• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 06 / 27 / 2011

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By: Dora Pérez Sáez. juventudrebelde.cu. Analogous Forestry is a technique used to favor biodiversity by managing reforestation in degraded areas in order to achieve their original conditions.

Cuba keeps developing what is known as Analogous Forestry, a technique used to favor biodiversity by managing reforestation in degraded areas in order to achieve their original conditions, said Ordilia Echevarria, an expert with the Institute of Forest Research, in conversation with JR.

According to Echavarria, this conservation technique began to be developed here in 2008 at the Paraguay community, in the municipality of Guantanamo, and particularly at 14 farms that have benefitted with this project.

“One of our achievements with this method is the mapping of the farms, which serves as the basis to locate our seedbeds. This design of each parcel is crucial because the plantations must be develop in convenient areas for farmers, as far as soil conditions allow for it,” said the expert.

“We have also increased the diversity of species. The forestry enterprise would usually develop the same plants like casuarinas, yagruma (Cecropia peltada) and others, but we have managed to plant some different 20 species, including fruit trees and others, while the homes now have medicinal and aromatic plants in their surroundings.”

“Farmers are now producing their own food, something they did not do before. They were used to only forestry, their management and the increase of plantations, but they did not apply this conception of doing everything at a time. So they have already produced 1000 extra pounds of agricultural products such as water melon, plantain, lettuce, yucca and pumpkin, among others.”

“Since 2007, Cuba is part of the International Analogous Forestry Network, which gives us advice. And we looking forward to implement another project in 2012 that will include other territories like western Matanzas, central Villa Clara and eastern Camaguey and Granma, while Guantanamo will remain as a pilot experience.,” said the expert.