Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
and were in a state of severe degradation. Invasive alien species were smoth-
ering the forest, preventing natural regeneration. BCM worked together with
a local NGO, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (more specifically with its
Flora Division), as well as the Ecology and Conservation Department of the
University of Mauritius, towards a forest restoration program. These external
bodies provided the expertise in plant identification, trained BCM staff and
are consultants on the project. BCM also opened the door to University of
Mauritius undergraduate students to carry out various studies on weeding tech-
niques at our conservation sites.
The BCM forest restoration program consists of weeding - manually
removing the invasive alien species by cutting, uprooting and ring-barking
then applying herbicide to cut stumps to prevent regrowth (
Figure 9.5
). Seeds
and seedlings of native plants are collected and propagated in in-situ nurseries
before being planted back in the forest once they have reached a certain size.
The restoration work carried out by BCM has been noted by both govern-
mental agencies and conservation bodies, with international experts coming to
witness the work done. The BCM forest restoration program has been used as
a case study for how the private sector can carry out conservation work and,
based on BCM data and perfected techniques, larger scale weeding will be car-
ried out in other blocks of native forests.
In recognition to the commitment of Bioculture (Mauritius) Ltd towards
conservation, in 2008, it has been invited to be a member of the National
Threatened Native Plants committee, to advise on national strategies for con-
servation of native plant diversity. The forest restoration program is still being
carried out and it is hoped that in the near future, these blocks of forests will
become showcases that can be used for educational purposes for school chil-
dren and the population in general.
Rodrigues project
Rodrigues, a 104 km
2
island is a dependency of Mauritius found 574 km east
of the latter. Just like Mauritius, it had a high level of biodiversity. Of par-
ticular relevance was the high densities of giant tortoises - historically the
highest density ever recorded (Francois Leguat mentioned large aggregations
of 2,000-3,000 tortoises), hence earning the island the nickname of “Tortoise
Island.” The tortoise population has been extensively exploited, mostly by
the French settlers in the Mascarene in the eighteenth century. This, together
with habitat destruction and the effect of introduced rats, decimated the tor-
toise population in less than a century. Ecological disaster continued with the
open forests of Rodrigues being destroyed over the years by deforestation,
