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PLAN OF ACTION OF THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR AUGUST, 2009

TECHNICAL TEAM OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBALuis Alberto Barreras CañizoNicasio Viña Dávila Sebastian Croissiert Tamayo

TECHNICAL TEAM OF THE REPUBLIC OF HAITIVernet Joseph Ronald Toussaint J.Jean HilaIre Vilmond Herns Marcelin L.

TECHNICAL TEAM OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLICAngel Daneris SantanaYvonne AriasJosé Rafael AlmonteIsabel GuzmánGenaro Agramonte

This document has been drafted with the technical and financial support of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America & the Caribbean (UNEP/ROLAC). The participating countries express their gratitude to this organization for its support.

COMPILATION, DRAFTING AND FORMAT Nicasio Viña Dávila Sebastian Croissiert TamayoAlexander Sánchez RuizPauline Bachasson GRAFIC DESIGN AND EDITING Luis Antonio Casanella CueLuis David Maturell de la RosaDavid Maceira Filgueira MAPS

Euclides Fornaris Gómez Alberto Beyris Mazar

CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction...........................................................................................................8

2. Background and legal basis of the Caribbean Biological Corridor........................9

3. Characterization.................................................................................................10

4. Beneficiaries.......................................................................................................14

5. Structure of the plan of action............................................................................14

6. Summary of the activities by topics....................................................................16

i. Conservation and monitoring of biodiversity....................................................16

ii. Sustainable economic and social development..............................................18

iii. Scientific research..........................................................................................20

iv. Training and institutional strengthening..........................................................21

v. Information management................................................................................22

vi demarcation and stablishment of the Caribbean Biological Corridor...............23

7. Actions finished or underway.............................................................................23

8. Data sheets. Description of proposed actions....................................................24

i conservation and monitoring of biodiversity......................................................24

i. 1. Rapid biological inventory in areas of conservation interest in the CBC. .24

i. 2. Areas of importance for the conservation of amphibians in the CBC in

cuba................................................................................................................26

i.3. Protection of migratory species such as seagulls (boobbies): (Anous

stolidus, Sterna fuscata, Sterna antillarum), during their nesting periods in

Siete Hermanos and Alto Velo cays in the Dominican Republic.....................28

i. 4. Promotion of the creation of a Biosphere Reserve in Haiti.......................31

i. 5. Design of the management plan of Lake Enriquillo National Park............33

i. 6. Conservation strategy at a municipal scale in the CBC. Case study:

municipalities of Tercer Frente and Baracoa...................................................36

i. 7. Diagnosis of the impact of pollution on the biodiversity in the CBC areas of

cuba................................................................................................................38

i. 8. Rapid ecological evaluations of the cbc’s main coastal ecosystems........40


i. 9. Monitoring of birds of prey’s migration in the CBC...................................42

i.10. Preliminary monitoring of population density of three species of crabs:

mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus), moro crab (Gercarcinus ruricula), and blue

land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi), in the localities of Montecristi and

Pedernales in the Dominican Republic and Baconao Biosphere Reserve in

Cuba................................................................................................................45

i.11. Monitoring of marine turtles nesting in the southeastern coast of Cuba,

northeast and southeast of Haiti and southwest of the Dominican Republic...48

i.12. Monitoring of queen conch (Strombus gigas) at the Jaragua National Park

(Province of Pedernales), the coastal zone of the Province of Montecristi in the

Dominican Republic and Desembarco del Granma National Park in Cuba... .51

i.13. Monitoring of the american crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) at Lake

Enriquillo.........................................................................................................54

i.14. Monitoring the main ecosystems of the CBC coastal zones (seagrass,

mangrove and coral reefs)..............................................................................57

i.15. Diagnosis of the current state of the CBC beaches.................................60

ii. Sustainable economic and social development..............................................62

ii.1. Reforestation program as an infrastructure for climate change adaptation

and reduction of poverty..................................................................................62

ii. 2. Research and promotion of mangrove oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae)

culture development with the participation of small fishing communities in its

massive culture...............................................................................................64

ii. 3. Promotion of beekeeping practices in forest areas of Quisquella Island or

Hispaniola.......................................................................................................67

ii. 4. Implementation of integrated coastal zones management initiatives

(ICZM) in six coastal localities of the CBC......................................................69

ii. 5. Comprehensive and communitarian management of the mangrove

located at the northeastern area of Haiti.........................................................72

ii. 6. Renewable energy based on electricity supply for rural, social and

economic development of coastal communities in northeastern Haiti.............75


ii. 7. Development of salt production at the delta of the Artibonite river in Haiti

........................................................................................................................77

ii. 8. Encourage the use of energetic forests in Haiti.......................................79

ii. 9. Encourage the sustainable use of rainwater............................................81

ii.11. Study to determine the ecotourism carrying capacity in Lake Enriquillo.86

ii. 12. Establishing a pilot plantation of Pimienta haitiensis and organization of

the pruning in wild environments.....................................................................89

ii. 14. Development of ecotourism in the Lake Enriquillo - Azuei circuit..........95

iii. Scientific research........................................................................................103

iii. 1. Study of the pteridoflora (ferns) of Hispaniola.......................................103

iii. 2. Taxonomic diversity of arachnids (except for mites) in Hispaniola.......105

iii. 3. Freshwater macroinvertebrates and the quality of water of the main rivers

in the Caribbean Biological Corridor..............................................................108

iii. 4. Population study of lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the northeastern and

southeastern coasts of Quisqueya or Hispaniola and eastern Cuba.............111

iii. 5. Increase knowledge of invasive species and their impact on biodiversity

and ecosystems............................................................................................113

iii. 6. Description of the bryological flora in protected areas of the Dominican

Republic........................................................................................................116

iii. 7. Study of the floristic affinities between the coastal zones of the Baconao

Biosphere Reserve and those of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Reserve 119

iii. 8. Phytonimics of timber-yielding trees in the Caribbean Biological Corridor

......................................................................................................................122

iii. 9. Phytogeography of the Biological Corridor in the Caribbean................124

iii. 10. Catalog of terresttrial mollusks of the CBC in Quisqueya...................126

iii. 11. Establishment of the connectivity degree through the mobility analysis

on marine fish of great conservation importance..........................................128

iii. 12. Climate change scenarios and their relation to changes in CBC

ecosystems. Estimation of environmental impact.........................................130


iii. 13. Systematic study of risks due to landslides caused by extreme natural

phenomena in Hispaniola and Cuba.............................................................133

iv. Training and institutional strengthening........................................................135

iv. 1. Enrichment of collections in the National Museum of Natural History

(MNHN), the National Botanic Garden (JBN) and the Institute for Botanical and

Zoological Research of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD);

advised by cuban taxonomy specialists........................................................135

iv. 2. Course on conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the

Caribbean Biological Corridor.......................................................................137

iv. 3. Caribbean course on collection and sampling methods for the study of

flora and fauna..............................................................................................139

iv. 4. Course on basic entomology................................................................141

iv.5. Train cuban specialists of the Tomás Romay Museum of Natural History

in the use of fiberglass models, a technique utilized at the National Museum of

Natural History of Santo Domingo.................................................................143

iv. 8. Leveling and creation of capacities for the integrated coastal zone

management in the CBC...............................................................................149

iv. 10. Digital didactic materials of the CBC..................................................153

iv. 11. Universities conference in the CBC....................................................155

v. Information management..............................................................................157

v. 1. Information systems of the Biological Corridor for decision making......157

v. 2. Web site of the Caribbean Biological Corridor.......................................161

v. 3. Cuba-Haiti-DR-Jamaica joint scientific publication................................164

v.4. Spatial decision support system for the mountainous regions in eastern

Cuba..............................................................................................................166

v.5. System to implement, evaluate, control and monitor the economic

management of biological corridor’s projects for decision making................169

vi. Demarcation and establishment of the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC)

..........................................................................................................................171


vi.1. Demarcation and establishment of the Caribbean Biological Corridor

(CBC)............................................................................................................171


1. INTRODUCTIONThe governments of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic have agreed

to establish a Caribbean Biological Corridor, as a strategy for biodiversity conservation and

integration of communities, within the framework of a project developed in harmony with

nature.

On March 20, 2009, senior representatives of environment management and natural

resources organizations of the governments involved, with Jamaica as an observer, signed

the Second Declaration of Santo Domingo. The development of an opened and

participatory process, with a concrete action program, was agreed.

This action program will include:

Design and implementation of a joint Caribbean biodiversity research program.

Formulation and implementation of strategic actions for the development of the

protected areas’ potentialities, particularly in the field of sustainable tourism.

Identification and implementation of actions together with nations of other areas of

the continent and the globe, which are part of migratory routes of shared species,

to guarantee the protection of their habitats.

Implementation of a reforestation plan as a green infrastructure for the adaptation

and reduction of the vulnerability in the face of climate change effects.

Likewise, the design of an Plan of Action including previous impact actions, was

commanded. It will be developed through a participatory process which will involve

universities, research centers, scientists, experts from international cooperation

organizations and agencies and local social organizations.

The document we are presenting includes the results of the works developed from the

First Declaration of Santo Domingo in 2007 and the ones agreed on in the technical

meeting held from April 20 to 23, 2009 in Santo Domingo. It states the commitment of

participating countries to comply with the agreements contained in the Second Declaration

of Santo Domingo.

This document includes the strategic actions and activities identified by the technical

teams of each country, which have been jointly set as priorities to be undertaken in the

present stage of development of the Corridor.


The general goal of this Plan of Action of the Caribbean Biological Corridor is to contribute

to the conservation of global biodiversity, thus reducing the loss of biodiversity in the

Caribbean Region and the American Neotropics, being humans and the improvement of

their living conditions the center of attention.

The Plan of Action of the Caribbean Biological Corridor should be considered a guiding

instrument for the implementation of the principles, goals and purposes set by participating

countries of the CBC. It also states these countries’ determination to coordinate higher

cooperation efforts and establish strategic alliances for achieving the effective protection of

biodiversity and its sustainable use, so as to improve living conditions of the most

vulnerable populations of our countries.

This Plan of Action is a dynamic document. Its gradual improvement is directly linked with

the evolution of the Corridor and the knowledge acquired during the implementation

process. It is a historical document that reflects the current political will and understanding

of the Caribbean Biological Corridor implementation process by actors involved.

The Monitoring and Evaluation System will ensure knowledge of the results obtained and

the impacts of the implementation actions identified in the Plan of Action of the Caribbean

Biological Corridor. This system will also enable the physical and financial control of the

investment.

The management of the plan at different levels —political, shared management and

national— will enable the effective implementation of actions identified in it. It is considered

appropriate to make a more flexible use of tools, techniques and management procedures

of national impact actions.

2. BACKGROUND AND LEGAL BASIS OF THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR Initiatives to start biodiversity conservation actions in Hispaniola took place in

binational meetings (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) held at Barahona on

September 16, 2005. On December 15 of the same year, the Declaration of Jacmel was

signed. This declaration requests the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to


continue the implementation of the biological corridor project through respective

institutions and ministries.

Between March and April of 2007, the countries bilaterally signed memorandums of

understanding, to consolidate and strengthen their will to establish the Caribbean

Biological Corridor.

The Corridor was formally established on July 10, 2007 with the signing of the Declaration

of Santo Domingo by the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the

Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment of the

Republic of Cuba, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Haiti and the United

Nations Environment Program (UNEP). This intention was confirmed and extended in the

Second Declaration of Santo Domingo, on March 20, 2009. The participation of Jamaica

as a permanent observer was recognized on this date.

3. CHARACTERIZATION

Conservation of Biological Diversity has achieved global importance; it is not just the

ambition of a group of scientists or environmental activists. Nowadays, people increasingly

understand that the durability of the human species is closely related to life on earth and

all its complex forms, species and ecosystems.

Many initiatives and agreements developed by governments to halt the loss of Biodiversity

have been put into practice, but results are still inadequate and do not indicate a reduction

in the species extinction rates.

Some regions of the world are true sanctuaries of life and almost all are subjected to

intense pressure from industrial, agricultural or urban development. It is essential to fight

poverty affecting many hotspots. The creation of new productive options based on a

consistent relationship with nature that can harmonically boost the improvement of the

quality of life of communities and the maintenance and conservation of Biodiversity, is an

urgent need. In recent years, global changes have been considered as new elements

triggering the disappearance of species and ecosystems. Groups such as amphibians are

at risk of mass extinction.

Conservation International identifies 25 global conservation hotspots which harbor a high


number of species and endemic species. The global conservation of these megadiverse

areas would guarantee the survival of 44% of all species of plants and 35% of the known

vertebrates inhabiting only 1.4% of the planet's surface. However, this have not been

achieved yet because many of these areas are also the most threatened and some of

them have been reduced to only 10 % of their original forest area.

Eight of these threaten hotspots are located in the Americas. The Insular Caribbean is one

of them, and due to its peculiarities there is an urgent need to prioritize actions in the area.

Many global identified areas have physical continuity, but the Insular Caribbean comprises

more than 7,000 islands and cays, ranging from 111,000 km2 to just a few meters of solid

ground. In addition, many of the islands of the region have the highest population density

values in the world.

The graphics show the

population density

values and the

surfaces of

megadiverse areas in

the Americas. These

figures clearly show the

urgent need to

strengthen

conservation actions.

The Insular Caribbean’s biodiversity values also determine the priority set in the area.

Plant endemism is very high. GEO 2003 recognizes the presence in the area of 23.5


endemic plants every 100 km2, three times the amount of Brazil’s Atlantic forest, four times

that of tropical Andes and 12 times that of Mesoamerica.

One could think that small superficial extension of the islands causes these high relative

values. However, absolute values are also extraordinarily high. The Caribbean harbors

7,000 endemic plants, a number only surpassed by few areas in the world.

The flora of the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola includes more than 5,000 species as a

whole, equaling or surpassing the figures of some regions such as Central America or the

Brazilian Cerrado. The fauna also shows similar figures with more than 700 species of

amphibious and reptiles, 86 % of which are endemic.

These islands are located in the middle of important marine and land corridors, and many

species shared with North and South America —which have been scarcely studied and

have not been benefited from many conservation actions— stay during a significant part of

their lives in these islands.

The Insular Caribbean is very well known worldwide due to its importance as stop-over

sites for thousands of migratory birds that move between North and South America every

year. Around 90% of the population of Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), primarily the

population of the Atlantic side of North America, migrates via Cuba and Hispaniola before

crossing the Caribbean Sea during fall migration.

Tens of thousands of individuals of the order Passeriformes, specifically from the

Parulidae family, as well as thousands of individuals from the Anatidae family and

seabirds, use the migratory corridor twice a year, during fall and spring migration.

Therefore, from the regional point of view, the Insular Caribbean is very important in the

conservation of these and other bird species that shared with North and South America.

Insular Caribbean countries face the challenge of preserving a worldwide important

biodiversity in a highly complex geographical, economical and social context. The

Caribbean Biological Corridor was conceived as a new initiative directed to address the

problem from a regional point of view, using an effective South-South collaboration as a

basis for increasing effectiveness in the actions developed.

The Corridor includes several protected areas, which have been classified as globally

important due to their richness, fragility and irreplicability; that is the case of Biosphere

Reserves, Ramsar Sites, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and Alliance for Zero Extinction

(AZE).


Given the threats for biodiversity in each of the three levels, the quantifiable objective of

conservation can be established in terms of a decrease in the disappearance of species of

already created protected spaces and corridors.

Global importance of ecosystems, identified species and cultural richness of the corridor’s

impact zones are relevant and sufficiently validated by scientific knowledge, recurrently

accepted in the region.

The intensive use of resources by the agents and productive sectors of the countries of the

region is one of the causes of threats affecting this impressing natural and cultural

richness. In contrast to this reality, a significant part of our populations has not been able

to enjoy the benefits and welfare this richness offers, revealing the lack of social and

economic equity and unsustainability of production and consumption patterns which

characterize the prevailing economic models.

The CBC includes two conservation’s strategies. The first strategy is the study and care of

species that move on the CBC area and use its spaces as reproductive, wintering or

stopover areas. The second is the creation of a supranational area for the coordination of

conservation actions to increase the conservation effectiveness of the Caribbean

biodiversity’s elements as a whole and not just as individual elements in each country.

The CBC aims at becoming a South-South cooperation model, placing the sustainable

development in the core of a regional dynamics for searching peace and jointly

constructing operational associations to improve the quality of life of the populations of the

three participating countries, which represent around 80 % of the biodiversity of these

Caribbean islands.

The corridor has the political support of the highest authorities of participating countries’

governments. The CBC project was presented in international forums as an initiative that

brings hope and solutions to develop a common approach for global environmental

problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification and pollution.

A group of threats to the conservation of Biodiversity was identified in the area chosen to

begin actions and establish the initial core of the CBC. Some of these threats are closely

related and in many cases take place in the same geographical area.

They include:

Extreme poverty Climate changes Lack of qualified human resources Insufficient knowledge of the Biodiversity


Insufficient awareness and understanding of Biodiversity values Lack of funding Invasive exotic species Insufficient regional integration

4. BENEFICIARIES The implementation of the Plan of Action of the Caribbean Biological Corridor aims at

preserving the natural and cultural patrimony of the participating countries and is also an

instrument to create welfare in human populations affected by extreme poverty in the

impact zones of the corridor. Regarding this topic, the Principle 1 of the Rio Declaration of

1992 is applied. This principle establishes that “Human beings are at the center of

concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in

harmony with nature”.

The Corridor shall strengthen local communities’ will in the construction of their own

development project in harmony with nature.

5. STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN OF ACTIONThe document of the Plan of Action of the Caribbean Biological Corridor has been

structured as follows:

1. Introduction

2. Background and Legal Basis

3. Characterization of the Biodiversity status in the Corridor

4. Beneficiaries

5. Structure of the Plan of Action

6. Summary of the Activities by topics

7. Actions finished or in process

8. Data sheets of each activity

The topics are:

I. Biodiversity conservation and monitoring

II. Sustainable economic and social development

III. Scientific research

IV. Training and institutional strengthening

V. Management of information

VI. Demarcation and consolidation of the CBC

For the development of the topics and the strategic actions listed above, the Plan includes

fifty (60) activities classified in: trinational (with direct impact in the three countries),


binational (with direct impact in two countries) and national (with direct impact in one

country). The participation of experts and beneficiaries from participating countries has

been considered in the implementation of the actions, taking into account the nature and

peculiarities of the activity.


6. SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES BY TOPICS

Topics Total actions Total funding (USD)

Funding to be requested (USD)

I. Biodiversity conservation and monitoring 15 1,462,032 1,228,435II. Sustainable economic and social development 15 28,278,204 10,092,704III. Scientific research 13 908,290 780,255IV. Training and institutional strengthening 11 666,214 607,089V. Management of information 5 442,656 324,705VI. Demarcation and consolidation of the CBC 1 13,446,322 0Total 60 45,203,71

8 13,033,188

TABLE: Topics and total funding of the Plan of Action

I. CONSERVATION AND MONITORING OF BIODIVERSITY

ACTION AREA Total funding (USD)


1. Rapid Biological Inventory in areas of conservation interest in the CBC

CBC 298,635 298,635

2. Areas of importance for the conservation of amphibians in the CBC in Cuba

Cuba 50,755 7,500

3. Protection of migratory species such as seagulls (Boobies) Anous stolidus, Sterna fuscata, Sterna antillarum, during their nesting periods in SieteHermanos cays and Beata island in the Dominican

CBC 182,300 129,800


Republic4. Promotion of the creation of a Biosphere Reserve in Haiti

Haiti 31,000 11,000

5. Design of the Management Plan of Lake Enriquillo National Park

DR 9,732 0

6. Conservation strategy at a municipal scale in the CBC. Case study: municipalities of Tercer Frente and Baracoa

Cuba 28,150 22,500

7. Diagnosis of the impact of pollution on the biodiversity in the CBC areas of Cuba

CUBA 50,000 44,000

8. Rapid ecological evaluations of the CBC’s main coastal ecosystems

CBC 70,650 57,500

9. Monitoring of birds of prey’s migration in the CBC CBC 249,500 185,600

10. Preliminary monitoring of population density of three species of crabs: Ucides cordatus, Gercarcinusruricula and Cardiosoma guanhumi, in Montecristi and Pedernales localities, the Dominican Republic and Baconao Biosphere Reserve in Cuba

CBC 14,202 9,942

11. Monitoring of marine turtles nesting in the Southeastern coast of Cuba, Northeast and Southeast of Haiti and Southwest of the Dominican Republic

CBC 271,680 271,680

12. Monitoring of queen conch (Strombus gigas) at Jaragua National Park (Province of Pedernales), the coastal zone of the

CBC 35,330 35,330


province of Montecristi, The Dominican Republic and Desembarco del Granma National Park, Cuba 13. Monitoring of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) at Lake Enriquillo, the Dominican Republic

DR 68,038 68,038

14. Monitoring the main ecosystems of the CBC coastal zones (seagrass, mangrove and coral reefs)

CBC 89,750 74,600

15. Diagnosis of the current state of the CBC beaches CBC 12,310 12,310

II. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT



1. Reforestation program as an infrastructure for climate change adaptation and reduction of poverty

CBC 23,200,000 5,200,000

2. Research and promotion of Mangrove oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae) culture development with the participation of small fishing communities in its massive culture

HISPANIOLA 337,300 237,300

3. Promotion of beekeeping practices in forest areas of Quisquella Island or Hispaniola

HISPANIOLA 134,500 134,500

4. Implementation of Integrated Coastal Zones Management Initiatives (Iczm) in Six Coastal Localities of The CBC

CBC 93,500 81,000

5. Comprehensive and communitarian management of the

HAITI 130,000 107,000


mangrove located at the northeastern area of Haiti6. Renewable energy based on electricity supply for rural, social and economic development of coastal communities in northeastern Haiti

HAITI 190,000 150,000

7. Development of salt production at the delta of the Artibonite River in Haiti

HAITI 110,000 90,000

8. Encourage the use of energetic forests in Haiti HAITI 176,000 176,000

9. Encourage the sustainable use of rainwater

HAITI 263,600 263,600

10. Promote the access to information and communication technology in protected areas, using alternative energy

HAITI 258,500 258,500

11. Study to determine the ecotourism carrying capacity in Lake Enriquillo, the Dominican Republic

DR 6,304 6,304

12. Establishing a Pilot Plantation of Pimienta Haitiensis and Organization of the Pruning in Wild Environments

DR 266,500 256,500

13. Restoration of Black-capped petrel‘s habitat HAITI 612,000 612,000

14. Development of ecotourism in Lake Enriquillo-Azuei circuit

HISPANIOLA 510,000 510,000

15. Technical cooperation for the design and implementation of a carbon sequestration initiative in the CBC sites of Haiti

HAITI 1,990,000 1,990,000


III. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH



1. Study of the Pteridoflora (ferns) of Hispaniola HISPANIOLA 10,000 10,000

2. Taxonomic diversity of arachnids (except for mites) in Hispaniola

HISPANIOLA 84,717 84,717

3. Freshwater Macroinvertebrates and the Quality of Water of the Main Rivers in the Caribbean Biological Corridor

CBC 49,770 29,910

4. Population study of Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the northeastern and southeastern coasts of Hispaniola and eastern Cuba

CBC 117,000 117,000

5. Study of invasive exotic species HISPANIOLA 71,000 51,000

6. Description of the bryological flora in protected areas of the Dominican Republic

RD 135,165 109,290

7. Study of the floristic affinities between the coastal zones of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve and those of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Reserve

CBC 39,800 27,300

8. Phytonimics of timber-yielding trees in the Caribbean Biological Corridor

CBC 52,400 38,400

9. Phytogeography of the CBC in the Caribbean HISPANIOLA 25,180 25,180

10. Catalogue of terrestrial mollusks of the CBC in Quisqueya

HISPANIOLA 53,168 53,168


11. Establishment of the connectivity degree through the mobility analysis on marine fish of great conservation importance

CBC 172,600 136,800

12. Climate change scenarios and their relation to changes in CBC ecosystems. Estimation of environmental impact

CBC 54,500 54,500

13. Systematic study of risks due to landslides caused by extreme natural phenomena in Hispaniola and Cuba

CBC 42,990 42,990

IV. TRAINING AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING



1. Enrichment of collections in the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), the National Botanic Garden (JBN) and the Institute for Botanical and Zoological Research of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD); advised by Cuban taxonomy specialists

CBC 169,470 169,470

2. Course on conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Caribbean Biological Corridor

CBC 15,350 15,350

3. Caribbean course on collection and sampling methods for the study of flora and fauna

CBC 14,950 14,950


4. Course on basic entomology CBC 29,210 16,210

5. Train Cuban specialists of the Tomás Romay Museum of Natural History in the use of fiberglass models, a technique utilized at the National Museum of Natural History of Santo Domingo

CUBA 13,600 13,600

6. Strengthening the capacities of Haitian parliamentarians

HAITI 22,800 22,800

7.Support the university in the preparation of appropriate curricula

HAITI 74,500 74,500

8. Leveling and creation of capacities for the integrated coastal zone management in the CBC

CBC 74,180 53,930

9. Continuous training seminars for communities HAITI 65,600 65,600

10. Digital didactic materials of the CBC CBC 133,665 107,790

11. Universities Conference in the CBC CBC 52,889 52,889

V. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT



1. Information systems of the CBC for decision making

CBC 109,469 49,320

2. Web site of the CBC CBC 61,302 7,0003. Cuba-Haiti-DR-Jamaica joint scientific publication CBC 61,000 61,000

4. Spatial Decision Support System for the mountainous regions in eastern Cuba

CUBA 70,420 66,920


5. System to implement, evaluate, control and monitor the Biological Corridor’s economic management of projects for decision making

CBC 140,465 140,465

VI DEMARCATION AND STABLISHMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR



1. Demarcation and establishment of the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC)

CBC 13,446, 322 0

7. ACTIONS FINISHED OR UNDERWAY Signatory countries have started actions with national resources and contributions from national and international institutions and NGO’s. Some of these actions are listed below:Actions finished:

Advanced course on Ornithology Training in migratory birds of prey watching Course on natural sounds recording CBC photos exhibition at the 2009 Santo Domingo Book Fair Presentation of the corridor project at the Water Forum of Zaragoza

Actions underway Presentation of the CBC project to the Cuban National Assembly of the

People’s Power (Parliament) Proposal of the CBC identifier and identity manual Course on comprehensive management of coastal zones (evaluation

pending) Digital guide of CBC birds in the Dominican Republic Implementation of a system for the formulation and economical

management of CBC projects in the Dominican Republic Participation in the evaluation of water level increase in Enriquillo and Azuei

lakes


8. DATA SHEETS. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTIONS

I CONSERVATION AND MONITORING OF BIODIVERSITY

I. 1. RAPID BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY IN AREAS OF CONSERVATION INTEREST IN THE CBCBRIEF DESCRIPTIONAccording to technical meetings, one of the problems that will affect the work at the corridor is the lack of knowledge about areas or groups, so actions on this matter shall be developed in parallel. This situation is particularly intensified in Haiti, an element to be considered when defining the areas where the project will start. Rapid biological inventories will be useful in assessing composition, threats, management proposals or sustainable use in the areas where the project will be developed, including social aspects. It is one of the actions prioritized by institutions of participating countries.Nine inventories were planned —three per year during the duration of the project—, three in the Dominican Republic and six in Haiti. GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncrease knowledge and design proposals for the conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity in areas of importance of the Biological Corridor.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Increase knowledge of biodiversity in important areas for conservation2. Identify threats and propose measures to eliminate and reduce them, based on

sustainable development3. Increase ways and materials for the knowledge and understanding of nature

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Reports including data of the biodiversity of the area, conservation status and identified

threats 2. Management plans with proposals to solve or mitigate detected problems3. Advertising and environmental education materials of each area

STRENGTHS

Experience in the development of this kind of study Mastering of methodologies and their adaptation to conservation characteristics

and approaches Presence of institutions in each country that can be able to combine their

potentialities to train high level professional teams CHALLENGESLanguage and cultural differences that make social research difficult Some countries have few experts in some groups or develop few tasks

ESTIMATED DURATIONThe estimated duration of the project is three years, at the end of this period total results will be revaluated as well as the need for new inventories ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityAccommodation and food expenses International flight tickets

Costs (USD)202,385.0018,000.00


Field work transportationEquipment and materialsNational and international phone communicationOther expensesTotal

33,300.0029,500.003,000.00

12,000.00298,635.00

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of the Environment of Haiti, Audubon Society of Haiti, Dominican Republic Environmental Consortium, Santo Domingo Botanical Garden, National Museum of Natural History of the Dominican Republic, Faculty of Biology, UASD, BIOECO, Cuba, this list can be changed or enlarged according to selected areas CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I. 2. AREAS OF IMPORTANCE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF AMPHIBIANS IN THE CBC IN CUBABRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe detection of flora and fauna hotspots —significant tools to identify vital territories for conservation—, is a very important step to guarantee biodiversity conservation. These hotspots are used as a criterion to create protected areas chains, determine the need of ecological restoration and preserve threatened species. These reserves are the corner stones for adopting regional strategies and are necessary for establishing conservation goals.Cuba is the largest Caribbean island. It has a very diverse amphibian fauna, with 62 species and 95 % of endemism. IUCN estimates include 47 threatened Cuban species, all of them with a high degree of local endemism, being therefore a very vulnerable fauna. Despite this unique and spectacular richness, this important indicator group has not been sufficiently studied. In this paper were identified high value areas for the amphibians in the mountain massifs of eastern Cuba —area where the CBC is located—, using the total richness of species, the richness of endemic species and the richness of threatened species as criteria of importance. For this purpose, models of potential distribution of each of the 40 amphibian species that live in the mountain massifs of eastern Cuba will be designed with the help of SIGs and the use of information obtained from the scientific literature, the review of national and foreign collections and fieldwork in the area.The methodology to be followed is based on the superimposition of potential distributions to obtain the areas of importance. Geographical coincidence of the distribution of this areas with the existing network of Cuban protected areas and threatens faced by this group, will be studied. From this study, conservation priorities in a specific and regional level will be established.The information resulting from this project will help decision-makers and conservationists to develop general conservation strategies for each species.Taking the results and experience as a starting point, the analysis will be extended to all the CBC area, which is one of the most important areas for the conservation of amphibians in the world.GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncrease knowledge and contribute to the conservation of the amphibians of the CBC in Cuba.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Identify areas of importance for amphibians in the CBC area of Cuba using species, endemic species and threatened species richness as criteria

