A new scientific paper has suggested that the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention facility should be turned into a science lab and peace park in an effort to solidify US-Cuba relations and maintain Cuba’s natural ecosystem.

Published on the eve of a visit from President Barack Obama to Cuba, the paper, published in the journal Science proposed an approach to protect Cuba's coastal ecosystems and enhance conservation and ecological research throughout the Caribbean.

Cuba itself offers 5,000km (3,100m) of coastline, with coral reefs, mangrove wetlands, seagrass beds and tropical wet forests. Much of the coastline remains undeveloped and there are concerns that a normalisation of US-Cuba relations would lead to the loss of much of this through expansion of coastal development and the return of industrial agriculture.

Compiled by Joe Roman, fellow at the University of Vermont's Gund Institute, and James Kraska, professor of ocean law and policy at the US Naval War College, the report says a park commemorating the history of the area combined with a research centre in place of the world’s most notorious prison would give global recognition to Cuba's conservation efforts.

US presence at Guantánamo dates back to the 1890s when it helped Cuba fight Spain for independence. As part of a Cuban-American treaty, Cuba granted the rental of Guantánamo to the US as a coaling and naval station, a perpetual lease that could be broken only by mutual consent. Cuba has maintained since the 1960s that the US’s presence on the island is illegal. The Obama administration has said it would like to close down the detention centre.

“The US should deliver on President Obama's recent plan to close the military prison at Guantánamo Bay and repurpose the facilities into a state-of-the-art marine research institution and peace park, a conservation zone to help resolve conflicts between the two countries,” said the report. “This model, designed to attract both sides, could unite Cuba and the US in joint management, rather than serve as a wedge between them, while helping meet the challenges of climate change, mass extinction, and declining coral reefs.

“A first step in returning the land to Cuba, the Guantánamo peace park and research center would encourage nations to convert military bases and conflict zones into areas of creativity, cooperation, and biodiversity conservation. For the next generation, the name Guantánamo could become associated with redemption and efforts to preserve and repair international relations and the planet.”