, L. and Askin, R. A. (September 1995) Forest Losses Predict Bird Extinctions in Eastern North America
(Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol 92), pg. 9343-9347.
Cuban Pines 