2. Analyze the cover rate offered by protected areas to areas of importance and to the amphibian species which live in these mountains massif

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Distribution maps of the areas of species, endemic species and threatened species

richness of amphibians. 2. Lists of species distributed inside and outside the protected areas of these mountain

massifs3. Recommendations for the conservation of amphibians in the mountain massifs of the

eastern region of Cuba. STRENGTHSSpecialists with more than 15 years of experience in the development of this type of study.Mastering of the methodologies and their adaptation to the characteristics and approaches of the conservation in the region.CHALLENGESObtain sufficient records from the literature, collections and field work to develop accurate models.ESTIMATED DURATION


Three yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityField workPurchase of cartographic materialsStaff expensesNational transportationCommunicationsEquipmentOther expensesTotalCuba’s contribution To be financed

Costs (USD)6,3902,00024,5454,3203,0007,5003,00050,75543,2557,500

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSBIOECO, National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) of mountain massifs, Órganos de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range and Sierra Maestra Mountain Range

CROSSCUTTING ISSUESThe project is planned to be implemented in four stages:

1. Review of the literature, species search in collections and field expeditions to very little- studied areas

2. Organization of information, database loading and preparation of SIGs3. Design of models, choosing important areas and analysis of distributions and protection

level4. Drawing up conservation strategies, suggestions for the management and writing the final

report


I.3. PROTECTION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES SUCH AS SEAGULLS (BOOBBIES): (ANOUS STOLIDUS, STERNA FUSCATA, STERNA ANTILLARUM), DURING THEIR NESTING PERIODS IN SIETE HERMANOS AND ALTO VELO CAYS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLICBRIEF DESCRIPTIONThis species’ eggs harvesting by people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, especially fishermen, has put in danger these bird populations since time in memorial. These eggs are thought to have aphrodisiac powers. This problem has been constantly reported by experts and in the scientific literature, among them we can mention Bolay, 1997, Keyth et al, 2003, Latta et al, 2006, Birth Live International and Jaragua Group, 2003-2005, Álvarez 1998 and Bolay 1997.Birds are a natural resource of a great intrinsic, human and ecological value that needs to be protected and promoted through adequate management.Throughout history, birds have had a prominent place in human’s culture, being sources of food and ornament as well as folkloric figures. Nowadays, many of them are symbols of cultural identity, of conservation organizations, environmental or local programs.Bird watchers prefer aquatic birds. Around 100,000,000 people watch birds and contribute in a significant way to the purposes of communities and business companies. Some birds are a blessing from God to those who love sports, that is the case of seabird flocks that lead sport fishermen to their prey. Beyond their cultural significance, aquatic birds often are useful indicators of the environmental quality and the ecosystem conditions. Conservation of aquatic birds can help to protect their habitats, in all senses.Boobies are tropical coastal birds, one of the most abundant in the world; some of their reproduction colonies have more than a million individuals. (Latta et al, 2006). Reproduction reports of this species are carried out from April to August in the coasts of the Dominican Republic, specifically at Siete Hermanos Cay in the Province of Montecristi and Alto Velo Cay, in the province of Pedernales. Only three different species of Boobies have been reported to date in the Dominican Republic: Anous stolidus, Sterna fuscata y Sterna antillarum.Tasks to be developed:

Institutional coordination: that would be carried out with the provincial authorities of Montecristi and Pedernales

Vessel trips: using vessels from the navy or SEMARENA for all trips needed, either during daytime or during the evening

Nests monitoring: that would be carried out in fixed spots covered in the same vessels mentioned before. An intensive monitoring will be designed to answer current questions, increasing the monitoring actions from nesting season of 2010

Nestling banding to increase knowledge of the species and the importance of these nesting sites

Control of invasive exotic species in the cays

GENERAL OBJECTIVEGuarantee the conservation of the nesting sites of Bubíes, Anous stolidus, Sterna fuscata and Sterna antillarum at Siete Hermanos cays, in the province of Monte Cristi and Alto Velo cay in the province of Pedernales, in the Dominican Republic


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Identify and quantify species and individuals according to the species, nests and eggs2. Establish a monitoring system that guarantees the reproductive success of the studied

species (Boobies, Anous stolidus, Sterna fuscata and Sterna antillarum)3. Develop protection activities involving different sectors4. Prepare advertising and educational materials such as posters, brochures, T-shirts,

caps, stickers and buttonsEXPECTED RESULTS1. Knowing the impact of the predation or plundering of Boobies’ nests2. Determining some aspects of reproduction ecology that will allow a better

management and conservation of the species3. Giving continuity to monitoring actions previously carried out 4. Establishing protection measures together with provincial authorities and local

institutions5. Carrying out two workshop courses to promote bird protection issues6. Making an instructive manual guide of these species for the actors involved and the

authorities in charge of the protection of these species

STRENGTHS Competent authority for the protection of coastal resources Institutional commitment of SEMARENA Non governmental groups interest in participating (Tinglar group, Ornithology

Society of Hispaniola, Montecristi Academy of Sciences) Interests of other countries and coparticipants of the CBC Monitoring of the species systematically carried out since 2005

CHALLENGES Stop the plundering of nests Teaching and training of local groups involved Obtaining funding for the activities Involvement of interested and committed people Unification of efforts

ESTIMATED DURATIONFour yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityPayment of the technical staffEquipmentBandsInternational flight ticketsWorkshop to inform the species statusField trips*Travel allowance*Ship rentalOtherTotalSEMARENA´s contributionTo be financed*Contributions of SEMARENA

Costs (USD)4,0005,00010,0004,8003,00013,50035,00072,00035,000182,30052,500129,800


POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGThe Royal Society for the Protection of BirdThe American Bird ConservancyWetlands InternationalBirdLife InternationalNational Fish and Wildlife InternationalU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

PARTICIPATING ACTORSSEMARENA: executorViceministries:Coastal and marine entities (coordinate implementation) Protected areas and biodiversity (coordinate implementation) Environmental information and educationNational AquariumNational Museum of Natural History (MNHN)Provincial divisionsDominican Council for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CODOPESCA)National Service for Environmental Protection (SENPA)State Department of HaciendaCROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I. 4. PROMOTION OF THE CREATION OF A BIOSPHERE RESERVE IN HAITIBRIEF DESCRIPTIONHaiti is taking important steps in the creation of its National System of Protected Areas (NSPA) with the additional support of GEF funds and other external sources. The concept of Biosphere Reserve promoted by UNESCO can represent an important support to the efforts of the country to consolidate of its NSPA.There are various alternatives of potential sites for establishing Biosphere Reserves (BR) in Haiti, and its nucleus zone includes the territories identified to be part of the NSPA. These areas are also the ones initially shortlisted to be part of the Biological Corridor of the Caribbean (CBC), that is the case of Macaya Park, Foret de Pins, La Visite, Azuei Lake among others.The concept of Biosphere Reserve will contribute to the joint implementation of biodiversity conservation actions, ecosystems restoration, environmental services and the providing of survival means, all of them planned in the CBC framework.As some potential places such as La Foret de Pins, La Visite and Azuei Lake are located in cross-border zones, the creation of a BR in Haiti offers the possibility to create a cross-border reserve that would cover areas already declared BR in the Dominican Republic. GENERAL OBJECTIVEEstablish the first Biosphere Reserve in Haiti, unifying management schemes with neighboring reserves of the Dominican Republic and promoting the creation of a binational biosphere reserve.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Conservation of biodiversity in the areas identified2. Restoration of ecosystems and environmental services3. Livelihood programs for local populationsEXPECTED RESULTS1. Proposal file 2. Design of the management scheme and establishment of a management mechanism

to guarantee the control of the area with a participatory approach STRENGTHS

Specialists with experience in the development of this type of study Implementation of the NSPA project Creation and functioning of the MAB Committee of Haiti and its recent integration

to IberoMAB Willingness of organizations like UNEP and UNDP to support these efforts

CHALLENGESThe establishment of a management mechanism in the area that guarantees its control with a participatory approach

ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityCoordination meetings with MAB Committee

Costs (USD)500


Field visits and workshops with local actorsCounseling and international missionsPurchase of cartographic materialsStaff expenses (Haiti in kind)CommunicationsEquipmentOther expensesTotalHaitian contribution (in kind)To be financed

2,000

4,0001,00020,0001,0001,5001,00031,00020,00011,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGGEF, UNESCO/MAB, Program of UNEP, AECID, USAID, ACDI

PARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO/MAB, USAID,AECID,ACDI

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I. 5. DESIGN OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF LAKE ENRIQUILLO NATIONAL PARKBRIEF DESCRIPTIONLake Enriquillo and its surrounding areas make up Lake Enriquillo and Cabritos Island National Park located at the south-western part of the Dominican Republic, in the province of Independencia. It is the largest lake of the Insular Caribbean. It occupies the lowest zone of the depression of the same name located between the Neiba and Bahoruco Mountain Ranges. It is at 42 m below sea level and has an area of 256 km2. From the Miocene to the Quaternary this depression was a marine channel between Puerto Príncipe and Neiba Bay, which explains the existence of saline soil in the region. It is believed that this lake, together with Rincon Lagoon and Saumatre Lagoon (Haiti) can be relicts of the said channel. Inside the lake there are three islands: Cabritos, La Islita and La Barbarita. This lake is famous due to the presence of large amounts of crocodiles, iguanas and fifty species of birds, among them herons and flamingos. This area was proclaimed Cabritos Island National Park on June 14, 1974, through Law No. 664. However, the marshy zones (wetlands), which are very important from the ecological point of view, were not included in the protected area. The situation was corrected after the establishment of Lake Enriquillo National Park through decree law No. 233-96, Law No. 64/00, adopted by the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources, corresponding to the Category II of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for the management of protected areas, Valdez and Mateo, 1989, (SEMARENA, 2000).Lake Enriquillo National Park, together with Jaragua and Sierra de Bahoruco National Parks make up the Jaragua/Bahoruco/Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, created by UNESCO on November 6, 2002, with a total area of 5,770 km2. This wetland is included in the wetlands list of international importance of the Ramsar Agreement; therefore, the country has to fulfill the commitments agreed. This agreement stipulates that every wetland declared Ramsar Site must have its management Plan for a better effectiveness of conservation actions and a rational use of natural resources. Said Management Plan will be designed using the Methodological Guide for Designing and/or Updating Management Plans of Protected Areas in the Dominican Republic, aiming at reducing human pressure on the core area of the park since agricultural, livestock and ecotourism activities are promoted in it. For the devising of the Management Plan, a four stage-participative process will be implemented. The stages are:Preparatory stage: It will include all logistic, process planning and institutional policy activities, carried out before the Management Plan of the Protected Area is designed. This will include the creation of a technical team for following up and carrying out participative workshops to incorporate local actors.Diagnostic stage: It is characterized by the collection, systematization and analysis of biological, social and economic information and the management of the protected area. This information helps to get a general idea of the achievement of management conservation objectives in the national and regional context. Some actions will be performed to draw up the diagnosis, among them the collection and review of already existing studies and information, secondary information digitalization, secondary information database creation and preparation of technical studies: Study of the tourism


carrying capacity and infrastructure, 2. Socioeconomic characterization and DERP, 3. Zoning Instruments and SIG Support .Legal framework and zoning stage: To finish the diagnostic stage, a participative workshop on socialization and diagnosis validation will be carried out.Description of tasks:

Problems identification: preparing a list to identify the difficulties of the park concerning conservation and usage of natural resources

Economic situation: economic assessment of the resources’ use by the communities in respect of ecotourism

Use of resources (water, soil, etc.)1. To train users in the use of the soil for agricultural and livestock activities2. To achieve a better use of drinking water in communities surrounding the

lake Habitat loss in Lake Enriquillo and the surrounding areas has to be kept to a

minimum Involvement of users in the analysis of the use of ecologic and economic

resources by the population

GENERAL OBJECTIVEEstablishing usage and conservation zones according to their management category making the conservation and sustainable use actions of the natural resources of Lake Enriquillo efficient.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Foster social and economic development alternatives in the peripheral communities of

the lake for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources2. Guarantee the landscape integrity of the protected area and its environment.3. Evaluate and develop sustainable tourism in the area, taking into consideration the

beauty of its landscapes, unique in the Dominican Republic4. Establish conservation actions for the unique species of Limia fish (sulfurophilia) that

inhabits Lake Enriquillo5. Protect the environments which represent food, reproduction and breeding ground

sites for amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, etc6. Provide research, recreation and environmental education opportunitiesEXPECTED RESULTS1. Achievement of a social and economic stability in the communities and a good public

awareness concerning the conservation and use of the lake’s resources2. Carrying out of research and recreation activities without modifying the natural

environment for a sustainable ecotourism3. Preparing a document on ecotourism and its implementation in the area to establish

an adequate management of the visited area4. Organized guided visits and craftsmanship workshops —conducted by members of

the Association of Artisans— to involve community members in social and economic development and resources conservation

STRENGTHS A group of actions aiming at the conservation and use of the natural resources of

the lake has been developed since 1992 National and international institutions are aware of the results obtained in


conservation and resource use actions This park is part of the Jaragua/Bahoruco/Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. It is a wetland of international importance according to the Ramsar Convention A methodological guide for designing management plans of protected areas of the

Dominican Republic The Strategic management Plan of Jaragua/Bahoruco/Enriquillo Biosphere

Reserve A guide to know Jaragua/Bahoruco/Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve

CHALLENGESImplementation of the Management Plan of Lake Enriquillo

ESTIMATED DURATIONAround a year and a halfESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityAccommodation and food expenses (workshops)Transportation and fuelTravel allowancePrinting of documentsExpendable materials (pencil, notebooks, portfolios, markers, etc.)Fieldwork transportation (expendable materials and fuel)Other expensesTotalDominican Republic’s contribution To be financed

Costs (USD)5,945

5853541391,390

902

4179,7329,7320

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGIUCN, UNESCO, SEMARENA and UNEP


I. 6. CONSERVATION STRATEGY AT A MUNICIPAL SCALE IN THE CBC. CASE STUDY: MUNICIPALITIES OF TERCER FRENTE AND BARACOABRIEF DESCRIPTIONConservation actions in the CBC will have different spatial representations, which will include protected areas, areas of importance for biodiversity, connectivity zones, municipalities, provinces and countries. The participation of different government levels in CBC actions is very important for achieving success. Municipal authorities’ actions are very important to achieve expected results.The development of actions at this level faces some difficulties such as the lack of information concerning municipalities’ limits, lack of understanding of the topic by decision makers, lack of identification of biodiversity’s local values and lack of campaigns based on these values.The choosing of two municipalities as case studies is suggested, one located in Sierra Maestra Mountains area and the other in Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range. Initial proposals are the municipalities of Tercer Frente and Baracoa, both located in recently proposed areas of great importance for biodiversity, which include protected areas. Those areas are likely to be totally or partially included in the CBC demarcation. Once the definitive CBC demarcation is established, the final choosing will be carried out.Assessments of the application of methodologies in other member countries of the CBC will be made, evaluating and preparing modification proposals needed for their applications in other economic or governmental structure contexts. GENERAL OBJECTIVEEstablishing Biodiversity conservation actions in municipalities included in the CBC area in CubaSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Determining Biodiversity indicators in two municipalities included in the CBC area2. Identifying and implementing actions at a municipal scale for the conservation and

sustainable use of BiodiversityEXPECTED RESULTS

1. Characterization of each municipality’s Biodiversity with data of the existing diversity, conservation state and identification of threats

2. Municipal Plan of Action for the conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity3. Advertising and environmental education materials of each municipality4. Methodology to develop municipal strategies in other municipalities included in the

CBC in Cuba5. Illustrative workshops in the Dominican Republic and Haiti

STRENGTHS Coordination and support from the Commission for the Environment of the

National Assembly of People’s Power Existence of information that can be used in the development of the project Mastering the methodologies that can be used in the analysis and preparation of

proposals Existence of structures at a municipal level that can support the development of

proposed actions


CHALLENGESInsufficient equipment for the development of the project and the follow up of actionsNo previous records of this kind of strategy at a municipality level

ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo years. At the end of this period total results and the possibility of spreading the experience will be revaluated ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityAccommodation and food expenses Fieldwork transportation International transportationCommunicationsEquipmentExpendable materials and stationery Printing of materialsOther expensesTotalCuban contribution To be financed

Costs (USD)10,6504,8001,2001,0006,2008003,00050028,1505,65022,500

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGNot identifiedPARTICIPATING ACTORSProvincial Environment Units, Mountain Organizations, municipal environment specialists, BIOECO and Study Center of Mountain Development


I. 7. DIAGNOSIS OF THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE BIODIVERSITY IN THE CBC AREAS OF CUBA BRIEF DESCRIPTIONMonitoring pollution in Cuba has been developed since the 1980’s. The number of studies on that matter has increased with the establishment of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. Pollution sources have been identified and an assessment of their impact has been made; however the knowledge about the interrelation of pollution and its impact on biodiversity is not sufficient. Areas with more concentration of pollution sources and high biodiversity values will be located to evaluate pollution effects. The said sources and values, when interrelated with environmental variables, allow the evaluation of pollution influence in biodiversity. In a first stage, biological groups and zones where pollution sources threaten biodiversity, will be identified. Tasks to be developed:

Identification of pollution sources Choosing of areas of high biodiversity values Choosing of environmental variables Identification of the impact of pollution sources on the areas

The concentration of pollution sources will be taken into account for the identification of the areas. To this effect, field travels will be carried out to identify affected zones after analyzing available information.GENERAL OBJECTIVEDetermining pollution impacts on biodiversity in the CBCSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Determine the highest polluted areas2. Define biotic groups3. Determine environmental variables to be used according to the area to be studied4. Diagnose main pollution sources and their influence area5. Evaluate the interrelation between environmental variables and pollution6. Design a strategy to reduce and mitigate pollution7. Prepare education materials that help in biodiversity protection

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Demarcation of affected areas2. List of species and habitats affected by pollution3. Interrelation between environmental variables used and biodiversity4. Data analysis easiness by means of a automated database connected to a GIS5. Strategy to mitigate impacts caused by pollution6. Advertising materials (leaflet, brochures, CDs, etc)

STRENGTHS Skilled personnel with experience in the development of this kind of study Centers with scientific qualification to back this research Mastering the methodologies and software Available information about the topic Political willingness for the development of this kind of study

CHALLENGES


To know the interrelation of pollution and its impact on biodiversityESTIMATED DURATIONTwo years. At the end of this period total results and the need of new inventories will be revaluated ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityAccommodation and food expenses Transportation and fuelNational and international telephonic communicationsOther expensesEquipmentTotalCuban contribution To be financed

Costs (USD)6,0003,0003,000

1,00037,00050,0006,00044,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGNot identifiedPARTICIPATING ACTORSBIOECO, Environmental offices: Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantánamo and Holguín. University of Oriente. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I. 8. RAPID ECOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS OF THE CBC’S MAIN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe importance of coastal regions and their resources, especially in small insular developing states, is universally recognized. The challenge is to find lasting solutions to the complex problems these unique areas are facing. In these areas, services and functions of ecosystems interact with a serious human demographic pressure. Coastal ecosystems of the Caribbean are clearly suffering a degradation process due to added anthropogenic actions which hide local, regional and global trends of natural changes.Seagrass, mangroves and coral reefs are coastal resources of significant value due the services and functions they offer. At the same time, they are vulnerable to global changes that take place in the coastal area. Decrease of these populations is reported worldwide being the anthropogenic factors, in most of the cases, the main cause of it. Determining the state of conservation of these ecosystems in a region is vital and important to establish monitoring protocols to detect natural or anthropic changes in the long term. This makes possible the establishment of guidelines for the conservation or rehabilitation of areas.Likewise, evaluations must be carried out on the basis of rapid biological indicators that provide the greatest amount of information about the health and conservation status of a particular ecosystem in a very short time; at the same time the distribution and state of development of the area must be charted. These maps will help in monitoring natural variability of the area before estimating losses or gains caused by changes. Tasks to be developed:

Vessel trips to select seagrass, mangrove and coral reef communities Collection of biological data about the structural role and heath of seagrass,

mangrove and coral reef communities Cartographic and biological processing of collected information

GENERAL OBJECTIVEEvaluate the conservation status of seagrass, mangrove and coral reefs ecosystems in the CBC using a unified methodSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Determine extension, composition, structure and damage degree of main coastal ecosystems (seagrass, mangrove and coral reefs) in sites selected to implement ICZM in the CBC

2. Propose management measures and guidelines to protect said ecosystems

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Reports and publications about the conservation status of seagrass, mangrove

and coral reefs in selected areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba2. Distribution and extension maps of seagrass, mangrove and coral reefs in

selected areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba3. Advertising materials about the conservation status of seagrass, mangrove and

coral reefs in selected areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and CubaSTRENGTHS

Skilled specialists on the development of this type of study


Master methodologies and adapt them to the characteristics and conservation approaches of the region

CHALLENGESIdiomatic differences that could make joint research difficult

ESTIMATED DURATIONSix days in each selected area, 36 days in totalESTIMATED FUNDING:ActivityEquipmentVessel rentingStaff expensesTransportationCommunicationsConsumablesOther expensesTotalCuban contribution To be financed

Costs (USD)12,50022,50026,4005,0007502,0001,50070,65013,15057,500

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSCoastal Ecosystem Research Center, Cuba (CIEC)SEMARENA (CM) The Dominican RepublicMinistry of the Environment, Haiti CROSSCUTTING ISSUESPilot areas suggested by technical teams of each country to carry out rapid ecological evaluations are:HAITI: North-east coast, from the mouth of Masacre River to Limonade, Azul du Nord Bay, Arcadien coast, Baradenes Peninsula, Aquin Bay, Sur Port coast to Liment-St Jean and Vaca IslandTHE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Monte Cristi (Northeastern coast), Maria Trinidad Sanchez or Pedernales Coast, Aguilas Bay (southeastern coast) to be united with suggested areas in Haiti and ecosystems connectivityCUBA: Taco Bay, (Alejandro de Humbolt National Park)

CONTACT:Adán Zúñiga Ríos: Coastal Ecosystem Research Center, Cuba (CIEC)E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]. Telephones: 53 – 33301151 and 53 – 33301421Nina Lysenko: SEMAREMA, [email protected], [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]





I. 9. MONITORING OF BIRDS OF PREY’S MIGRATION IN THE CBC BRIEF DESCRIPTIONMonitoring birds of prey’s migration in Cuba started with a point count in 2001. Nowadays there are three point counts. Results obtained have changed significantly migration knowledge and have provided information for more efficient conservation actions. Two of the migration point counts are located within the possible corridor area in Cuba. During 2006 season, counting in one of those places exceeded world record of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) watching in a locality. About 10,000 specimens of this species were counted in the two monitoring points. After crossing point counts, this species together with other species that use the corridor, continue their way east and abandon Cuba through the south coast of the province of Guantanamo heading to Hispaniola. The routes they take in Hispaniola must be determined, monitoring points to increase knowledge must be located and conservation strategies for this species within the Corridor must be drawn up. Satellite telemetry data and the information gathered with Dominican and Haitian specialists show the possibility that the routes coincide with the possible demarcation of the Corridor or its sectors. The study of birds of prey in observatories is a unique opportunity to attract visitors and introduce them to topics related to the conservation of nature. Many observatories worldwide have proved to be an effective way to increase community incomes since visitors increasingly visit these observatories and the areas where they are located, and also because they generate jobs and funds for conservation projects. Satellite telemetry studies and personal reports of conservationists show a great mortality of Ospreys in Hispaniola due to indiscriminate hunting. This information has positively influenced the conservation of these and other species since it helps to evaluate damages caused by hunting and to propose measures aiming at mitigating it. Tasks to be developed:Training of Haitian and Dominican personnel (courses and trainings in existing points)Evaluation of the possible location of point counts in HispaniolaStarting the migration count in 2009 seasonDetermining threats that can affect migratory birds of prey’s populations that use the corridor and proposing measures to eliminate and mitigate them. Two implementation stages are planned:Stage 1: Training of personnel and location of point countsCourses to train personnel will be developed before migration season (instructors and birdwatchers will be trained). At the same time, training in point counts in Cuba will be developed during migration, a task already started.Priority will be given to train national park rangers who will take on the responsibility of counts. Field trips must be carried out in Hispaniola after a meticulous analysis of available information to locate point counts. Two Cuban experts and the same number of experts of each country must participate in field trips. Stage 2: Setting off point counts in Hispaniola and strengthening those already existingWe consider four point counts must be established, two in Cuba and two in Hispaniola. GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncreasing the knowledge and establishing conservation actions for birds of prey that use the Caribbean Biological Corridor


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Train Dominican and Haitian specialists to monitor birds of prey migrations2. Extend birds of prey monitoring to the Hispaniola sector of the Caribbean

Biological Corridor3. Establish conservation actions for birds of prey using the Caribbean Biological

Corridor

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Strengthen Gran Piedra and Siboney monitoring points in Cuba 2. Opening two point counts in Hispaniola3. Web page including counting information4. Estimates of population sizes of some of the species that use the Corridor5. Proposals of conservation strategies and actions to be applied to eliminate or

mitigate threatsSTRENGTHS

Several years of experience in the development of this activity in Cuba International institutions are aware of the results obtained and evaluate extremely

important actions for the conservation of this species

CHALLENGESInsufficient knowledge of migration routes of this species in Hispaniola

ESTIMATED DURATIONThree years of monitoring, at the end of this period total results and monitoring redesign will be evaluated. These actions shall be maintained in the long term ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityAccommodation and food expenses International flight ticketsFieldwork transportationVisa expensesCommunicationsEquipmentOther expensesTotalCuban contribution To be financedTotal amount do not include courses expenses that will be covered by the Dominican Republic

Costs (USD)208,38014,4007,8001,9203,0008,0006,000249,50063,900185,600

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING

PARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of the Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of the Environment of Haiti, Audubon Society of Haiti, National Museum of Natural History, Environmental Consortium of the Dominican Republic, Ornithological Society of the Dominican Republic, UASD, BIOECO, other institutions or volunteers can be added.We suggest the following coordinating institutions: National Museum of Natural History of the Dominican Republic, Audubon Society of Haiti and BIOECO, Cuba.


CROSSCUTTING ISSUESThis project’s actions have been started with our own resources. One technician from Haiti has been trained and a course for National park rangers of protected areas has been given in Cuba.The amount of persons to be trained in Cuba must be decided and their training must start immediately.A course for Cuban National park rangers was given on May, 2009.


I.10. PRELIMINARY MONITORING OF POPULATION DENSITY OF THREE SPECIES OF CRABS: MANGROVE CRAB (UCIDES CORDATUS), MORO CRAB (GERCARCINUS RURICULA), AND BLUE LAND CRAB (CARDISOMA GUANHUMI), IN THE LOCALITIES OF MONTECRISTI AND PEDERNALES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND BACONAO BIOSPHERE RESERVE IN CUBA BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe Dominican Republic has an insular nature and extends on 1,575 km around the coasts. The different species of crabs that inhabit the island face several threats including overexploitation and abusive harvest, which jeopardize the sustainable use of species with a vital role in coastal ecologies.Taking into consideration the great overexploitation which affects the different species of crabs of the island, the Executive Power passed Decree No. 317-1986, which establishes a national closed season and prohibits the harvest, killing and trading of crabs. The closed season lasts from December 1 to April 30 each year. In addition, the harvest of female crabs is prohibited from June 1 to August 30, each year.In 2004, it was passed the Law No. 307-04 on Fishery and Aquiculture which protects these species, and in 2008 the Executive Power passed Decree Law 813-08 which bans the trading, exportation and possession of crab meat of these three species: Mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus), Moro crab (Gercarcinus ruricula), and Blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi), for the next two (2) years, starting from December, 5, 2008, when this Decree was passed. Despite all these regulations and laws which control the harvest and trade of theses crabs, the Sub-Department of Coastal and Marine Resources, confiscated 945 specimens alive and out of size and more than 300 pounds of frozen meat during surveillance operations carried out in closed seasons in the provinces of San Pedro de Macorís, Pedernales and La Romana. These species’ populations have decreased nationwide due to harvest and trade activities for local consumption and exports, the destruction of crab’s burrows using inadequate techniques and the fragmentation of their habitats due to tourist and industrial constructions in the coastal zone. In the Dominican Republic there are no recent data about the situation of these three species’ populations that could be used by decision makers to find a solution to this problem; therefore, we think it is a necessary and urgent to study population density of this three species of crabs. The harvest of these species in Cuba is just for consumption and their trade is limited. However, the impact on these species and the trophic pyramid in these protected zones has not been evaluated. GENERAL OBJECTIVECarry out a preliminary monitoring of the population density of three species of crabs: Mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus), Moro crab (Gercarcinus ruricula), and Blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) in harvest, distribution and trade localities in the provinces of Montecristi and Pedernales in the Dominican Republic and the Biosphere Reserve of Baconao in Cuba.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Involve Provincial Divisions in the solution to the crab’s harvest and trade problem


Analyze environmental parameters in evaluated localities Identify critical areas in the conservation of evaluated species Compare population density among studied species per locality Identify social and economic factors that may influence the conservation and

sustainable use of said species Distribute information obtained in communities that depend on the harvest and

trade of these species

EXPECTED RESULTS Determine the number of individuals per area or population density in each

studied locality Know which of the three species is more abundant in each evaluated site and

which sex prevails Obtain updated information on the localities with the highest harvest,

distribution and trade rates Know which factors are exerting more pressure in crabs populations Make inventories of critical areas which need urgent conservation and

sustainable use measures Collect information on social and economic conditions of fishing communities Achieve a better integration between local authorities and crab traders

STRENGTHS1. The project is a priority of the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA) within its Plan of Activities for the year 2009. There is an urgent need to solve the crabs harvest and trade’s problem

CHALLENGES1. Demand of services2. Economic problems of the populations that depend on this activity for their survival3. Destruction of the habitat for tourist purposes and inadequate harvests

ESTIMATED DURATION12 months ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityField trips in DRField trips in CubaEquipmentTravel allowancePublicationTotalCuban contribution To be financed

Costs (USD)3,0834,2602,6661,4162,77714,2024,2609,942

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGSEMARENAPARTICIPATING ACTORSProvincial divisions, Crab Associations, Protected AreasCROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I.11. MONITORING OF MARINE TURTLES NESTING IN THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF CUBA, NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST OF HAITI AND SOUTHWEST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BRIEF DESCRIPTIONSince dinosaurs’ times, the oceans and seas of the Earth have harbored marine turtles —reptiles from the family Cheloniidae—descendant of terrestrial turtles. But despite their long history, man has not been able to avoid the dangers these species face. Those perils may cause the extinction of this species, which name has been included in the red list of threatened species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for several years.Four of the seven species of marine turtles that inhabit the world, lay eggs in the coasts of the Dominican Republic, these species are: Carey turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Caguama Turtle (Caretta caretta) (Ottenwalder, 1981). The coastal area of the province is a very significant nesting site of these species.Turtles nesting areas could be of great attraction for tourists and therefore of economic importance for Caribbean people. During nesting seasons, turtles could be beneficial for tour operators and also the inhabitants of the area could work in related activities. Besides, turtles have vital ecological functions since they transport energy from highly productive marine habitats. Marine turtles leave the sea to lay their eggs on the beaches, in the sand. They lay from 50 to 500 eggs on each nest depending on the species. After an incubation period of about 70 days the baby turtles start to hatch moving later to the sea where they will develop until they reach adulthood. Marine turtles are vulnerable to different predators —including man, who chases them for their meat, eggs and shells—, from the moment the eggs are laid and the babies are born to the time they go to the sea (babies and adults). Other adverse factors are the alterations of egg laying beaches’ conditions and the pollution of waters (development of infrastructures, solid waste dumping, incidental fishery and others).For all stated before and due to the lack of information available about these species we consider this study is crucial for the conservation of marine turtles in the Dominican Republic.Since 2004, the Sub-Department of Coastal and Marine Resources have been monitoring marine turtles’ nests in all the beaches where different species arrive.Since that time works have been done in four nests for two consecutive years at Cozón Beach in the province of Santa Bárbara de Samana, at Cabarete Beach in the province of Puerto Plata in four nests, at the Macao Beach in the province of Altagracia in two nests, at La Vacama Beach in the province of Altagracia in eight nests, at El Valle Beach in the province of Santa Barbara de Samaná in four nests (nowadays), all of them from the species Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Some nests of the species Carey turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), have also been studied at the south littoral (Guibia Beach) in the province of Santo Domingo in four nests and at the beach of Catalina Island in the province of La Romana, in 20 nests. Besides, some community committees, made up of non-profit organizations


and volunteers, have been organized to safe and preserve marine turtles. Coastal zones’ inspectors have also been trained on the management of turtles’ eggs which are considered in peril of being stolen.With this nests’ monitoring around 95 % of baby turtles have been saved and many communities and institutions have been involved in the protection and conservation of marine turtles in these regions. Tasks to be developed:

Day and night trips will be organized to monitor marine turtles’ nests A characterization of the beach, including temperature, humidity and

other weather conditions will be done in the trips During night trips, the individuals found will be momentarily captured to

verify if they have been tagged before in some other places. Morphometric measurements will be done and nests and eggs will be counted during lay.

