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  Report at a glance | Downloadable files | Acknowledgements Report at a glance  Dates of field work 8–15 September 2002 Region Republic of Cuba, Matanzas Province, municipios (comparable to counties) of Ciénaga de Zapata, Jagüey Grande, Unión de Reyes, and Pedro Betancourt. The Zapata wetland-and-forest complex occupies the entire southern end of the province, measuring 175 km in length from west to east, between Punta Gorda and Jagua. Its maximal width is 58 km, north to south, from the town of Torriente to Cayo Miguel, with an average width of 14-16 km. Sites Surveyed The rapid biological inventory team surveyed six sites within the Zapata Peninsula: Bermeja (swamp forests), Peralta (swamp forests and marsh grasslands), Pálpite (tidal-swamp forests), the Hatiguanico River (marsh grasslands and mangrove swamps), Punta Perdíz (semideciduous forests), and Caleta Sábalo (swamp forests and semideciduous forests). Organisms surveyed Vascular plants, insects (ground beetles [family Carabidae], ants, dragonflies), mollusks, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals Highlight of results The rapid inventory team identified important opportunities for conservation in the Zapata Peninsula, where two vegetation types stand out at the highest priority: (1) lowland forests (the most extensive in the West Indies) and (2) grassdominated wetlands (both western and eastern sectors). The latter are among the largest and most nearly intact of such habitats in the world. These ecosystems are a refuge for a rich and diverse biota, with high levels of endemism, primarily in the vertebrates. During eight days in the field, our team found geographically restricted species and new records for the locality. Below is a brief summary of the results for the areas and organisms studied. Plants: Although we focused on the most widespread vegetation types (see Sites Surveyed, above), the Zapata region harbors 17 recognized formations, including the unique Marsh Spring Vegetation Complex (Complejo de Vegetación de Manantial de Ciénaga) among the forest islands called petenes. Marsh grasslands (Fig. 2H), reminiscent of the sawgrass fields of the Florida Everglades (USA), are maintained by fire and are the sole habitat for some endemic birds and fishes, the endangered Cuban crocodile, and a notable population of the declining West Indian manatee. Mangrove swamps along rivers and the coast are crucial nurseries for much of the region’s marine life. Upland forests are home to most of the region’s endemic bird species, as well as most of its reptiles. Both swamp forest (Fig. 2C), seasonally or permanently flooded, and semideciduous forest (Fig. 2E) have been heavily disturbed in some areas, both by human activity and by hurricanes and wildfires. We recorded 305 species of vascular plants, from an estimated 1,000 in the Zapata region. Among them were several tree species of ecological or economic significance, including mahogany and sabal palm. Previous studies have estimated that 13% of Zapata’s plant species are found only in Cuba. Insects: Our insect surveys covered only ground beetles (Carabidae), ants, and dragonflies, and all must be considered preliminary. The present inventory of carabids is the first of its type published for Zapata Swamp. We recorded 54 species of these beetles, of which 4 are endemic to Cuba and 1 is a new species of Ardistomis. We suspect that many more species will be found at Zapata when more habitats and sites (especially in the western part of the peninsula) have been inventoried. Zapata’s ant fauna is dominated by widespread and introduced species. We recorded 17 of the 30 species expected to occur in the region, including 1 species endemic to Cuba and a native leafcutting ant new for Zapata. As Cuba’s most extensive wetland, Zapata Swamp is a site of great importance for dragonfly conservation. We recorded 18 of the 50 species predicted for the region. Mollusks: Land snails dominate the mollusk fauna of Cuba. Most of the country’s 1,300 species are endemic. Zapata has few species for an area of its size. We recorded 5 land snails, including a new Zapata record. We also noted 7 species of freshwater mollusks, including 2 new Zapata records. The most abundant of the freshwater species was Pomacea palludosa. Amphibians and reptiles: We registered 14 of the 16 amphibian species predicted to occur in the Zapata Peninsula, exceeding the previous species list by 4. One-quarter of Cuba’s 58 species of amphibians live in Zapata Swamp, representing all the families found in the country. Zapata’s amphibians show the typically high degree of endemism found in Cuba (13 of the 14 species we recorded are restricted to Cuba). Of the 43 reptile species estimated for the region, we registered 41— an increase of 5 over the previous species count. Endemism is only moderate among Zapata’s