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ISLAND DIRECTORY
Islands of Mauritius
Agalega [1318]
- including North Island, South Island
Group:
Country: Mauritius - Agalega Islands: Indian
Lat: 10.40º SLong: 56.55º E Region: Mascarene Islands
Area: 0.3 sq. km Altitude: ? m
ISLAND TYPE: low coral?
Cargados Carajos Shoals (St. Brandon) - including Albatros [1320]
Group:
Country: Mauritius - Cargados Carajos
Lat: 16.58º S Long : 59.60º E
Area: 2.7 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Submerged area <100 m: 0 sq. km Reef area: 190 sq. km Lagoon area: 0 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 500 km group: 500 km
Nearest continent: Africa Distance: 1900 km Isolation Index: 88
ISLAND TYPE: low coral islets on reef Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: monsoon tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS:
Extensive fringing and barrier reef and lagoon.
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
Marine endemic species: 1
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
1 endemic mollusc
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
turtle nesting area
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 80% Human Threat Indicator: 3
Gross Domestic Product: $ 659 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 0
Conservation support: government support, leaseholder support
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 0.2 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
DATA RELIABILITY: Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 3 Low
CI-Marine: 8 Moderate
Last updated: 06/11/88
Mauritius (Maurice) - including Plate, Ronde, Ambre, Cerfs [779]
Group: Archipelago: Mascarene Archipelago
Country: Mauritius Region: Mascarene Islands
Lat: 20.25º S Long : 57.58º E
Area: 1873.8 sq. km Altitude: 828 m
Shoreline: 216.8 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.1157
Submerged area <100 m: 0 sq. km Reef area: 0 sq. km Lagoon area: 243 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 250 km group: 805 km
Nearest continent: Africa Distance: 1800 km Isolation Index: 87
ISLAND TYPE: weathered volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Weathered volcanic platform with deep but rocky soil rising to plateau
at
600m, occasional steep peaks; numerous short rivers; fringing reef
around much
of island.
CLIMATE: humid monsoon tropical 5000 mm, mean temp. 23ø-19øC
WATER BALANCE: water shortages with increasing drought
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones, drought
Threat Indicator: 2
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 10 Marine: 11
Only 1% of native vegetation remaining along rivers and on steep
volcanic
peaks: palm savanna (only small areas remain),dry forest in centre with
olive
wood and ebony, plateau forest (little remaining), heath, scrub,
grassland;
lakes, rivers; mangroves, salt marshes; bays (13.6 sq.km), estuaries
(132
sq.km), lagoon (243 sq.km), beaches, algal beds, seagrass beds and
intertidal
and subdidal soft bottoms; small barrier reef, fringing reefs (300
sq.km),
patch reefs.
Percent of land: Forested: 1% Developed: 0% Degraded: 0%
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
850 |
300 |
216 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
5 |
5 |
| Land birds |
16 |
9 |
2 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Of an original 500 endemic species, at least 200 are now extinct.
Plants:
Diospyros egrettarum (Bois d'Ebene) endemic, 200-400 on Ile aux
Aigrettes,
diminishing, not regenerating
Listrostachys polystachys (Orchidaceae) 50-60 on Ile aux Aigrettes,
declining
Gastonia cutispongia (Bois Boeuf) endemic, 30-40 on Ile aux Aigrettes,
few
on mainland, vulnerable
Sideroxylon bontoniamum (Bois de Fer) endemic, Ile aux Aigrettes,
endangered
Hyoporbe lagenicaulis (Bottle Palm) endemic, 10-12, Round Island,
endangered
Dictyosperma album var. conjugatum (Hurricane palm, Palmiste blanc)
endemic
to Round Island, two remaining survivors, endangered
Pandanus vandermerschii, endemic, less than 400 remaining mostly on
islets
Latania loddigesii (Latin or Fan Palm) endemic, Round Island
Lomatophyllum tormentorii (Lilliaceae) endemic, Round Island (500) and
Gunner's Quoin (2000)
Astelia hemichrysia
Angraecum spp.
Blechnum attenuatum
Trochetia spp.
Sideroxylon grandiflorum
Ocotea cupularis
Phajus spp.
Jumellia fragrans
Tambourissa sieberii
Cordyline mauritiana
Bakerella hoyifolia
Clematis mauritiana
Reptiles:
Casserea dussumeiri (Round Island Keel-scaled Boa) endemic to Round
Island,
less than 75, Rare (RDB)
Bolyeria multicarinata (Round Island Boa) endemic to Round Island,
very few,
Endangered (RDB)
Cyrtodactylus serpensinsula (Serpent Island Gecko) endemic, Round and
Serpent Islands, 4,000-5,000
Phelsama guentheri (Round Island Day Gecko) endemic to Round Island,
300,
Rare (RDB)
Leiolopisma telfairii (Round Island Skink) endemic to Round Island,
4,000-
5,000 (1978) decreasing, Rare (RDB)
Birds:
29 native birds originally, including 21 endemics; only 16 remain
today:
Nesoenas meyeri, endemic
Foudia rubra, endemic
Coquus typicus, endemic
Tchitrea bourbonnensis, endemic
Psittacula echo (Echo-parakeet) endemic, bred in captivity
Zosterops curvirostris curvirostris, endemic
Falco punctatis (Mauritian Kestrel, Crecerelle) endemic
Microscelis borbonica olivacea, endemic
Malacirops borbonicus mauritianus, endemic
Columba mayeri (Pigeon des Mares)
(Pigeon Rose)
Pterodroma arminjoniana arminjoniana (Trinidad Gadfly Petrel)
restricted
disjunct distribution Round Island (Mauritius) and Isla da Trindade
(Brazil), very rare
Marine life:
Harpa costata (mollusca) endemic to Mauritius
Amphiprion chrysogaster (anemone fish) endemic
SPECIES RICHNESS:
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
moderate
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 4 Group: 4
high
Marine endemic species: 2
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
slight
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
seabird rookery Ile Ronde
Riviere Noire gorges with endemic flora and fauna
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 3
feral Javanese deer, pigs; guava, etc.