Day trips will be carried out after night trips at early-morning hours to observe if there is any new print in the beach that could indicate the presence of other individuals not registered during the night.

Nests will be checked after hatching and the following activities will be carried out:Count shellsEggs with no apparent developmentNumber of hatched eggsDeep of the nestTemperature of the nestNumber of non-hatched eggsNumber of dead baby turtles Size and weight of baby turtlesNumber of live baby turtles Date and time of the hatchingDistance from the nest to the tide zone GENERAL OBJECTIVEMonitoring and information comparison of marine turtles —Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Carey turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Caguama Turtle (Caretta caretta)—population status in the CBC beaches.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Identify and quantify species, individuals of each species, nests, eggs and baby turtles2. Establish a monitoring system that guarantees the reproductive success of target

marine turtle species 3. Develop conservation and sustainable use activities with the participation of different

community sectors 4. Prepare advertising and educative materials: posters, brochures, t-shirts, caps, etc

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Monitor nine coastal beaches in the three countries of the CBC where nesting of the

different species are reported2. Update bibliography about marine turtles3. Four workshop courses to spread the status of this species


4. Suggest norms for the management and conservation of marine turtles species STRENGTHS

Expertise in nesting monitoring Institutional support of SEMARENA and the communities Support of hotel organizations (ASONAHORES) Other countries expertise and interests SEMARENA interest

CHALLENGES Egg plundering Change of attitude of plunderers and buyers Teaching and training of local inhabitants and groups Accomplish activities funding Involvement of interested and committed people Unified efforts Increase the interest of authorities

ESTIMATED DURATIONFour yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityEquipmentWorkshops to spread the species statusField trips Fieldwork transportationPlane tickets (Cuba)Plane tickets (Haiti)Visa expensesStaysOtherTotalExternal contribution SEMARENA contribution

Costs (USD)5,0004,00013,5007,8004,8002,4001,920208,38023,880271,680

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGTNC, UNEP, SEMARENA, WWF, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), Humane Society International PARTICIPATING ACTORSVice-ministry of Protected Areas-SEMARENAVice-ministry of Environmental Information and EducationCommunity groupsDominican Council for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CODOPESCA) National Service for Environmental Protection (SENPA)CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I.12. MONITORING OF QUEEN CONCH (STROMBUS GIGAS) AT THE JARAGUA NATIONAL PARK (PROVINCE OF PEDERNALES), THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE PROVINCE OF MONTECRISTI IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND DESEMBARCO DEL GRANMA NATIONAL PARK IN CUBA BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe queen conch (Strombus gigas) is the only species of Strombus genus with a significant trade value in the Caribbean region. Queen conch is the most important fishing species of the Dominican Republic in terms of unloading volume and according to statistical data registered by the former Department of Fisheries Resources. In the last 20 years, population growing and the offering of better prices by the export market caused an uncontrolled growth in captures volume and a reduction in number and structure of queen conch populations in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean region. For all these reasons, the species was included in Appendix II of CITES in 1992. One of the main problems affecting this resource management in the Dominican Republic is the inconsistency of data reported about the volume of captures in international waters and exported to the United States. It is also confirmed that the data reported by some inspectors of the Fisheries Department is not reliable. In the case of Jaragua National Park, the increase in the number of fishers and compressors has affected queen conch species in the area (Jaragua Group, 1998). For that reason, Tejeda (1995) recommended to stop fishing. However, Posada and Mateo (1998) reported that juveniles’ fishing continues in many areas. These results show that queen conch has not been permanently damaged by overfishing and that it can be recovered with an appropriate management. Despite some initial studies on queen conch’s juveniles distribution and growing have been done, more accurate studies on a national scale about queen conch’s fishing and its trading are necessary as well as fishing data of other mollusks of lesser economic importance.Some regulations to protect queen conch’s populations are currently in force in the Dominican Republic: 1) a national closed season from July 1st to October 31st every year. Fishing and trading of queen conch during the above mentioned period is banned, 2) a decree which creates closed reserves for queen conch’s fishing.The Dominican Republic prohibited queen conch’s meat export since September 29, 2003 following CITES suggestions. A moratorium on export was imposed from November 1st, 2003 to January 31st, 2004 following the recommendations of the Fauna Committee to put it into practice within the four weeks after the reception of the 2003/057 notification. The said moratorium continues in force since present administration of the Fisheries Resources Department has not yet passed any license for queen conch’s harvest or any permit for its export. Likewise, decree N833-03 d/f was issued on queen conch’s closed season on August 25, 2003.In this project, the following tasks have been planned:

Make an underwater inventory of queen conch in the biological corridor zones. Jaragua National Park (Pedernales and Montecristi)

Carry out a biological study of queen conch at the Jaragua National Park (province of Pedernales) and at the coastal zone of the province of Montecristi, Dominican Republic to determine a) migration patterns of adults and juveniles using tagging and recapturing, b) sex, maturity size and spawning season, c) population parameters and length and weight frequency data


Develop a program of capture and effort data collection for commercial fisheries at Jaragua National Park (province of Pedernales) and at the coastal zone of the province of Montecristi, the Dominican Republic, to collect data for the stock analysis

Develop an underwater inventory of queen conchs in the biological corridor zones at the Desembarco del Granma National Park, Cuba

Conduct a biological study of queen conch at the Desembarco del Granma National Park, Cuba

GENERAL OBJECTIVEEvaluate queen conch’s status at the Jaragua National Park (province of Pedernales) and in the coastal zone of the province of Montecristi, the Dominican Republic, to provide data and information needed for their sustainable conservation and management.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Evaluate queen conch’s abundance in main fishing sites and in recently declared queen conch’s reserve areas

2. Collect queen conch’s morphometric data in each area 3. Identify queen conch’s farms according to average size of juveniles found in each

habitat4. Analyze changes and compare them with inventory results of 1997 (Posada &

Mateo, 1997)

EXPECTED RESULTSData collected during expedition will be entered in an electronic data base and will be analyzed using available statistical packages. Data collected during this study will be analyzed in a workshop and a report will be written. The support of an expert on queen conchs could be necessary in this study stage.

Obtaining and compiling data of queen conch presence in the Jaragua National Park (province of Pedernales) at the province of Montecristi, the Dominican Republic and at the Desembarco del Granma National Park, Cuba

Collecting data on the abundance of the species that could be used to calculate maximum sustainable performance

Writing a report with the findings and comparing them with previous survey’s results

Creating a database with a sampling program and data on queen conch’s densities that could be used to demarcate hatchery areas using GIS

Collected data can be used to calculate the abundance per area Preparing recommendations on future studies This project will favor a better understanding —for the government of the

Dominican Republic and other interested parties— of queen conch’s status and the tools and information needed for the sustainable co-managing of queen conch’s fisheries (Stombus gigas) in the Dominican Republic

STRENGTHS

Competent authority for the protection of coastal resources Institutional commitment of SEMARENA

CHALLENGES


Available financing support Integration of fishing communities

ESTIMATED DURATIONThis project is drawn up for a two-year monitoring period, from that moment, the evaluation of results and the monitoring redesign will be carried out. These actions shall be maintained in the long term. ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityTraining costsShip operationMonitoringField equipmentOther expensesPlane tickets (Biologist)Per diemWorkshop costsTotalTotal amount does not include courses expenses that will be covered by the Dominican Republic.Cuba’s expenses include only equipment; other expenses covered by Cuba are not included.

Costs (USD)1,2502,9075,45016,4234,5507501,5002,50035,330

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGICRAFD with the financial and technical support of the CARICOM Fisheries Unit, CITES, UNDPE, UNEP.PARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic (It could be extended to other institutions or volunteers interested in cooperation)It is suggested that the Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic will de the coordinating institution National Enterprise for Flora and Fauna, Cuba CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I.13. MONITORING OF THE AMERICAN CROCODILE (CROCODYLUS ACUTUS) AT LAKE ENRIQUILLO BRIEF DESCRIPTIONLake Enriquillo is located at the south-western part of the Dominican Republic in the province of Independencia. It is the largest lake of the Insular Caribbean. It occupies the lowest zone of a depression with the same name, located between the Neiba and Bahoruco Mountain Ranges. It is at 42 m below sea level and has an area of 256 km2. From the Miocene to the Quaternary this depression was a marine channel between Puerto Príncipe and Neiba Bay, which explains the existence of saline soils in the region. It is believed that this lake, together with Rincon Lagoon and Saumatre Lagoon (Haiti) can be relicts of said channel. Inside the lake there are three islands: Cabritos, La Islita and La Barbarita. This lake is famous due to the presence of large amounts of crocodiles, iguanas and fifty species of birds, among them herons and flamingos. The American Crocodile is a protected species nationwide, as well as by international treaties and agreements. It is also included in some threatened categories according to IUCN, 2007 and SEA/DVS, 1990. Monitoring of this species started in 1992, which firstly included a population and reproduction status survey and a description of the socioeconomic conditions and the human impact on this species. Results of crocodile monitoring have enabled us to know the sites with the larger concentrations of individuals as well as nesting areas. These results have provided information for more efficient conservation actionsLarger concentrations of crocodiles have been registered near Los Rios village located in the triangle that comprises Boca del Rio Barrero, Isla Barbarita and the western edge of Islita. In this area counts averaged 30 crocodiles. Another area of importance is Los Borbollones located at the western part of the lake, with an average of 15 individuals. New concentration areas were Caimanera Sur and La Playita at Cabritos Island and El Caño of Jaragua Village, among others.There is a need to determine the current status of the American crocodile populations, presence and nesting sites of the species in the lake, to increase the knowledge and conservation strategies since this is the only place where this species currently lives and reproduces. The lake has reached very high water levels, surpassing its historical limits, which may result in a possible variation of nesting and feeding areas.The study and conservation of the crocodile, taking observations as a starting point, offer unique opportunities to attract visitors and introduce them to topics related to the use and management of natural resources. The use of monitoring could increase incomes for communitarians and funds for the conservation on account of profits related to visits, both to the park and specifically to exhibition sites where crocodiles are located.Tasks to be develop:

Train inhabitants from communities on the periphery of the lake and park rangers for their participation in the monitoring

Evaluate possible concentration spots of crocodiles as well as their nesting and feeding sites

Determine the threats that could affect crocodile’s populations in Lake Enriquillo aiming at suggesting measures to eliminate or mitigate the said threats

Start trips to monitor the species Prepare a final document on the American crocodile monitoring in the Dominican


Republic GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncrease knowledge on the American crocodile of the Dominican Republic through monitoring to establish conservation actionsSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Determine the current status of American crocodile populations2. Verify new feed and nesting sites3. Establish threats that would affect the species as a result of the different activities

carried out inside and outside the lake 4. Involve communitarians and park rangers in the monitoring and conservation of the

species by means of courses, workshops, talks and trips

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Achieving habitat and species conservation 2. Stabilizing the population status of the species proposed3. Involve communities on the periphery of the lake in the adequate management of the

species4. Identifying and georeferencing the sites with the largest amount of crocodile

specimens as well as nesting and feeding sitesSTRENGTHS1. Data about the American crocodile and ecodynamics study of Lake Enriquillo

(SEMARENA and the University of Sevilla, 2001)2. The species inhabits an ecosystem located at a Protected Area and it is a Ramsar

Site3. Population data records of the species, starting from 1978

Skilled personnel: Manager, Supervisors, Park Rangers and Inspectors, for the conservation and management of the area

CHALLENGES Maintain crocodile populations in stable conditions Know main threat causes that could affect the populations of the said species Involve communities peripheral to the lake in the conservation programs of the

American crocodile ESTIMATED DURATIONThree years of monitoring which will include an evaluation of the results obtained. This action shall be maintained in the long termESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityTravel allowances for technicians and driversTransportation and fuelPrinting and binding the document (100 copies)Field work transportation including fuel for boatsFour workshopsThree coursesEquipment

Costs (USD)4,305

97513,888

866

3,8882,916


Two 10x50 infrared binoculars Four LED flashlightOne outboard motorTwo thermometers Three PH metersTwo GPSTwo 10 megapixel digital cameras (Zoom 15x0+)Seven raincoatsSeven rubber bootsThree batteriesFour lanterns for crocodile night monitoring Other expensesOne 4x4 van with double tractionTotal

3331661,944111210416555

33397333166

41636,11168,038

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGIUCNUNESCOSEMARENAUNEPPARTICIPATING ACTORSState Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA), La Descubierta Association of Eco-tourism Guides, Transboundary Environmental Program (PMT), La Descubierta Artisans Association, Postrer Rios Cattle Farmers Association, Red Cross, Fishermen Association, Dominican Agrarian Institute, INAPA, INDECO, Cielo, Residents’ Association, Ministry of Women, School District, Fire Department, among others. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


I.14. MONITORING THE MAIN ECOSYSTEMS OF THE CBC COASTAL ZONES (SEAGRASS, MANGROVE AND CORAL REEFS)BRIEF DESCRIPTIONMonitoring capacity in the long term can provide a data base line of the Caribbean marine biodiversity and will allow the documentation of ecosystem threshold responses to global changes, including human impacts and global climate change.Decision making to authorize or prohibit the implementation of these activities has been marked by the absence of an instrument that provides elements of technical and legal judgment based on the analysis of physical, biological and social and economic environments variables. This brought about, in general, the granting of authorizations for the implementation of activities without necessary determinants to prevent environment degradation or, in other cases, the implementation has been denied without taking into account that it could have been developed in a harmonic relationship with nature under certain determining factors. The study of primary productivity of mangroves is relatively new in Latin America. First production evaluations were carried out by Golley et al. (1962). Production is defined as biomass increase (or stored biochemical energy) by surface unit or volume by time unit.Productivity is the relationship between production and biomass and can vary depending on latitude, type of forest, species, substratum, salinity, etc. There are 11 species of mangrove in the American continent, being the most studied: Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa and Avicennia germinans (Tovilla, 1994). Tropical seagrass communities are characterized by a complex variety of species (Pioner et al, 1989). Establishment, growing, death and reproduction rates of these species differ within the community. These differences depend on environmental parameters such as temperature, water turbidity, stability of sediments and nutrients levels that cause temporal composition, density and biomass changes in the species.Communities of seagrass have a significant contribution in coastal productivity. Besides, abundance and diversity of associated fauna is strongly related to the composition of species and seagrass biomass. In general terms, the greater the density of a grassland the greater the protection it will offer to the associated microfauna. Therefore, structural attributes of grassland play an important role in the determination of fauna community (Fortes, 1990).On the other hand, declinations of areas occupied by seagrass are taking place at a global scale. Part of these losses is attributed to natural disturbances: hurricanes, storms and infections and in more than 70 % of the cases are caused by growing human activity in the coastal zone (Short and Wyllie-Echevarria, 1996).Tasks to be developed:

1. Trips to select the most representative mangrove populations in the studied areas

2. Structural characterization of chosen areas3. Establishment of fixed plots of land to monitor primary productivity4. Monitoring of chosen plots of land in rainy and dry seasons5. Training of technical staff that will be in charge of the task


The method to evaluate the structural rol and regressions of seagrass communities will be carried out by fixed transects perpendicular to the coast line. Data on the composition of angiosperms species, coverage percentage, canopy height, density of bundles, percentage and the type of epiphytism, percentage of macroseaweeds by microfunctional group and biomass, will be collected in repetitive units (repetitions) along the transect. Tasks to be developed

Boat trips to chose representative seagrass communities Fixed marks of profiles by means of dead weight at the beginning and

the end of the seagrass Fixed marks of squares at the beginning, middle and end of the profile Community monitoring during rainy and dry season Training technical staff in charge

Coral reefs are a source of a great variety of fishing resources of high quality and value and also of several substances biologically active used as drugs and reagents of chemical and experimental importance. Coral reefs are also one of the main sand factories for beaches and protect coasts against erosion produce by swell (Alcolado, 1999). Knowing their health status contributes to the health thermometer of the planet. Therefore, is very important to monitor the response of these species to natural and anthropic phenomena using fixed stations. This monitoring will provide more information for the management and conservation of such an important and fragile ecosystem.

GENERAL OBJECTIVEContribute to the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) of CBC chosen areas with up to date information about space-time variations of main coastal ecosystems of the CBC (marine grass, mangrove and coral reefs) using methodologies and unified capacitiesSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Determine the composition, abundance and height of the macropythobenthos canopy as well as the epiphytism of seagrass

2. Determine the foliar and rhizomatic-radicular biomass of marine angiosperms3. Quantify key environmental variables for the development of angiosperms:

temperature, salinity, water turbidity and type of sediment4. Identify and evaluate mangrove species in study areas5. Establish a monitoring system to monitor mangrove productivity6. Develop protection activities with the integration of different sectors involved 7. Identify eastern Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic coral reefs problems and

their possible causes 8. Evaluate possible responses of eastern Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic

coral reefs to anthropic and natural impacts9. Prepare advertising and educational materials about ecosystem management

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Reports and publications on spatial and technical dynamics of seagrass,

mangrove and coral reefs in the CBC chosen areas2. Writing management guides and guidelines when appropriate3. Advertising materials for environmental education about seagrass, mangrove and

coral reefs in the CBC selected areas


STRENGTHSa. Specialists with experience in the development of this kind of studyb. Mastering methodologies and adapting them to the characteristics and

approaches for the conservation of the regionc. National and local structures in each country to continue the monitoring after

finishing the projectCHALLENGES

Create a unified and shared database system to store CBC monitoring information

ESTIMATED DURATIONThree yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityEquipmentVessels rentPersonnel expenses Transportation CommunicationsConsumablesOther expensesTotalCuba’s supportTo be financed

Costs (USD)18,00024,50037,4005,0006502,2002,00089,75015,15074,600


PARTICIPATING ACTORSCoastal Ecosystems Research Center, Cuba (CIEC)SEMARENA (CM) The Dominican RepublicMinistry of the Environment, HaitiCROSSCUTTING ISSUESThe pilot areas proposed by the technical teams of each country to monitor the main coastal ecosystems of the CBC are:HAITI: coastal localities situated in:1.- Baie de mancenille: from the mouth of Massacre River to Limonade, Peninsula of Barraderes 2.- Aquin coast3.- South coast of the country: from Port- Salut to Port a PimentTHE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC1.- Monte Cristi2.- Maria Trinidad Sanchez or Pedernales coast with las Aguilas Bay (southeastern coast) to be united with the proposed zone in Haiti CUBA:1.- Taco Bay, (Alejandro de Humbolt National Park)

CONTACT:Adán Zúñiga Ríos: Coastal Ecosystems Reaserch Center, CUBA. E-mail:


[email protected], [email protected]. Telephones: 53 – 33301151 y 53 - 33301421




I.15. DIAGNOSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CBC BEACHES BRIEF DESCRIPTIONBeaches are a very valuable natural resource since sports and recreational activities can be developed in such places. Beaches also play a very important role in the development of tourism. Dominican beaches are mainly sandy beaches and of great economic importance since they are the base of the 95 % of tourist projects. However, those beaches are affected by:

Extraction of dry goods for construction Degradation caused by bad use and lack of management by the tourist and

urban sector Degradation caused by the hydrological regime change Organic and chemical pollution caused by activities developed in the ground Pollution caused by solid and urban wastes

The overall consequence is the disappearance of these fragile ecosystems which have the special characteristic of developing, growing and disappearing due to natural or anthropogenic causes.Works on the characterization of the zone are limited with a few exceptions like Gef project/1998, carried out in five protected areas (Jaragua National Park, Montecristo, Los Haitises and Samana Bay) and AE/067 project, carried out in the Azua and Barahona coasts. These projects are very important starting points for the creation of management plans in studied areas.The characterization and evaluation of the state of the beaches located at the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) is very important from a scientific and economic point of view because of the biodiversity richness of flora and fauna species of the area which are part of the ecosystem and their landscape beauty, significant for tourism, which have lately become a part of the Dominican Republic’s economy.The collection of information to evaluate the beaches will be carried out through trips to previously chosen beaches to obtain the needed data concerning these beaches and other ecosystems that have an impact on them.The form for field and beach characterization information collection will be applied in such evaluations. This form is currently used for diagnosis, characterization and evaluation works of coastal and marine ecosystems. The following aspects will be determine: location, morphology, meteorological conditions, profile, topography, material composition, sand color, description and composition of biodiversity, presence of erosion indicators and pollution sources, flora and fauna aspects, oceanographic dynamics, beach accessibility and uses. These studies will be carried out by the technical staff of the department and the communities.GENERAL OBJECTIVEEvaluate the current status of the beaches of the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Identify main impacts observed in the beaches2. Identify current and potential uses3. Evaluate the current state of the biodiversity of the different beaches in the

Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC)4. Create a document with information which can be used as a basis to create the

strategies designed to the organization and sustainable use of these ecosystems


EXPECTED RESULTS1. Achieve an adequate organization of CBC beaches 2. Obtain an inventory of the influential beaches and ecosystems with a critical state3. Propose a conservation and sustainable use strategy of these ecosystems4. Recover and determine the potential use of the beaches which deserve it5. Apply a management plan

STRENGTHS National and international organizations willingness Interest of involved sectors within tourism SEMARENA willingness

CHALLENGES Lack of human resources training Decision makers’ negligence Lack of incentives Lack of education of the civil society

ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityTravel allowanceField tripsEducation and advertising workshops Transportation EquipmentOther expensesTotal

Costs (USD)2,7005502,7008301,3804,15012,310

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGState Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA)UNEPUNESCOPARTICIPATING ACTORSState Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of the Environment of Haiti, Dominican Republic Department of Tourism


II. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

II.1. REFORESTATION PROGRAM AS AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND REDUCTION OF POVERTY BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe impact zone of the Caribbean Biological Corridor shows a progressive degradation of forest cover, affecting mainly endemic and native species due to fragmentation or habitat loss. In the Republic of Haiti, recent data indicate that forest cover reaches barely 3%. In the Dominican Republic, data indicate that forest cover ranges between 27 and 33 %. There is enough evidence that more threatened endemic species such as ebony, magnolias, guayacán, caguairan, guaconejo, spineless acacia, canelilla, cacheo tree among others.This deforestation causes degradation and soil loss, affects hydrographic basins and subsequently water availability, increases climate change vulnerability and contributes to the increase of poverty.This project is presented to face this situation. It aims at putting into practice a trinational reforestation plan to systematize the experience and improve the Dominican experience in the implementation of the Quisqueya Verde National Plan.The plan will be based on the following criteria:

Increase the forest cover in critical zones Use endemic and native species Involve local communities as beneficiaries and executors Recover important habitats for biodiversity

GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncrease forest cover as a green infrastructure for the reduction of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the Caribbean Biological CorridorSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Increase forest cover in critical degraded zones of the main corridor’s basins2. Strengthen communities’ capacity to be involved in reforestation activities3. Reduce vulnerability for a better adaptation to climate change 4. Recover degraded soils in critical zones 5. Develop pilot experiences of economic activities in the corridor’s areas

(agroforestry, agricultural production, apiculture, ecotourism, etc.)

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Sixty million plants planted during a three-year period2. Strong social capital and reduction of poverty in the project’s impact areas 3. Reduce risks caused by adverse effects of extreme events on the population in

the corridor’s impact zone4. Establish 15 pilot projects in the project’s critical areas

STRENGTHS Technical capacity and human capital to teach the experiences of Quisquella

Verde National Plan and the Reforestation National Program of Cuba to the


different communities and countries included in the Corridor area Countries included in the Corridor area are interested in implementing

reforestation programs Capacity to produce necessary plants Organized and interested communities

CHALLENGESEstablish effective interaction mechanisms of the different agents participating in the process (public, private and community sectors), taking into account the different institutional development models

ESTIMATED DURATIONThree yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityReforestationStrengthen social capitalReduction of povertyReduction of risk Pilot projectsProject’s general totalCountries contributionDominican RepublicCuba*HaitiTotal to be requested*Cuba’s contribution is subjected to consideration of the Ministry of Agriculture

Costs (USD)20,000,000600,000800,000300,0001,500,00023,200,00018,000,00010,000,0003,500,0004,500,0005,200,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGGovernments of the Caribbean Biological Corridor nations and external financing (International cooperation)PARTICIPATING ACTORSQuisquella Verde National PlanMinistries of the Environment of Haiti and CubaCROSSCUTTING ISSUES


II. 2. RESEARCH AND PROMOTION OF MANGROVE OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA RHIZOPHORAE) CULTURE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF SMALL FISHING COMMUNITIES IN ITS MASSIVE CULTURE BRIEF DESCRIPTIONTraditionally, coastal populations of the Dominican Republic and Haiti have timidly practiced mangrove oyster (Crassostrea Rhizophorae) harvest to use it mainly in the preparation of traditional food. However, along the Dominican and Haitian coasts many areas are devoted to the natural production of this oyster which can help to increase its commercial development.Oysters have high protein mineral and vitamin contents, and can be incorporated to the daily diet of fishing communities in both countries. This species could also be commercialized in the tourist sector, which has a high demand for fresh and natural food. Anthropic pressures on natural areas of seed production (juveniles) have caused a gradual destruction of natural beds, reducing to non quantified levels, the places where this species can be developed and commercialized. In the past 20 years, the progressive reduction of Crassostrea rhizophorae in mangrove areas, previously known by their high production, led us to think of the existence of some factors that, in a way or another, are affecting the development of populations.The possible causes of the bad use of this resource are:

– Lack of knowledge of the location and state of mangrove oyster’s natural stocks (Crassostrea rhizophorae)

– Depreciation of the resource caused by wrong beliefs and traditions– Lack of knowledge of the appropriate technologies for the oyster (Crassostrea

rhizophorae) massive farming – Lack of knowledge of the nutritional and commercial potential of oysters– Destruction of mangroves, its natural habitat– Pollution of the waters of Dominican coastal provinces included in the biological

corridor (Pedernales and Montecristi) and in Haiti, the Nord-Est and Sud –East departments

The project is planned to have three stages, which main elements are: Cartographic and georeferencing work Field trips to chosen coastal zones Registration of georeferencing works Study of the natural population in chosen mangroves Capture tests of Crassostrea rhizophorae seeds Construction of collectors and selection of fixation points Collection of oyster’s seeds Seeds culture Organization of involved fishermen Meetings and participative work

Research works will start at the office, using topographic sheets of the provinces where mangrove areas are in optimum conditions to be studied. Field trips will be carried out.Different physical, chemical and biological parameters will be sampled at different spots of mangrove and adjacent areas. Microfauna and microflora will also be sampled. For such purpose, the experience of binational experts will be used in such areas.Technological adaptation will require the involvement of fishing communities in the


project. Fishermen interested in participating will be identified. GENERAL OBJECTIVEResearch and promote the development of mangrove oyster (Crassostrea Rhizophorae) farming in Hispaniola SPECIFIC OBJECTIVESIdentify mangrove areas with mangrove oyster (Crassostrea Rhizophorae) natural

productionTransfer and adapt the technology to collect oyster seeds and extensively farming them in

their natural environmentTrain Dominican and Haitian users (fishermen) in the collection of seeds and their

subsequent farmingPromote oyster trade in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, specifically in the Biological

Corridor areasInvolve fishermen’s wives in oyster farming Establish conservation actions for Crassostrea populations that live in mangrove areas

located in the Caribbean Biological CorridorEXPECTED RESULTS1. Cartographic and georeferencing identification of mangroves areas with possibilities to

develop Crassostrea (oysters) farming2. Estimation of Crassostrea populations in the mangroves of the provinces included in

the corridor3. Oyster collection and cultivation techniques spread and managed by binational users

in prioritize areas for Crassostrea culture4. Fishers related to and involved in the culture and conservation of Crassostrea and

mangroves5. Improvement of existing areas for the culture, management and conservation of

Crassostrea in mangroves, its natural habitat6. Web page with obtained information7. Database/data analysis

STRENGTHS Availability of expertise in the development of mangrove oyster’s harvest and trade

activities The pressure on fishery resource shall decrease because fishers would have an

additional source of incomes Increase of the respect for and protection of mangroves areas as the natural

habitat of oysters Increase of mangrove’s biodiversity providing additional surfaces to mangrove’s

roots for the fixation of other sesil organisms and the protection of juveniles fish and shrimps

CHALLENGES Insufficient knowledge of the conservation status of oyster’s stocks in the

mangroves of the areas located inside the ecological corridor, both in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic

ESTIMATED DURATIONThe project will last three years. During this period, an evaluation of the results and a redesign of another phase could be carried out, until permanent culture, management and


conservation mechanisms of oysters can be established.ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityAccommodation and FoodEquipment and MaterialsInternational Air TicketsFieldwork TransportationVisa ExpensesCommunicationsOther ExpensesTotalDominican Republic ContributionTo be financed

Costs (USD)200,000100,0007,00015,8001,5003,00010,000337,300100,000237,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGSEMARENA, TNC, UNEP, SEMARENA, WWF, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) PARTICIPATING ACTORSState Department of Environment of the Dominican RepublicMinistry of Environment of HaitiAudubon Society of Haiti National Museum of Natural HistoryDominican Environmental Consortium Jaragua Group (UASD)OTHER DATA OF INTERESTActions of this Project have been started with our own resources and a technician from the Dominican Republic has been trained. Pilot project actions of the State Vice-Ministry of Marine Coastal Resources for Crassostrea actions started in 2003. An area with Crassostrea harvest potentialities was identified in the mangrove zone of Montecristi, and representative samples were taken for future morphometric analyses of the protein content and Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids content in Crassostrea and Isognomus alatus, another representative bivalve of our mangroves. The project was suspended due to lack of funding. We need to identify and define persons to be trained from the Dominican Republic and Haiti and start their training immediately.


