Alejandro de Humboldt National Park

The Alexander von Humboldt National Park ( Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt Spanish ) is a nature reserve in eastern Cuba. The National Park was named after the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who visited the island in 1800 and 1801. In 2001, the biologically unique area by the World Heritage Committee was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The aim of the park is to preserve the flora and fauna Ostkubas. The biodiversity is among the world, with an estimated 1800-2000 species to the greatest, for example, is significantly larger than those of the Galápagos islands. Approximately 70 to 80 % of the species of the park are endemic. The National Park is the most important biological refuge of the Caribbean and was placed in Category II of the IUCN. Accordingly, it is a protected area, in which in addition to protecting biodiversity and the ecosystem also the experience of nature is to be encouraged.

• 4.1 Temperature
• 4.2 Precipitation
• 4.3 Humidity
• 4.4 wind conditions and extreme events

Geography

Location

The National Park extends over large parts of the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo and includes both terrestrial and marine areas. It extends over a length of 50 km in the Sagua - Baracoa mountains, 30 km north-east of the city of Guantanamo. In the north it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the River Nibujón on the south by the Río Jiguaní and to the west by the Río Cupey.

Surface

The National Park covers an area of ​​706.8 km ² ( 70,680 hectares). Of which 670 km ² are strictly protected. There live more than 1,200 different species of animals and over a thousand different species of plants of which more than 80 % are endemic. 2,250 hectares accounted for marine areas. The park is divided into four sectors and is surrounded by a 500 m wide buffer zone.

Geology

In the area of the National Park, the Sagua - Baracoa Group, one of the oldest mountain ranges of Cuba has emerged in the late Cretaceous or early Tertiary in is. The mountain range consists mainly of remains of the upper oceanic crust 40 million years ago. The dominant rocks are volcanic and plutonic rocks such as serpentinite and mafic minerals such as gabbro. In the coastal plains clays and marsh sediments are predominant.

The mountains of the park are formed like stairs and reach heights of 200 to about 1,100 m. The highest peak is the Pico El Toldo 1,175 m. The majority of the slopes are steep sloping at angles of 18-35 °. Numerous rivers dissect the mountain and follow it often tectonic boundaries (eg Río Jaguani ). The larger rivers form deep valleys and narrow canyons.

The coastline is divided by smaller bays, the beaches are mostly sprawling sandy beaches. However, there are also some rocky sections of the beach with caves and caverns. The coast are offshore barrier reefs, coastal reefs and small islands (eg Cayo del Medio ). Erosion occurs in the National Park because of the wooded river banks usually only limited and, among others, in the form of vertical erosion.

Numerous rivers cross the national park or originate there. His most important river is the Río Jaguani. The park also holds the distinct wetland where the Río Toa, the largest river in Cuba, has its source. Its mean annual runoff was estimated at station El Aguacate an average of 31.5 m³ / s. The water of many rivers is drinkable.

The bottom group of the Red Earths makes 81.4 % of the majority of the soils in the National Park. Play a minor role in brown soils ( 9.4%) and raw soils ( 7.5%). Very rarely seen are hydromorphic and alluvial soils.

History

The first statutory protected areas in the region of the mountain range Sagua - Baracoa were founded in 1963 Reserva Natural Cupeyal del Norte ( 10,260 hectares) and Reserva Natural Jaguani. After the endangered ivory woodpecker had been sighted in 1986 to the then last time, began planning for an extensive nature reserve. In 1991, the Ministry of Agriculture declared an approximately 6,000 -acre area at ojito de Agua to the reserve. UNESCO declared in 1987, a 127,500 -acre area in the middle of the mountain range Nipe - Sagua - Baracoa del Toa Biosphere Reserve Cuchillas. In 1995, the mountain range by the Cuban Council of Ministers was declared the area of sustainable development.

In the same year were also made plans for the establishment of a national park. Main problems here were the large area of ​​the region and the complete lack of infrastructure and communication facilities in the area. The area was divided into four sectors and began with the construction of the visitor center in ojito de Agua sector.

Through international cooperation, finally, the necessary funds for the maintenance of such a project could be provided and have conducted numerous erosion control measures, fire fighting and reforestation. In 1996 the provisional establishment of the National Park. Since 2001, the park will have the support of the WWF and the United Nations. In the same year, the establishment of the National Park has been confirmed by law and created a 500 m buffer zone around the park comprehensive. In December 2001, the National Park has been recognized by the National Commission for UNESCO as a natural heritage of mankind.

Population

There are no exact figures on the population within the park area and the buffer zone, the estimates range 3700-6000. Within the strict reserve live less than 2,000 people. About 60 % of the inhabitants are farmers or worked in forestry. The local population is most deeply rooted in the reserve, which is important for the development of the National Park of advantage. All locations within the park include a primary school and a practice of a family physician. Supplying the population is carried out partly autonomous, partly via the rudimentary road network. For some time, even small airplanes are used to supply the locals with daily newspapers.

Having started in the 1980s, an exodus of the population from the territory of the national park due to poor infrastructure, was set in 1986 by various measures such as higher agricultural prices decrease a program to develop the region in transition. In numerous workshops, the population of the national park is now more aware of environmental issues and get help in building an ecological agriculture. Sustainability, food sovereignty and a healthy diet are the target of the program. School classes of the native population and other places Cuba regularly organize excursions in the park.

Climate

Temperature

In the National Park there is still a typical tropical diurnal climate under constant influence of the trade winds. On the north coast near Baracoa, the average annual temperature is 24 to 26 ° C. In general, the temperature in the direction of the interior slightly. The coldest month is January with an average air temperature of 19.3 ° C. The warmest month is July with an average of 27.4 ° C.

