CARACTERIZACIÓN Y SALUD DEL MANGLAR EN EL REFUGIO DE FAUNA EL MACÍO, GRANMA, CUBA CHARACTERIZATION AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM IN EL MACÍO WILDLIFE REFUGE, GRANMA, EASTERN

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the health status of the mangrove ecosystem in El Macio Wildlife Refuge, located in the municipality Pilon, Granma province, Cuba. The evaluation of the health status of the ecosystem is carried out starting from the identification of tensioners which affect it, using the methodology proposed for the cuban mangroves. Eight tensioners were identified, mostly with low intensity and of an anthropic character. Nevertheless, the degree of conservation of the mangrove ecosystem is high and keeps its environmental services. Several actions are proposed to mitigate the threats to the ecosystem and perform in short and medium term its recovery. The mangrove ecosystem, is generally dominated by the four species of mangrove inhabiting in Cuba, for that reason, is an ecosystem with low plant diversity. Hence, 25 species were recognized, distributed in 24 genera and 18 botanical families.