II. 3. PROMOTION OF BEEKEEPING PRACTICES IN FOREST AREAS OF QUISQUELLA ISLAND OR HISPANIOLA BRIEF DESCRIPTIONAll protected zones of Haiti are intensively deteriorated, including some limited areas in danger of desertification. Extreme pressure is exerted on the rest of natural resources, considered inexhaustible resources by local communities. Main causes are decapitalization of these local communities, food insecurity, the constant search for opportunities to satisfy basic needs and lack of government management. The deterioration is so serious that forest reserves surrounding La Visite, Macaya and La Foret des Pins parks are virtually zero. Therefore, they cannot perform their protective function against natural disasters. Pressure on forest resources and biodiversity is difficult to counteract by means of intervention programs carried out through important projects previously developed. There are many failure causes; the most important one is that the worries and immediate interests of local communities have not partially or totally been taken into account. In view of this reality, there is a need to establish new guidelines, within the bounds of a development global perspective, for the rehabilitation of threatened zones in Protected Areas and the conservation and protection of biodiversity. To work for a sustainable management, actions to unify immediate interests of local communities with the recovery of main ecological processes must be planned. Such actions must be oriented towards a strategy to eradicate poverty. This strategy offers the population an opportunity to acquire economic and personal resources, allowing them to win the battle against poverty and food insecurity. To sum up, the development of apiculture offers local communities the possibility to learn about the ecological importance of forest resources and biodiversity and their use to develop a viable economic activity, guarantee a stable source of employment and improve the aggregated value. GENERAL OBJECTIVEImprove life conditions of local communities taking into account vital needs of local resource users and the conservation and protection of biodiversity.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Diversify income sources of local communities2. Favor the stability of existing plantations3. Encourage the planting of meliphera speciesEXPECTED RESULTS Write a local report on the building of beehives and the production of honey Create a group of local producers Train local producers in management and marketing Achieve a commitment between project organizers and local producers Diversify beekeeping products Manufacture and distribute beehives Establish cooperation between local beekeepers and beekeepers of the country Maintain and fit out plantations Label beekeeping products

STRENGTHS Existence of a similar experience in the country


Professionals with experience in the use of production and promotion techniques of beekeeping products

Marked interest of local communities in developing such activity

CHALLENGES Guarantee the promotion of products and diversify spots for sale Permanently maintain plantations with abundant meliphera species

ESTIMATED DURATIONThree yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityDesign of the project documentBeehive manufacture and distribution to local resources usersAcquisition of accessories for the exploitation and extraction of honey products Seminar to train local producers in accounting, products storage management, business techniques and conflict managementSeminar to formulate production, manufacture and maintenance techniques of beehivesSeminar to train beekeepers in plantation managementMeetings with local communitiesExchange visits between local producers and all the beekeepers of the countryProducer groups structuringExpendable materialsStationeryManagementTotal

Costs (USD)3,000

25,0005,000

4,500

3,000

4,500

2,5003,000

3,00035,0004,50036,000134,500

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGMDE, Associations écologiques, MARNDR, UNDP, ACDIPARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, Universités, MARNDR, UNDP, ACDI, ONG Spécialisée, Association écologiques, Organisations de baseCROSSCUTTING ISSUES


II. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONES MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES (ICZM) IN SIX COASTAL LOCALITIES OF THE CBC BRIEF DESCRIPTIONSeveral initiatives on Integrated Coastal Zones Management are proposed to be developed in six pilot localities with great incidence on biological resources of areas with a high conservation interest level located in the CBC (3 in Haiti, 2 in the Dominican Republic and 1 in Cuba). These initiatives are a way to implement biodiversity conservation actions in the Caribbean Biological Corridor according to what was ruled in the Declaration of Santo Domingo on March, 2009. Their main purpose is to establish environmental order and implement community and educational development programs for the sustainable development of those sites.To implement those initiatives, we count on the experiences developed by Cuban experts in Cuba and Venezuela and the course “Integrated Coastal Zones Management, Guidelines for its Implementation in the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC)” will be used as the starting point. This course was taught by Cuban and Dominican specialists on April, 2009 in Santo Domingo as a Previous Action financed by SEMARENA (The Dominican Republic).To implement ICZM actions, we propose some workshops on technical assistance to be carried out in a 21-day period, with the participation of actors involved in the development of the localities chosen in each country, advised by Cuban specialists.GENERAL OBJECTIVEImplement Integrated Coastal Zones Management program in six pilot areas of the CBC (3 in Haiti, 2 in the Dominican Republic and 1 in Cuba) with possibilities to be extended to other areas of interest of CBC countries in the future.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Carry out a workshop on technical assistance in each chosen pilot area 2. Create theoretical, practical and coordination capacities among actors involved that

offer coordination mechanisms for a stable functioning of ICZM process3. Design environmental management strategies and policies as ICZM implementation

tools4. Create management programs directed towards the solution of environmental

problems, guaranteeing the conservation of coastal marine resources of great importance in chosen pilot areas

5. Design environmental management strategies and policies as a tool to implement ICZM

EXPECTED RESULTS1. ICZM and environmental regulation programs in six pilot areas of the CBC according

to what was established for the first and second phases of a ICZM cycle2. Establishment of necessary integration mechanisms among actors involved in the

ICZM process (government, communities, researchers and others)3. Development theoretical-practical capacities in the countries involved to replicate the

implementation of ICZM programs in other areas of interest inside the CBC4. Promote ICZM programs in local communities and governments involved

STRENGTHS The three countries have national and local structures to facilitate the


implementation of ICZM programs Vast theoretic and practical experience of specialists in the implementation ofICZM processes in similar situations in Cuba and Venezuela as well as in theoretical exercises in the Dominican Republic Possibilities to have access to resources from financing agencies in the CBCframework Political willingness to undertake actions for biodiversity protection and human Development, backed by the Declarations of Santo Domingo CHALLENGES

Coordination power to achieve participation of the main actors in workshops on technical assistance

Some legal and institutional aspects of each country could delay the implementation of ICZM

ESTIMATED DURATIONEach technical assistance workshop is planed to last 21 days, during three years to cover the six chosen pilot areas. The will be distributed as follows: one in each country during the first year, one in each country in the second year, leaving for the last year the third area of Haiti. This will facilitate the verification of the implementation progress of ICZM actions agreed before in other areas during periods between workshops. ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityTechnical assistance workshops Staff expensesTransportationCommunicationsEquipmentOther expensesTotalCuban contributionTo be financed

Costs (USD)7,50032,8008,4002,80037,5004,50093,50012,50081,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGSECYT projects, UNEPPARTICIPATING ACTORSCoastal Ecosystem Research Center, Cuba (CIEC, Spanish abbreviation) Eastern Center of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Cuba (BIOECO)SEMARENA (CM), national and sectorial civil organizations, the Dominican RepublicMinistry of the Environment, national and sectorial civil organizations, Haiti

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES1.- Technical assistance workshops were planned for 20 participants in each Pilot Area2.- Pilot Areas proposed by technical teams of each country to carry out ICZM programs are:HAITI: Coastal localities situated in: 1.- Baie de mancenille: from the mouth of Massacre River to Limonade, Peninsula of Barraderes 2.- Aquin coasts


3.- South coast of the country: from Port- Salut to Port a Piment.THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 1.- Monte Cristi 2.- María Trinidad Sánchez.CUBA: 1.- Taco Bay, (Alejandro de Humbolt Nacional Park)

CONTACT:Adán Zúñiga Ríos: Coastal Ecosystem Research Center, CUBA. E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]. Telephones: 53 – 33301151 and 53 - 33301421




II. 5. COMPREHENSIVE AND COMMUNITARIAN MANAGEMENT OF THE MANGROVE LOCATED AT THE NORTHEASTERN AREA OF HAITI BRIEF DESCRIPTIONMangroves are productive ecosystems that favor the development of several economic activities and living organisms. They are a source of protection against seaquakes and other meteorological phenomena to the different poor coastal villages of northeastern Haiti (Caracol, Jacquezile, Fort Liberté). This coast border is one of the important Haitian marine stretches of the Caribbean Biological Corridor. It is a fish spawning site and a feeding source for young fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Mangroves also control littoral’s erosion. They are related to other coastal ecosystems, especially coral reefs and marine herbariums which are very important in fishing productivity. Mangroves harbor aquatic migratory species which are the base of survival activities: hunting, recreation and commercial fishing. Besides, they represent a significant source of income for the community, although we do not have the exact figures of this income. Likewise, these species have important ecologic functions depending on the season, for instance, they are crucial sources of food for endemic species, which are pollination and seed propagation agents and actors in maintaining the mangrove’s biological balance. In general, human presence in Haitian mangroves is extremely intense, i.e Caracole, Jacquezile y Fort Liberté villages and has an impact on aquatic species inhabiting there. Mangrove cutting to build marshes/saltworks, the local consumption of wood and wood supply for Cap-Haitien laundries, second city of importance of Haiti, are actions that take place at a frenzied pace. Mangrove destruction deprives migratory birds of their sources of food and protection which are vital for their survival. Threats to this ecosystem have several real causes.In many cases, extreme poverty and the lack of economic opportunities bring about these destructive and unsustainable practices (cutting for the production of coal and construction materials, among others). The lack of a management regime produces severe effects in the control and reduction of the activities that deteriorate the local environment. The project aims at encouraging the work in communities for mangrove management as part of a decentralized participative management system of a resource. GENERAL OBJECTIVEPromote new management methods for areas bordering mangroves using development forms compatible with the preservation of the ecological integrity of these sites. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Protect the mangrove and habitats which are important for aquatic birds Involve the parties in the planning and improvement of the resource management Strengthen local capacities for mangrove management Optimize mangrove management and community conditions

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Draw up a participative community plan for mangrove management (by plots of

land/environmental conditioning, cutting cycle, rotation time, banning pasture in some mangrove areas)

2. Creation of a Management Committee. Surveillance and application of the management plan

3. Establish a communitarian pact with salt producers to stop the construction of marshes/saltworks in the mangrove


4. Write a Training Manual on the mangrove ecosystem management for specialists in the Creole language

STRENGTHSThe execution of the GEF Small Grants Program implemented by UNDP

CHALLENGES Conflicts between local fishermen and mangrove wood dealers coming from

different zones of the Northern Department (Llmbé, Cap-Haitien) Conflict of interests between salt producers and local fishermen

ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityMangrove plantationsPlacing artificial mangrovesSeminars and workshopsTrip for a study with fishermen in the Dominican RepublicEquipment (fishing materials, refrigeration, etc)Study on the development potential of marine culture (shrimps and molluscs) following the guidelines of the Convention on Biological Diversity CounsellingOther expensesHaitian contribution (in kind)TotalFunding to be used

Costs (USD)10,0005,00010,00020,000

50,000

5,000

5,0002,00023,000130,000107,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGUNDP, GEF, UNEP, AECID, FAO, USAID, ACDIPARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, UNEP, UNDP, Collectivités Territoriales, Organisations Communautaires de Base, USAID, AECID, ACDI


II. 6. RENEWABLE ENERGY BASED ON ELECTRICITY SUPPLY FOR RURAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEASTERN HAITIBRIEF DESCRIPTIONLack of electricity is a force majeure impediment to the development of coastal communities of northeastern Haiti (Fonds Blanc, Jacquezile), an area supposed to be one of the most important Haitian marine stretches within the Caribbean Biological Corridor. In this coastal zone are located remote and isolated fishers’ settlements which cannot be included in the National Electricity Grid due to the huge and complex problems of this country. This situation has an impact on the economical, social and cultural development of the young inhabitants of this area. Fish and seafood cannot be preserved due to lack of refrigeration which causes considerable losses to local inhabitants. The coast has no lighting, making difficult the unloading operations of small fishing boats. Electricity is fundamental to develop intellectual, cultural, social and recreational activities (Internet access among others) and, as local populations have not access to electricity in this area, they cannot enjoy them. Lack of electricity also favors a high level of violence and insecurity during the night.The use of renewable energy, specifically photovoltaic systems, can be an excellent alternative to solve the problem of not being connected to the National Electricity Grid.GENERAL OBJECTIVEProvide fishermen and other sectors of the society of Fonds Blanc and Jacquezille villages with photovoltaic systems to be used for the refrigeration of fish and seafood and also to develop specific socio-cultural activities for the young people of both communities. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Electrify Jacquezile y Fonds Blanc villages Train the local community in the use of renewable energy technologies to provide

sustainable electricity services to rural areas Prove the use of renewable energies in boosting possible sustainable businesses

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Building two (2) school parks2. Building two (2) socio-cultural centers equipped with a solar feeding device, books,

materials for entertainment (films, videos, educational films, etc)3. Installation of a lighting system in the littoral4. Inauguration of a telecenter with computers, internet connection and printers

STRENGTHSIUCN energy initiative in the Caribbean includes around ten small insular developing states, among them Haiti CHALLENGES

Guarantee the safety of panels protecting them from vandalism Lack of management capacity of local basic organizations Maintenance of materials and accessories

ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Costs (USD)


Strategic study of total electrification of both villagesEquipment (solar panels, fluorescent lamps, TV sets, tape recorders, computers, Internet servers) Seminars and workshopsMaintenanceLocal construction materials (community contribution)Purchase of cement and metalsCounselling (engineering services)Other expensesHaitian contribution (in kind)Total Funding to be used

10,000

80,000

15,0005,00020,000

20,00015,0005,00020,000190,000170,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGIUCN, FAES, EDH, UNDP, GEF, UNEP, AECID, USAID, ACDIPARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, IUCN, UNEP, UNDP, Collectivités Territoriales, Organisations Communautaires de Base, USAID, AECID, ACDICROSSCUTTING ISSUES


II. 7. DEVELOPMENT OF SALT PRODUCTION AT THE DELTA OF THE ARTIBONITE RIVER IN HAITI BRIEF DESCRIPTIONSalt, like fishing, is a highly spread activity. An important part of the local economy in the delta of the Artibonite river’s region (l’Estere saltworks) is based on this product. The delta of the Artibonite river is an area of the Caribbean Biological Corridor that harbors mangroves with a great population of winter migratory birds from the United States and Canada. The final product is obtained from July to September, with a predominantly feminine labor force, specifically the poorest women of the community. Saltworks owners, in their search for attractive prices, wait for the rainy season to sell their products. Since approximately a decade, local producers have had important losses and have faced several limitations: a) saltworks are often flooded with the waters of the Artibonite river, affecting the production b) the quality of salt decreases every year. Negative results in salt production are a constant worry for the population and seriously put at risk the survival and richness production strategy. This project is an initiative to improve local salt production and the search for better markets. GENERAL OBJECTIVEControl saltworks to increase local producers’ added value SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Master more effective salt production and presentation techniques and integrate producers into trade circuits, facilitating the sale of their products and the application of economies of scale

2. Increase the offer of high quality salt by-products 3. Create new jobs for more vulnerable families, especially poor women

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Creating a salt producers cooperative2. Implementing a modern transformation unit

STRENGTHSThe implementation of a Program sponsored by IDB branch officesCHALLENGES

Local institutions deficiencies, which are discouraging from the economic point of view

Interest conflicts between low and medium salt producers A tendency to a restrained investment caused by prevailing poverty in local

communities ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityRiverbank rectification (1 km)Marketing study and approaching great buyers (SACHA Sel) Seminars and workshopsCreation of a management system Equipment for saltworks re-profilingPacking and labelling

Costs (USD)30,0005,000

10,0005,00020,0003,000


Circulating capital/suppliesCounsellingOther expensesGovernment contribution (in kind)Total Funding to be used

10,0005,0002,00020,000110,00090,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGUNDP, IDB, UNEP, AECID, FAO, USAID, ACDIPARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, UNEP, UNDP, Territorial Collectivities, Organisations Communautaires de Base, USAID, AECID, ACDI


II. 8. ENCOURAGE THE USE OF ENERGETIC FORESTS IN HAITIBRIEF DESCRIPTIONLocal energy sources guarantee 78 % of total primary energy needs. The domestic sector is the most important consumer of energy, using mainly all charcoal variants. One of the main causes of wood cutting in Haiti is the use of charcoal as an energy source. This practice also causes soil erosion, a decrease in agricultural productivity, problems of river sedimentation, among others. This represents a serious threat for the country.Traditionally, families that depend on agriculture have had access to the forests to satisfy their energy needs (charcoal).Overexploitation of existing forests causes impoverishment of soils and intensifies the desertification process, thus reducing local biodiversity and diminishing environmental goods and services. Climate change, characterized by frequent storms and hurricanes, affect the resistance of forest reserves and favor their gradual destruction, since these reserves cannot efficiently fulfill their protective function against the devastating effects of violent winds that usually accompany storms and hurricanes. Regardless of the measures taken for the recovery of the region after a hurricane or storm, the frequency of these events will certainly modify the landscape, speed up the precarious situation of communities living in the interior or exterior parts of the zones located near protected areas and deteriorate the already difficult life conditions. There is an urgent need to undertake important efforts in plantations of energetic forests to increase the potential and reduce overexploitation zones. A delay in undertaking actions will definitely affect the local biodiversity recovery process and the restoration of numerous spaces highly deteriorated, which discreetly show the bedrock. GENERAL OBJECTIVEImprove the potentials of these energy production forest, restoring the zones irreversibly impoverished —which are part of the biological corridor.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Encourage sustainable ordination methods of forest resources2. Establish institutional basis to undertake environment rehabilitation actions in a sustainable way and the promotion of energetic forestry 3. Strengthen local technical abilities related to the implementation, management and exploitation of energetic forests 4. Increase the forest capacity to contribute with local availability of energetic forests

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Restoration of around one hundred hectares 2. Increase of forest spaces with the help of receptive operators aware of the forest

investment3. Implementation of reforestation using plantations located near important

communities 4. Making a local report on reforestation, environmental conditioning, management and

energetic forests5. Gradual availability of bioenergetic resources6. Harmonic cohabitation between local populations and biodiversity, specially with

forest resources of the Biological Corridor STRENGTHS


Knowledge acquired by several local groups concerning management and the struggle against erosionEnthusiasm of authorities and local communitiesLocal authorities’ awareness of environmental damages caused by anarchic exploitation of population settlementsLegal regulations passed to favor the initiative CHALLENGES

Transform vulnerable areas used for agriculture into energetic forestsESTIMATED DURATIONThree yearsESTIMATED FUNDINGActivityMaking data sheetsAcquire seeds, phytosanitary products and fertilizersSeminar to train local technicians specialized in the vegetal production and reproduction techniquesSeminar to train personnel on energetic forestry, energetic forest conditioning and management and put all that knowledge into practiceImplementing nursery plants. Instructions Reforestation process supportOrganizing local committees to manage acquired experiencesTransportationExchange visitsMobilization and awareness raising campaigns Expendable materials (office materials)ManagementFunding to be used

Costs (USD)3,0007,500

4,000

4,000

32,00040,0003,000

2,50035,0004,5004,50036,000176,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGUSAID, Japanese cooperation, ACDI, The Treasury PARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Mines and Energy Department, Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Collectivities, Ecological Associations, Basic AssociationsCROSSCUTTING ISSUES


II. 9. ENCOURAGE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF RAINWATER

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Haiti has undergone for a long time a rapid deterioration in its environment, worsened nowadays by the disappearance and/or shortage of natural resources (soils, water, forests). Water in particular becomes increasingly scarce, although according to statistics the country receives nearly 40 billion cubic meters of rainwater annually. Ten percent of the water infiltrates into the soil, 60 per cent evaporates, and 30 per cent drains into rivers and streams (UNDP, 1998).

The United Nations reported that Haiti is one of the nine countries which population will be affected by water shortage by 2025 (less than 1,000 m3/inhabitant per year). This situation is caused mainly by climate change. The water resource is a serious issue in the country. Haiti has the lowest access rate to drinking water in the western hemisphere. The national water crisis affects several key sectors. Most lowlands in Haiti are prone to floods, mainly as a result of the accelerated deterioration of forests and the degradation of protected areas. Besides, there is a marked decrease in the availability of the fundamental sources of drinking water in urban centers.

Given the situation, the evaluation and collection of rainwater in cisterns is an initiative to lower the draining rate which causes the frequent floods in lowlands, and reduce the vulnerability of populations to diseases like typhoid fever, malaria and dysentery, caused by the use of the generally contaminated water from ponds. This affects the financial resources of families living in extreme poverty.

The use of cisterns in the areas or in the borders will be a means to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on the issue of water. These reservoirs for water storage will contribute to a significant decrease in the number of cases of the already mentioned diseases caused by the poor quality of water. In general, the project devises a strategy for sustainable development related to the conservation of water and land natural resources, the conservation of biodiversity and the fight against desertification. The project constitutes a relevant step for the adaptation to the effects of climate change.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Provide an opportunity for local communities to improve their living conditions

SPECIFIC OBJETIVES

1. Make water accessible to houses and public places (doctors’ offices, schools, health care institutions, etcetera)

2. Reduce significantly the incidence of diseases caused mainly by the use of contaminated water, as well as the health expenses incurred by families living in precarious conditions

3. Promote family horticulture

4. Encourage plant growing (endemic species, threatened species, medicinal plants) in gardens


EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Construction and maintenance of cisterns and impluvia

2. Local assessment for the construction of these structures and the management of water resources

3. Setting up of local committees to follow up results

4. Local communities’ awareness of the relation between biodiversity loss and water shortage

5. Rehabilitation of areas in irreversible danger of degradation

6. Changes in local communities’ actions with respect to biodiversity in protected areas

STRENGTHS

The initiative is one of the Haitian government’s priorities

There are technicians familiarized with the construction of this type of structures

Local communities’ marked interest in the project

CHALLENGES

Identify problems and establish a local coordinating system for distributing and locating cisterns

ESTIMATED DURATION

Two years

ESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Cost (USD)Drawing-up of the document resulting from the reservoir design project 2,400Construction of cisterns (160) 192,000Seminar for construction workers 2,500Meeting with local communities 1,200Seminar on water management, use of water and maintenance of cisterns for the beneficiaries 2,000 Setting up of local committees for knowledge management 2,000Transportation 35,000Office supplies 2,500Management 24,000Funding to be used 263,600

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FINANCING

MDE, UNDP, cooperation from Brazil, ACDI


PARTICIPATING ACTORS

MDE, UNDP, cooperation from Brazil, ACDI, specialized NGO, ecological associations

CROSSCUTTING ISSUE


II. 10 FOSTERING ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN PROTECTED AREAS USING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Mangroves are the favorite habitat of many marine species from which fishermen from the communities of Fonds Blanc and Jacquezile try to make a living. The important efforts made in the area of fisheries are translated into low income due to the precarious preservation conditions of fishery products. In other words, fishery products can not be preserved because of the absence of a cold chain, causing enormous goods and profit losses for the locals. Therefore, fishermen are forced to sell off their products to mitigate the effects of quick decomposition.Staggered sales, which would allow taking advantages of market opportunities, are very improbable due to the easy decomposition of the products. In spite of being aware of mangrove’s ecological importance, fishermen make greater profits using mangrove wood mainly for the manufacture of charcoal, as well as for building and agricultural purposes. All this has a negative impact on mangrove populations resulting in its gradual reduction.Using renewable energy, especially from photovoltaic systems, can be an excellent solution to this problem. This enables the operation of a cold store so as to guarantee the preservation of fishery products for a longer period of time, mitigating early decomposition which, at the same time, causes indiscriminate cutting of mangrove trees to satisfy immediate economic needs of the locals.The use of renewable energy will also help to develop leisure, intellectual, cultural and social activities (including navigation through the Internet, etc.). It will also favor electrification of coastal communities (Fonds Blanc, Jacquezile) in northeastern Haiti, an area considered as one of Haiti’s most important marine sections for the Caribbean Biological Corridor. In this coastal area there are several isolated and distant fishing villages with few opportunities to be connected to the domestic power grid, as long as the critical and complex problems encountered by the nation prevail. GENERAL OBJECTIVEFavor the protection and preservation of Fonds Blanc and Jacquezile mangroves by promoting the use of alternative energy in cold chain facilities for fishery products preservation and by fostering specific youngster-oriented leisure social and cultural activities in both communities.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Considerably reduce the ongoing destruction of mangrove forests.2. Train the local population in the use of renewable energy technologies (photovoltaic systems) for sustainable power supply in rural areas.3. Prove the use of sustainable energies as a driving force for viable business opportunities.

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Setting up of teams of fishermen who will also be restless guardians of

mangrove forests.


2. Seven hundred and forty-one acres of mangrove forests recovered.3. Management plan for mangrove fauna.4. Streetlights installed along the coastline.5. Construction of two social centers equipped with solar energy devices, books

and other materials to provide youngsters with information on the CBC.6. Set-up of a telecenter equipped with computers, Internet connection and

printers, reducing isolation and updating local communities on other countries´ actions in this field.

STRENGTHS IUCN Caribbean energy initiative that includes around a dozen Small Island

Developing States, Haiti among them. Similar experience led and promoted by the UN program in Haiti. Fishermen’s awareness of the negative effects of the destruction of mangrove

forests.CHALLENGES

Protecting photovoltaic solar panels from vandalistic actions. Tackling the insufficient capacity of local grass roots organizations. Maintenance to equipment and accessories.

ESTIMATED DURATIONTwo years.ESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Cost (USD)Set-up of surveillance brigades. Equipment 4,000Awareness raising campaign 2,500Restoration of 741 acres of mangrove forest 60,000Set-up of a management plan 8,000Set-up of an electrification system to provide communication services (solar panels, florescent lamps, batteries, inverter) 45,000Equipment for communication services (television sets, computers and accessories, server, antenna, Internet)

37,500

Seminars and workshops 4,000Poles and streetlamps 20,000Maintenance 6,000Cold store 3,000Construction of a telecenter, two social centers and a business unit (with the contribution of community members) 45,000Management 23,500Total 258,500

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGIUCN, FAES, EDH, UNDP, GEF, UNEP, AECID, USAID, ACDIPARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, IUCN, UNEP, UNDP, EDH, Territorial Collectivities (Collectivités Territoriales), Community Grass Roots Organizations, USAID, AECID, ACDI.


CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

II.11. STUDY TO DETERMINE THE ECOTOURISM CARRYING CAPACITY IN LAKE ENRIQUILLO

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONA fundamental element is the assessment of the potentials of sustainable tourism, which is equivalent to determining the vulnerability of the ecosystem to the pressure of tourist flows. These flows tend to affect the environment one way or another due to their inevitable impact and to the fact that ecotourism takes place in sites of known environmental fragility, such as Lake Enriquillo. The environmental vulnerability or fragility of the area does not normally entail a prohibition on the use of the site for ecotourism or on the flow of tourists in the site. It means a quantitative restriction based on the concept of carrying capacity. Carrying capacity is the maximum number of people who can make full use of a site without irreversibly affecting its environment (Mathieson and Wall, 1982).Tourism, particularly ecotourism, is basically an emotion and experience industry since the client buys a travel experience which has an intangible element composed of very important feelings, emotions and experiences. Therefore, the carrying capacity is a complex concept which goes beyond physical limits and simple ecology. It includes social, sociological and psychological dimensions that can interact as well as other elements such as the frequency and density of use of the site in question.Protected areas in the Dominican Republic cover 23% of the national territory. The management programs approved by the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP, Spanish acronym) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic (SEMARENA) envisages the possibility of developing in these areas low-impact tourist activities or ecotourism, a form of sustainable tourism involving the travel to natural protected areas to know their natural resources, natural history and local culture with the aid of interpretation and environmental education (SEMARENA, 2000).To determine the carrying capacity of an area it is necessary to know the relation between the area’s management parameters and the parameters related to the impact of the activities to be carried out in the area. The carrying capacity constitutes a potential strategy to reduce the impacts of recreation on protected natural areas (Kuss Graefe & Vaske, J., 1990).It is hoped that this study will identify the main factors that have a bearing when determining the carrying capacity of visits to the paths in Lake Enriquillo and Cabritos Island, which will enable us to prepare a document that helps regulate visits to the area.Tasks to be undertaken:

In situ assessment of visits to Lake Enriquillo. Assessment of the carrying capacity of the potentially most visited paths. Determination of the threats which would affect natural resources as a result of an

incorrect use of tourism. Training of members of La Descubierta Guides Associations in the good use of the

ecosystem during visits.

GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncrease knowledge and establish management actions for sustainable tourism in visiting areas of Lake Enriquillo.


