Ecobreves – CUBA: Preparing Mangroves for Climate Change

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HAVANA, Jul 14 2007 (IPS) - Experts and residents of Cuba's Ciénaga de Zapata, one of the largest marshes in the Caribbean islands, are preparing for the impacts of climate change on the area's mangroves, coastal vegetation that provides a home to a great array of animal life. Residents and scientists will take part in the Jul. 20-22 campaign, “If the Climate Changes, the Mangroves Change”, in the wetlands of the Cuban province of Matanzas.

There will be a science workshop, “from which we hope people will come away with recommendations for preserving the mangroves, which for now are very healthy,” Julio Haedo, an expert in environmental education, told Tierramérica.

Mangroves help mitigate the impacts on the coastline of the tides, and also provide a barrier to contain erosion.