RESERVA FLORÍSTICA MANEJADA MONTE RAMONAL

Description. A reserve for plants in central Cuba: an "ecological island" in an area strongly affected by sugar cane cultivation, cattle ranching and forestry plantations. Extent 2474 ha. Established in 1971. Administered by the Empresa Nacional para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna, Cuba.

Biodiversity. Numbers of species recorded in the management plan: Animalia, 112 (at least 32 species endemic to Cuba); Bacteria, 0; Chromista, 0; Fungi, 0; Plantae, 367 (68 endemic to Cuba); Protozoa, 0. Numbers of endangered species: Animalia, at least 6; Bacteria, not known; Chromista, not known; Fungi, not known; Plantae, at least 1; Protozoa, not known. Lists of animals and plants of the national park are included in the management plan.

Problems. Invasive harmful exotic species. Fragmentation and degradation of natural vegetation. Ineffective and insufficient protection of the reserve. Insufficient resources for carrying out reserve projects. Need for weapons for reserve guards. Insufficient infrastructure to manage the reserve. Buffer zone sugar cane and roadside burning of vegetation carry risk of fire to the reserve. Local poverty causes illegal hunting and felling.

Project work. A 108 page management plan was produced with support from the Darwin Initiative project Biodiversity Conservation in Cuba.