Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve (Cuba)
The Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve is located in the northeastern region of Cuba. It protects tropical wet forests and coastal/marine ecosystems within the mountain region of Sagua-Garacoa and much of the Toa River watershed. It is considered one of Cuba's principal centers of biodiversity and endemism.
Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve
The Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve is located within the Greater Antilles in the northeastern region of Cuba. It covers the mountain region of Sagua-Garacoa and includes the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. The Reserve covers 208,305 ha (514,732 acres), of which 6,013 ha (14,858 acres) is marine area.
The Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve is located primarily in Guantánamo Province and extends north into Holguín Province. Most of the Reserve is established in the watershed of the Toa River, which flows for 118 km (73 mi) to the Atlantic Ocean in Baracoa.
Cuchillas del Toa is considered one of the principal centers of biodiversity and endemism in Cuba and the insular Caribbean, with rainy mountain forests, cloud forests, and xerophytic matorral, to complex coastal vegetation with mangroves and coral reefs.
The Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve protects tropical wet forests and coastal/marine ecosystems. It surrounds the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. It also contains El Yunque table mountain, the Infierno Creek with a 300 m (980 ft) waterfall, the Great Cave of Moa (Gran Caverna de Moa), and the Bay of Taco, north of Baracoa.
The karstic system of the great cave of Moa Headlands is one of the five natural monuments in the country and one of the great cave systems in eastern Cuba.
Flora and Fauna
With high biodiversity in flora and fauna, there are 928 endemic species reported, such as the genus Podocarpus and Dracaena,' botanic jewels 'belonging to the most primitive species.
Vertebrates such as the royal carpenter (Campephilus principalis), the caguarero sparrow hawk (Chondrohierax wilsoni), and the almiqui (Solenodon cubanus) are also considered highly endangered species. In addition, some of the world's smallest mammal species are found in the Reserve.
Socio-Economic
About 18,000 inhabitants in 498 communities live in this mountainous Reserve's buffer zone and transition area. Engaged in forestry, traditional agriculture (coffee, coconut, and cacao) and ecotourism, they raise cattle and participate in nickel, chrome, iron, and cobalt mining explorations.