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Collect information to determine the carrying capacity (visits) in the lake2. Determine potential threats posed by visits3. Train guides and residents in the communities adjacent to the lake in order to improve

well-being through their participation in the provision of alternative tourist services 4. Establish actions for nature conservation and education on visits

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Establishment of the number of tourists that can visit the lake zone with minimum impact

on the site and without affecting visitors’ satisfaction and experience2. Conservation and efficient use of natural resources by guides, tourists and residents of the

communities adjacent to the lake3. Increase of awareness in communities that use the resources4. Proposal of actions to reduce or mitigate the threads to the ecosystem

STRENGTHS This park is part of the Jaragua/ Bahoruco/ Enriquillo biosphere reserve It has been declared a wetland of international significance by the Ramsar

Convention Strategic Management Plan of Jaragua/ Bahoruco/ Enriquillo biosphere

reserve Guide: Conozcamos Nuestra Reserva de Biosfera Jaragua/ Bahoruco/

Enriquillo (Let’s know the Jaragua/ Bahoruco/ Enriquillo biosphere reserve) La Descubierta guides and artisans associations

CHALLENGES Scattered knowledge of the proposed area carrying capacity for sustainable

tourism and its impacts on it Achieve a shared use of the area, together with visiting activities

ESTIMATED DURATIONThe study duration will be two years, which includes information collection, presentation of results and a proposal with implementation process.


STIMATED FUNDING

Activities Cost (USD)Accommodation and meals (workshops) 2,973Transport and fuel 306Travel allowance 177Printing 139Consumables (pencils, pens, notebooks, ring binders, markers, etcetera) 695Fieldwork transportation (travel allowance and fuel) 902Equipment 695Other expenses 417TOTAL 6,304

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGUICN, UNESCO, SEMARENA, PNUMA

PARTICIPATING ACTORSState Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic (SEMARENA), La Descubierta Association of Eco-tourism Guides, Transboundary Environmental Program (PMT), Artisans Association, Red Cross, Postrer Ríos Cattle Farmers Association, Red Cross, Fishermen Association, Dominican Agrarian Institute, INAPA, INDECO, Cielo, Residents’ Association, Ministry of Women, School District, Fire Department, among others.


II. 12. ESTABLISHING A PILOT PLANTATION OF Pimienta haitiensis AND ORGANIZATION OF THE PRUNING IN WILD ENVIRONMENTS

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe Pimienta haitiensis, endemic to the Barahona Peninsula, is an aromatic plant in the Myrtaceae family. The plant is considered an endangered species. It has a geographic range of around 225 square kilometers, mainly in Jaragua National Park. The tree is five to eight meters high. It grows on the surface of a calcareous rock formation on the scarce Rendsina soil —black and rich in humus— which has accumulated in the crevices of the limestone, in an extremely hot and dry environment.Several studies on the ecology of the species and its surrounding vegetation were conducted from 1996 to 1997 in the Jaragua National Park.A plot of land of 3,600 m2 was demarcated to continue studying the species. Record has been kept of the plant abundance, shaft diameter and size. Insects associated to the plant, either as pollinators or parasites, are known. It is known how to exploit and commercialize the plant. A production pruning trial has yielded excellent results. Preliminary vegetative production trials have been conducted. In 2005 several entities could grow the plant from seed and produced thousands of seedlings.Activities to be undertaken in the context of this proposal:1. Selecting suitable sites to grow the species2. Establishing nurseries to grow the needed seedlings3. Acquiring the equipment and instruments for the species reproduction, cultivation and management4. Training field personnel in seed picking, vegetative reproduction, sowing, weeding, soil

fertilization and production pruning5. Preparing the soil and sowing the seedlings6. Caring for and managing plantations7. Building compost heaps to produce organic fertilizers8. Intercropping short-cycle crops with Pimienta haitiensis9. Tightening vigilance on the Oviedo-Pedernales road to avoid the illegal movement of

Pimienta haitiensis10. Establishing pilot areas to show illegal mowers how advisable and rational it is to

undertake production pruning of Pimienta haitiensis11. Monitoring Pimienta haitiensis plants growing wild and in different management conditions.The action will be undertaken in two stages, namely:Stage 1: Establishment of the plantation in the first two years. All other tasks planned would be executed in this stageStage 2: At the beginning of the third year and until the beginning of production the organization in charge of the plantation will need to undertake only maintenance actions. Yields are expected between the fourth and seventh years

GENERAL OBJECTIVEEnsure the use of Pimenta haitiensis as an item of sociocultural value and avoid the impacts on the wild population and on the flora and fauna of the Jaragua National Park.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES


i. Creating pilot Pimienta haitiensis growing plots with an approximate area of 32 hectares (500 tareas (land area unit in the DR))

ii. Developing a management system to grow the speciesiii. Establishing nurseries to grow the species through vegetative production and from seedsiv. Showing the advisability of the production pruning of plants growing wildv. Comparing the Pimienta haitiensis growth in the wild and under management conditions in artificial plantations

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Establish pilot Pimienta haitiensis plantations and produce within a

period of four to seven years2. Significantly diminish illegal cutting of Pimienta haitiensis and

damage to the flora and fauna of the Jaragua National Park

STRENGTHS1. Several institutions would take part in the implementation of this action2. This action would have full community support in Oviedo and Pedernales, and probably

in other communities with depressed economies, which have calcareous soil where some plots of land could be demarcated to grow this plant

3. There is valuable expertise in the study of this species4. Preliminary expertise in the management of the species have been developed5. Plants have been reproduced from cuttings in nurseries6. In limited management conditions the species has grown to a height of four to five

meters and can be harvested in five years7. The species’ potential to satisfy socioeconomic needs of some communities is obvious8. The necessary infrastructure to produce the plant in nurseries is available to some

extent9. There is technical expertise to implement all the necessary actions for the success of

this proposal

CHALLENGESAchieve the vegetative reproduction of the species to such an extent that we are able to establish the plantation in the first year of the project, if the necessary amount of seeds in the natural habitat of the species has not been obtained.

ESTIMATED DURATIONStage 1. Establishing the plantation within two years. Thirty-two hectares of land (500 tareas) would be cultivated in the first year. The required maintenance actions would be completed by the end of the second year. The rest of the planned tasks would be undertaken in this stage.Stage 2. At the beginning of the third year and until the beginning of the production only maintenance actions would be required from the organizations or the owners of plots of land in charge of the plantations. Yields are expected between the fourth and seventh years.

ESTIMATED FUNDING (OR MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS)

Concept Cost (USD)Preparation of sites 110,000Plantation 45,000


Plants 40,000Maintenance 25,000Equipment 30,000Training courses 3,000Seed picking 500Transport 7,000Travel allowance 6,000Plots of land To be determinedTotal 266,500

The landowners would provide the land to be used. At least 32 hectares (500 tareas) of land should be available for the project. The land should belong to individual or organized smallholders.The national institutions or organizations which take part in the project will make contributions in cash or in kind.POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGInternational agency interested in this kind of initiative, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and smallholders.PARTICIPATING ACTORS

1. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and Quisqueya Verde Plan

2. Nursery of Engombe (Faculty of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo)

3. Agricultural and Livestock Producers Cooperative of the Caribbean (an organization in an agricultural and livestock settlement in Matanzas, Baní, which is interested in growing the species)

4. Other community organizations interested in growing the species (in Pedernales, Barahona and Azua)

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

Pimienta haitiensis has been used for more than a century. The plant was already being exploited for commercial purposes when most of the territory where it growths was declared Jaragua National Park. Since this is a protected area, the exploitation of the plant is an illegal activity. Consequently, hundreds of sacks of Pimienta haitiensis are seized and incinerated regularly. Nowadays, it is commercialized throughout the Dominican Republic and small quantities of the plant are exported.The trees are cut incorrectly. The foliage is left in the sun to dry for three or four days. Then the leaves are picked easily. The resulting product is packed in sacks which are carried on shoulder to the Oviedo-Pedernales Road. The sacks are transported by the hundred in small trucks. The intermediaries work out ways to prevent forest checkpoints positioned between Oviedo and Santo Domingo from confiscating the product.From 1995 to 1997 intermediaries bought Pimienta haitiensis for RD$50.00 a sack and sold it at RD$250.00 to RD$400.00 a sack. They earned up to RD$20,000.00 in the markets of Santo Domingo in a single trip carrying a load of about 100 sacks. Nowadays a sack costs up to RD$1,000.00 in the market.Pimienta haitiensis is commonly used to make tea and as a spice. It is also mixed with other aromatic or medicinal plants. The plant can be added to the bottle of mamajuana, a beverage


from the Dominican Republic. It is also used to combat sinusitis.Pimienta haitiensis can be cultivated in rather poor calcareous and preferably stony soil provided it is not terra rossa for this type of soil is high in iron and aluminum hydroxides. Water availability is essential for the quick growth of plants. Productivity increases through the use of both organic and artificial fertilizers.It is suggested that initially the plantation should have 70 to 100 plants per tareas. There should be a space of 2.5 meters between seedlings. The leaves could be picked after four or five years. Meanwhile, short-cycle crops, such as pumpkin or watermelon, would be intercropped with Pimienta haitiensis so that the activity is self-sustaining. It is suggested using organic fertilizers produced in the project. The most suitable method should be applied depending on the location of the plantation.


II. 13. BLACK-CAPPED PETREL HABITAT RESTORATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION The northern fault of La Visite National Park is a nesting site of the well-known population of Pterodroma hasitata (Black-capped petrel). Human activities have caused the total destruction of the surrounding vegetation of the fault. Small farmers go deeper into the fault in search of space for leek cultivation and the extraction of tea wood and other timber-yielding products. Besides, the small farmers who live in the Park or in the fault lowlands (Bel Fontaine) start fires to attract the bird and then capture it. Economic and educational issues should be considered when undertaking any action intended to protect these birds. Using farmer labor force in restoration works (planting, sowing, follow-up) could generate enough profits so as to compete with horticulture. The loss incurred for eliminating cultivated lots would be compensated for by the payment for eco–systemic services, supported by income generating activities such as ecotourism. This would contribute to the creation of a new environmental governance mechanism for the park in which the local communities, the socio-professional organizations, the local authorities and the agencies for the management and conservation of biodiversity would participate.

GENERAL OBJECTIVERestore the northern fault of La Visite National Park creating a safe area for the reproduction of the Black-capped petrel.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Promote the Black-capped petrel as a symbolic species of La Visite National Park. Assist in the setting up of a new management plan for the Park. Raise local communities and decision makers’ awareness of the need to restore

and conserve the Black-capped petrel’s habitat. Develop ecotourism activities related to the birds that live in La Visite National

Park. Implement a payment system to local communities for their work in the field of

conservation. Make the necessary habitat restoration techniques available to the local

communities and the decision makers.

EXPECTED RESULTS Restoration of the fault and the perimeter required to protect the petrel’s habitat. Drafting and dissemination of restoration techniques focusing on endemic species. Local communities aware of the need to conserve the petrel’s habitat.

STRENGTHS Government’s initiatives to protect the environment and increase public

awareness of environmental challenges. USAID Project in the basin of the Cul-de-sac plain as a cooperation framework,

with highly sustainable results. Local communities and territorial collectivities. Research and teaching institutions.

CHALLENGES


Giving new impetus to the conservation of endangered species in Haiti as economic opportunities arise through payment for conservation work. ESTIMATED DURATIONDrawing up and implementing the project to establish the verifiable indicators of the set objectives will take four consecutive years.ESTIMATED FUNDING

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGIUCN, FAES, EDH, UNDP, GEF, UNEP, AECID, USAID, ACDI

PARTICIPATING ACTORSMDE, IUCN, UNEP, UNDP, EDH, Territorial Collectivities (Collectivités Territoriales), Community Grass Roots Organizations, USAID, AECID, ACDI.CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

ESTIMATED FUNDING Activity CostFeasibility study 52,000Payment for ecosystemic services 150,000Environmental education 20,000Restoration activities 96,000Training of guides 15,000Support to income generating activities (pilot) 20,000Building endemic plant nurseries 55,000Materials and equipment 20,000Transfers 40,000Coordination and research 96,000Publications 8,000Exchange with partners 20,000Others 20,000Total 612,000

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDINGGEF, UNEP, AECID, USAID, ACDI, CEPF, GOH

ACTORSMDE, Universities, Territorial Collectivities, Environmentalist Organizations, Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR, French acronym), , UNEP.CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


II. 14. DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM IN THE LAKE ENRIQUILLO - AZUEI CIRCUIT

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONLake Enriquillo and its surrounding areas constitute Lake Enriquillo and Cabritos Island National Park located to the southwest of the Dominican Republic, in the province of Independencia. It is the largest expanse of lake water in the Caribbean islands. The park extends over the lowest lands in a depression with the same name, between the Neiba and Bahoruco mountain ranges. The park is about 42 meters below sea level and covers 256 km2. This depression used to be a channel which connected Puerto Príncipe and the Neiba bay from the Miocene to the Quaternary periods. This accounts for the stretches of saline soil existing in the region. This lake, Rincon Lagoon and Saumâtre Lagoon (Haiti), are thought to have been relicts of the channel. There are three islands in the lake: Cabritos, La Islita and La Barbarita. This lake is famous for it is the habitat of a great number of crocodiles, iguanas and half a hundred species of birds —mainly herons and flamingos. The place was declared Cabritos Island National Park on June 14, 1974 by virtue of Law No. 664. Nevertheless, the marshy areas (wetlands) of great ecological importance were left unprotected. The situation was corrected after the establishment of Lake Enriquillo National Park through decree law No. 233-96, Law No. 64/00, adopted by the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources, corresponding to the Category II of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for the management of protected areas, Valdez and Mateo, 1989, (SEMARENA, 2000).Lake Enriquillo National Park, and Jaragua and Bahoruco Mountain Range national parks constitute the Jaragua/Bahoruco/ Enriquillo biosphere reserve, established by UNESCO on November 6, 2002. It extends over a surface area of 5,770 square kilometers.Ecotourism in the Lago Enriquillo-Azuei Circuit will contribute to the sustainable economic and social development in this region of Hispaniola. This project will implement a pilot plan to develop sustainable tourism, which will include the production of renewable energy, water recovery and waste management.This form of tourism allows a diversification of the offer, bringing about a better distribution of income in the communities. In addition, it promotes the conservation of the natural resources, an increase in the offer and the possibilities to repeat the experience.The project promotes visits by national and foreign tourists and allows a better assessment of the region’s resources, increasing people’s knowledge and awareness of such resources.The offer includes hotels, restaurants and ecological leasure activities with the active participation of the communities.


GENERAL OBJECTIVEDevelop a tourist circuit in lakes Enriquillo and Azuei involving the communities in the project as beneficiaries.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Generate jobs Train communities according to the diversity of vacancies Promote the region’s natural and cultural richness Raise public awareness through direct exchangesEXPECTED RESULTS

Established a circuit for ecological tourism

Train communities and encourage their participation in ecologically sustainable

activities

Promote the region’s natural and cultural richness and its conservation

STRENGTHS

Biosphere reserve and RAMSAR Site

Attractive and singular natural spaces

There are adequate organizational and capacity levels.

CHALLENGES

Develop a binational ecotourism experience

ESTIMATED DURATION

Three years

ESTIMATED FUNDING

Constituents: Cost (USD)

1. Improvement and creation of infrastructure

250,000

2. Training in tourism management 75,0003. Support to establish small community

enterprises150,000

4. Design and promotion of ecotourism routes

10,000

5. Operating and administrative costs 25,000TOTAL 510,000


POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGThe Dominican governmentInternational agenciesBorder Environmental Program

PARTICIPATING ACTORSState Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Tourism, Nature Guide, Ecotourism Network (REDEC), USAID, AECID, Cielo Duverge

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


II. 15. Technical cooperation to draw up and implement an initiative for carbon capture and storage in Haitian sites within the Caribbean Biological Corridor

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONClimate change affects considerably Haitian citizens’ revenues and results in devastating floods that destroy crops and causes the loss of human lives; in other words, a drop in life expectancy. Statistics show that 14,761 people died and over 5,980,983 were affected as a result of cyclones and hurricanes that whipped Haiti in the 20th century. The death toll of Tropical Storm JEANNE —which hit the country in September, 2004— stood at about 2,000 people. Hundreds were reported as missing and 250,000 as victims. In addition, the total damage was estimated at $265 million (U.S. dollars), which accounts for 7 percent of Haiti’s GDP.Scientists suggest that the expected annual cost of inaction on climate change ranges from US$22 billion to US$46 billion from the current year to 2050, and will amount to US$2.1 billion (UNEP 2008) for Caribbean economies. These costs account for 10 to 22 % of the economy of the Small Island Developing States, respectively. Such estimates include damages caused by hurricanes, losses in the tourism sector and damages to infrastructures due to sea-level rise. The World Bank estimated that the economic losses as a result of hurricanes in 2008 —aggravated by climate change— accounted for 15 per cent of Haiti’s GDP which clearly shows that Haiti will reach the estimates forecasted as a result of inaction before 2050. Global warming has an impact in a series of human rights spelled out in a number of United Nations Conventions (Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, among others). Actual and expected effects of climate change for Haiti pose a threat to human life since the number of dead, sick and injured people as a result of floods and hurricanes increases every year.These changes also undermine Haitians’ fundamental right to feed themselves properly. The floods caused by Hanna, Ike and Fay in 2008 covered with mud and other coarse materials (sand, gravel, stones) a great number of farms, bringing about a short-term decrease in productivity. Consequently, the National Committee for Food Security (CNSA, French abbreviation) was prompted to warn people about a severe food security crisis that will affect the country in 2009, that is to say, a significant rise in the number of victims of famine and malnutrition. Likewise, the right of every Haitian to water that is sufficient, safe, acceptable, and has physical properties suitable for personal and household use is threatened by climate changes that increase the overuse of water resources, in conjunction with other factors, such as population growth, environmental degradation, the inadequate management of water, poverty and inequality.The right of every Haitian to adequate, housing —to have a secure home, and live in peace and decently— is also hindered by climate change. For example, the frequent floods in the coastal city of Gonaïves destroy houses and force some residents to stay in shelters for prolonged periods. The effects of climate change are equally felt by population segments already in a vulnerable situation due to factors related to poverty, gender and age. Haitian women, especially old women and girls, are particularly exposed to water- caused disasters and are involved in all the phases designed to tackle natural disasters, namely, preparedness,


warning and response, rehabilitation and reconstruction, etcetera.This is also true for children. No one can forget the moving scenes broadcasted by a Port-au-Prince private television station in 2008, showing the lifeless bodies of near thirty children swept away by Torcelle River furious waters ―after the impact of Hanna— in Cabaret, a municipality located in western Haiti. This caused a great shock in Port-au-Prince's population and authorities, and showed children’s severe vulnerability to floods aggravated by climate change.Hence, climate change is one of the biggest and most complex environmental challenges for countries like Haiti in the 21stt century. The nation is one of the fifty (50) Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which defend their interests jointly in the face of climate change and share their considerations about their vulnerability and need for support in this area. The population of places that would be part of the Biological Corridor ―in the mountains and in coastal areas―, are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.On the other hand, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed by Haiti, also acknowledges the particular needs of the LDCs, which are less prepared to face the impacts of climate change. Haiti is also a member state of the SIDS, a group of countries that have as a common element the vulnerability to climate change due to their location, limited economic development and poor capacity for climate change adaptation. This project is a solid and ambitious initiative the Haitian Government intends to implement through the Ministry of the Environment in order to respond effectively to the severe deforestation that has affected Haiti in the last forty years. It is a technical cooperation programme that will help the Government take advantage of the opportunities offered by the carbon credit market, either in the private sector or within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms, including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This mechanism is based on the implementation of projects that allow public and private sector entities in industrialized countries to invest in activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries. The carbon credits earned by CDM projects are called Certified Emission Reduction Credits (CERs).This Project within the technical cooperation programme is expected to be a comprehensive one addressing at the same time issues relating to forestry and economic opportunities for poor farmers in Haiti, both in the mountain and in coastal areas of the CBC.GENERAL OBJECTIVE To provide technical support to the Government of Haiti so that it can access to current cooperation opportunities in the area of carbon capture, in the framework of the actions taken to meet the challenge of climate change.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Increase forest cover in CBC areas through the plantation of 2,000 hectares of forest, undertaking sustainable environmental rehabilitation actions related to climate change, desertification, biodiversity preservation and forest management.

2. Provide a reliable scientific methodology —managed by Haiti’s Public Administration— for carbon acquisition control that can be applied in CBC areas (mountains, coastal areas).

EXPECTED RESULTS RESULT 1: Establish the Designated National Authority (DNA) and support it at


institutional level (Prerequisite: Issuance of the Ministerial Decree on the creation of the DNA-CDM)Objective: (i) Review the national criteria on sustainable development and organize the procedures for the approval of the DNA/CDM; (ii) equip the DNA/CDM office with the necessary IT related materials; (iii) prepare a CDM Practical Guide in Haiti that would include all the information relating to the CDM.Result 2: Design and apply a methodology to control carbon acquisition and storage.Objective: To outline a methodology focusing on (i) the setting up of a basic policy to determine the current level of carbon reserves and their evolutionary trends (aerial and terrestrial biomass, among others) in the drainage area of Cul de Sac (Gray and Blanche Rivers), Gonaïves (La Quinte River), Cabaret (Torcelle and Bretelle Rivers), Léogane (Rouyonne and Momance Rivers) and of Jacmel (Gosseline River); (ii) the fallow up of the real evolution of carbon reserves through a system adapted to the actual situation of the abovementioned drainage areas, taking into consideration the pottentials of the National Center of Geospatial Information and the National Observatory of Environment and Vulnerabilities; (iii) the control of scientific quality; (iv) the potential links with (access) to the carbon bonds market; (v) the assessment of the profits generated by the URCE as a result of its reforestation operations; (vi) the creation of the necessary Haitian institutions for the control and application of the methodology.Result 3: Formulate a broad Reforestation Program that will allow the assessment of carbon capture mechanisms.This program will focus on: (i) the missions of identification and formulation experts (international and national), included in the Program; (ii) the application of instruments from the Geographical Information System to identify reforestation areas in the selected drainage basins; (iii) consultancy workshops to the parties involved; (iv) the mobilization of funding, specially through the right selection of carbon markets. Result 4: Enforce the Reforestation Program based on carbon capture.ts goal is to undertake pilot actions in the abovementioned drainage areas, including: (i) reforestation of 2,000 ha of coast land with fast growth endemic species; (ii) building of nurseries; (iii) stabilization of soils and prevention of landslides; (iv) promotion of sustainable land and forest management techniques; (v) technical training through seminars, workshops and community study visits; (Ivi) develop entrepreneurial knowledge based on planting and wood exploitation.STRENGTHS

Implementation of the National Program for Adaptation to Climate Change Haiti’s ratification of the Draft Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto

Protocol. CHALLENGES

Lack of professionals qualified in carbon capture methodology. Lack of control of carbon market operating mechanisms at local level.

ESTIMATED DURATION Three years.

ESTIMATED FUNDINGTechnical Assistance (international and national) for the implementation of the Program. 500,000Means of transport 75,000Computers, software and office stationery. 30,000


Qualification of personnel (Seminars, Workshops, and Visits). 100,000Nurseries and plantations. 1,000,000Engineering and management. 200,000Other costs. 85,000Total 1,990,000

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDING UNDP, GEF, PNUE, AECID, FAO, USAID, ACDI

ACTORSNational Designated Authority CDM (to be appointed by the Ministry of Environment).National Center of Geospatial Information (CNIGS) of the Ministry of Planning and Foreign Cooperation.International company with experience in carbon capture methodology under the guidelines of the International Expert Group on Climate Change, adapted to the conditions of Haiti. Haitian universities NGOs and Ecological Associations. National Group for the Inventory of Greenhouse Gases.CROOSSCUTTING ISSUES


III. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

III. 1. STUDY OF THE PTERIDOFLORA (FERNS) OF HISPANIOLA

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONIt is necessary to conduct a study on ferns and associated groups in areas of the Caribbean Corridor located in the Island of Hispaniola, considered their importance for specific environments and the lack of information in some cases. The study includes an inventory of species, namely those used by humans, an assessment of their conservation status, distribution within the Biological Corridor and other ecological parameters.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Determine the composition and structure of the Pteridoflora, as well as its conservation status in areas comprising the Biological Corridor in the Island of Hispaniola.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Draw up an inventory of ferns and associated species growing in the Biological Corridor

2. Know the structure of fern population and its relation with other plant groups3. Determine the conservation status of the Pteridoflora within the Biological

Corridor4. Collect data on the direct use of ferns by communities

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Draw up an inventory of the Pteridoflora growing in the Biological Corridor of

the Island of Hispaniola2. Know the conservation status of ferns growing in the Biological Corridor of the

Island of Hispaniola3. Know the direct use of ferns by communities in the Biological Corridor of the

Island and its surrounding areas 4. Know the importance of ferns to the Biological Corridor’s phitocenosis

STRENGTHS1. A significant reference collection of ferns is available at the National Botanic

Garden of the Dominican Republic (JBSD)2. Technicians with a great deal of experience in the collection and identification

of fern specimens work at the Botanic Garden3. Literature on this plant group is available in the Island, for instance a thesis

developed with the advice of some Botanic Garden experts, as well as some local inventories

CHALLENGES There are no special challenges. The most relevant one is to find and identify these plant populations in different environments. Some delay in work could derive from unexpected events like natural phenomena.


ESTIMATED DURATION The study is expected to last a year in both countriesESTIMATED BUDGET Cost is expected to amount to USD $10,000.00 (ten thousand American dollars)POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGThe Nature Conservancy (TNC), private companies and institutionsPARTICIPATING ACTORSThe National Botanic Garden of Santo Domingo and its technical teamBotanic technicians from HaitiCROSSCUTTING ISSUES


III. 2. TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY OF ARACHNIDS (EXCEPT FOR MITES) IN HISPANIOLA

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThere is an uneven amount and distribution of species in the planet. Arthropods are in first place with 1,085,000 described species, which accounts for 62.4 % of the total biodiversity known in the planet. Therefore, arthropods constitute more than a half of all species known —three out of every five organisms in the planet can be beetles, butterflies or spiders. Among arthropods, arachnids make up the fourth megadiversified group, preceded only by coleoptera, himenoptera, diptera and lepidoptera.Arachnids play an important role in the ecological balance of populations, as they are intermediate predators in invertebrate food chains. It has been estimated that probably just half the species is known and that the total amount could be about 250,000; most unknown species being distributed along tropical regions. Information available about most species described only includes a brief morphological description of them, their scientific names and a few ranges. Little information exists on the ethology and ecology of some species. Very little interest is stirred up by arachnids and arthropods in general, as compared to other animal groups (birds, mammals, reptiles), which has made obtaining research materials difficult. There is still a lot of work ahead, given the number of arachnids known so far, the lack of information on the subject and difficulties in its study. Thus, based on the current cataloguing rate, reaching the estimated amount of 250,000 species could take a thousand years. This would not be a problem if global biodiversity were not seriously in danger and species were not disappearing at such a brisk pace every year. Current conservation programs ignore the fundamental role played by arachnids in the dynamics of natural ecosystems or in the status of specific invertebrate species, except for a few cases. Then, how can we preserve what we do not know and, at the same time, how can we know what cannot be preserved enough time to be known? This paradox makes us think about the importance of making greater efforts in the study and conservation of arachnids and arthropods in general.Despite efforts made during the last years, the study and conservation of arachnids in the Caribbean is still insufficient. Lack of information dramatically affects regions like Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Lesser Antilles. Consequently, it is hoped that this study will increase knowledge of the arachnid fauna of Hispaniola, the second biggest island in the Antilles and one of the less studied. At the same time, reference collections and libraries will be enriched and updated in the main scientific institutions. Having more information on this group could help to identify the main threats and the vulnerability of some species in order to set priorities for the conservation of these singular animals.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Increase knowledge of the arachnids of Hispaniola (except for mites)


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Establish the taxonomy and define the composition, endemisms and range of

arachnid orders, families and species in Hispaniola2. Identify conservation targets, determine the main threats and suggest the

appropriate steps to mitigate them3. Create or enrich reference collections and libraries of the main institutions

devoted to the conservation of biodiversity in Hispaniola and to contribute to the training of local specialists

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Increase the number of known species of Hispaniola by at least 10 %, mainly

in the Araneae, Scorpiones, Schizomida and Opiliones orders2. Clarify the taxonomic position of species from all Arachnid orders existing in

Hispaniola3. Create, organize and catalogue reference collections and libraries covering

the topic of Arachnids in the University of Haiti4. Organize and catalogue the main Arachnid reference collections of

participating Dominican institutions5. Help to determine conservation targets and to which extent they may threat

regional programs for the conservation of the biodiversity6. Publish results in specialized, highly diffused magazines and record printed

and/or digital copies in the main participating institutions and any interested institutions or possible clients

STRENGTHSCuban experts with a great deal of experience in the development of this kind of studies

Dominican institutions with the proper infrastructure for the development of these studies

CHALLENGES Lack of national specialists and arachnological working groups in both

countries (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) Impact of natural phenomena (hurricanes, extreme pluviometric events) during

a specific time of the year that could prevent or hinder field workESTIMATED DURATION

Three years


ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Costs (USD) Accommodation and food 50,505 International airline tickets 8,472 Visa expenses 1,440 Field work transportation 18,300 Communications 3,000 Other expenses 3,000 TOTAL 84,717

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FINANCETo be determinedPARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment of Haiti, University of Haiti, Audubon Society of Haiti, National Museum of Natural History of Santo Domingo, Faculty of Biology of the UASD, BIOECO, National Museum of Natural History of Cuba.

