Traditional cultural landscape in Viñales,Cuba

Biodiversity and Conservation - The Viñales Valley has a wide range of biological and cultural values thanks to both its landscape diversity and the use of low-impact agricultural practices....     

Fungal biodiversity in indoor environments in Havana, Cuba

A study was made of the indoor mycobiota in a range of public and private buildings (libraries, museums, laboratories and offices, warehouses, homes and a school) in the city of Havana (Cuba). Culturable airborne fungi were sampled using a slit-to-agar impactor (Chirana aeroscope). High levels of contamination were recorded, with more than 700 colony-forming units per cubic metre of air in 85% of the buildings sampled, and more than 1,000 in 55% of buildings. Of the 28 genera and 31 species identified, the most common were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. Genus and species diversity was analysed, and new findings were obtained regarding Cuba’s atmospheric ecosystem.     

Pollen diversity in the atmosphere of Havana,Cuba

With a view to obtaining fuller information on airborne pollen content in the city of Havana, pollen sampling was carried out using a volumetric capture method, for the first time in Cuba. The study was conducted during 2 years (2011 and 2015). An annual pollen integral of 3414 grains was registered during the first year of study, whereas 5120 grains were observed along the 2015. Monthly maximum concentrations were recorded during April, June and July with total values close to 800 pollen grains. Of the 45 pollen types identified, Cecropia (38% of the total pollen identified in both years), Poaceae (18%), Urera type (9%) and Casuarina (6%) were particularly abundant. Although the main pollen types differed in terms of intradiurnal distribution, the highest concentrations were in all cases recorded between 0900 and 1300 hours. Maximum temperature was the variable most influencing airborne pollen counts in the air, with the exception of Casuarina. This paper sought to establish a methodological basis for the further development of aerobiological research in Cuba, thus helping to enhance the prevention and diagnosis of pollen allergies in the affected island population.