Mangrove Recovery underway on Central Cuban Coast

Ciego de Avila, Aug 30 (ACN) Natural regeneration and reforestation by local forestry companies have helped recover 64 percent of affected mangrove areas in the northern and southern coasts of this central province.

Over 1000 hectares of mangroves were damaged by the most recent weather phenomena including category five hurricane Irma in September 2017. But thanks to actions undertaken as part of the state Life Task climate change program over 640 hectares of this kind of ecosystem have been restored.

Mangroves cover nearly five percent of the Cuban surface, standing by 5 thousand 321 square kilometers of swampy areas. These ecosystems constitute important reproduction zones for marine species, while their roots are the substrate for living invertebrates and fish. Mangrove offer significant protection of coasts against natural phenomena.

Several environmental actions are underway along the coasts of Ciego de Avila, including the planting of native species that fight sand erosion and contribute to the increase the quality of areas dedicated to sun-and-beach tourism.