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


III. 3. FRESHWATER MACROINVERTEBRATES AND THE QUALITY OF WATER OF THE MAIN RIVERS IN THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONSince 1983, multiple research on macroinvertebrates from mountain streams, rivers and creeks have been conducted in eastern Cuba, which have facilitated knowing macroinvertebrates communities and have allowed relating community structures with pollution levels of rivers and creeks. The quality of river waters is a very important problem in the three countries making up the Biological Corridor. It is also important for human consumption, the industry and the biodiversity of the zone, and even for migrating birds using river estuaries and wetlands. The subject matter of this research is the ignorance of the ecological status of the most important basins of the area comprising the Corridor. This ecological status can be assessed through the study of the structure and composition of macroinvertebrates communities in rivers, mainly the benthic ones, and their relationship with water pollution levels. The Biological Monitoring Working Party index of Cuba (BMWP-Cub) which help to determine river contamination levels- has been used in eastern Cuba to analyze macroinvertebrate families existing in a specific river stretch.Tasks to be developed:

a. Training of the Haitian and Dominican staff (four persons) in taking samples from the main rivers of the Corridor, and in the systematic analyzes at a family level.

b. Assessment of possible rivers and sampling stations (three in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic)

c. Beginning of the monitoring of macroinvertebrates: three samplings during the dry season (one in each river), three during the rainy season, both in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

d. Establishment of the structure of each species making up communities in each river studied, as well as all lists of families drawn in accordance with each river, locality and sampling

e. Application of the BMWP-Cub index (adjust the index to conditions in Hispaniola), about richness and Shannon-Weaver index and others like the biological similarities among rivers and among countries

f.Drawing of pollution maps in accordance with results from the applied BMWP-Cub index

Four stages can be followed to conduct the planned research: A. Selection of the working area. Three main aspects will be followed in this concern: 1. Inventories of pollution sources 2. Selection of sampling stations 3. Establishment of sampling sites in each localityB. Field work. This stage includes the training of Hispaniola’s staff: I. Macroinvertebrates sampling. The sampling methodology will be applied in rapids, pools and shores in order to cover as many microhabitats as possible. II. Taking of samples for physical-chemical analyzesIII. Observations and measurements C. Data and sample processing. This stage includes three aspects: 1. Identification of captured and preserved specimens. 2. Establishment of physical-chemical


parameters, and 3. Processing of observations and measurements carried out in the field D. Result analysis . Results will be processed and a final report will be written to be submitted to a group of expertsGENERAL OBJECTIVE Determine water quality of rivers in the Caribbean Biological Corridor by using changes in the composition and structure of benthic communities, measured by the BMWP-Cub index. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Make an inventory of the morphospecies and families of the freshwater invertebrate macrofauna living in the basins of rivers to be analyzed, keeping in mind sampling sites, the time of the year (dry and rainy seasons) and microhabitats where they were found.

2. Describe the invertebrate macrofauna and research sites from the ecological point of view by using different indexes

3. Assess the quality of water by using the BMWP index, according to the richness, Shannon-Weaver heterogeneity (H’) and other biological indexes of species

4. Train Dominican and Haitian experts in monitoring freshwater invertebrates to assess the water quality in rivers of the CBC

5. Provide institutions in charge of controlling the quality of Haitian and Dominican waters with a methodology to measure the BMWP index, allowing them to take rapid, easy and highly reliable measurements

EXPECTED RESULTS1. Annotated list of macroinvertebrate species, especially of the Ephemeroptera,

Odonata, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera orders2. Establishment of ecologic groups of species and localities 3. Maps of the quality of waters in Hispaniola and Cuba, which will allow to show

the status of rivers studied4. Proposals of conservation strategies and actions to eliminate or mitigate

threats from pollution sources in waters of studied riversSTRENGTHS

A group of experts, highly experienced in the work with the systematics and ecology of freshwater animals, is available in eastern Cuba

A BMWP-Cub index, recently adjusted to Cuban rivers conditions, to accurately measure the pollution level of waters

CHALLENGESLack of knowledge about macroinvertebrate fauna of Hispaniola

ESTIMATED DURATION This project is expected to last three years, afterwards results will be assessed and monitoring will be redesigned in order to contribute to the study of other rivers

STIMATED FUNDING


ActivityCosts (USD)

Field work 5,390 Purchase of cartographic materials 2,000 Staff expenses 29,880 Field work transportation 4,500 Communications 2,000 Equipment 2,500 Other expenses 3,500 Total 49,770 Cuba’s contribution 19,860 To be financed 29,910

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSEastern Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystems. (CITMA). CUBA. Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic- Haiti


III. 4. POPULATION STUDY OF LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS) IN THE NORTHEASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN COASTS OF QUISQUEYA OR HISPANIOLA AND EASTERN CUBA

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONLionfish (Pterois volitans) belong to the Scorpaenidae family. It is a native species of the Western Pacific Ocean and the coasts of Oceania. It can reach a size of about 38 cm and a weight of more than one kilogram. It is of great beauty due to its very elaborate form and colors, with brown and white stripes along its body. It has highly poisonous, fan-like bones on its dorsal and pectoral fins. It is a voracious, territorial predator and an excellent swimmer that lives on fish and invertebrates. This species occurs in tropical shallow waters, among coral reefs, seaweed banks, rocks, coastal lagoons, channels and semi-protected areas in the western Pacific ocean and the coasts of Oceania. It frequently occurs in relatively muddy waters and it has been reported at more than 30 meters of depth. It can live in temperatures ranking from 23ºC to 27ºC; pH (8.0 to 8.5), and intense lighting. At present the species distributes in the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea, where it is a threat for the marine biodiversity. It may cause ecological devastation within the food chain of coral reefs, young populations of native crustaceans and fish. Lionfish force local species like groupers to move from one place to another and affect tourism and fishing-oriented economic activities. In the Atlantic ocean, the species was observed for the first time in southern Florida, the United States, in 1992, after the path of Hurricane Andrew. Since then, it has steadily spread along the eastern coast of the United States, the Bahamas and more recently the Greater Antilles. In the Atlantic ocean it has few natural enemies and its young have a great movement capacity. Due to its great reproduction rate, and its spreading and adaptation capacities, it can be difficult to exterminate or control this predator species. By late 2007, Lionfish were first observed in Montecristi, in the Dominican Republic. By mid 2008, it was found on the coast of Puerto Plata. Subsequently, it was observed on the coast of southeastern, in the provinces of Pedernales, Barahona and Samana, and to the southeast, in La Caleta and Boca China. Recently it has been seen on the coast of Santo Domingo, near the seaport and downtown.The first confirmed lionfish sighting in Cuba occurred in 2007, on the coasts of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve and it was soon observed in different places. It has been suggested that a monitoring is conducted in the coastal areas of the Baconao and the Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserves, due to the importance of their conservation and their location within the CBC. GENERAL OBJECTIVE Determine the population range of Lionfish on the northeastern and southeastern coasts of Hispaniola and eastern Cuba.Assess its impact on the marine environmentSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES


1. Determine the population density by counting the number of individuals observed in each sample site

2. Identify areas of greater impact on populations with regard to present ecosystems (rocky coasts, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and estuaries and other coastal wetlands)

3. Compare and exchange data obtained with other areas in the Caribbean4. Make fishing populations and communities aware of lionfish’s effects and threatsEXPECTED RESULTS1. Draw a map including the range and possible current and future distribution of

lionfish in the area2. Establish a methodology for lionfish monitoring within the CBC3. Collect information for scientific, educational and promotional purposesSTRENGTHS Awareness of the scientific community of the danger this species represents in

the ecologic balance of the area A qualified and experienced staff Logistic support from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and the Navy An infrastructure created in the proposed working areas in Cuba

CHALLENGES Lack of knowledge among population members on possible use and consumption

of this species Lack of interest among fishing communities and the population in general Difficulties in estimating the growth rate of a constantly changing population Little information on migration patterns of lionfish along the coasts of Haiti

ESTIMATED DURATION Two yearsESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Costs (USD)Equipments 59,000 Inspection trips 5,000 Sea and land transportation

20,000

Accommodations and stay 15,000 Administrative and unexpected expenses

18,000

TOTAL 117,000 POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGSEMARENA, WWF, USAID, TNC, UNEP, Ministry of TourismPARTICIPATING ACTORSNational Aquarium of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, the Navy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs


III. 5. INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONEven though biodiversity degradation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic is mainly caused by profound historic and socioeconomic factors, invasive exotic species play a more active role in eroding the island’s biotic values. It critically affects the viability of efforts made by governments and the international cooperation to recover ecosystems and livelihoods. These countries are more vulnerable to the invasion of exotic species given that they are islands, with long-isolated natural sites, and high endemism and biodiversity.The IUCN Global Invasive Species Database includes 35 invasive species in Haiti, and more than a hundred species —both animals and plants, terrestrial and aquatic— in the Dominican Republic. This significant figure is not the actual one, since insufficient reports hamper collecting data on important species and invasive processes taking place at present.Significant efforts are now made in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to reforest and to recover ecosystems and environmental services, with the support of international institutions and organizations. As part of these efforts, it is crucial to have full knowledge of invasive species, because many mistakes are made in the long term when developing reforestation, livestock development and fish farming plans, among others, with the intention of solving problems immediately. Species already known as invasive or having the chance of becoming so, are used for the aforementioned purposes. Existing data and the assessment of the role played by invasive species in the present and future of Haiti are far from being satisfactory. Undoubtedly, it is crucial that efforts made to preserve biodiversity and restore ecosystems and livelihoods within the biological corridor include all invasive exotic species, so as to contribute to the sustainability of results to be obtained. GENERAL OBJECTIVE Increase knowledge of invasive species and their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems in areas of Quisqueya and Hispaniola included in the biological corridor.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Increase knowledge of invasive species, not only at a national scale but among

actors of the international cooperation who help develop plans in both countries. 2. Make people aware of the role played by invasive exotic species in establishing and

consolidating the national system of protected areas.3. Provide evidence of the threat that invasive exotic species constitute to biodiversity

values and to the sustainability of reforestation efforts and of those made to restore ecosystems and livelihoods.

4. Draw up or update inventories of invasive exotic species in target areas.5. Include resulting data on invasive exotic species in the database established for

such purposes.6. Propose measures to control the dissemination of invasive exotic species.


EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Inventories of species and creation of a specialized database on the subject, linked

to the CBC web page2. List of priority species for the management of invasive exotic species3. Assessment of the situation in CBC target areas within the country4. Proposal of a plan of basic measures to control the dissemination of invasive exotic

species.5. Public awareness and promotion plan regarding invasive exotic species6. Invasive exotic species monitoring plan

STRENGTHS Project 13N is based on invasive exotic species of the Dominican Republic Experts with great experience in the study of biodiversity in both countries Project S.N.A.P implementation UNEP’s and UNDP’s and other organizations’ willingness to support these efforts

CHALLENGESInclude this subject among other priority issues for biodiversity conservation and ecosystems and livelihoods restoration in Haiti.ESTIMATED DURATION Two years

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGYThe implementation strategy aims at obtaining quality products and at strengthening teaching institutions involved in the implementation. In this respect, one or several implementing institutions that can make their abilities stronger, as the project is developed, guaranteeing appropriation of the project and its results.ESTIMATED FUNDING

ActivityCosts (USD)

Collecting existing information 2,000 Fieldwork for inventory drawing up and assessmentExchange with other countries of the corridor

16,000 8,000

Purchase of cartographic materialsDraw up a plan of measures Draw up an awareness raising and promotion plan

2,000 4,000 4,000

Staff expenses (Haiti in kind)Printing and submission of documents Implementation of steps included in the awareness raising and promotion plan

20,000 2,000 6,000

Communications 2,000 Equipment 3,000 Other expenses 2,000

Total 71,000


Haiti’s contribution (in kind) 10,000 The Dominican Republic’s contribution (in kind) 10,000To be financed 51,000

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGGEF, UNEP, AECID, USAID, CAID MOU, UNIQ, ONEV, UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO, USAID,AECID,CAIDPARTICIPATING ACTORSThe University and the Research Institute, ecological societies and municipalities of Haiti.SEMARENA, municipalities, civil society organizations in the Dominican Republic


III. 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE BRYOLOGICAL FLORA IN PROTECTED AREAS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONLittle has been studied about the bryological flora of Hispaniola, mainly due to lack of experts on these plant groups. However, greater information about the moss group has been collected. Most works developed are floristic lists in which collecting sites are not specified. Others are taxonomic studies conducted in the Caribbean and the Greater Antilles in which examined samples of checked specimens are mentioned but in most cases no information is provided about the sites, collectors or herbaria where they have been stored. The bibliographic source includes: Musci hispaniolensis (1944), The Hookeriaceae of Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico (1971), Notes on the moss flora of Hispaniola (1980), Un listado preliminar de los musgos de La Hispaniola (1983), La flora y la vegetación del Pico Duarte y la Loma La Pelona, República Dominicana (1993), Pleurocarpous Mosses of the West Indies (1998); and Musgos (Bryopsida) y hepáticas (Marchantiopsida) en el Jardín Botánico Nacional, Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso, República Dominicana (2007).A critical situation exists in the case of the liverworts and the hornworts since there is almost no information about studies being conducted in the area. A considerably close floristic affinity has been proved between Cuba and the Greater Antilles, especially with Hispaniola. In the case of non-vascular plants a greater affinity can be estimated between this island and eastern Cuba, considered the presence of a range of biotic and non biotic factors that help find occurrence of these plants.The following tasks should be carried out during the implementation of the project: Bryological description of some protected areas of the Dominican Republic. Inspection and updating of all bryophyte collections existing in the National

Herbarium and in the Autonomous University. Training of the Dominican technical personnel. Training of the Dominican personnel in bryophyte taxonomy, distribution, ecology

and conservation, in Cuba. Creating a catalog of some bryophytes typical of the Dominican Republic Workshop about the projects results Publish results and participate in scientific conferencesGENERAL OBJECTIVE Deepen knowledge of the diversity of mosses, liverworts and hornworts flora in the Dominican Republic.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Inspection and updating of materials collected in the Rafael M. Moscoso

National Botanic Garden and in the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo2. Know the diversity of bryological flora of the following protected areas: Ebano

Verde Scientific Reserve, Armando Bermudez National Park, José del Carmen Ramírez National Park, Nalga de Maco National Park, Juan Bautista Pérez


Rancier National Park (Valle Nuevo), Sierra de Bahoruco National Park; and Los Haitises National Park .

3. Guarantee training of the Dominican and Haitian personnel in bryological studies

4. Create a catalog of the most representative bryophytes of the Dominican Republic

5. Spread research results

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Bryological list of the following protected areas: Ebano Verde Scientific

Reserve, Armando Bermudez National Park, José del Carmen Ramirez National Park, Nalga de Maco National Park, Juan Bautista Perez Rancier National Park (Valle Nuevo), Sierra de Bahoruco National Park; and Los Haitises National Park.

2. Enrich collections kept in all participating institutions3. Catalog of the most representative mosses, liverworts and hornworts of the

Dominican Republic4. Train Dominican experts in Bryology. Advise students, professors and Master

course students from the Autonomous University in the development of their research works

5. Publish results, participate in scientific conferences and conduct an information workshop for all interested Dominican institutions

STRENGTHS Well-experienced and internationally recognized Cuban researchers Except for Puerto Rico (one person), all bryologists in the Antilles are Cuban (four

persons) Interest of the Latin American Society of Bryology, a member of which is BIOECOCHALLENGESIncrease knowledge of the mosses, liverworts and hornworts flora of the Dominican RepublicESTIMATED DURATION The project implementation has been scheduled to last three years.


ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food 69,525 International airline tickets 10,800 Field work transportation 15,600 Visa expenses 3,060 Communications 3,000 Other expenses 6,000 Equipment 4,500 Design and programming 22,680 TOTAL 135,165 Cuba’s contribution 25,875 To be financed 109,290

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGUndeterminedPARTICIPATING ACTORSEastern Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystems (BIOECO). National Botanic Garden of Santo Domingo, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Department of Protected Areas of the Dominican RepublicCROSSCUTTING ISSUESDue to the importance of the project it has been considered to involve Caribbean bryologists. It is necessary to determined the Dominican personnel that will participate


III. 7. STUDY OF THE FLORISTIC AFFINITIES BETWEEN THE COASTAL ZONES OF THE BACONAO BIOSPHERE RESERVE AND THOSE OF THE JARAGUA-BAHORUCO-ENRIQUILLO RESERVE BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe coastal area of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve, which will be taken as a comparative reference, is made up of the coastal terraces of southern part of the Sierra Maestra mountain range –included in this reserve- located along the southern coast, from Siboney to the Baconao Lagoon, with an extension of 5,376 ha. The first floristic studies of this area were conducted in 1973, and some research was made from 1982 to 1988, 2001, 2005 and 2007. The area studied the most is the Siboney- Jutici Ecological Reserve. Preliminary data include a total of 724 species, subspecies and varieties, made up of 364 genuses and 88 botanical families. This is a significant figure, considered that it accounts for 55% of the total flora in the province of Santiago de Cuba, 51 % in the Sierra Maestra Mountain Range, 23% in the eastern region , and 10% of the vascular flora in Cuba. Coastal and precoastal scrubs, and semideciduous microphyll forests are abundant in the area, where mangrove forests, sea grapes and secondary vegetation can also be found.The place chosen for this floristic comparative study is Jaragua, part of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, where a National Park is located. It covers 1,374 km2: 434 km of land surface; 905 km of sea surface and 35 km are lakes. It is characterized by a system of stacks (60 m high), internationally important wetlands, islands and cays; as well as for the absence of rivers. There is also a great variety of ecosystems, some of which stand out, like large stretches of coastal and dry forests. More than 400 species of plants are found, like El Guanito –which is endemic of this zone- and La Canelilla, an endemic species, threatened due to overexploitation.Though studies of the coastal flora and vegetation of the Baconao and Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserves have been conducted, floristic affinities between these two regions -which might be a starting point for establishing local conservation strategies-, have not been determined.From the climatic point of view, these areas are characterized by low rainfall, high evaporation and intense insolation. It conditions the development of a xerophitic and sclerophyllous vegetation, hence the importance of their conservation.Floristic affinities between both regions will be established, based on the updated floristic list of the coastal terraces of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve by Figueredo (2007) and of the Jaragua National Park; the analysis of the flora of Hispaniola, the atlas of natural resources of the Dominican Republic (2004) and Moscosoa´s recent publications on the flora of Hispaniola.The study requires a comparison of the lists of selected regions. Schmidt criteria (1969) will be followed to know taxa present in the different floristic kingdoms, and Borhidi’s and Muñiz´s proposal (1986) will be used to regionalize the Caribbean. Tasks to be developed:

Joint expeditions by experts from both regions in order to complete the floristic lists of target regions.

Comparison of both areas´ floristic lists Location of each area’s endemic and threatened species in order to establish focal areas

for conservation efforts Study of floristic affinities Statement of results in scientific conferences


Three working expeditions will be carried out in each area. During the first too expeditions, floristic lists will be updated and focal conservation areas will be identified. During the last trip it is expected to hold a working meeting with all participating specialists to conduct the study and to draw up the final technical document. The distribution of endemic and threatened species will be taken into account for defining the focal conservation zones, giving priority to species with restricted range. Results will be stated through a technical report, including all floristic lists, focal conservation zones and analyses of floristic affinities existing between the two coastal zones. It will be possible to make results known during the Congress on Biodiversity in the Dominican Republic; and in Cuba, during the Convention on Environment to be held in 2011.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Analyze floristic affinities between coastal zones of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve and those of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, in order to determine conservation efforts to be made.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Update floristic lists of coastal zones of the Baconao and the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserves.

2. Determine focal conservation zones in both areas3. Analyze floristic affinities between coastal zones of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve and

those of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve.EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Updating of floristic lists of coastal zones of the Baconao and the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserves.

2. Determination of focal conservation zones based on floristic values of coastal zones of the Baconao and the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserves.

3. Analysis of floristic affinities between coastal zones of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve and those of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve

4. Strengthening of institutional relationships between the two Biosphere Reserves and establishment of joint work relations so as to adopt regional strategies to preserve the flora of both studied areas.

STRENGTHS Having the basic floristic data needed to conduct the study, as well as proper knowledge

of areas to be analyzed. Experts involved in the project are well-experienced and have the required professional

and scientific training to conduct this study. Determining focal conservation zones will contribute to adopt regional strategies to protect

the flora and vegetation of these areas. CHALLENGESLittle knowledge of floristic affinities existing between coastal zones of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve and those of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. ESTIMATED DURATION This project is meant to last two years.


ESTIMATED BUDGETActivity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food 21,400 International airline tickets 6,300 Field work transportation 3,920 Visa expenses 1,320 Communications 2,500 Other expenses 2,160 Equipment 2,200 TOTAL 39,800 Cuba’s contribution 12,500 To be financed 27,300


PARTICIPATING ACTORSBaconao Biosphere Reserve, Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, Rafael M. Moscoso Botanic Garden and the Botanic Garden of Santiago de Cuba.


III. 8. PHYTONIMICS OF TIMBER-YIELDING TREES IN THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR BRIEF DESCRIPTIONTimber-yielding trees are one of the plants humans use the most, due to their usefulness for the construction of houses and posts; the production of charcoal; the design of sculptures, among other uses. In countries making up the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) there is great interest in knowing about these kinds of plants and their phytonimics (common names) in some communities, given that multiple tropical and subtropical species have been introduced in the area. Some common names have been reported in Flora of Cuba; Roig’s Botanic Dictionary of Common Names (1975) and in some articles published by botanists form different parts of the country. However, no survey has been carried out in localities to make a list of common names for the whole country.So far, information published is outdated and it has been found that many species have been given new common names which have not been included in the bibliography yet. Knowing common names make community work easier when it comes to involve settlers in ecological restoration projects, as scientific names can be difficult to learn by them. In various localities and provinces of the country there is a wide range of common names and knowing them can be very important for species conservation. The study will enable people to deepen their knowledge of common names used in countries of the CBC and to compare from one another allowing for the great floristic similarity existing among them. Tasks to be developed :

Checking of all common names of timber-yielding trees reported in literature for countries of the CBC.

Selection of localities of the CBC to be explored. Carrying out of surveys to determine common names of timber-yielding trees in

selected localities. Analysis of the phytonimic similarity among timber-yielding trees from different

countries of the CBC. Statement of results in scientific conferences.

Three working expeditions will be carried out every year in each country; eight of them will aim at conducting surveys. During the last trip it is expected to hold a working meeting with all participating specialists to conduct the study and to draw up the final technical document. Results will be stated in a technical report. It will be possible to make results known during the Congress on Biodiversity in the Dominican Republic; and in Cuba, during the Convention on Environment.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Determine the phytonimics of timber-yielding trees of countries of the CBC.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Check the information about common names of timber-yielding trees from CBC countries reported in literature.

2. Conduct surveys to analyze the phytonimics of timber-yielding trees in different CBC countries.

3. Analyze phytonimic similarities among timber-yielding trees from CBC countries.EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Phytonimics of timber-yielding trees from different CBC localities.2. Bibliographic updating of common names of timber-yielding trees reported for CBC


countries.3. Analysis of the phytonimic similarities among timber-yielding trees of CBC countries.

STRENGTHS Experts from both countries are highly qualified to conduct the study. Chances to include results in ecological restoration projects requiring the support of local

communitiesCHALLENGESLittle knowledge of the phytonimics of timber-yielding trees from CBC countries.ESTIMATED DURATION It is expected to last three years

ESTIMATED BUDGET

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment of Haiti, Rafael M. Moscoso Botanic Garden, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo and the Eastern Center for Ecosystems and Biodiversity.

Activity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food 26,720 International airline tickets 9,800 Field work transportation 5,920 Visa expenses 1,980 Communications 1,000 Other expenses 3,680 Equipment 3,300 TOTAL 52,400 Cuba’s contribution 14,000 To be financed 38,400


III. 9. PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF THE BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR IN THE CARIBBEAN BRIEF DESCRIPTIONGentry (1982) proposed the centres of origin of families of phanerogams from the Neotropical Kingdom. They have been used to study many local floras within the Cuban Archipelago. Schmidt (1959) put forward a phytogeographic division of the World -among others- into Floristic Kingdoms. Likewise, Borhidi (1986, 1991, and 1996) presented a detailed phytogeographic demarcation of the Caribbean. These studies will be used in this research.Many studies on the links existing between different Cuban areas and other regions of the World, very similar to what has been suggested in this research, have been conducted in Cuba (Albert and López, 1982; López et al., 1994 a and b; Reyes and Del Risco, 1994 a and b; Potrony et al., 2005, etc). More studies should be conducted in Hispaniola. It is known that Cuba and Hispaniola formed only one piece of land for a long time and that a great biodiversity exchange existed between both countries. That is the reason why Borhidi (op. cit) suggested a number of common genera for both areas that was increased later on by Lopez (2005). These genera should be checked, considered that subsequent studies have been developed and that the Cuban flora has changed. It is also necessary to know the distribution of these genera’s species in both areas in order to determine areas with greater biodiversity exchange. Hence, it is very important to analyze these studies in order to understand the links and floristic movements existing in the Caribbean flora.Tasks to be developed:

1. Training of Cuban and Hispaniola’s personnel in phytogeographic assessment2. Analysis of Hispaniola’s and eastern Cuba’s families of phanerogams in accordance with

their centers of origin.3. Characterization of the distribution in Cuba and Hispaniola of genera shared by both

countries4. Assessment of the relationship between Hispaniola’s phanerogam species and floristic

kingdoms, specifically in the Caribbean region.Three implementation stages have been planned: Stage 1. Training of Cuban and Hispaniola’s personnel. Personnel will be trained through a postgraduate course, and discussions on the methodology to be applied and the evaluation of results.Stage 2. Study and assessment of centers of origin of Hispaniola’s and eastern Cuba’s phanerogam families; and characterization of genera shared by both countries.Centers of origin of phanerogam families will be determined in accordance with what has been suggested by Gentry (1982), assessing the area of origin. Distribution in Cuba and Hispaniola of species making up genera shared by both countries Stage 3. Determination of the distribution of Hispaniola’s native phanerogam species and all possible migrating routes of the said flora. The distribution of native phanerogam species of Hispaniola will be studied in accordance with Flora of Hispaniola and Flora of Cuba and its complements, defining the participation percentage of the said flora in floristic kingdoms and in the Caribbean region, as suggested by Borhidi (1996).

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Characterize the distribution of Hispaniola’s phanerogam flora, making emphasis in endemic genera shared by Cuba and Hispaniola.


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Analyze the distribution of phanerogam familias of Hispaniola and eastern Cuba in

accordance with their centers of origin. 2. Characterize the distribution in Cuba and Hispaniola of genera shared by both countries3. Specify the relationship between Hispaniola’s phanerogam species and floristic kingdoms,

specifically in the Caribbean region.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Training of personnel in Caribbean phytogeography2. Knowledge of centers of origin of Hispaniola’s and eastern Cuba’s native families3. Characterization of the distribution of endemic genera shared by Cuba and Hispaniola4. Study of the relationship between Hispaniola’s phanerogam flora and floristic kingdoms 5. Increase of knowledge of Antillean phanerogam flora’s migrating routes6. Statement of results in scientific conferences to be held in Hispaniola and Cuba

STRENGTHSPersonnel with experience in phytogeographic studies in CubaMultiple research of this kind have been conducted in CubaCHALLENGESLittle knowledge of the relationship between Hispaniola’s phanerogam species and floristic kingdoms, and of their families´ centers of origin ESTIMATED DURATION This study is expected to last three years

ESTIMATED BUDGET

Activity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food 10,720 International airline tickets 7,700 Field work transportation 2,400 Visa expenses 1,210 Airport expenses 450 Equipment 1,000Registration in scientific conferences 700 Other expenses 1,000 Total 25,180

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment of Haiti, Botanic Garden of Santo Domingo, UASD, BIOECO.CROSSCUTTING ISSUESIt is necessary to define people from the Dominican Republic to participate in the studyIt has been suggested to state results in scientific conferences


III. 10. CATALOG OF TERRESTTRIAL MOLLUSKS OF THE CBC IN QUISQUEYABRIEF DESCRIPTIONKnowing the fauna of highly endemic animals is essential to act in favor of biodiversity conservation. This catalog will help to collect basic information needed to manage protected areas, and to estimate the need for ecological restoration, reforestation and preservation of threatened and/or endemic species. Quisqueya possesses a very important fauna of terrestrial mollusks with a high level of endemism. Knowing it and its distribution will help to make hypotheses on this group’s distribution throughout the Antilles. Many species are threatened due to the use of land and little is known about them. As result, many species disappear without being properly described in literature or without being known their importance and ecological function.Furthermore, terrestrial mollusks are an excellent indicator of climate change as they hardly move. Changes in temperature and humidity, soil acidity, desertification, drought and loss of vegetal biodiversity, seriously affect their populations. This can be estimated resulting in a perfect index. Terrestrial mollusks are also important because they are easily collectible and very useful for craftsmanship. Their bright colors, the varied architecture of their shells, their slow movement and their preference for a same place make them very attractive for ecotourism. They are also used to know more about our aborigines’ diet.Terrestrial mollusk species from the Dominican Republic will be collected in this study and a wide bibliographic review of taxa reported in this country will be made. Collections will be kept at the National Museum of Natural History of Santo Domingo and in the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. Updated literature on the taxonomy of terrestrial mollusks, study of their reproductive system and their shells, will be used. Collections kept in the two institutions previously mentioned will also be checked. También la revisión de las colecciones depositadas en las dos instituciones antes mencionadas. Field work will be carried out during 15 days, and the identification work, the review of the bibliography and collections will be carried out for 7 days, twice a year, during three years. Resulting data of this project will help decision makers and conservationists to develop general and species-oriented conservation strategies, having an effective tool with a list of updated taxa, including data on terrestrial mollusks distribution and endemism.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Making a catalog of terrestrial mollusks’ species of the CBC in Quisqueya, the Dominican Republic, including data on their distribution and endemism.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Collect terrestrial mollusks’ species of the CBC in Quisqueya 2. Review malacological collections of the National Museum of Natural History of Santo

Domingo and of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo,3. Review the historical and updated literature on the fauna of terrestrial mollusks in the

Dominican Republic.

