Site: Humedal Delta del Cauto

Designation date: 18-11-2002

Coordinates: 20°34'N 077°12'W

Elevation: 0 m - 1 m average: 1 m

Area: 47,836 ha

Location: The site is situated in the municipality of Río Cauto (province of Granma), and bordered by the municipalities of Jobabo and Yara (province of Las Tunas), in the southernmost part of Cuba.

Criteria: 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,7 ,8

Importance: This area is the most extensive and complex delta system in Cuba. The wetland is essential for the ecological balance of the Guacanayobo Gulf. It supports populations of resident, endangered species that find refuge, food and nesting area such birds (e.g. IUCN-listed Aratinga euops, Dendrocygna arborea), reptiles (e.g. IUCN-listed Crocodylus acutus, Cyclura nubila, Epicrates angulifer), and mammals (e.g. IUCN-listed Trichechus manatus). The site shows a high degree of biological diversity and endemism. The local flora includes some of the best preserved mangrove populations (four species) in Cuba, as well as several species of Copernicia. The wetland represents one of the largest reservoirs of aquatic birds in Cuba. Reptiles are also well represented, including the local endemic species Anolis birama, which is restricted to the edges of the lower Río Cauto. The wetland regularly supports more than 20,000 aquatic birds, including Phoenicopterus ruber (35,000 individuals), Pelicanus occidentalis, Dendrocygna arborea, and several species of herons. Significant populations of either saltwater fish (Megalops atlanticus, Gerres sp., Lutjanus cyanopterus), or freshwater fish (Glaridichythys falcatus, Gambusia puncticulata, Girardinus metallicus, Limia vittata) are found on the site. This wetland constitutes an important feeding source, as well as a hatching and growth area for fish. It is considered a major contributor to the productiveness (fisheries) of the Gulf of Guacanayabo, where the Río Cauto flows out to the sea.

Wetland Types: Ts ,B ,E ,G ,M ,O ,P ,Q ,R ,Sp ,A ,Tp ,U ,Xf ,Xp ,1 ,3 ,9 ,Ss ,F ,K ,J ,H ,I (dominant types shown in bold)

The Cauto Delta forms an extensive plain, with estuaries, large depressed flooded areas (lagoons) and other seasonally flooded areas (tidal areas, marshes, grasslands and forests).

Biological/Ecological notes: The dominant habitats are mangrove, "guanales", aquatic freshwater vegetation, swamp grasslands and swamp forests. The mangroves, dominated by Avicennia germinans, represent the most extensive area. The "Guanales" (savannahs) are dominated by Copernicia gigas. The aquatic freshwater vegetation, located near Leonero, shows large areas of aquatic grasses (sometimes even forming floating islands) and sub-aquatic communities. The swamp grasslands are composed of a complex of Gramineae, Cyperaceae and many sub-aquatic species. The swamp forests are dominated by species such as Bucida spinosa, Dyschoriste bayatensis, Gymnanthes lucida and Zuelania guidonia. The locally endangered flora species Catesbaea gamboana has been recorded in the wetland. The region is of great importance for providing refuge, reproduction ground and a wide and varied gene pool for the fauna.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The delta complex is the product of the differentiated accumulation of sediments in the shallow marine areas, and the interrelation of freshwater from inland with fluctuations of the sea level. It contains organic soils with high organic matter content (swamps) as well as poorly differentiated alluvial soils. The water depth in the lagoons is approximately 0.5 to 2.5 metres. The wetland is made up of three geographical areas: Boca de Cauto Norte, Boca de Cauto Sur and Brazo La Puente. Boca de Cauto Norte is influenced by drained, underground freshwater. It includes a system of large freshwater lagoons, which turn brackish, during the dry season. Lagoon Leonero is dike-regulated, so it is permanently fresh. Towards the coast, there are large saltpans, shallow lagoons in saline-hypersaline state (becoming fresh or brackish in the rainy season). During the dry season, the flooded part of these tidal areas and saltpans is reduced. Some of them remain dry, forming large sandy, dusty, saline deserts, without vegetation. Boca de Cauto Sur is marked by the marine influence: it includes the largest system of coastal lagoons of the area, interconnected by large swamps. Brazo La Puente is strongly influenced by the underground and combined fluvial contributions of the Buey and Hicotea rivers. It forms a relatively small strip of seasonally flooded marsh grasslands (with freshwater) followed, towards the coast, by a mosaic of mangroves and marsh woodlands. The climate in the area is tropical with semi-continental characteristics. The average temperature is 25-28°C and the average annual precipitation amounts 700-1,200 mm. The dry season lasts from November to April and the rainy season from May to October.

Human Uses: About 99% of the wetland is government property and 1% is private property (represented by a credit and service cooperative and independent small farmers). There are two settlements in the area, Managuanas and Cabezadas. The main activities consist of fishery, land farming, and livestock raising. There are two fishing cooperatives. The agricultural activities consist of rice and sugarcane production and extensive livestock raising. The area shows a high archeological potential: 17 pre-Colombian sites, as well as fighting sites of last century's revolution have been reported.

Conservation Measures: There are two protected wildlife areas (Cauto Delta and Monte Cabaniguan) within the site. They are included in the National System of Protected Areas and are managed by its guidelines and legal dispositions. In 1999, a draft management plan was adopted, wherein 13 conservation projects (fauna, flora, forestry, environmental education) are being implemented. The area has a protection programme aimed at providing protection to marine and terrestrial areas that are (almost) inaccessible by land, but not implemented yet due to lack of funds.

Adverse Factors: Its inaccessibility and difficulty of transit have kept anthropic effects to a minimum at the site. Adverse factors affecting the site's ecology are related to salinization, erosion and decrease of water quality. They are amplified by man-made modifications (deforestation, canals, deviation of streams, uncontrolled agriculture, construction of dam) on the wetland.

Site Management: Empresa Nacional para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna (MINAGRI), Ministerio de la Agricultura, Unidad Territorial de Granma, Calle Augusto Márquez 10/Prolongacíon y General García, Bayamo, Granma. Tel: (53 23) 424 721.

External Link:

Based on the 2002 Ramsar Information Sheet.