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Land degradation was investigated in a mountainous semi-arid area at the coast of southeastern Cuba in 2001. The study area included two villages and part of a nature reserve. Degree of degradation was investigated by walking across the study area to delineate different land use classes. Further information about the area was collected by interviewing 24 farmers and conducting rankings with key persons of the study villages.

Six land use classes were distinguished: village areas, highly, moderately, and little degraded areas, areas with high tree density and areas with natural vegetation. Grazing was found to be the main cause of degradation in the study area, followed by wood cutting and forest fires. Impact of grazing was found to be highest near the villages, decreasing with greater distance towards the mountains. Woody vegetation is mostly cut to provide firewood or charcoal for the local population. The vegetation of the Nature Reserve is only affected to smaller degrees by grazing and wood cutting due to geographical factors limiting access.

Some management options to combat land degradation, such as better stoves to reduce lavish use of firewood, seem to be feasible, but most options are limited by lack of finances, lack of personal responsibility or the failure to see short-term effects. Although villagers’ perception of degradation factors such as over-grazing is low, local initiatives to conserve their natural environment exist. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.