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, since 1638, heavily developed
Population: 1009000 (1988) Density: 538.5 persons/sq. km
Maximum known population: 1009000
Growth Rate: 1.4%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: textiles, sugar cane, tourism
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Uninhabited before European colonization; heavy impact on nature since
Dutch
settlement in 1638, with cutting of indigenous forest for ebony and
decimation
of native birds including the dodo (Aphanapterix); intensive French
colonization from 1721 until taken by British in 1810; lowlands entirely
cleared for sugar cane (85% of land) by imported African and Indian
labourers,
tea grown in uplands. Population 90% rural. Independent 1968,
extensive
industialization (textiles) and tourism development with some pollution
problems. High pesticide usage in sugar cane of 44 kg/ha/year. Coral
reefs
largely degraded in last decade by dynamite fishing and pollution.
Water
problem with increasing droughts.
Habitat: cities plus scattered towns Urban Pop: 420000 Urban Indicator: 4
Accessibility: port, airport Annual tourist arrivals: 245000
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 27% Human Threat Indicator: 1
Gross Domestic Product: $ 1600 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 1
Conservation support: government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
Number: 13 Area: Terrestrial: 51.0 sq. km Marine: 84 sq. km
Nature reserves include 4,585 ha of forest and the islets around
Mauritius:
Macchabee-Bel Ombre Nature Reserve and Biosphere Reserve (3611 ha)
Ile Ronde (Round Island, 159 ha, 300 m) seabird rookery, endangered
reptiles
Ile Plate (253 ha, 116 m)
Ilot Marianne (2 ha, 2 m)
Ile aux Aigrettes (35 ha, 5 m) remnant coastal vegetation
Ilot Gabriel (42 ha, 27 m)
Coin de Mire (76 ha, 158 m) seabird rookery
Fishing Reserves (Multiple Use Areas):
Riviere du Rempart-Poudre d'Or (35 sq.km)
Flacq (6 sq.km)
Black River (9 sq.km)
Grand Port-Mahebourg (22 sq.km)
Port Louis (5 sq.km)
Trou d'Eau Douce (7 sq.km)
Proposed reserve: Ile aux Serpents (31 ha, 177 m) seabird rookery
DATA RELIABILITY: good recent Data Rel. Indicator: 3
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 25
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 70 Outstanding
CI-Marine: 15 High
REFERENCES:
Jehangeer, M.I. 1984. National Report for Maurutius. In
IUCN/UNEP, Marine and Coastal Conservation in the East
African Region: National Reports. UNEP Regional Seas Reports
and Studies No. 50.
Last updated: 23/12/90
Rodrigues - including Cocos, Sable, Combrani, Crabe [1317]
Group:
Country: Mauritius - Rodrigues Region: Mascarene Islands
Lat: 19.70º S Long : 63.41º E
Area: 107.8 sq. km Altitude: 396 m
Shoreline: 60.2 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.5584
Submerged area <100 m: 0 sq. km Reef area: 200 sq. km Lagoon area: 240 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 650 km group: 650 km
Nearest continent: Africa Distance: 2200 km Isolation Index: 98
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
CLIMATE: monsoon tropical wet summer, dry winter
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 3
Limestone scrub with endemic species; Pisonia forest on islets;
extensive
coral reefs (90 km) and shallow lagoon.
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
145 |
49 |
62 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
2 |
2 |
| Mammals |
0 |
1 |
1 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
Nesogenes decumbens, endemic herb, very rare, Plaine Corail
Zanthoxylum paniculatum (Bois Pasner, Bambara) endemic, endangered ,5
trees
at Anse Quitor
Antirrhoa frangulacea (Rubiaceae, Bois Goudron) endemic, endangered,
few
shrubs near Pointe Corail airport
Diospyros diversifolia (Ebony Tree)
Ca. xylopicron (Bois de Ronde)
Elaeodendron orientale (Bois d'Olive)
Polenontylia
Scolopria
Birds:
Foudia flavicans (Rodrigues Fody, Zoiseau Zaune) endemic, Streamside
vegetation in Solitude and Cascade Pigeon valleys, 20-30 pairs
(1976)
Bebrornis rodericana (Rodrigues Brush Warbler, Zoiseau long bec)
endemic,
endangered, only at Cascade Pigeon
Mammals:
Pteropus rodricensis (Rodrigues Bat)
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 3 Group: 3
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
seabird rookeries, islets
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 0
goats, pigs, sheep
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 35000 (1988) Density: 324.7 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.4%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: agriculture (vegetables), goats, fishing
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Much native vegetation degraded by domesticated animals.
Accessibility: dock, airport
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 90% Human Threat Indicator: 3
Gross Domestic Product: $ 659 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 0
Conservation support: government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
Number: 2 Area: Terrestrial: 0.0 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
Offshore islets:
Ilot Sable Nature Reserve (7.75 ha, 2 m) seabird rookery
Ile Cocos Nature Reserve (14 ha, 4 m) Pisonia and seabird rookery
Proposed reserves:
Cascade Pigeon
Anse Quitor and Plaine Corail (airport region)
DATA RELIABILITY: good Data Rel. Indicator: 3
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 13
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 27 Very high
CI-Marine: 1 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 23/10/88
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Page last updated: 09/05/10