Month: January 2019

Information on biodiversity is required to undertake ecological studies on communities and ecosystems. As it is a difficult task, certain taxa that represent the main functional groups are targeted.

The Ana Maria keys are located in the Gulf of Ana Maria, an ecosystem limited by the southern coasts of the provinces of Sancti-Spiritus, Ciego de Avila Ciego and Camaguey, the northern keys of the Jardines de la Reina archipelago and the Gulf of Guacanayabo (east).

Parrotfishes live in rather shallow tropical and subtropical waters, particularly in coral reefs, seagrass beds and also in rocky coastal areas. The name of the group comes from the parrot-like beak formed by the arrangement of their numerous teeth. The strong beak is used to scrape algae from the coral reefs. Some species also eat coral polyps and micro-organisms.

Up to 85 % of wave energy can be reduced by reef crest, once dominated by Elkhorn coral, currently an endangered species as its relative Staghorn coral.

Jardines de la Reina National Park (JRNP) was invaded by lion fish like most of the wider Caribbean places but its current abundance seems to be lower than abroad.

The management plan of a protected area is the main tool to establish and regulate the management of resources and the actions to be taken when seeking conservation and sustainability according to the characteristics of the area, its management category and objectives as well as other area-related plans. The American crocodile has the largest distribution