Cuba’s Biodiversity & Conservation - Civitas Global Educational Services" /> Cuba’s Biodiversity & Conservation - Civitas Global Educational Services" />

Cuba’s Biodiversity & Conservation

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Earth is currently experiencing its sixth mass extinction event but unlike the previous ‘big five’, this extinction event is occurring at an extraordinary rapid pace. Much of the extinctions observed are the result of climate change, habitat loss, globalization, and exploitation. Cuba is the largest island within the Antilles and has a unique suite of biodiversity given its geologic history. Furthermore, the socio-cultural history of Cuba provides a unique investigation of biodiversity, habitat availability, and conservation practices employed by the Cuban people. In this course we will invite students to explore how conservation of various taxa and habitats has occurred throughout Cuban modern history, as well as directly explore Cuban biodiversity with Cuban researchers, scientists, and community members. We will ask questions such as;

  • What geologic processes have facilitated the biodiversity of Cuba?
  • How has Cuban biodiversity changed in the recent past?
  • What are the current areas of conservation concern within Cuba?
  • How are the Cuban people and Cuba’s government engaged in biological conservation?
  • How do Cuban conservation practices compare to conservation practices elsewhere around the world?

We will begin to tackle these questions by taking a historic perspective of the conservation movement beginning in the United States, noting that this is simply the beginning of a ‘modern affluent-North American-centric’ lens. We will then expand our thinking of ‘conservation’, and explore biological conservation globally as it relates to the greatest driver of species extinction, climate change. As we draw the course to a close, we will examine very specific national, regional, and local/community scenarios of conserving biodiversity in Cuba. At the completion of the course, students will be prepared to thoughtfully address current and emerging conservation issues both locally and more globally.

COURSE OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, you will able to:

  • Develop a basic understanding of conservation biology’s history and rootedness in North American ideals/perspective.
  • Acknowledge that conservation biology is a field where there are infinite ‘ways of knowing’, and deconstruct the North American perspective.
  • Introduce field sampling and scientific methods, as applied to biodiversity sampling.
  • Recognize the relationships between global environmental factors (abiotic & biotic, social, economic, etc.) and local biodiversity and conservation.
  • Develop an understanding of Cuba’s unique biodiversity.
  • Compare and contrast Cuban conservation practices and approaches to those from other localities.
  • Provide sufficient background for further studies in biodiversity and conservation ecology, planning, and management.
COURSE DETAILS
A Melaponis bee guards the entrance to its hive
A Melaponis bee guards the entrance to its hive.

ABOUT THE COURSE LEADERS

Dane Ward, Ph.D. is an associate teaching faculty in the Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science at Drexel University. Dane has a wide range of research experiences broadly rooted in conservation biology where he utilizes various methods including population genetics, spatial analyses, and field data collection to develop meaningful conservation methods for species of conservation interest. Dane’s research also focuses on urban landscapes where he is intrigued by factors driving urban biodiversity, ecological stability, and urban resilience. Additionally, Dane partners with colleagues to examine the interaction between urban environments and human public health outcomes including mental health, nutrition and access to green spaces.

Zaid Garcia Sanchez
Dr. Zaid García Sánchez is a full professor and the head of the Center for Energy and Environment Studies (CEEMA) for the University of Cienfuegos. His area of interest includes modelling and stability of electrical power systems, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and smart grids. Dr. García Sánchez has received numerous awards for the results of his research at the provincial and national level, highlighting two National Technological Innovation Awards and a Special Award from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. He has been a visiting professor at the University of New Brunswick Canada and an Advisor to the Empresa Nacional de Electricidade de Angola. He is currently an adviser to the National Dispatch Centre and Member of the Group of Experts for the preparation of the 2050 Energy Policy Initiative. In the last 5 years, Dr. García Sánchez has published more than 10 scientific articles that can be found on both WoS and Scopus, has participated in several international events related to the operation of Electrical Systems and Renewable Energy Sources. Dr. García Sánchez graduated initially as an Electrical Engineer from the Central University of Las Villas, Cuba. His Master and Ph.D in electrical power systems are also from the Central University of Las Villas.
Dr. Yoanelys Mirabal Perez is a full professor in the field of environmental sociology and currently the director for science, technology, and innovation for the University of Cienfuegos. She is the coordinator of the master’s program in Sociocultural Studies, the community development doctorate track of La Universidad Central de Las Villas Martha Abreu, and the doctorate program in social studies of science and technology of the University of Cienfuegos. Dr. Mirabel Perez serves as a consultant for the National System of Protect Areas of Cuba, overseeing social participation and community work. She is the author of several articles on this topic. She has led projects non-associated with programs linked to the management of natural heritage and studies of socio-environmental perceptions. Dr. Mirabel Perez holds a degree in Sociocultural Studies, a Master’s in Local Development, and a PhD in Sociology Sciences.
Roberto Yasiel García Dueñas
Roberto Yasiel García Dueñas is a professor for the Faculty of Social Sciences and a researcher at the Center for Sociocultural Studies (CESOC). He is the main professor for the subjects of Integrated Management of Watersheds and Coastal Areas and Environmental Management, in the bachelor’s degree in Sociocultural Management for Development, coordinator of the master’s degree program in Integrated Coastal Zone Management. In addition, Dr. García Dueñas is part of the academic program of the master’s degree in Sociocultural Studies and the doctoral program in social studies of science and technology. He has participated in various national and international events in Germany, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico. He has 19 publications in national and international scientific journals in Cuba, Ecuador, Spain and Netherlands, all indexed in prestigious international databases. Since 2013, he has coordinated institutional science, technology and innovation projects on issues related to the environment and sociocultural practices. He has also participated in research projects associated with national programs and international projects with partners from Germany, Colombia, Saint Lucia and France. He is a member of multiple national and international academic and scientific networks. Since 2021 he is the Academic Coordinator of the International Workshop on Sociocultural Studies. Dr. García Dueñas has a bachelor’s degree in sociocultural studies and a master’s in integrated coastal zone management from the University of Cienfuegos, PhD in sociological sciences from the Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas and Postdoc Writing Fellowship at the University of Bonn.