Forest restoration and conservation of threatened trees in Mauritius

Forest restoration and conservation of 30 threatened tree species by controlling invasive alien plants in Mauritius

Partner: Ebony Forest Ltd
Years: 2020-2023

This project aims at stopping the spread of invasive alien plant species on 40 hectares of forests by weeding and planting a mix of 30 different threatened tree species, thus protecting remnant trees and reducing the risks of further habitat degradation and extinctions in 4 different sites, with the help of local communities.

89 % of the endemic plant species in Mauritius are considered at risk of extinction. Controlling invasive alien plants to protect remnant trees and reinforcing sites by planting threatened flora is imperative to reduce plant extinction risk and further habitat degradation.

The aim of this project is to weed 40 hectares of invaded native forest in four different locations across Mauritius, and propagate and plant a total of 30’000 seedlings to increase the extent of occurrence, density, area of occupancy and the number of mature individuals of 30 threatened species (18 Critically Endangered, 8 Endangered and 4 Vulnerable). Awareness and sustainable funding will be generated by involving school children, local volunteers and corporate groups in the weeding, propagation and planting activities. A total of 16 men and 16 women from the local villages will be recruited. The proposed project will contribute to existing restoration activities at two sites, which have been ongoing for more than 13 years, and initiate the conservation of threatened tree species at two new sites.