EXPECTED RESULTS A taxonomic list of species for each terrestrial mollusks’ family of the Dominican Republic,


including data on their distribution and endemism.STRENGTHSSpecialists with more than 15 years of experience in the conduction of this kind of study in the Dominican Republic and Cuba.Mastery of all methodologies and their adaptation to the region’s characteristics and conservation approaches.Existence of institutions in the Dominican Republic and Cuba with an excellent record for conducting this kind of studies. CHALLENGESBeing able to collect enough samples during field work and sufficient data during the bibliographic review so that this information could be published in accordance with each terrestrial mollusk’s family. ESTIMATED DURATION Three years

ESTIMATED FUNDING

ActivityCosts (USD)

Accommodations and food 26,658 Transport rental 4,500 Fuel 2,430 Communications, information acquisition

5,000

Visa expenses 660 International airline tickets plus airport taxes

1,920

Equipment 5,000 Other expenses 2,000 Publication Costs 5,000 Total 53,168

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSBIOECO, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, National Museum of Natural History of Santo Domingo CROSSCUTTING ISSUESFour implementation stages have been planned:

Field expedition, historical and updated literature review, and collection review.Information organizationFamily-oriented taxonomic list


III. 11. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONNECTIVITY DEGREE THROUGH THE MOBILITY ANALYSIS ON MARINE FISH OF GREAT CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE BRIEF DESCRIPTIONManaging natural resources is a very complicated task as a great deal of variables has to be taken into account. The task becomes even more complicated when these resources are in danger of disappearance and they are common to two or more countries. Consequently, in recent years connectivity (ecological processes establishing links on different spatial scales) has been a research area closely related to the issue of management, which has become increasingly important.Marine and coastal issues have been included on the Caribbean Biological Corridor´s initiative to conduct studies in the Cuban and Hispaniola´s archipelagos. Characteristics of the marine environment help to increase connectivity between environments, which are distant in some cases; hence it is perfectly possible that marine resources are shared by Cuba and Hispaniola.It has been suggested conducting connectivity studies to collect scientific data. This information could serve as a basis to make decisions on the management of fish species of great conservation importance like: Epinephelus itajara (Goliath grouper), Pristis spp. (saw fish) and Rhincodon typus (whale shark), which could be used as a model for managing other species with similar ecological characteristics. According to IUCN, all these species have been included into a certain threat category. These species preferably occur in areas ranging from coastal to oceanic regions. Saw fish inhabit shallow coastal zones and have also been observed in rivers. Whale sharks are an oceanic species and the Goliath grouper inhabits from coastal areas to coral reefs edging insular shelves.The following stages and methodologies have been suggested in this research work:Conduct surveys in coastal communities of the Cuban and Hispaniola’s archipelagos to collect information on the occurrence, number, distribution, and behavior of Goliath groupers, saw fish and whale sharks, as well as fishing activities related to them and characteristics of their habitats. Educational activities for settlers.Confirmation of information obtained through surveys, by visiting places and characterizing habitats. Educational activities for settlers.Tag specimens from all three species and study their biology and behaviour.Educational activities for settlers.Process data, prepare reports, publications and promotional materials, as three preceding activities are carried out.Resulting data of this project will help decision makers and conservationists to develop general and species-oriented conservation strategies.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Establish connectivity degree between the Cuban and Hispaniola’s archipelagos, based on mobility studies on marine fish of great conservation importance.Suggest scientifically based management steps for these species, to be implemented on local and regional scales.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Collect information on the occurrence, number, distribution, and behavior of the three species studied, as well as fishing activities related to them and characteristics of their habitats.

2. Establish connectivity degree between the Cuban and Hispaniola’s archipelagos, based


on mobility studies on Goliath groupers, saw fish and whale sharks.3. Suggest scientifically based management steps for Goliath groupers; saw fish and whale

sharks; to be implemented on local and regional scales. EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Prepare reports and publications on the occurrence, number, distribution, and behavior of the three species (Goliath groupers, saw fish and whale sharks), as well as fishing activities related to them and characteristics of their habitats.

2. Produce promotional material son these species and the need for their conservation3. Carry out educational activities in all communities to promote conservation of Goliath

groupers, saw fish and whale sharks.4. Suggest management steps directed to species like saw fish and Goliath groupers, to be

implemented on local and regional scales.STRENGTHS

There are specialists with experience in conducting this kind of study Mastery of all methodologies and adaptation to the region’s characteristics and

conservation approaches.CHALLENGESRaise communities’ awareness of the need for conservation of Goliath groupers, saw fish and whale sharks.ESTIMATED DURATION Four years

ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Costs (USD)Equipment 68,000 Vessels rental 75,000 Personnel expenses 14,400 Transportation 7,200 Communications 1,000 Consumables 2,000 Other expenses 5,000 Total 172,600 Cuba’s contribution 35,800 To be financed 136,800


PARTICIPATING ACTORSCenter for Coastal Ecosystems Research (CIEC), CUBA Dominican and Haitian institutions. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES CONTACT:Adán Zúñiga Ríos: Center for Coastal Ecosystems Research, CUBA.email: [email protected] [email protected]. Telephones: 53 – 33301151 and 53 - 33301421




III. 12. CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS AND THEIR RELATION TO CHANGES IN CBC ECOSYSTEMS. ESTIMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONClimate is the main factor controlling vegetation’s structure and productivity as well as the variety of animal and plant species. Many plants can only reproduce and grow at a specific temperature range, and they can only respond to a specific rainfall levels and seasonal patterns. They can be displaced as a result of competition with other plant species, or they can even die due to a change in climate. Animals also depend not only on specific temperature and/or rainfall ranges, but also on constant availability of food species. Climate change, namely temperature increase in certain regions of the world, have affected animal and plant reproduction, also leading to changes in species´ behavior and in the frequency of plague and/or disease outbreak. Climate change is a top priority issue for the international scientific community. It has been shown by the great number of researchers involved in preparing IPCC reports. However, insufficient knowledge is still a problem and it is caused by lack of a sound financial support to conduct research. So far, progress made by nations and geographic zones in this area of research has depended a good deal on countries´ levels of social and economic development, hence the critical situation existing in Haiti. Even though lack of knowledge is greater in some regions than others, emphasis is still made on the need for solving this problem on a global scale. Especially in the target geographic area, its is necessary to give answer to the following questions: To what extend the Caribbean biological corridor has changed or will change?; What changes will ecosystems making it up undergo?; and finally, How much will biodiversity characterizing this ecosystems change in the face of temperature increase or any other signs of climate change?It is possible to define three specific tasks:

Select areas with high biodiversity values Collect cartographic information from these areas Select those meteorological variables that reflect the most climate change

GENERAL OBJECTIVERelate climate change scenarios to changes in the main CBC ecosystems. Estimate ecological impactsSPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Assess the conservation status of the main CBC ecosystems2. Define the different climate change scenarios on the basis of thermal and pluvial regimes3. Draw up possible models of the main CBC ecosystems in response to different climate

change scenarios4. Determine the way in which the most representative communities of CBC ecosystems will

respond to extreme climate changeEXPECTED RESULTS 1. Assess the conservation status of the main CBC ecosystems.2. Define the different climate change scenarios on the basis of thermal and pluvial regimes3. Draw up new models of the main CBC ecosystems in response to specific climate change

scenarios


4. Be able to determine the way in which the most representative communities of CBC ecosystems will respond to extreme climate change

STRENGTHS1. Availability of information on the study’s subject matter2. Political willingness for the development of this kind of research, including the

participation of international organizations and institutions being in a position of financing the same.

3. At present, climate change is a highly important and necessary issue to be studied. It can be analysed from different points of view and by many diverse specialists.

CHALLENGESDespite the great number of studies carried out nowadays, lack of knowledge is still a problem with regard to climate change.Understand interrelation between climate change and biodiversity. Possible impactsThere are few native experts included in some groups or involved in certain future activities.Make that all participants work togetherHave a multidisciplinary team involved in the studyShortage of equipment for the development of the project.Lack of knowledge on climate characteristics in areas of environmental importanceAreas with little or none information on climateESTIMATED DURATION This project has been scheduled for five years

ESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Costs (USD)Equipment 40,000 Personnel expenses 8,000 International transportation 4,000 Communications 500 Consumables 1,000 Other expenses 1,000 Total 54,500

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGUndeterminedPARTICIPATING ACTORSCIEC; BIOECO; Environmental offices: provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo; Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment of Haiti. The list could be modified in the course of the research if necessary.CROSSCUTTING ISSUESSix implementation stages have been planned:

1. Bibliographic review and field expeditions to target areas.2. Organization of the information, on the basis of existing database. Widening of these

data.3. Define the different climate change scenarios on the basis of thermal and pluvial

regimes. Conduct the tendency analysis and in the case of thermal regimes, use the evaluation of daytime temperature fluctuations.

4. Prepare a manual reflecting estimation of climate threshold values that condition optimal life of plant and animal species within the CBC


5. Estimation of the impact of new climate scenarios on the main ecosystems6. Establish conservation strategies, make suggestions for management and prepare the

final report.CONTACT:Adán Zúñiga Ríos, Center for Coastal Ecosystems Research, CUBA.email: [email protected] [email protected]: 53 – 33301151, 53 – 33301421Nina Lysenko, [email protected] [email protected]




III. 13. SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF RISKS DUE TO LANDSLIDES CAUSED BY EXTREME NATURAL PHENOMENA IN HISPANIOLA AND CUBA BRIEF DESCRIPTIONLandslides caused by extreme natural phenomena are among the main causes of damage to human lives and properties. CBC areas are located within areas of hurricane recurrence and associated rains, and areas of high seismologic risk. Despite high vulnerability of CBC areas, little is known about surface phenomena related to landslides and levels of preparedness are very low.The project aims at conducting an initial survey in regions of Forest de Pins, Mapou, Belle Anse in the Republic of Haiti; Jaragua Bahoruro Herniquillo in the Dominican Republic and in the south eastern region of the Republic of Cuba. Short workshops with experts from target countries will be carried out during the implementation of the project. Two or three experts from the laboratory of land surface processes, a part of Institute of Studies on Montain Hazards of the Academy of Sciences of the People’s Republic of China will advise on conducting the survey. Three experts from each one of the CBC countries will also participate. GENERAL OBJECTIVE Define a systematic program for the study of risks to human lives and properties, resulting from landslides caused by extreme natural phenomena.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Create working teams in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba to monitor climate conditions potentially causing landslides

2. Identify target regions to conduct systematic studies of landslide processes caused by extreme natural phenomena

3. To establish medium and long-term projects in the region to study physical processes related to landslides

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Monitoring groups for meteorological conditions causing landslides in islands of Cuba

and Hispaniola2. Academic and scientific cooperation agreements between IMDHE-CAS and institutions

in Hispaniola and Cuba3. Identification of target regions to conduct systematic studies of landslide processes

caused by extreme natural phenomena in CBC areasSTRENGTHS

There is great experience in the development of this kind of studies in Cuba Institutions from the People’s Republic of China posses a wide infrastructure for

experimentation and carrying out of field trials in more extensive regions Chinese experts usually face similar challenges (hurricanes/typhoons, earthquakes)

CHALLENGESUnavailability of necessary data and lack of infrastructure, especially in HaitiDifferent levels of development in meteorological, seismologic and civil defence systemsESTIMATED DURATION The Project has been scheduled to last one or two months, from that moment on the following stages can be defined in accordance with results obtained and information processing.ESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Costs


(USD)Accommodations and food 27,360Internacional airline tickets 11,100Visa expenses 1,080Communications 750Premises 400Transportation 2,000Unexpected events 300Total 42,990

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING PARTICIPATING ACTORSÓrganos de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range, BIOECO, National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) Cuba, Cuban Meteorological Institute (INSMET), Academy of Science of the People’s Republic of China (CAS), Institute of Studies on Mountain Hazards (IMDHE) of the CAS and its Laboratory of Land Surface Processes. The list could be extended to other institutions or volunteers interested in cooperating. It has been suggested that coordinating institutions be: Órganos de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range.CROSSCUTTING ISSUESExperts from the laboratory of land surface processes of the IMDHE have worked together with the Venezuelan Government in the face of landslides caused by heavy rains.


IV. TRAINING AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING.

IV. 1. ENRICHMENT OF COLLECTIONS IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (MNHN), THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN (JBN) AND THE INSTITUTE FOR BOTANICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF THE AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF SANTO DOMINGO (UASD); ADVISED BY CUBAN TAXONOMY SPECIALISTS

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONScientific collections are an essential tool to conduct studies to increase knowledge of biodiversity in CBC areas of conservation importance. They are also indirectly important to support development plans in production areas and to improve the environment; to create conservation plans and to serve as a basis for decision making.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Enrich scientific reference collections in the MNHN, JBN and the UASD to effectively maintain representative genes, species and ecosystems, thus contributing to the strengthening of the country’s scientific knowledge and sustainable development.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Being advised by Cuban taxonomy experts on identifying, organizing and cataloguing

key taxonomic groups to study biodiversity of selected areas.2. Creating and organizing each institution’s database, by including overall information

about collections and making it more accessible to clients.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Have specimen samples collected, identified, catalogued and duly stored. In the case of

the museum, priority should be given specifically to insects, spiders, mollusks, amphibious and reptiles.

2. Online database

STRENGTHS The largest and most antique scientific reference collections of the country are kept in

the National Museum of Natural History, the National Botanic Garden and the Institute of Botanical and Zoological Research of the UASD.

In the specific case of the museum, collections started to be created in 1975, shortly before its opening in 1982. These collections include diverse zoological groups, including valuable specimens, many of them belonging to threatened or endangered biological groups.

Many taxonomic biologists from the Tomas Romay National Museum of Natural History of Santiago de Cuba have great experience in managing collections and are willing to travel to the Dominican Republic to advise Dominican technicians during scheduled time periods.

CHALLENGES Some collection sizes could require long drawn-out work. Pass knowledge on to the local personnel.

ESTIMATED DURATION


Three months of advisory by each Cuban expert. Four specialists working per year/institution.

ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food 165,240 Airline tickets 3,150 Visa expenses 1,080 Total 169,470


PARTICIPATING ACTORSNational Museum of Natural HistoryNational Botanic GardenInstitute for Botanical and Zoological Research of the UASDBIOECO, Santiago de Cuba

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


IV. 2. COURSE ON CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The curriculum of this course has been designed to meet regional needs identified in all three countries making up the Biological Corridor. It aims at increasing local capacity for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Those enrolled for the course will be able to know the main principles and methods for the study and conservation of biodiversity and pass this knowledge on to others through a combination of theoretical and practical activities. At the same time, it will be possible to use this information to establish strategies to preserve and make sustainable use of biological resources, which can be included in activities carried out for this purpose within the Biological Corridor.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Increase local capacity for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity within the Caribbean Biological Corridor.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Contribute to train human resources capable of understanding and spreading information

on local problems related to biological diversity conservation and sustainable use, and of doing research into them.

2. Promote scientific research and advance within the Caribbean Biological Corridor with regard to biodiversity conservation and its relation to other disciplines.

3. Create and suggest protection and conservation actions for biotic resources, on the basis of problems identified in the Caribbean Biological Corridor.

4. Create and promote joint research projects among different regional institutions. EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Train at least 20 people a year in developing a proper local, national and regional response to biodiversity conservation problems.

2. At the end of the course, students are to present a project design on the solution to a specific problem, including their commitment to put it into practice.

3. Have at least 50 % of students establish personal and institutional relationships making possible to promote future biodiversity conservation actions in the Caribbean Biological Corridor.

STRENGTHS Professors and researchers with great experience in the development of this kind of

courses. Mastery of all concepts and methodologies on Conservation Biology and great

experience in adaptation to the region’s characteristics and conservation approaches.

CHALLENGESAchieve a cooperation relation among students and professors that could help overcome idiomatic and cultural barriers. Uneven level of knowledge among technicians and specialists from different countries.

ESTIMATED DURATION


Fifteen days

ESTIMATED FUNDING FOR A COURSEProfessors: 15Students: 20Support staff: 5Total people: 40

Activity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food expenses in ecological station (40 people’s stay for 15 days) 4,000 Accommodations and food expenses in Santo Domingo(15 people’s stay for 2 days) 750 Transportation 1,000 International airline tickets (15 people) 5,250 Visa expenses (15 people) 1,650 National and international telephone calls 700 Materials 2,000 TOTAL 15,350


PARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment of Haiti, Audubon Society of Haiti, the Dominican Environmental Consortium, National Botanic Garden of Santo Domingo, National Museum of Natural History of the Dominican Republic, UASD ´s School of Biology, BIOECO, University of Oriente.

CROSSCUTTING ISSUESIt has been proposed that the course should be taught in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, in order to reduce its budget and to promote greater participation of Haitian and Dominican technicians and specialists. Approach roads to ecological stations can be used.


IV. 3. CARIBBEAN COURSE ON COLLECTION AND SAMPLING METHODS FOR THE STUDY OF FLORA AND FAUNA

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONSince 2001 BIOECO has organized the Latin American course on “Collection and Sampling Methods for the Study of Flora and Fauna”, as part of its training strategy. Four rounds of this training course have been held so far. Three of them have been held in Cuba and one in Colombia, being attended by students from Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. It is necessary to include the training of students, technicians and specialists in the main biodiversity concepts, methods of study and conservation, in activities carried out to implement the Caribbean Biological Corridor. This will enable them to carry out new studies and establish strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources in their respective countries Students will learn the main collection, sampling and conservation methods currently used in the study of tropical plants and animals. Each method’s characteristics and working principles are analyzed together with advantages, disadvantages and approaches. Practical ideas are also included so as to reduce costs and troubles when implementing each method. Although this is the main objective of the course, some lectures on experimental design and statistical analysis used in wildlife studies have also been included. Consequently, some exercises based on real life problems are carried out to teach the main statistical methods used in each case. Students are also trained in the software generally used for these analyses. Species modeling issues are also studied based on the Geographic Information Systems, community participation as a tool for wildlife monitoring and the importance of protected areas to biodiversity studies and conservation.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Train students, technicians and specialists in the main concepts, collection and sampling methods for biodiversity study and conservation.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Teach the main collection, conservation and sampling methods currently used in tropical

plants and animals study. 2. Train students in issues related to experimental design and statistical analysis applied to the

wildlife studies. 3. Know about the use of Geographic Information Systems to make animal species modeling,

by establishing distribution, abundance and variety patterns. 4. Train students in issues related to community participation and the importance of protected

areas to biodiversity studies and conservation.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Train at least 20 people a year, capable of understanding, designing and developing works

for biodiversity study and conservation. 2. Have at least 50 % of students establish personal and institutional relationships making

possible to promote future studies on biodiversity conservation and to fill information gaps in the Caribbean Biological Corridor.

STRENGTHS Professors and researchers with great experience in the development of this kind of


courses. Mastery of all wildlife collecting and sampling methodologies and concepts and enough

experience to adapt them to the region’s characteristics and conservation approaches.

CHALLENGES Achieve a cooperation relation among students and professors that could help overcome idiomatic and cultural barriers Uneven level of knowledge among technicians and specialists from different countries.

ESTIMATED DURATION Five days

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FINANCINGProfessors: 10Students: 20Support staff: 5Total people: 35

Activity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food expenses in ecological station (35 people’s stay for 15 days) 4 000 Accommodations and food expenses in Santo Domingo(10 people’s stay for 2 days) 600 Transportation 3 000 International airline tickets (10 persons) 3 550 Visa expenses (10 persons) 1 100 Communications 700 Materials 2 000 TOTAL 14 950

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FINANCING

STAKEHOLDERSMinistry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Ministry of Environment of Haiti, Audubon Society of Haiti, the Dominican Environmental Consortium, National Herbarium of Santo Domingo, National Museum of Natural History, R.D., UASD ´s School of Biology, BIOECO, University of Oriente.

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES It has been proposed that the course should be taught in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, in order to reduce its budget and to promote greater participation of Haitian and Dominican technicians and specialists. Tracks to ecological stations located in the Dominican Republic can be used.


IV. 4. COURSE ON BASIC ENTOMOLOGY

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONInsects represent about 60 % of existing living being and a little more than 75 % of the planet’s arthropods. Obviously, they are of considerable importance to any land ecosystem. Current Cuban university syllabuses do not include specialized training in Entomology. It is rather included as an elective subject; therefore the main aim of this action is to consider it a compulsory subject. The biological corridor area includes mountain massifs and ecosystems of great importance due to their biological diversity, and insects play an essential role within different ecological relations. Besides, in the Corridor area, and specifically in Hispaniola, few professionals have entomological education, except for Cuba. Tasks to be developed:

Training of Cuban, Haitian and Dominican personnel in taking samples of insects in the Corridor’s main ecosystems, and in the systematic identification at family levels

Preparation of methodological aspects and content of the course by the teaching staff (See attached document: Entomology Program).

Teaching and evaluation of the course for 15 days this year in the Siboney-Juticí Ecological Reserve.

Presentation of a final report, including the results of the course. The following stages can be defined for teaching this course:Promotion of the course through the CBC program and the Internet. A webpage on the course’s syllabus should be created for this purpose.Selection of the staff enrolled for the course.Teaching of the course: the course can be taught in each of the three countries participating in the CBC project, therefore teaching staff members must travel, with two doctors and three masters participating on Cuba’s side; and Ruth Bastardo y D. Gelabert on the Dominican’s side.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Enhance entomological training among specialist from CBC countries.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Train a group of specialists with experience in insect morphology, anatomy, physiology and

systematics, in countries making up the Caribbean Biological Corridor. 2. Train Dominican, Haitian and Cuban specialists in monitoring insects in order to study and

assess biodiversity of insects living in CBC countries, through rapid and long term inventories.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Train a group of 15 to 20 professionals in the field of Entomology.2. To enhance the level of entomological research qualitative and quantitatively, from the

systemic, ecological and zoogeographical point of view.

STRENGTHS In eastern Cuba there is a group of specialists with great experience in the work with

systematics and ecology of Class Insecta. Availability of a research station within the Siboney-Juticí Reserve, including facilities

appropriate for teaching.


Availability of appropriate labs in the Department of Biology of the University of Oriente in which some practical activities can be taught.

CHALLENGESFew professionals having a marked interest in Entomology in Hispaniola.

ESTIMATED DURATIONThis project has been scheduled for a year, but it can be repeated annually as necessary.

ESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Costo (USD)Field work 3,390 Purchase of cartographic materials 1,000 Staff expenses 13,000 National transportation 2,320 Communications 3,000 Equipment 3,500 Other expenses 3,000 Total 29,210 Cuba’s contribution 13,000 To be financed 16,210


PARTICIPATING ACTORSEastern Center for Ecosystems and Biodiversity. (CITMA). CUBA. (five professors)Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. Dominican Republic. (two professors)Countries of the Caribbean Biological Corridor. (15-20 students)

CROSSCUTTING ISSUESIt is necessary to select people to be trained in Cuba and immediately start their training.


IV.5. TRAIN CUBAN SPECIALISTS OF THE TOMÁS ROMAY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE USE OF FIBERGLASS MODELS, A TECHNIQUE UTILIZED AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF SANTO DOMINGO

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONFiberglass models of specimens typical of a country or region are valuable tools for teaching biodiversity and environmental issues to the public. Due to their natural characteristics, many specimens can only be shown through fiberglass models of real specimens. The Tomas Romay Museum of Natural History is one of the most important institutions devoted to environmental education and community participation in CBC areas. This institution’s strengthening will benefit CBC objectives.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Enrich exhibitions of the Tomas Romay Museum of Natural History, by including fiberglass models prepared thanks to the experience of specialists of the National Museum of Natural History of the Dominican Republic.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. A visit of a technician from the Museum of Natural History of the Dominican Republic to the

Tomas Romay Museum to teach Cuban technicians.2. Exchange of experiences and knowledge on museographic techniques between Dominican

and Cuban technicians.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Training workshops implemented in Cuba with the participation of a taxidermist from the

Museum of Natural History of the Dominican Republic (MNHN)2. Fiberglass models exhibited in the Cuban museum

STRENGTHS The MNHN´s taxidermist has great experience in preparing fiberglass models. Availability of the proper personnel to be trained in Santiago de Cuba’s museum.

CHALLENGES

Purchase of materials and equipment needed to prepare models in Cuba.

ESTIMATED DURATION Two workshops scheduled to last 15 days each.


ESTIMATED FUNDING


PARTICIPATING ACTORSNational Museum of Natural History of the Dominican RepublicTomas Romay Museum of Santiago de Cuba

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

Activity Costs (USD)Airline tickets and visa expenses 800 Accommodations and food for the Dominican technician

3,000

Materials and equipment to prepare fiberglass models

10,000

Delivery charges to Cuba 600 TOTAL 14,400


IV. 6. STRENGTHENING THE CAPABILITIES OF HAITIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERSBRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe Haitian Parliament, created in 1807, is the entity responsible for the control and oversight of the actions of the executive power. The establishment of this institution represented a central event in the country’s institutional history in terms of the implementation of future national efforts, intended to guaranteeing the follow up of the Haitian State and Government policies on environmental issues, as well as Haiti’s position regarding its obligations under a series of treaties, including those dealing with the environment. The Parliament is the institution bearing exclusive legislative powers.Since its establishment, the Parliament has drafted a group of laws that consider environmental concerns, either directly or indirectly. In spite of some progress in the setting-up of a legal body on Environment and Regulations on the Behavior of Citizens (both men and women) for a Sustainable Development, there is still much to be done, for example, through the review of a certain number of texts comprising obsolete, inadequate and unworkable laws. The Parliament needs to be strengthened in its general organizational projection and its operational capacities, which also includes its ability to promote innovative legal texts on the topic.The increasing environmental disaster, the complexity of the issues that need to be tackled, the new institutional challenges arisen from the Draft Decree on Environmental Management, the application of the relevant TEMs, demand that the institution be constantly strengthened in order to advance the decision making process and to make available a suitable response mechanism to face severe environmental degradation.With that in mind, it is important that both Houses of the Haitian Parliament (the Senate, and the house of deputies) profit from a high level leadership and executive to cope with these challenges, in particular, the design and drafting of a legal instrument on the setting up of the Biological Corridor of the Caribbean, an innovation in the management process of natural resources by connecting biodiversity preservation and protection to the improvement of living conditions of human beings.GENERAL OBJECTIVE To advise parliament members so that they improve the decision making process in the field of environmental legislation. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. To facilitate the adoption of the initiative at the State highest level and to guarantee its sustainable implementation.2. To raise awareness among parliament members of the problem of natural resources management, in particular on the thorny question of setting-up the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC). 3. To develop parliament members´ environmental knowledge enabling the adequate drafting of pertinent legal texts. 4. To familiarize parliament members with present environmental laws related to the CBC, through a critical analysis of its adaptability and applicability.EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Good understanding of the challenges derived from the CBC.2. Parliament members´ determination to support the process.


3. Inclusion of a matter under the title “Support to the CBC" on the legislative agenda. STRENGTHS

Compilation of existing environmental laws. Applicability local expert’s report. Availability of international assistance. Dialogue opportunities through a commission on environmental issues in both

houses of Parliament. CHALLENGES

Parliament members´ availability and mobilization. To maintain and awaken parliament members´ interest.

ESTIMATED DURATIONThe setting up and implementation of the project will be extended up to one year.

ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivities Cost (USD)Drafting of the reference framework 500

Hiring of advisor (individual or company) 10,000

Training, information and exchange workshop 6, 000

Advertising posters and banners 600

Preparation and distribution of training and information guide 3,200

Management 2,500

Total 22, 800

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDINGUNEP, UNDP, MDEACTORSMDE, MPCE, MICT, universities and ecological organizations, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, MARNDR, Ministry of Justice.CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


IV. 7. SUPPORT TO UNIVERSITIES FOR THE CORRECT DRAWING UP OF FITTING CURRICULA.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONTackling the effects of accelerated degradation and vulnerability of the environment in Haiti requires the strong involvement of higher education institutions and the universities, which should become aware of the importance of biodiversity and join the conservation initiatives undertaken by the CBC. The Haitian society has the imperious obligation of fostering its human resources training in the area of biodiversity at the university level. It must also rely on the profitability of the investments carried out in this area. On this regard, the success resulting from the social commitments with the participation and management of the biological resources will depend, to a great extent, on the capacity of the academic institutions to train cadres fully aware of this issue, and able to draw up and formulate concrete and sustainable actions for the protection and conservation of the CBC. This strategic guidance in the framework of the CBC calls for the formulation of a curriculum with the following objectives:

To train a large number of students who in the long-term term could get involved in environmental resulting from their professional interests.

To prepare and implement a curriculum in the area of biodiversity. To develop pedagogical approaches to raise awareness among students and

scholars of biodiversity issues and the role of higher education in the protection and conservation of the CBC.

The curriculum should go beyond the introductory courses on the ecological fundamentals _related to the abovementioned problems and the global issues they encompass, such as renewable resources, sustainable development, global warming, population growth, loss of biodiversity and extinction of species_ transforming local knowledge to guide students toward practical applications, rather than theoretical knowledge, as well as the understanding of the principles of sustainability.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE To improve the performance of Haitian higher education institutions and universities in the field of the conservation and protection of biodiversity, and the well-being of local, national and regional communities.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. To draw up a fitting and accessible curriculum in collaboration with Haitian higher education institutions and universities.2. To conduct professional upgrading activities enabling professors to include the topic of biodiversity in their classes.3. To determine experimentation methods in the field so that the students can apply their knowledge.

EXPECTED RESULTS


1. Correct drafting of a curriculum, accessible to the students. 2. Organization a large number of students who are interested in biodiversity and protected areas management and ready to be mobilized.3. National academic institutions´ awareness of the issue. . 4. Availability of a training guide for professors and students. 5. Design and drafting of a program for the permanent retraining of professors and students. STRENGTHS

Possibility for collaboration among MDE, academic institutions and national and international experts.

Potential support of international organizations such as PNUMA, PNUD or USAID.

Institutions and experts available to such purposes.CHALLENGES

Drawbacks in the cooperation between different academic entities and MDE. Competition among the involved institutions.

ESTIMATED DURATION Two years.

ESTIMATED FUNDING Activity Cost (USD)Diagnosis of professionals´ training needs. 6,500 International technical assistance for the drawing up of a curriculum. 15, 000 Acquisition of teaching aids (software, computers and accessories, specific materials for the training of professionals, tools and equipment). 18,000 Local learning practice. 5,000 Inter-university lectures 2,000 Retraining workshops for professors. 3,000 Interregional exchange visits. 25,000 TOTAL 74,500 POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDING GEF, UNESCO/MAB, PNUMA, AECID, USAID, ACDI, AIEF ACTORS MDE, PNUMA, PNUD, UNESCO/MAB, USAID, AECID, ACDI, INURED, UNIQ, UEH, UNDH, UL, AIEF. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


IV. 8. LEVELING AND CREATION OF CAPACITIES FOR THE INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT IN THE CBC BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe effectiveness of actions oriented to coastal resources protection and exploitation, and chances of implementing ICZM’s initiatives in the CBC effectively, will depend a good deal on having expertise in these kinds of actions, knowing the way in which natural processes take place within coastal ecosystems, and being able to collect relevant information on a regular basis. Therefore, is essential to share knowledge on issues of great importance among actors mostly involved in establishing ICZM programs in target areas: wildlife managers, decision makers, technicians, researchers, community leaders, local and national government officials, among others. In this respect, it is necessary to develop five training courses, to be taught by Cuban and Dominican specialists once in each country. This aims at ensuring that as many potential actors as possible participate in management programs being implemented in each country’s target pilot areas. Therefore these projects are to be conducted before stages I and II of the ICZM’s first cycle are implemented.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Teach the basic knowledge and skills needed to implement ICZM’s initiatives in the CBC to all identified actors. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Teach five courses:

1. Workshop Course: Integrated Coastal Zones Management, bases for its implementation within the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC).

