Zapata Swamp: Difference between revisions
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==Species and preservation== |
==Species and preservation== |
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Within the Zapata Swamp are over 900 [[Indigenous (ecology)|autochthonous]] plant species, 175 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and over |
Within the Zapata Swamp are over 900 [[Indigenous (ecology)|autochthonous]] plant species, 175 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, and over 1,000 species of [[invertebrates]]. Some of the most notable are [[Endemism|local endemics]] to Cuba; for birds, it includes the [[Zapata wren]], [[Zapata rail]], and the [[Zapata sparrow]].<ref name="PBS" /> The Zapata Swamp is also a particular habitat of the [[bee hummingbird]], the smallest bird species on the planet.<ref>Garrido, O. H., & A. Kirkconnell. 2000. Field guide to the birds of Cuba. Cornell Univ. Press, New York, New York, USA</ref> The Zapata Swamp is also visited by 65 species of birds during their [[Bird migration|migration]] pattern from North America through the Caribbean to South America. Zapata is also known for the local endemic [[Cuban crocodile]] ''(Crocodylus rhombifer)'' which are restricted to the Zapata Swamp and are being reintroduced to the nearby Lanier Swamp on the [[Isle of Youth]] ({{lang-es|Isla de la Juventud}}).<ref name="SIedu" /><ref name="SIedu2" /><ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=326&l=en&&state=cu&action=brief&order=region |publisher=UNESCO |date=February 28, 2003 |title=Cuba: Ciénaga de Zapata National Park}}</ref> The [[sympatry|sympatric]] [[American crocodile]] (''Crocodylus acutus'') also occurs within the Zapata Swamp, and hybridisation between the two species takes place, confirmed by the existence of a Cuban-American hybrid which was found on the [[Yucatán Peninsula]] in [[Mexico]] after migrating from the swamp.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Milián-García|first1=Y.|last2=Ramos-Targarona|first2=R.|last3=Pérez-Fleitas|first3=E.|last4=Sosa-Rodríguez|first4=G.|last5=Guerra-Manchena|first5=L.|last6=Alonso-Tabet|first6=M.|last7=Espinosa-López|first7=G.|last8=Russello|first8=M. A.|date=March 2015|title=Genetic evidence of hybridization between the critically endangered Cuban crocodile and the American crocodile: implications for population history and in situ / ex situ conservation|journal=Heredity|language=en|volume=114|issue=3|pages=272–280|doi=10.1038/hdy.2014.96|issn=1365-2540|doi-access=free|pmc=4815585}}</ref> |
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[[File:Ciénaga de Zapata.jpg|thumb|left|The swamp has a dense habitat]] |
[[File:Ciénaga de Zapata.jpg|thumb|left|The swamp has a dense habitat]] |
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Within the Zapata Swamp are numerous areas designated for [[environmental preservation]], such as Zapata Swamp Natural Reserve and Las Salinas [[Animal sanctuary|wildlife sanctuary]], which is part of the larger [[Ciénaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve]] ([[World Conservation Union#Protected Area Management Categories|IUCN category VI]]) which in total is over 6,000 km<sup>2</sup> and the largest protected area, not only in Cuba, but also the Caribbean.<ref name="NatGeo2" /><ref name="UNEP" /> The swamp is not only known for its size but also for being the best preserved wetlands in all of the [[Antilles]], designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" by the [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar Convention on Wetlands]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=National Geographic News |title=Castro the Conservationist? By Default or Design, Cuba Largely Pristine |author=Stefan Lovgren |date=August 4, 2006}}</ref> In mid-2001 an additional 4,520 km<sup>2</sup> were declared a Ramsar Site |
Within the Zapata Swamp are numerous areas designated for [[environmental preservation]], such as Zapata Swamp Natural Reserve and Las Salinas [[Animal sanctuary|wildlife sanctuary]], which is part of the larger [[Ciénaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve]] ([[World Conservation Union#Protected Area Management Categories|IUCN category VI]]) which in total is over 6,000 km<sup>2</sup> and the largest protected area, not only in Cuba, but also the Caribbean.<ref name="NatGeo2" /><ref name="UNEP" /> The swamp is not only known for its size but also for being the best preserved wetlands in all of the [[Antilles]], designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" by the [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar Convention on Wetlands]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=National Geographic News |title=Castro the Conservationist? By Default or Design, Cuba Largely Pristine |author=Stefan Lovgren |date=August 4, 2006}}</ref> In mid-2001, an additional 4,520 km<sup>2</sup> were declared a Ramsar Site.<ref name="UNEP2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tropicalcubanholiday.com/listings/zapata-swamp/|title=Zapata Swamp|website=Cuba Vintage Vacation|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-06}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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The Zapata Swamp lies between 22°01’ and 22°40’ N [[latitude]] and between 80°33’ and 82°09’ W [[longitude]]. The swamp in total is over one million [[acre]]s (4,000 km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="WLT" /> Topographically, the maximum height above sea level is only about 10 meters with the top depth in below-sea-level coastal zones as follows: 2 meters in the [[ |
The Zapata Swamp lies between 22°01’ and 22°40’ N [[latitude]] and between 80°33’ and 82°09’ W [[longitude]]. The swamp in total is over one million [[acre]]s (4,000 km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="WLT" /> Topographically, the maximum height above sea level is only about 10 meters with the top depth in below-sea-level coastal zones as follows: 2 meters in the [[saltmarsh]] area and from 1–600 meters in the sea coastal zone. Between May and October, the warmest season of the year, average temperature is {{convert|30|C|F|0}}. Between November and April, the coldest season of the year, the temperature on average is {{convert|20|C|F|0}}.<ref name="UNEP" /><ref name="UNEP2" /><ref name="UNESCO" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zegrahm.com/blog/zapata-swamp-cubas-wet-and-wild-side|title=Zapata Swamp - Cuba's Wet and Wild Side|website=Zegrahm Expeditions|language=en|access-date=2020-03-06}}</ref> |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
