Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(c)
Figure 9.5. (cont.)
fires, and overgrazing resulting in severe soil erosion. The consequence today
is that the native fauna and flora of Rodrigues is hanging on to existence by
the tip of the fingers. However, since the early 2000s, the island has received
much international exposure, in terms of the efforts being made towards res-
toration work, making it a flagship site for ecological restoration of devas-
tated islands.
BCM has a lease on 20 hectares of degraded forest found in the south west of
the island where it set up the Francois Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve.
The team there is recreating a parcel of the almost completely lost lowland for-
est of Rodrigues by planting native trees with the help of the Rodrigues Branch
of the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. Aldabra Giant tortoises,
Dipsochelys
elephantina
and Radiata tortoises,
Astrochelys radiata
have been introduced
on the reserve.
BCM also built a museum on the site, with galleries focusing on the history
of the island, the natural history of Rodrigues and the limestone geology of the
region. An educational centre also makes available to researchers and students,
rare and historical documents on the history of Rodrigues.
