RESERVA ECOLÓGICA ALTURAS DE BANAO

Description. A reserve in south central Cuba, with some of central Cuba's highest mountains rising to 842 m above sea level. The reserve encloses some superb mountain scenery and fine waterfalls, notably at Las Cortinas. Administered by the Empresa Nacional para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna, Cuba. Resting during field work near Caja de Agua, Alturas de Banao

Biodiversity. The reserve covers mountainous land, including some true mogotes (special steep limestone mountains), with natural and semi-natural forest and, in a limited number of places, some dry grassland. Parrots and parakeets, jutías and various snakes can all be observed on the reserve. There is a wide range of plants including epiphytic cacti, unusual legume genera, and Podocarpus, Guzmania and Vaccinium species, and many forest trees. In recent years the fungi and myxomycetes of the reserve have been investigated, though no checklist is yet ready.

The new Darwin Building at La Sabina, Alturas de Banao Problems. Like many protected areas in Cuba, illegal hunting and felling remain a problem, together with lack of hard currency resources. Development of ecotourism is possible - the reserve is within easy reach of the major tourist centre Trinidad, but is hindered by problems with lack of signposting and erosion of paths. Of the four field stations on the reserve, two are very small indeed and cannot in practice house visitors. The other two, at La Sabina and El Naranjal have the potential to provide accommodation for ecotourists, and plans for this are being developed.

The new Darwin Building at La Sabina, Alturas de Banao A visitors' centre is urgently needed at Jarico, the reserve headquarters. A interesting and historic building has been identified as a suitable basis around which to construct the centre - the old cockpit. Architect's drawings and full costings have been prepared, which include not only an exhibition area, but also a small teaching hall and a café. Funding for this has, however, yet to be found.

Project work. Workshops training reserve staff in writing management plans, and as parataxonomists were organized on the reserve with support from the Darwin Initiative project Biodiversity Conservation in Cuba. The same project also provided computers and a printer, and supported construction of the new Darwin Building at La Sabina.

Above. The old cockpit at Jarico, proposed as a new visitors' centre Above, right. Interior of the old cockpit at Jarico