Latest revision as of 14:30, 23 April 2024
Ciénaga de Zapata | |
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Location of Ciénaga de Zapata in Cuba | |
Location | Cuba |
Nearest city | Playa Larga Jagüey Grande |
Coordinates | 22°24′N 81°34′W / 22.400°N 81.567°W |
Area | 4,354.3 km2 (1,681.2 sq mi)[1] |
Official name | Ciénaga de Zapata |
Designated | 12 April 2001 |
Reference no. | 1062[2] |
The Zapata Swamp (Spanish: Ciénaga de Zapata, Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsjenaɣa ðe saˈpata]) is located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas Province of Cuba, in the municipality of Ciénaga de Zapata. It is located less than 150 kilometres (93 mi) southeast of Havana.[11]
Species and preservation[edit]
Within the Zapata Swamp are over 900 autochthonous plant species, 175 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, and over 1,000 species of invertebrates. Some of the most notable are local endemics to Cuba; for birds, it includes the Zapata wren, Zapata rail, and the Zapata sparrow.[6] The Zapata Swamp is also a particular habitat of the bee hummingbird, the smallest bird species on the planet.[12] The Zapata Swamp is also visited by 65 species of birds during their migration pattern from North America through the Caribbean to South America. Zapata is also known for the local endemic Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) which are restricted to the Zapata Swamp and are being reintroduced to the nearby Lanier Swamp on the Isle of Youth (Spanish: Isla de la Juventud).[3][5][13] The sympatric American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) also occurs within the Zapata Swamp, and hybridisation between the two species takes place, confirmed by the existence of a Cuban-American hybrid which was found on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico after migrating from the swamp.[14]
Within the Zapata Swamp are numerous areas designated for environmental preservation, such as Zapata Swamp Natural Reserve and Las Salinas wildlife sanctuary, which is part of the larger Ciénaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve (IUCN category VI) which in total is over 6,000 km2 and the largest protected area, not only in Cuba, but also the Caribbean.[8][9] The swamp is not only known for its size but also for being the best preserved wetlands in all of the Antilles, designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.[15] In mid-2001, an additional 4,520 km2 were declared a Ramsar Site.[10][16]
Geography[edit]
The Zapata Swamp lies between 22°01’ and 22°40’ N latitude and between 80°33’ and 82°09’ W longitude. The swamp in total is over one million acres (4,000 km2).[4] Topographically, the maximum height above sea level is only about 10 meters with the top depth in below-sea-level coastal zones as follows: 2 meters in the saltmarsh area and from 1–600 meters in the sea coastal zone. Between May and October, the warmest season of the year, average temperature is 30 °C (86 °F). Between November and April, the coldest season of the year, the temperature on average is 20 °C (68 °F).[9][10][13][17]
Gallery[edit]
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American flamingos in Zapata
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Crocodile farm in Zapata
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A Yellow Warbler in Zapata
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Cuban Brown Curlytail in Zapata
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Northern Mockingbird in Zapata
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Eastern Giant Toad
See also[edit]
- Ernst Thälmann Island
- Geography of Cuba
- Protected area
- Ramsar Convention
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre
References[edit]
- ^ National Protected Areas System of Cuba. "Protected Areas". Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
- ^ "Ciénaga de Zapata". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b Friends of the National Zoo. "Cuban Crocodile". Smithsonian National Zoological Park.
- ^ a b Jordan Levinson. "WTA Partners Pioneer Efforts In Cuban Wetland Conservation". Wildlife Trust.
- ^ a b Brian Simpson. "Ecotourism in Cuba". Smithsonian National Zoological Park.
- ^ a b "Cuba: Wild Island of the Caribbean". PBS.
- ^ "Cuban wetlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- ^ a b Steve Winter. "Cuba's Wild Side". Archived from the original on November 16, 2006.
- ^ a b c United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre. "World Database on Protected Areas".
- ^ a b c United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre. "World Database on Protected Areas: Ramsar".
- ^ [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
- ^ Garrido, O. H., & A. Kirkconnell. 2000. Field guide to the birds of Cuba. Cornell Univ. Press, New York, New York, USA
- ^ a b "Cuba: Ciénaga de Zapata National Park". UNESCO. February 28, 2003.
- ^ Milián-García, Y.; Ramos-Targarona, R.; Pérez-Fleitas, E.; Sosa-Rodríguez, G.; Guerra-Manchena, L.; Alonso-Tabet, M.; Espinosa-López, G.; Russello, M. A. (March 2015). "Genetic evidence of hybridization between the critically endangered Cuban crocodile and the American crocodile: implications for population history and in situ / ex situ conservation". Heredity. 114 (3): 272–280. doi:10.1038/hdy.2014.96. ISSN 1365-2540. PMC 4815585.
- ^ Stefan Lovgren (August 4, 2006). "Castro the Conservationist? By Default or Design, Cuba Largely Pristine". National Geographic News.
- ^ "Zapata Swamp". Cuba Vintage Vacation. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ "Zapata Swamp - Cuba's Wet and Wild Side". Zegrahm Expeditions. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
Sources[edit]
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External links[edit]
- Media related to Zapata Swamp at Wikimedia Commons
- cubatechtravel.com, Areas of Natural Interes, Beaches, Nature Trails