Delta del Cauto Wetland: involved in the Life Task

The Delta del Cauto Wetland, the largest, complex and best preserved delta system in Cuba and the Caribbean, is also the second largest wetland and the third in Latin America.

This natural site of singular beauty treasures one of the best preserved mangrove ecosystems in the country, and due to the characteristics of the relief all the water runoff during the spring season comes through the rivers of the Cauto´s hydroregulating strip.

It is located in the Cauto river basin with an extension of 61 kilometers of main riverbed, with a wide diversity of plant species, both timber and non-wood, as well as fruit and shrubs; in addition to the forests of the coastal zone, formed mainly by mangroves.

Regarding its fauna values, the group of vertebrates is present as the best represented, with more than 138 species of birds. Likewise, there are eight species of lizards, among them the local endemic Anolis birama, restricted to the margins of the Cauto.

Cocodrilo americano (acutus)

There are other species whose populations are considered of international relevance such as Crocodylus acutus (American Crocodile) and Cyclura nubila (Iguana) and Epicrates angulife.

The influence of the salt water that affects the territory has a negative impact on the flora and fauna of this wetland, hence the importance of the work carried out as part of the implementation of the Life Task´s actions, to guarantee the mitigation of the climate change impacts on flora and fauna and their preservation, guaranteeing their adaptability and survival.

THe Delta del Cauto Wetland has been declared Ramsar site due to its natural value and well preserved state

The opening of channels and the cleaning of 13 kilometers of estuaries, the removal of branches and shrubs, as well as the construction of eight kilometers of ditches and 18 kilometers of trenches contribute to the water flow to deforested areas, bringing seed dispersal to this area, favoring the Autochthonous Natural Restoration in recent years of 48 hectares of mangroves, also allowing these areas to serve as gathering for aquatic fauna, which increases the presence of aquatic birds, providing good sheltering, nestling habitat for birds.

In order to achieve the 50 hectares for Natural Restoration and the enrichment of the forests with the integral protection of the forest ecosystems, actions were carried out in the forest nursery, removal of invasive species and in the land preparation in Birama, La flora, La salina and La Larga, as well as in the plantations on the banks of the Cauto River.

The monitoring and study of the populations of critical and endangered species has also been carried out, the study of health and survival of the mangrove and associated flora, while highlighting the actions to guarantee the implementation of Environmental Education projects with the children of the schools located in the Popular Councils that cover the wetland areas. The Delta del Cauto wetland has a large team of flora and fauna specialists and workers, who ensure its preservation and guarantee the care of this ecosystem, declared a Ramsar Site for its natural value and conservation state.

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