Environmental assessment of biodiversity in the face of climate change, hydrographic basin Altamira-Durán, Cuba

Abstract

The environmental assessment of biodiversity with a GEO approach (Global Environmental Outlook), allows orienting the management of biodiversity, to conserve and manage it, facing climate change. The environmental assessment carries out analysis through a systemic approach and contribute to sustainable development. The hydrographic basin Altamira-Duran is priority in Camaguey; for the most part, it has been assimilated socioeconomically, by agriculture and livestock with strong impacts on its natural resources. The objective of this work was to carry out an EAI of biodiversity in the Altamira-Durán hydrographic basin, with a GEO approach, applying the framework pressure-state-impact-response, in synergy with sustainable measures in context of climate change. Participatory workshops were held with managers and officials of the river basin. The environmental assessment allowed identifying the state of the resources, the pressures and the environmental impacts. Deforestation, illegal hunting, forest and agricultural fires, introduction of invasive species and pollution of surface waters were found. All this caused insufficient forest cover and loss of biological diversity. The responses, in synergy with sustainable management measures in a context of climate change, are conservation and sustainably management of biological diversity, increase of the forest area, reforestation, ecological restoration, invasive species control, reduction of pollution, implementation of fire plans, agriculture management, adaptation to climate change and community participation in the local food supply.