reptiles. We recorded the lizard Sphaerodactylus richardi (1 of the 2 reptile species restricted to the peninsula) as well as 4 reptile species and 1 subspecies never before observed in Zapata. Birds: The Zapata Peninsula is the richest region in the country for birds endemic to Cuba, waterbirds, and migrant landbirds. We recorded 117 species of the 258 previously observed in the peninsula. We observed 2 of the 3 birds found only in Zapata (Zapata Wren [Fig. 5A] and the endemic subspecies of Zapata Sparrow, but not the nearly extinct Zapata Rail). In addition to these birds, the marshes are home to the Cuban endemic Red-shouldered Blackbird, as well as the threatened Sandhill Crane and West Indian Whistling-Duck. Zapata’s forests are equally significant for birds. Bermeja is considered the most important nesting area for endemic birds in Cuba—14 species breed in its forests. Of the 30 threatened species in Cuba, 16 nest in Zapata. During the inventory we observed 6 species of threatened Cuban endemics, as well as sole or extremely rare records for 3 migrant landbirds. Mammals: Mammalian diversity in the Zapata region, as in Cuba, is low. Bats are richer in species than other groups. The peninsula’s 3 species of hutias are representatives of a group of large-bodied rodents restricted to the Greater Antilles. One of these hutias, Mesocapromys enanus, is known in modern times only from Zapata. Of the region’s 15 mammal species (both native and introduced), we recorded the relatively common native hutia Capromys pilorides and the introduced black rat, house mouse, and small Indian mongoose. Human Communities: In part because of our short time in the field, our work did not include a rapid social inventory. Human population density in Zapata Swamp is low—the extensive marshes limit access over a wide area. Nevertheless, the human communities of the peninsula depend on the natural resources provided by the swamp and surrounding forests. Inhabitants of the buffer zone subsist mainly through small-scale agriculture, exploitation of forests (lumber and charcoal), and fishing. On a much smaller scale they use the land and waters for silviculture, livestock production, sport hunting, apiculture, and tourism, the last of which is not yet producing economic incentives for conservation by local residents. Main threats The primary threats to the biological diversity and natural resources of the Zapata Peninsula are (1) damage to the water table, marshes, and swamps; (2) destruction or degradation of upland forests; and (3) invasive species. Excessive nutrient runoff, chemical contamination by agriculture upstream, and the drainage and diversion of waterways are concerns to be monitored. Any new construction of roads and canals must be planned carefully to minimize fragmentation of plant and wildlife habitat. Both selective logging of large timber species and clearcutting for firewood and charcoal exacerbate hurricane damage and leave forests vulnerable to devastation by fire. Melaleuca, an Australian tree that has penetrated the marshes, seems the most dangerous of the invasive species now present in Zapata. Introduced species of mammals (including the small Indian mongoose) and nonnative fish species also may pose problems if their populations increase. Other threats to the conservation of Zapata’s wild species and communities include (1) fires at unnatural frequencies that may lead to changes in vegetation, (2) desiccation and salinization of soils, (3) free-ranging livestock and feral mammals, (4) damage to sabal and royal palms, (5) hunting of threatened species, (6) uncontrolled tourism, and (7) limitations on human resources for conservation (for example, public education, staff training, and funds). Current Status Four core areas—Zapata Swamp National Park, the Zapata Cave-Lake System (Sistema Espeleolacustre de Zapata), and Bermeja and Los Sábalos Wildlife Refuges—protect 434,546 hectares. These protected areas are entrusted to four agencies: the National Center for Protected Areas (Centro Nacional de Áreas Protegidas) through the Estación de la Ciénaga de Zapata; the Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment of Zapata Swamp (Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, y Medio Ambiente de Ciénaga de Zapata); and the Protected Areas Unit of Matanzas Province’s Municipal Agricultural Agency (Unidad de Áreas Protegidas de la Empresa Municipal Agropecuaria). Zapata Swamp also is a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar site (an internationally important wetland). Most of the protected land, however, lies in the swamp itself; forests remain vulnerable to unmanaged human use. Principal recommendations for protection and management Discussions with staff from the above agencies have led to the following principal recommendations:
Long-term conservation benefits
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