A distinctive element in San Antonio de los Baños is the Gallery Forest present around the Ariguanabo River. The delegation of Science Technology and Environment (CITMA) works to declare it Natural Landscape. Diversity of plant species integrates the flora of this forest, among which the so-called "invaders" stand out. On the subject, María del Carmen López Báez, the person in charge of the Section of the CITMA in San Antonio de los Baños, offered the following interview.
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are those plants able to produce offspring, that is, reproduce easily, often in large numbers thus having the ability to spread over a wide area. They can be natural of a territory or introduced.
What criteria are taken into account for a plant to be considered invasive?
In order to consider a plant as invasive, the negative impact it may generate on biodiversity is taken into account. It is important to note that plants, as organisms, have distinctive characteristics in terms of habitat, size, need to adhere to another plant, as well as its form of reproduction.
Regarding weeds, are they also considered invasive?
Weeds sometimes constitute invasive plants, but not always. Their main characteristic is that they grow in places where their presence is not desired, and usually have economic or environmental effects in agricultural or forestry activities.
Examples of invasive plants in our locality?
Some invasive plant species are sugarcane, Mexican cane, marabou, eucalyptus, guinea grass, Mexican pinyon, ferns, almonds and climbing taro.
How is the work of CITMA projected in San Antonio de los Baños, regarding the presence of these plants in the territory?
Invasive plant species are a problem for some forests, so the work of CITMA should increase on this issue and take advantage of the possibilities offered by projects developed in protected areas, while activating a strict control over the possible introduction of new species.
For the period 2016-2020, a significant effort will be made to increase the vegetation coverage of the municipality, including reforestation in hydroregulating belts, taking into account the forest management plans in the areas that require it, as well as the presence of invasive species.