Research, conservation, and education for the recovery of the mangrove forest in the Baitiquirí Ecological Reserve, Guantánamo

Abstract

The mangrove forest of the Baitiquirí Ecological Reserve in Guantánamo faces natural and anthropic hazards that represent insecurity for this ecosystem. The objective was to analyze the synergy and integration of scientific research, conservation and environmental education as pillars for the recovery and sustainability of the mangrove forest. A systematic review of diverse sources of information, comparative analysis of management strategies, analysis synthesis and induction-deduction were used. The results show that the articulation between  cientific knowledge, education and community participation has made it possible to identify problems, prioritize restoration actions and strengthen social appropriation. It is concluded that the contextualized application of international principles, together with adaptive monitoring and participatory governance, has improved mangrove sustainability, constituting a replicable model for other coastal areas. The work provides an integrative vision and demonstrates the importance of multisectoral collaboration in environmental management.