Precipitation

In the core area of the national park there is an annual rainfall of up to 3650 mm (Station El Aguacate ). South-west take the precipitation values ​​significantly. The Cuchillas de Toa in the west of the park have an annual precipitation of 2000 mm. On the north coast, in Baracoa, average annual precipitation 1800-2000 mm can be achieved. The station El Aguacate registered 207 days with precipitation per year, the station La Melba 204 days. In addition to the rainfall increases the moisture in the region due to frequent fog and dew. The most rainfall concentrated in the highlights of the rainy season in May and June. The entire rainy season lasts from May to October.

Humidity

At lunch time (13 clock ), the average humidity on the north coast 70-75 %. In mountainous countries in the hinterland of Baracoa 75-80 % can be achieved, in the peak areas of more than 80 %. In the southern areas the humidity is 65-70 %. In the morning hours (7 clock ), the average humidity is about 10-15% in each area over the mid-day values. Prevails on the north coast an average evaporation from 1800 to 2000 mm / yr In the other parts of the park it is slightly lower.

Wind conditions and extreme events

The main wind direction is determined by the trade winds and is therefore north-east. Sea breezes during the day can increase the wind conditions on the coast. Especially in the summer months to happen extreme climatic events such as heavy rain, thunderstorms and storms. Also the area is potentially threatened by tropical hurricanes. Last devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008 the nearby Baracoa.

Flora

Cuba is part of the Neotropics, the richest plant kingdom of Erde.Aufgrund its enormous size, elevation changes, scenic diversity and its complex geological structure could develop in flora and fauna in the national park is unique in the Caribbean diversity of ecosystems and endemic species. From the sea-coast with its mangrove forests and offshore reefs to the 1,175 m high summit of " El Toldo " National Park covers all important elements of the landscape of the region. But the mountain range Sagua - Baracoa is the most important starting point for the evolution of the Caribbean.

Under the surface lie many toxic for plants rocks. In order to survive, the plants had to adapt to these hostile conditions. A unique process of evolution has led to the development of numerous new species. With its species richness of the National Park is now one of the most important sites for the conservation of native flora. 95% of the National Park area is forested. 16 of the 28 natural vegetation types are represented Cuba in the area of ​​the park. Also, the park is one of the largest contiguous areas of tropical rainforest in the entire Caribbean area, more than half of the national park is covered with rain forest.

The major vegetation zones of the park are the sklerophylle rainforest, also known as lower cloud forest known ( 35.9 %), the submontane rainforest ( 23.1% ), pine forest (22.5%), evergreen forest (7.8%) and xeromorpher bush forest on serpentinite ( 6.8%). Furthermore, there are many other less important areas of different vegetation zones such as mangrove forest and lowland rain forest.

The incomplete Flore list for the National Park covers 1,302 different species of seed plants, of which 905 are endemic ( 69.5 %), including 150 locally endemic Arten.Das for Cuba is the largest concentration of endemic flora and one of the world's largest. Important representatives of the endemic flora are the xeromorphen scrubland, the Cuban Dragon Tree Draecana cubensis, Bonnetia cubensis and Spathelia wrightii.

At least 75 edible plant species are used by the people who live in the immediate vicinity of the park, especially in the traditional cuisine and medicine. They are predominantly grown in local gardens.

Fauna

The territory of the National Park is an important refuge for many endangered representatives of the Cuban fauna. Significance is the large number of endemic vertebrate and invertebrate animals whose evolution has taken place on the territory of the national park. At least 30 % of mammals, 21 % of birds, 83.3 % of reptiles, amphibians and 95.8 % of the 27.7 % of the insects are local or national endemics. Many of them are on the Red List of Threatened Species.

Important representatives of the endemic fauna such as the Ritteranolis, the Tocororo, the Cuban Amazon, the Cuba snails consecration and the Monte Iberia frogs. Even the smallest bird in the world, the bee hummingbird is native to the park. It is only about 5cm tall and weighs less than two grams.

The National Park is one of the last refuges of the critically endangered endemic Cuban Schlitzrüsslers. He was widespread on the American continent from 20-30 million years and is considered a living fossil. Last seven healthy specimens were found there in 2012 and found a recovery of the population. The National Park contains many endemic and usually very colorful snail species. The tree rat, the largest endemic mammal of Cuba, also here is their home. Some specimens of this very rare ivory woodpecker to live in the national park. In the sea off the coast of the park manatees live.

Research

Due to its high biodiversity and numerous endemic species of the National Park is ideal for research purposes. His research is far from finished and continues to this day. Particularly in the field of fauna be discovered by scientific field trips regularly new species.

Scientists at the University of Havana, the Friedrich -Schiller- University Jena and the Humboldt University of Berlin trying since the 1970s to develop a complete inventory as possible of the flora and fauna of the national park. In 1993, the Botanical Garden Berlin -Dahlem Berlin research part.

Tourism

Although the priority of park management is the restoration and protection of ecosystems and the scientific research, ecotourism is promoted. It is ensured that the fragile environment of the National Park is not damaged.

At the " Bahía de Taco " (Spanish for " Taco Bay " ) is the visitor center of the National Park. It is on the unpaved road in this section Moa - to reach Baracoa and is located approximately halfway between the two towns (34 km from Baracoa ). In the thatched huts of the visitor receives a brief overview of the protected area and can book guided tours of the park, including an exploration of the mangrove forests of the bay with a row boat. When participating in the tours, the payment of a fee for the national park visit is necessary. Guided tours can also be booked out of Baracoa. On the grounds of the visitor center there is also a bust of the namesake of the park.