Everything about Mauritius

Forest Areas in Mauritius

The area under native forest has been reduced to less than 2 % of the original and the rich biodiversity of the island has undergone dramatic decline due to direct exploitation since the colonial period. Many species have already gone extinct (e.g the famous Dodo bird) and there are many others which are either on the brink extinction or are severely threatened. Mauritius is also high on the world’s list of countries for plant and bird species threatened by extinction. There are some 900 species of indigenous plants and a high proportion of them are endangered by invasive exotic species competing in their natural habitats. Management measures are being initiated by local authorities to protect threatened species through captive breeding of endangered bird species amongst others.

Protected forest areas in Mauritius