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In this paper was calculated the return period of coastal floods for each of the coastal settlements that report this extreme event in the Cuban archipelago, based on the period 1901-2020. The chronology and classification of coastal floods for each province was used, as well as the Poisson distribution and the χ² goodness of fit test. It is concluded that the Poisson distribution was suitable in all cases for the significance level of 5%; while the greatest hazard is presented by Havana, Baracoa and the settlements of the Gulf of Batabanó in which the occurrence of a flood event is expected at least once every three to five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global food security could be threatened in the coming years by the emergence and spread of emerging pests in crops. Psyllids are considered as possible destructive pests due to their relationships with some important plant pathogens. Bactericera cockerelli Sulc (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is recognized as an efficient vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLsol), an invasive pest according to the EPPO, which causes diseases in potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and other solanaceous and some apiaceous crops. Known the vector-bacteria complex to be present in different countries of the world belonging to the American continent, Europe and New Zealand, 61 scientific papers related to this topic were reviewed. Changes in the climatic variables, the biological distribution of this insect-vector system, the high ecological plasticity that allows this insect to develop different biotypes, depending on the characteristics of the area where it develops, could complicate the control of the insect-pathogen system. These characteristics make necessary a maintained extreme surveillance in those countries where it is not yet present. So far, the bacterium and the vector are not present in Cuba; however, its proximity to countries where it is present, the existence of optimal climatic conditions host plants, and the increasing tourism and international trade, make necessary to offer updated information on this disease, the causal agents and their vectors as a contribution to the preparation of the scientific-technical-productive personnel and other decission makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactericera cockerelli Sulc, the potato / tomato psyllid (Solanum tuberosum and S. lycopersicum), is recognized as a threat to the production of solanaceous crops because it is an efficient vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLso) in the American continent, Europe, and New Zealand. The biological and genetic characteristics of the insect make its management difficult, and so do the high number of host, refuge. and feeding plants in which it can be found. Furthermore, the influence of climate change has caused psyllid populations to establish and colonize new areas and countries. At present, the psyllid vectors of microorganisms that cause diseases in plants are widely distributed, and studies are being carried out to understand the impact of their populations on intensive agricultural production systems. In the last decade, studies on the application of new biological control and management techniques have also increased aiming to count on fast and efficient alternatives for reducing the effects on crops and economy. A total of 74 scientific papers related to the host plants of these insect vectors, their biological and chemical control strategies, and the novel alternatives for their management were analysed. In order to maintain surveillance over the vector, the present status of the identification of these species in Cuba, the situation concerning the presence of the cultivation system. -psilid-CaLso in the world and the American and Caribbean regions, as well as the possible implications of the presence of these species for the Cuban agriculture were studied in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its impact on human health and its capacity to cause damage, disasters are one of the global problems that most concern the international community. However, and in spite of the efforts made by many health systems, the reduction of vulnerabilities and the lack of strategies to avoid or minimize risks have not received enough attention yet. As Cuba is located in an area of permanent danger of disasters, its health sector has accumulated considerable experience in the management of risks and in the assurance of less risky future scenarios, with active participation of the community and a planned and organized process to address the impact of climate change. This paper summarizes some of these experiences and describes the dangers, vulnerabilities, and risks of disasters in Cuba, its Civil Defense System, and planning and organization in the health sector for disaster reduction, as well as the main effects and challenges of climate change in the health system. Lessons learned and good practices support the key role of human resources to reduce vulnerabilities; the greatest challenges are to avoid or minimize risks, to advance research, to train professionals for climate change, and to optimize the organization of health systems and services in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present a panoramic view of the impact of climate change on the Cuban Southeast. It discusses the principal threats and risks affecting coastal areas, and describes the most recent and pertinent results of scientific research carried out with the aim of tackling climate change in such areas. Programmes that have been adopted in order to identify and implement solutions regarding Integrated Coastal Zone Management and the management of human settlements are also presented. Such programmes aim to reduce vulnerabilities resulting from serious natural threats, progressive sea-level rise or from the effects observed through models of upwelling in the case of hurricanes of different categories. This paper concludes that climatic change in the Cuban Southeast is a process beyond doubt, and it is currently being confronted as a matter of priority; more than ten programmes have already been put in action, involving various collaborating institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to make a contribution to environmental arrangement of the livestock potential in the municipality of Jimaguayú, Camagüey, Cuba. The indicators, restrictions, categories and conflicts of livestock potential in the region were identified and located on a map. Additionally, the policies, guidelines, regulations, and standards for proper environmental management in each livestock raising area were determined. The study concluded that the potential of livestock raising depends on the environmental use recommended as principal in eight of the seventeen secondary environmental areas that make up the region; one of them was considered for secondary use. In terms of categories, the municipality comprises 126.9 km2 with inexistent livestock potential, including several settlements and water reservoirs; 115.7 km2 showed a poor potential; 316.3 km2 had a mid-potential; and 225.4 km2 was high. The previous contributed to proper environmental arrangement of livestock potential in the municipality of Jimaguayú, Camagüey. In accordance with it, restrictions, indicators, categories and conflicts observed in the sector were determined to make recommendations for development in the secondary environmental areas with some potential. This study was also useful to set up policies, as well as general and specific guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to make a contribution to the environmental arrangement of the livestock potential in the municipality of Jimaguayú, Camagüey, Cuba. The indicators restrictions, categories, and conflicts of the livestock potential in the region were identified and located on a map. Additionally, the policies, guidelines, regulations and standards for proper environmental management in each livestock area were determined. The study concluded that the potential of livestock activity consists in environmentally recommended use in the main eight of the seventeen secondary environmental areas that make up the region. One of them was considered for secondary use. In terms of categories, the municipality comprises 126.9 km2 with inexistent livestock potential, including several settlements and water reservoirs; 115.7 km2 were identified as poor potential; 316.3 km2 had a mid-potential; and 225.4 km2 was high. The previous contributed to the environmental arrangement of the livestock potential in the municipality of Jimaguayú, Camagüey. Accordingly, the restrictions, indicators, categories, and conflicts observed in the sector were determined, to be used as recommendations for development in the secondary environmental areas with some potential, as well as to set up policies, and general and specific guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with coastal aquifers exploitation under saline intrusion threats and climate change effects over them. For sustainable development of these resources variable but necessary policies are required, among them: selection of abstraction works and their appropriate design, knowledge of the aquifer system, control measures over variables for decision making, use of advanced technologies to define optimal exploitation strategies, efficient operation and maintenance of existing works. It is suggested, when feasible, to give preferential use to horizontal works but avoiding open trenches because of the inconveniences that have been observed in the Cayo Largo del Sur and Andros-Bahamas case studies. The use of vertical wells demands a careful design, not only of each well but also of their spatial distribution, therefore the paper includes some recomendations to this end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]