2. Workshop Course: Implementation of systems for the creation of capacities in ICZM3. Course: Indicators of the conservation status of marine meadows and mangroves in the

CBC. Practical use and rules for the ICZM. Establishment of a monitoring system. 4. Course: Indicators of the conservation status of coral reefs in the CBC. Practical use and

rules for the ICZM. Establishment of a monitoring system. 5. Course: Dynamic functioning of sand beaches. Practical use and rules for the ICZM.

Establishment of a monitoring system. EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Leveling of existing knowledge about the way in which natural processes take place within coastal ecosystems and about ICZM’s implementation methodology among actors mostly involved in establishing ICZM programs in the CBC.

2. Set the bases for establishing standardized monitoring systems in the main CBC’s coastal ecosystems, in order to gather relevant information for decision making and ICZM’s implementation.

3. Monitoring protocol for marine and coastal areas of the CBC.STRENGTHS

Specialists from participating countries agree on the need for developing these courses.

Specialists have expertise in this issue within the CBC. Chances for being supported by financial agencies due to the situation existing in

the CBC.CHALLENGES

Being able to make the main target actors participate in leveling courses.ESTIMATED DURATIÓN


Duration of courses has been scheduled as follows:1. Workshop Course: Integrated Coastal Zones Management, bases for its implementation

within the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC). (7 days)2. Workshop Course: Implementation of systems for capacity building in ICZM. (7 days)3. Course: Indicators of the conservation status of marine meadows and mangroves in the

CBC. Practical use and rules for the ICZM. Establishment of a monitoring system. (10 days)

4. Course: Indicators of the conservation status of coral reefs in the CBC. Practical use and rules for the ICZM. Establishment of a monitoring system. (10 days)

5. Course: Dynamic functioning of sandy beaches. Practical use and rules for the ICZM. Establishment of a monitoring system. (10 days)

Note: All courses are to be developed during the first year of the project. ESTIMATED FUNDING:

Activity Costs (USD)Courses 12,750 Staff expenses 36,880 Transportation 9,200 Communications 800 Equipment 11,550 Other expenses 3,000 Total 74,180 Cuba’s contribution 20,250 To be financed 53,930

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FINANCINGSECYT projects, UNEPPARTICIPATING ACTORSCenter for Coastal Ecosystems Research (CIEC), CUBA Eastern Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystems. (CITMA). CUBA.SEMARENA (CM), national and regional civil institutions, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.Ministry of Environment, national and regional civil institutions, HAITICONTACT:Adán Zúñiga Ríos: Center for Coastal Ecosystems Research, CUBA.Email: [email protected] [email protected]. Telephones: 53 – 33301151 and 53 - 33301421




IV. 9. Postgraduate seminar for territorial collectivities

BRIEF DESCRIPTION In spite of the prerogatives given by the Haitian constitution of 1987 to the territorial collectivities, _defined as entities with the power of taking part in the management of local natural resources_ the actions that they undertake are, in general terms, of little significance. Several causes can explain this situation. The most obvious reason is the almost total ignorance of the norms and principles related to the management of proximity of the resources by the local decision makers. In some cases, they contribute to the degradation of the natural resources through the decisions make and unwittingly become destructive agent of the environment. This fact jeopardizes natural resources whose biodiversity constitutes a basic element for the survival of local communities. The training of officials designated to work with the territorial collectivities is imperative as they are the bond that should help in effectively and systematically face the questions relating to biodiversity and conservation initiatives undertaken in the framework of the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC).Consequently, the courses prepared for the officials to such purposes are essential to the consolidation of local capabilities. These courses should help find practical and pertinent answers which should take into account the hurdles posed by the obsolete Haitian legislation with regard to the environmental reality of the country. GENERAL OBJECTIVE To institutionalize a continuous and regular program in order to improve the capacities of the agents in charge of the Haitian territorial collectivities whose functions will include, on one hand, to approach the questions of natural resources management, in particular, biodiversity in their local development plan; on the other hand, to become true partners in the management of CBC Protected Areas.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. To develop a curriculum made accessible and available to collectivity agents. 2. To provide opportunities to collectivity agents to exchange field experiences, with other regions of the CBC, namely, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Cuba. 3. To add local wisdom to collectivity agents´ experiences and work styles. 4. To develop communication methods between collectivity agents and local communities and civil institutions in their towns.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Collectivity agents are ready to diligently play their role as local natural resources co-managers.2. Awareness in the base of the State institutions. 3. Inclusion of regular and articulate postgraduate degree seminars for collectivity agents in an institutional program.

STRENGTHS


Potential support of international organizations like UNEP, UNDP and USAID. Institutions and experts available to such purposes. Strong involvement of the Ministry of the Interior and of territorial collectivities.

CHALLENGES

Difficulties for the joint work among the agents of one collectivity. The true commitment of the territorial collectivities. To reverse the squander trend in collectivity agents.

ESTIMATED DURATION Two years.

ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Cost (USD)Diagnosis of professionals´ training needs 3,000 International technical assistance. 10,000 National consultancy. 5,600 Preparation of training modules. 6,000 Visits of national, binational, trinational guides (exchanges of experiences). 30,000 Seminars for collectivity agents. 6,000 Preparation and distribution of didactic kits (documents, CD-ROMs). 5,000 TOTAL 65,600 POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDING GEF, UNESCO/MAB, PROGRAMS OF THE UNDP, AECID, USAID, ACDI

ACTORS MDE, MICT, PNUMA, PNUD, UNESCO/MAB, USAID, AECID, ACDI, INURED, UNIQ, UEH, UNDH, UL CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

.


IV. 10. DIGITAL DIDACTIC MATERIALS OF THE CBC BRIEF DESCRIPTIONDesigning multimedia on the basis of original research, bibliographic compilations and the use of printed materials makes possible to store in a very cheap medium information that otherwise could only be used by those who had access to the published written materials, who are just a few considered the little amount of scientific publications.On BIOECO’s experience many multimedia designs on the Biological Corridor Natural Environment as a whole or by countries could be completed in a very short time. On Cuba’s side, design costs and programming could be provided by BIOECO, as well as the staff in charge of the multimedia assembly and starting up. Tasks to be developed in this action are:

a. Make a list of natural elements that could be used to design a multimedia with the participation of experts from the three countries.

b. Classify elements of this list according to materials available in each group, to the availability of specialists in this field and to the degree of difficulty for their implementation; in order to define multimedia to be prepared on a short, medium or long term.

c. Determine those to be designed immediately.d. Develop multimedia and reproduce them.e. Promote them among different target publics.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Spread existing knowledge of nature to encourage the love for it as a basis for its conservation and sustainable use.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Use them as didactic material for environmental education in primary and secondary schools.

2. Use them as didactic material in high schools and universities.3. Use them as reference and identification material by nature lovers of all

educational levels. EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Increase population’s access to information on natural elements.2. Increasingly design and update multimedia collection on CBC’s natural

environment. 3. Design at least 9 multimedia

STRENGTHS Experience of BIOECO’s specialists in designing this kind of multimedia. Having own platform in which any set of materials meeting the required minimum

conditions for design can be included. Previous work and cooperation agreements between institutions involved.

CHALLENGESMaking each country supply the set of pictures and texts required to design each multimedia.ESTIMATED DURATION Three yearsESTIMATED FUNDING


ActivityCosts (USD)

Accommodations and food 69,525 International airline tickets 10,800 Field work transportation 15,600 Visa expenses 3,060 Communications 1,500 Other expenses 6,000 Equipment 4,500 Design and programming 22,680 TOTAL 133,665 Cuba’s contribution 25,875 To be financed 107,790

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSCuba: BIOECO and Órganos de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range, CITMADominican Republic and Haiti, to be determined by each country. CROSSCUTTING ISSUESPotential products are to be determined rapidly. It has been expected to design at least three multimedia during the first year.Working with local specialists and institutions will help to determine final products and subject matters.


IV. 11. UNIVERSITIES CONFERENCE IN THE CBC BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe meeting of directives and technicians from different universities in the country can assure the promotion of actions developed as part of the CBC program as well as the availability of an important population group potentially becoming active facilitators of biodiversity conservation and other CBC’s initiatives.Universities are spread throughout the national territory and more than two hundred people work for developing solid actions for biodiversity conservation in their classrooms.GENERAL OBJECTIVE Organize a general meeting of university representatives from countries of the Caribbean Biological Corridor area. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Submit the proposal to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology

2. Involve Higher Education institutions in initiatives and activities of the Caribbean Biological Corridor

3. State results of CBC actions to universities4. Encourage Higher Education institutions´ participation in promoting CBC

program5. Motivate Higher Education institutions to include biodiversity and conservation

topics in syllabusesEXPECTED RESULTS Making Higher Education institutions commit to the biological corridor programWide promotion of CBC activitiesUniversities proposals for involving community groups.Proposals to include initiatives about conservation and biodiversity in syllabuses STRENGTHSHigher Education institutions are spread throughout the country.More than two hundred people study and/or work at universities.Many teachers are trained in most universities to practice at different educational levels.Promotion of syllabuses modifications in schools.CHALLENGESThat all university directives have access to the biological corridor program and participate actively in its promotion. ESTIMATED DURATION

ESTIMATED FUNDING (OR MATERIAL NEEDS)

Activity Costs (USD)Basic information written material 2,884 Posters and signs to be placed in all university facilities and campuses

4,168

Participants´ transportation 3,473 Networking meetings in each 2,084


institutionGeneral meeting of directives and technicians (premises, lunch, snacks, audio equipment, invitations, programs)

23,612

Tickets and foreign participants´ stay. 16,668 Total 52,889

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSAll Higher Education institutions from the Dominican Republic and two people from participating universities. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


V. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

V. 1. INFORMATION SYSTEMS OF THE BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR FOR DECISION MAKING

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONAt present, information management acquires strategic importance. The trends observed in practice are: the evolution towards the so called content management, which consists of the management of internal and external documents and data, the growing need to electronically manage non structured information in data bases, recognition of information technology as a tool and not as the base for information management, the ever decreasing importance of support management as compared to that of content access and finally mid term and long term electronic information forecast. Thus we propose the development of a digital support system for decision making. This proposal will include: Knowledge auditThere are many alternatives to identify the existing knowledge in a given sector, group, area or organization. Persons involved in the project posses the knowledge, skills, experience, and intuition, of which organizations only control a small portion. In many cases, these organizations lack the strategies necessary to work with people, make their knowledge explicit and use it to achieve their goals. For those very reasons it is impossible to identify the existing knowledge gaps, to establish training strategies to fill them, thus leading to an organized and systematic learning aiming at overcoming gaps in actors’ academic training, that is, a better knowledge management. One of the recommended techniques for this purpose is the Knowledge Sources Maps used to create knowledge inventories. Existing gaps can be identified by creating a knowledge inventory. Such a work should not be undertaken unless there is a will to work with these people and influence their performance, which would allow increasing their knowledge and improving it so that current projects may progress and others of greater complexity may be assumed. The necessary knowledge is not always available to carry out projects and achieve their goals. This is what we call knowledge gaps and they may exist within or outside organizations, areas or groups. However, gaps must be identified to execute adequate knowledge management actions. The organization’s interaction with its environment shows its internal knowledge gaps and its competence and skills weaknesses. It also allows reaffirming the organizations’ vital knowledge which should be protected, improved and preserved. At the same time, organizations must identify the proper sources of knowledge and develop strategies to acquire it or improve it. Thematic repository of the CBC BiodiversityToday’s rapid transformations in the area of scientific information tend to turn libraries into digital services (Hybrid libraries and Digital Libraries). There is also a trend towards the development of Library Portals´ new tools for the management of electronic resources, which implies: Permanent identification of electronic resources Interconnection and integration of resources, Development of metadata search enginesBesides, the launching of the Open Access Initiative (OAI) (Budapest, 2001) and the growing support and development of OAI based-programs complement the above mentioned tools. These programs are intended to break down the strong barriers imposed to the free circulation of scientific information. On the contrary, they promote open and free access to, and unrestricted


circulation of works published by the Scientific Community. It allows the access to the full paper or article through Internet, which can be reviewed in repositories or Open Access journals. Repositories are digital files that gather the intellectual production of a given discipline. A repository, deposit or archive is generally a centralized site where digital information is stored and kept according to its ordering in databases or computer files usually ready to be distributed by computer server networks such as Internet or in any physical means such as compact disks. They may be freely accessed or subjected to a previous authentication. The best known deposits are those of academic and institutional nature. Digital Summary Monitoring of CBC information shall be part of the permanent activity of the research and handling process in this area. The state of the art is one of the first stages that should be developed in an research, as its drafting, —that consists on “following the tracks” of the subject matter of the research—, allows to analyze previous materials on the topic, determine the way the topic has been developed and current trends, thus applying knowledge to reality and developing it through a succession of syntheses. It is advisable to establish a period for its drafting in accordance with the research’s objectives. It is necessary to search and compile sources of information, that can be diverse and of different nature.

Bibliographies, annuals, monographies, articles, special works. Official or private documents, testaments, records, letters, newspapers. Related research Films, audiovisual material, recordings, multimedia

The search for information helps to find data to satisfy a given need. Librarians and information managers have organized systems to retrieve information in an effective way. This information is stored in well organized systems so as to be useful to users. Thesaurus It is a list containing the "terms" used to represent concepts, topics or contents of documents. It aims at making a terminological standardization and improving the access and communication channel among the users. It is an intermediary between the language used in documents (natural language) and the one used by specialists of a certain field of knowledge (controlled language). This structured list of concepts designed to represent univocally the content of documents and consultations within a documental system would help also in the indexation of new documents on biological corridors, incorporated to the document collection.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE Development of digital support for information management and decision

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. Design and develop the Biological Corridor information system 2. Identify existing knowledge gaps in the CBC to establish knowledge acquisition or development strategies to increase competence. Development of knowledge Maps. 3. Use Thematic Repositories to compile the scientific contribution (new knowledge) developed in the area of the Biological Corridor of the Caribbean (doctorates and master’s degree thesis, scientific articles, publications, multimedia, manual of good praxis in sustainable development and conservation) 4. Monitor scientific and technological information about the CBC in national and international information sources. Create the Digital Database with access to the Biological Corridor of the


Caribbean5. Create a Digital Thesaurus: a tool containing the terms used in the world literature and in jargon of the specialists concerning biological corridors

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Develop new competences, abilities, researches, ideas and more effective management instruments in the CBC. 2. Develop knowledge maps to facilitate the identification of knowledge gaps existing in the CBC area 3. Show the scientific contribution of scientists in the CBC area4. Satisfy information needs of CBC actors5. A unique technical language among CBC actors

STRENGTHS Organizations’ experience in knowledge management Suitable procedures for an effective knowledge audit Appropriate specialists to work on the topic. Knowledge about platforms, metadata and digital content management Specialists trained in issues related to the CBC area and with experiences in the

scientific information activity

CHALLENGES Be able to acquire the necessary and accurate information during the knowledge

identification process. Contact foreign experts. Identify knowledge repositories Be able to gather as much significant information as possible on the topic developed in

the CBC. Organize information according to its importance Be able to systematically satisfy information needs that may arise. Establish a feedback of

the service provided. Gather all terms and precise describers about biological corridors and related topics in English, Spanish and French

ESTIMATED DURATION Three years.


STIMATED FUNDINGActivity Costs (USD)Accommodations and food 27,840 Design and programming expenses 60,149International airline tickets 1,200 Field work transportation 8,000 Visa expenses 280 Communications 1,000 Equipment 10,000 Other expenses 1,000 Total 109,469 Cuba’s contribution 60,149 To be financed 49,320

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDINGPARTICIPATING ACTORSInformation and Technology Management Center (MEGACEN), Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa OADIN, Dominican Republic and Haiti to be determined in each country


V. 2. WEB SITE OF THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONA CBC web site will allow making the World aware of the impacts and objectives of the work developed by the CBC group, considered the range of Internet and the amount of netrunners who gain access to it daily. This web site along with an electronic discussion forum could provide users and CBC community members with an effective communication channel and a powerful exchange and cooperation means.Some of the advantages of this web site are:

Having a site in Internet for promoting the work developed by CBC actors. Promoting the CBC, its objectives and functions Showing updated data on the work developed within the CBC Provide updated information about CBC actions and future prospects Monitoring and promoting the work carried out within the CBC Strengthening cooperation among CBC member countries and their professionals Allowing interaction among CBC acting and the public Facilitating the search for sources of funding

The following duties are to be carried out to create a web site for promoting the CBC actions and objectives:

Create working groups to periodically monitor, record and update all data included in the CBC web site and the discussion forum

Include and arrange results from CBC actions in the web site Create a protocol to facilitate and optimize net operations, which will be agreed on and

validated by participating countries Create a Trinational Technical Group to coordinate information management tasks to be

published in the web site and general topics to be discussed in the forum. Develop training programs for forum managers and users, as well as for the personnel in

charge of updating and operating the CBC web site. Tune up the equipment needed to publish the CBC web site and the electronic

discussion forum.

GENERAL OBJETIVE

Keep the World community up to date with first hand, detailed and accurate information about actions and projects boosted by the Cuban, Haitian and Dominican governments, on links existing among governmental and non-governmental sectors and international agencies, as well as on their interactive broadcasting within the framework of the CBC program; all this aiming at preserving biodiversity in this integration space of the Insular Caribbean.

SPECIFIC OBJETIVES 1. Create the interface, structure and operation of the CBC web site.2. Create the interface, structure and operation of the CBC electronic forum.3. Create and establish the protocol for operating the CBC web site and the electronic forum.4. Create Trinational Groups to coordinate, publish, update and monitor management tasks

related to the electronic forum and all the information published in the web site5. Train the personnel in charge of monitoring, recording and updating information included in

the web site and the discussion forum in a regular basis


6. Create a site for the visual training, monitoring and evaluation of CBC actors7. Promote conferences, workshops, projects and programs developed; results obtained, as

well as financing announcements, reports, news, advertising campaigns, etc.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1. Having a nice and functional interface of the CBC web site2. Having a practical, simple and functional design for the CBC electronic forum3. Establishing rules for operating the CBC web site and discussion forum.4. Creating Trinational Groups to coordinate, monitor, record and update all objectives, tasks

and projects included in the CBC web site and topics discussed in the electronic forum5. Training the personnel in charge of coordinating, monitoring, recording, and updating all

objectives, tasks and projects included in the CBC web site and topics discussed in the electronic forum

6. Increasing training alternatives for CBC actors

STRENGTHS

Availability of personnel able to create a web site and to keep it updated with CBC actions and projects. The said personnel are also able to tune up an electronic discussion forum and to monitor topics published in it.

CHALLENGES Selection of the appropriate personnel to be in charge of coordinating, monitoring,

updating and publishing information included in the web site and topics discussed in the electronic forum in a regular basis.

Availability of financial resources. Appointing the personnel to collect and spread data used for publishing the work

developed by CBC actors Keeping a work climate in which each participating country may be satisfied with results

obtained. Selection of the appropriate personnel to be in charge of the virtual training of personnel,

as well as of the development and evaluation of courses.

ESTIMATED DURATION

Three years

ESTIMATED FUNDING

ActivityCosts (USD)

Equipment 6,000Other expenses 1,000Design and programming 54,302Total 61,302Cuba’s contribution 54,302To be financed 7,000




Information and Technology Management Center (MEGACEN)

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


V. 3. CUBA-HAITI-DR-JAMAICA JOINT SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Studies conducted as part of the CBC program bring about the implementation of a set of results obtained by a wide range of institutions and researchers. Therefore, it is necessary to extensively spread information about these studies among institutions involved in the CBC program, even among other regional institutions, scientists and decision makers.

Creating a joint, semestral publication to announce the main results of studies conducted within the CBC is a significant way of homogenizing and promoting the scientific information.

Publishing these studies will help to fill the knowledge gap existing in the Caribbean region, which is considered one of the world megadiversity areas.

GENERAL OBJETIVE

Publish the main results of studies conducted in the CBC.

SPECIFIC OBJETIVES 1. Publish two books a year, in order to announce studies conducted in the CBC.

EXPECTED RESULTS Distributing 1,000 copies of a publication including results of studies conducted in the CBC, twice a year.

STRENGTHS Studies are conducted in the CBC. Works and cooperation agreements have been previously carried out and signed,

respectively, by institutions involved.

CHALLENGES

ESTIMATED DURATION Three years. Follow up to be considered

ESTIMATED FUNDING

Activity Costs (USD)Publication and Design 5,000.00Drawing of diagrams 10,000.00Publication 36,000.00Distribution 4,000.00Communications 1,000.00Other expenses 1,000.00Equipment 4,000.00


TOTAL 61,000.00POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING

PARTICIPATING ACTORSBIOECO, SEMARENA, Ministry of Environment of Haiti, Audubon Society of Haiti, Dominican Environmental Consortium, Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo, National Museum of Natural History of Santo Domingo, UASD, and Órganos de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range, CITMA

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES


V.4. SPATIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS IN EASTERN CUBA

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe most extensive mountainous areas in the country and one of the most complex ecosystems in the Caribbean islands are located in Eastern Cuba. The local governments in these areas face additional challenges to the management of the resources as a result of the variability in the natural conditions in reduced spaces and the difficult access to the less -----regions. This situation can lead to the development policies that do not fit in with natural conditions, bringing about potentially high negative impacts. Particularly, the sustainable management of crucial resources such as water and soil is especially vulnerable to this kind of problems. In the late 1990s, developed countries facing similar natural conditions started using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to increase the capacity of local governments to make valid decisions. The sharp increase in the number of studies on soft computing has lead to the development of numerous applications that use the databases and technological structure of the SIGs to create real spatial decision support systems (SDSS). These systems facilitate the speeding up of decision making processes, the automatic documentation of the suppositions used and the participation of a greater number of citizens. The SDSS also constitute an important way for researchers to communicate with local governments.The problem to implement these systems in underdeveloped countries lies in the high cost to develop/purchase the software and the technical support, the low availability of spatial data and the resistance to new technologies.The aim of the action is to establish the basis for the development of SDSS tailored to suit the local conditions in the countries of the Caribbean Biological Corridor. The Eastern region of Cuba will be used as research and training field.Main tasks to be undertaken:

Design and compilation of a spatial database. Development and adaptation of specific decision support methods to meet local needs. Development of interface software among the database, the decision support modules

and the users. Creation of capacities for technical support in the working language of the project

(Spanish and later Creole).We are planning to use Supermap GIS (www.supermap.com) as the technological platform of the project.There should be three implementation stages:

- Development of a model adapted to suit conditions in Cuba.- Implementation in Cuba.- Adaptation to suit conditions in Hispaniola and implementation.

S1: The necessary studies to create a common framework will be conducted, including the design of a spatial database, metadata system, general decision support model, etcetera. The area object of study will be the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range, which is part of the CBC in Cuba. The training of the technicians in the use of the software and the application of the models will begin in this stage.S2: The system will be implemented in one or two municipalities of the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range. In this stage, the key points of the process will be checked and the expertise

http://www.supermap.com/


acquired will be analyzed.S3: Adaptation of decision support methods to the existing conditions in the other areas of the corridor, depending on local characteristics.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Establish decision support systems for sustainable development in mountainous areas

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES1. Provide governments/biodiversity experts with decision support tools tailored to suit the

specific conditions in the Caribbean Biological Corridor2. Train experts in the development/application of decision support systems

EXPECTED RESULTS4. Spatial database for decision support system for at least one municipality in the Nipe-

Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range5. Training of at least 10 experts from Cuba/Hispaniola as a local technical support base6. Strengthening of a technical support office in Cuba7. Application of the decision support models to local specific development problems

STRENGTHS Several years of experience in the activity in Cuba Technical support from the People’s Republic of China The software platform has been used successfully in similar applications Availability of an initial funding for the first stages

CHALLENGES The needed data is scattered The software platform to be used is practically unknown in the region

ESTIMATED DURATION

The first stage must be finished in about two years. Then the subsequent stages of the project can be defined.

ESTIMATED FUNDINGActivity Cost (USD)Accommodation and meals 18,200International airline tickets 25,900Visa charges 1,820Communications 2,100Equipment 4,400Software and technical support 12,000Other expenses 6,000Total 70,420Contribution from Cuba 3,500To be financed 66,920

An initial contribution from Cuba and the People’s Republic of China amounting to 140,000 USD


in software development and licenses is not included in the total.

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDING


Órganos de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe- Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range, BIOECO, local governments in the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range, Chinese Academy of Sciences, SuperMap Software Co. Ltd., etcetera. Other institutions or volunteers interested in collaborating can join the project. The proposed coordinating institution is the Órgano de Montaña (Office of Environmental Planning in Mountain Ranges) of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountain Range.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATIONThe actions in this project have been undertaken with resources contributed by the Cuban party and the support of the People’s Republic of China. There is a project financed by the Chinese party that will make it possible to reduce the initial investment in technical support, software and training, and to obtain additional funding.


V.5. SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT, EVALUATE, CONTROL AND MONITOR THE ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR’S PROJECTS FOR DECISION MAKING

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe training, evaluation, control and monitoring of projects’ economic management have currently acquired a strategic importance for CBC countries. A foible was identified: the lack of correspondence among the objectives, expected results in the planned budget and conclusion stages. All this shows the non-application of control mechanisms established as a work tool at international levels.There are several alternatives to link the interrelation existing between objectives, results and the planning and control of the budget of the CBC projects. Experts from CBC countries have the knowledge, skills, experiences, intuition, but their evaluation, control and monitoring are not uniform. This characteristic is essential to achieve an integrated systematic and final assessment of the projects’ implementation.When an inventory of the ways to control the resources assigned to a given project is carried out, problems associated to the expected results, are identified. Such an important task must not be undertaken if there is not a will to work and correctly identify the consumables and assets intended for this purpose.The necessary tools to carry out a project of such importance are not always available. Therefore, we propose to develop a financing and accounting control system of resources.As part of the actions carry out in the Corridor, two bilateral meetings have been held between the Ministry of Science Technology and the Environment and State Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA). The non-application of control mechanisms established at international standards has been identified in these meetings.

GENERAL OBJECTIVEIncrease the knowledge and apply a system for the formulation and economic management of projects within the CBC.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVESImplement and apply a system for the formulation and economic management of projects from its gestation to its implementation, bearing in mind the definition of priorities.

EXPECTED RESULTS Identification of all CBC projects underway Analysis of the correspondence among objectives, results and budget Creation of financial and accounting control systems for the approved budget, including a

control system for assets Provide experts with tools to make decisions suited to the specific conditions

STRENGTHS Expertise in the execution of this kind of work. Mastery of the methodology and its adaptation to the project activity Availability of adequate procedures Availability of legal framework passed in the country, which facilitates the project’s


implementation Availability of experts on the subject Availability of experts on subjects related to ecosystem and natural resources management,

and with expertise in economics

CHALLENGES Be able to collect the needed information to evaluate, control and monitor the projects Be able to implement a standard financial and accounting control of the CBC projects Train economists to implement the economic control system Periodic evaluation of the implementation of the project stages and their interrelation with the financial stage

ESTIMATED DURATION Two years

ESTIMATED FUNDING


PARTICIPATING ACTORSMinistry of Science, Technology and Environment of the Republic of Cuba, State Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Haiti.

CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

Activity Cost (USD)Accommodation and meals 46,715Transport 49,370Communications 2,123Equipment 6,370Consumables 3,822Four workshops 19,323Handbook design and printing expenses 6,370Other expenses 6,370Total 140,465


VI. DEMARCATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR (CBC)

VI.1. DEMARCATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR (CBC)

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONThere is more detailed information about the project in a separate document. The document was prepared in order to present the proposal to the European Union for approval. The proposal was approved and it is in the contracting and implementation stage.The project will contribute to speed up actions within the CBC and consolidate their long-term implementation.

GENERAL OBJECTIVEEstablish the Caribbean Biological Corridor in the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Haiti and Cuba, as a framework to contribute to the reduction of biodiversity loss in the Caribbean Region and the American Neotropics, through environmental rehabilitation and the alleviation of poverty as a means to reduce the pressure on biological resources within the CBC.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

7. Facilitate the development of CBC actions in an area including particularly the mountains of Western Hispaniola and Eastern Cuba, since it represents an important part of the Caribbean biodiversity and is located in the middle of significant corridors for migratory bird species and marine species. These territories are wintering grounds for many birds which have been subjected to few conservation actions

8. Strengthen the network of protected areas for the island of Hispaniola and harmonize, as far as practicable, the management procedures in both participating countries —Haiti and the Dominican Republic

9. Facilitate the development of alternative livelihood opportunities for the affected communities as a means of reducing pressure on the biodiversity resources and addressing poverty

10. Undertake a number of pilot community-based projects to demonstrate that the needs of the community can be addressed and at the same time conserve biodiversity

11. Establish a Tri-National Coordination Structure to support the implementation of the Caribbean Biological Corridor

EXPECTED RESULTS7. Demarcation of the Caribbean Biological Corridor8. The Network of Protected Areas for the Island of Hispaniola is completed and


strengthened, and the threats to Protected Areas are mitigated9. The degraded areas are rehabilitated and livelihood alternatives for communities are

identified and implemented10. The human resource’s ability and their participation in conservation and sustainable

development actions are increased11. A Tri-National Coordination Structure is established to support the implementation of the

Caribbean Biological Corridor

STRENGTHS Agreements have been signed by the countries supporting the project and showing

political willingness to undertake the proposed actions

The overall technical capacity of participating countries creates a solid support to undertake the planned activities

Willingness of international organizations and institutions to support these efforts

CHALLENGES Lack of a previous detailed demarcation work may lead to find unforeseen difficulties Existence of different levels of economic and social development.

Implementation of pilot experiences in different contexts requiring very detailed follow-up and assessment

Lack of detailed information that permits to identify all the actions implemented by other initiatives and their results, success and failure. Such information has to be specially considered during the compilation

Different levels of development of the National System of Protected Areas in each country. Specifically in Haiti, this forces a higher intensity of work in the location of the conservation nuclei, in close synergy with the development of a project for the Development of the National System of Protected Areas in Haiti.

Strong levels of economic pressures in some areas

Few previous cooperation actions in this field or similar ones among the countries involved in the project

ESTIMATED DURATION

Three years

ESTIMATED FUNDINGProject cost: 13,446,323.00 USDIn kind contributions and payments from participating countries are not included in the cost.

SOURCES OF FUNDINGEuropean Union, GEF, UNEP, WFP, contribution from participating countries


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