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Invasive Species Reported in the Gulf of Ana María |
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Written by Delicia Leyva Morales|
Monday, 04 June 2012 09:19
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 Specialists of the Coastal Ecosystems Research Center (CERC) in Cayo Coco reported the presence of an individual of Opuntia stricta in the keys of the Gulf of Ana Maria, south of the central province of Ciego de Avila. Opuntia is a species of coastal cactus on the list of the 100 worst invasive exotic species in the world.
"They found the plant on the sandy shores of these keys during an expedition aimed at the study and characterization of marine and terrestrial vegetation of the area," said biologist Carlos Acevedo Rodríguez, a specialist in flora and vegetation of the CERC.
"The Opuntia stricta is growing substantially and, due to its colonizing potential, it constitutes a negative impact on the native ecosystems, it is a threat to biodiversity on the Keys of the Gulf of Ana Maria," he said.
"In Cuba there are reports of on the harm caused by this kind of cactus in the province of Pinar del Río, hence the need to implement control and management strategies in order to preserve the natural environment of the Jardines de la Reina archipelago," said Acevedo.
According to Cuban experts, there are 322 species of invasive plants recorded in the country. They are considered dangerous for their ability to affect biological diversity and their negative impact on the quality of soil, water and beaches, which varies depending on the area or region affected.
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