Rodrigues - Biodiversity (Terrestrial)

Historical accounts paint a picture of Rodrigues as a lush island with dense forests dominated by endemic ebony trees. Sadly, these forests have been largely cleared for agriculture and firewood.

The island's rich flora comprises around 270 different species, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers.

The national flower of Mauritius, Trochetia Boutoniana, is also found on Rodrigues. It has bright red tubular flowers that bloom in abundance.

MORE:  Flora (Mauritius, Rodrigues)

cafe marron flowering (courtesy: MWF)

Rodrigues was once home to a unique and diverse range of animal species, many of which were found nowhere else on Earth. Historically, the island supported large populations of endemic birds and reptiles, including the now-extinct Rodrigues Solitaire—a flightless bird closely related to the dodo.

Today, while much of the original fauna has been lost due to habitat destruction and introduced species, Rodrigues still harbors important biodiversity. 

Notable fauna includes the Rodrigues Fruit Bat (Pteropus rodricensis), one of the world’s rarest flying foxes, which is now under active conservation. 

The island’s coral reefs and lagoons are rich in marine life, supporting a variety of fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles. 

Rodrigues remains a priority site for species recovery and ecological restoration in the region.

MORE:  Fauna (Mauritius, Rodrigues)

Pteropus rodricensis 

[courtesy:  top: MPC; bottom: Jacques de Speville)

Invasive Species and Biodiversity Threats

The spread of invasive alien plant species, such as Acacia nilotica, poses a severe threat to native biodiversity. Management efforts are primarily focused on protecting native species unless the alien species are deemed essential for the survival of native ones. Factors such as deforestation, inappropriate land management, and the impacts of climate change are leading to the degradation of ESAs. This includes a decline in fodder productivity and crop yields, which affects the island's overall ecological health.

Conservation Efforts in Rodrigues

The Rodrigues Environmental Education Programme aims to raise awareness among local communities about the importance of biodiversity conservation. Notable areas include the Rodrigues Integrated Agriculture Research Park and the François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve, which are crucial for preserving Rodrigues' unique terrestrial biodiversity. Grande Montagne, Anse Quitor, Île aux Sables, and Île aux Cocos have been designated as nature reserves under the Forest and Reserves Act of 1983. These reserves are essential for conserving endangered plants such as Zanthoxylum paniculatum, Polyscias rodriguesiana, Badula balfouriana, and Gouania leguatii.  Fragments of native forest are rich in biodiversity but are highly threatened by alien invasive plants, exotic animals which prevent their regeneration, and development projects such as roads, hotels, and the airport.  Café Marron, known for its medicinal properties, is an example of a highly threatened native plant in Rodrigues.

Community Involvement and International Support

Plants are propagated by NGOs and government-run nurseries. A highly successful project funded by the EU employs villagers in village nurseries to grow plants. A community educator from the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation regularly visits primary schools to raise awareness about environmental issues and the importance of conservation.

A recent project funded by the UNDP GEF SGP, "Sustainable use of Rodriguan Endemic plants," has established areas for plants used for medicinal and artisanal purposes, providing material for villagers for traditional practices.  Studies on the use of different types of Vacoas, an important plant in the handicraft sector, are also underway to support local industries.

These structured efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to tackling environmental challenges in Rodrigues, focusing on education, protection, and sustainable use of natural resources.

Nature Reserves

• Grande Montagne Nature Reserve (contains some of these last relics of native forest, and has been restored since the mid-1980s) - upland forest
• Anse Quitor Nature Reserve - coastal forest
• Ile aux Sables Nature Reserve
• Ile aux Cocos Nature Reserve
• François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve

Conservation Challenges and Policy Gaps

• Rodrigues lacks a comprehensive inventory of its biodiversity, updated conservation statuses, and accessible biodiversity data. There are also insufficient resources for establishing seed/gene banks and conducting long-term ecological monitoring.  There is a noticeable disengagement of the community and the private sector in conservation efforts, exacerbated by insufficient funding, awareness, and incentives for conservation on private lands. The enforcement of biodiversity-related legislation is weak, and natural capital is not adequately valued as an economic and social asset. Additionally, the performance standards for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and their monitoring are lacking, hindering effective conservation actions.

Strategic Needs for Improvement

• Increasing community involvement and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation are crucial. Promoting education and engagement can help reconnect the community with nature and bolster conservation efforts.  Developing robust policies that include effective EIA performance standards and establishing monitoring programs are essential for protecting biodiversity. Improving legislative frameworks and enforcement mechanisms will help safeguard Rodrigues' ecological assets.

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Policy Recommendation

Strategy

1

• Mapping, ranking, fencing, demarcation and protection of biodiversity conservation zones.
• Reviewing of existing development mechanisms for the protection of biodiversity.
• Preserving biodiversity conservation.
• Restoring natural endemic coastal vegetation.

2

• Sensitisation/ public awareness of biodiversity.

3

• Strengthen institutions and legislation for effective and efficient enforcement of biodiversity protection.

4

• Devise financial and fiscal tools to help promote biodiversity conservation among the private sector and Civil Society Organisations.
• Develop eco-generative (financial agricultural) projects.

5

• Facilitate access to information related to research on biodiversity conservation to policymakers.
• Promote research in the field of agricultural biodiversity.

6

• Increase the resilience of biodiversity across Rodrigues with harmonisation.
• Harmonise human activities, including socialisation with nature.

7

• Define the way forward for the transition to and the adoption of organic farming by local farmers.
• Put in place organic farming.
• Evaluate the pressures of farming/ livestock production on the ecosystem.
• Match ruminant productions on carrying capacity.

8

• Update livestock population in Rodrigues.
• Match ruminant productions on carrying capacity.