A Geographic Perspective of Cuban Landscapes

16Beginning in the era of the Spanish conquest and taking the reader right up to the present day, this book focuses on how the landscape of Cuba has changed and evolved into the environment we see today. It illustrates the range of factors economic, political and cultural that have determined Cuba s physical geography, and explores the shifting conservation measures which have been instituted in response to new methods in agriculture and land management. The text uses historical documents, fieldwork, Geographic Information System (GIS) data and remotely-sensed satellite imagery to detail Cuba s extensive land-use history as well as its potential future.The author goes further to analyze the manner, speed and methods of landscape change, and examines the historical context and governing agendas that have had an impact on the relationship between Cuba s inhabitants and their island. Gebelein also assesses the key role played by agricultural production in the framework of internationa16l trade required to sustain Cuba s people and its economy. The book concludes with a review of current efforts by Cuban and other research scientists, as well as private investors, conservation managers and university professors who are involved in shaping Cuba s evolving landscape and managing it during the country s possible transition to a more politically diverse, enfranchised and open polity.04Chapter 1: Historical Background of Cuban Land Cover Change1.1 Introduction1.2 Uniqueness of Cuba1.3 Landscape influence of early Indians in Cuba 1.4 Summary of Land Cover Change from Spanish conquest to 19501.5 Evolution of Land Cover from 1950-present day1.6 Where was the greatest and least change?Chapter 2: Linking Causal Factors to Areas of Highest Change2.1 Introduction2.2 Politics/Economics/Agricultural/Population needs and requirements that caused significant changes2.3 Changes through time These changes are documented and described through time from the period of the Spanish Conquest to the current landscape focused specifically on influences listed above (II.a) Chapter 3: Governmental Organization and Control over Environmental Policies3.1 A specific focus on conservation management, and protection of (flora/fauna) species3.2 Human Health links to Environmental PoliciesChapter 4: Establishment and Description of Current Park/Protected Areas System4.1 Introdu04ction4.2 Establishment of protected areas and history4.3 Different levels of protection (and how are they designated?)4.3.1 Marine parks versus land-based parks4.3.2 Differences between land and marine-based management protection system4.3.3 How are parks maintained?4.4 Examples of native/exotic species of flora and fauna + location maps of where they are foundChapter 5: Technological Development as It Relates to Assessment of Cuban Land Use and Land Cover5.1 Introduction and historical context5.2 Remote sensing5.3 Cuba s participation in space science5.4 Brief Remote Sensing Technical Background5.5 What makes a good interpreter?5.5.1 Personal Aside5.6 Digital image processing5.7 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Overview5.8 GIS in Cuba5.9 Assessing and mapping agricultural temporal, spatial extent, and crop type changes utilizing GIS data analysis5.10 Impacts of urban expansion using satellite image analysis and GIS data Chapter 6: Future of Cuba s Lands & C04oastal Waters6.1 Introduction6.2 Influential factors on Cuba s Lands & Coastal Waters6.2.1 On Land6.2.2 Green Revolution6.2.3 The Special Period6.2.4 Reanimation of the Economy6.2.5 Climate Change & Indicator Species on Land6.2.6 Water6.3 Current actors impacting Cuba s landscape and coastal waters6.3.1 Actors include but not limited to: research scientists, private investors, conservation managers and university professors and their levels of influence on past and future changes 6.4 Current plans to protect or develop?6.5 Cuban attitude towards environmental conservation issues?6.5.1 Is preserving flora and fauna native to Cuba part of nationalist attitude and party pride?6.6 Summary of positive and negative elements influencing natural Land Cover & future possibilities