Three species of trees allow us to come back to our beloved Topes de Collantes. They are exclusive Cuban species with reduced populations in the past but now recovering with our help.
Fecha: 27/07/2020
Proyecto: Conservation of threatened mountain species.
Every three months, we visit the nurseries where new plants of “mantequero” (Magnolia cubensis subsp. acunae), “sabina cimarrona” (Podocarpus angustifolius), and Tabebuia sauvallei are growing. Every other year, we monitor the hundreds of plants already planted in local farms. A dedicated member of Planta! would never forget them.
Topes de Collantes is a unique protected area, sometimes called a myth by visitors and scientists. With many natural values, rivers, and beautiful waterfalls, even the climate is quite different from the suffocating summers of the Island. Topes locates in the Guamuhaya Mountains, in Central Cuba, at about 800 meters above sea level.
In over 12,000 hectares, numerous Cuban exclusive plants grow. Plants here are green all year round since the rain is so abundant. However, we prefer to work when it is dry and sunny because walking in mud is not helpful when you have to recover many kilometers on foot.
We were monitoring this area since 2010 when we started reintroducing the three species of trees. Many of the first nursery plants introduced are now trees in bloom, which leaves us with a sense of pride. Almost all the trees planted are growing in the farm’s gardens or are shading the coffee plantations. Years ago, exotic plants were used to shade the plantations. Since the project started, local farmers have gained awareness about using exclusive Cuban species and have been replacing the exotic ones.
In January and February of this year, 98 small plants of “mantequero” and 54 “sabina cimarronas” were taken to the field. We took 146 plants of Tabebuia sauvallei to Havana to plant them in the National Botanical Garden and several institutions’ gardens. The natural populations of this third species have recovered significantly. Now, we focus on raising awareness about this exclusive Cuban plant, which hopefully will soon be acknowledged by its beautiful dark red flowers (some call it red oak).
We monitored farms and natural sites, including the Garden for “Coffee varieties”, one of the most visited tourist places in the area. We reached every plant planted by the team, measuring their height and diameter to keep track of their growth. In total, we monitored 866 plants in just two days of work. The second day, we had a special encouragement.
As we headed to the field the second day, we enjoyed one of Topes’ best views: the canopy. Imagine appreciating the forest from above, suspended from a rope, “flying” among trees like many birds of the area.
Coming back to Topes is always reassuring. Being able to meet with colleagues like Norlys and Piño, who have become family, enjoying the magnificent landscape in friends’ company, it still makes a difference. We can cover the forest from the canopy until it reaches the horizon, looking for those trees we have seen grow.
by Alejandro Palmarola
A Project from the Madagascar Plant Specialist Group was funded by Planta! as part of the SSC – Internal Grant since January 2020. The Project aims to create an action plan to preserve Critically Endangered regional plants.
by Alina Cuza
Published in 2013 in Bissea, “The top 50 most threatened plants of Cuba” has inspired conservation actions across Cuba. It has been a call for conservationists, local communities, and stakeholders, gathered by the common interest of protecting the unique flora of Cuba.
by Maritza Deroncelé
Maritza Deroncelé is a psychologist turned into a conservationist. Currently the Natural Reserve “El Retiro” manager, she tells us how her work preserving the Aguacate cimarron, changed her life.
