Two extremes: From uninhabited and pristine to crowded and severely threatened Ecosystem profile for the Indian Ocean overseas entities

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Lynne Baldwin
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1 4 entities (3 FR / 1 UK) Léa TRIFAULT Tanguy NICOLAS UICN Comité Français Two extremes: From uninhabited and pristine to crowded and severely threatened Ecosystem profile for the Indian Ocean overseas entities

Population density (per km²) Extremely contrasting region Pop. growth (per year) Population (2013/2015 estim.) GDP per capita (2011) France 99 +0.

2 Population density (per km²) Extremely contrasting region Pop. growth (per year) Population (2013/2015 estim.) GDP per capita (2011) France % 67,087,000 31,536 La Réunion % 845,000 18,902 Seychelles % 90,000 10,317 Mayotte % 233,000 7,896 Mauritius % 1,261,000 7,449 Comoros % 785, Madagascar % 22,434, Îles Éparses N/A >100 N/A BIOT N/A >4000 N/A TN 2 densely populated ORs uninhabited OCTs Réunion richest Indian Ocean island Mayotte poorest EU overseas entity Socio-economic situation: located amongst some of the world s poorest countries High immigration rates (Mayotte) High unemployment rates (>25%) FL La Réunion (FR) Mayotte (FR) FL

2% of natural forests remains) 5 projects to cut mangroves Poaching: sea turtles (300-500), dugong Degradation of ecosystems due

3 Extremely contrasting region Environmental trends for populated ORs: Spread of invasive alien species (IAS): ca. 300 species Deforestation: ha/year in Mayotte (0.2% of natural forests remains) 5 projects to cut mangroves Poaching: sea turtles ( ), dugong Degradation of ecosystems due to poor agricultural practices Overfishing and illegal fishing Challenges: Economic growth while minimizing environmental impact Manage urbanization along with conservation FL La Réunion Mayotte Reunion & Mayotte FL

ecosystems, attractive natural assets Environmental trends: Climate change impacts on tropical marine &

4 Extremely contrasting region Îles Éparses (FR) Bassas Da India British Indian Ocean Territory (UK) TP Îles Éparses (Scattered Islands), BIOT (a.k.a. Chagos archipelago): no permanent population, close to pristine ecosystems, attractive natural assets Environmental trends: Climate change impacts on tropical marine & terrestrial ecosystems Increasing threat by invasive alien species (IAS), mostly terrestrial (rats, cats) Illegal fishing JS

5 Biological importance of the region Ecosystem services in populated ORs: Mayotte reefs & mangroves: crucial role in lagoon & coastal life Tourism: diving ( 1.5 m), cruising / whale watching ( 1 m) FL CA CA NV Forests in La Réunion: limit landslides during cyclones, provide drinking water. Tourism (mainly outdoor activities): 10% private sector and employment, 1 st exports 400k visitors, 410 m (2013) AG FL FL

Biological importance of the region Uninhabited entities - Îles Éparses

reefs in region with good resilience Fish biomass up to 7 times higher

(and improving) Important areas for bird and marine turtles nesting (~

6 Biological importance of the region Uninhabited entities - Îles Éparses (Scattered Islands) & BIOT: Exceptional reef state: 1/4 of total healthy reefs in region with good resilience Fish biomass up to 7 times higher than other regional reefs Largest regional concentration of reef sharks (and improving) Important areas for bird and marine turtles nesting (~ 15,000/year) Sanctuaries to study global changes & elaborate solutions FLe JS JS

La Réunion # Species Endemism rate plants 1738 26% molluscs 2500+

reptiles 20 10% amphibia 2 0 birds 19 58% terr. mammals 11 9% mar.

insects 1500++ 33% Existing biodiversity Great plant diversity with

diversity due to combination of altitudes and winds exposure Many

7 La Réunion # Species Endemism rate plants % molluscs % crustaceans 570? terr. reptiles 20 10% amphibia 2 0 birds 19 58% terr. mammals 11 9% mar. mammals 21 0 fishes 900+? corals 190+? insects % Existing biodiversity Great plant diversity with almost 50% endemism from Mascarene High terrestrial habitat diversity due to combination of altitudes and winds exposure Many endemic insect and bird species due to island s remoteness But 25% gone extinct (worldwide) since human colonization (exploitation, IAS ) KL TN GH CS

Mayotte # Species Endemism rate plants 774 6% molluscs 1029 50% crustaceans 462? terr.

Existing biodiversity High site-specific marine diversity Home to 25% of world s marine mammal species Important bird migration

8 Mayotte # Species Endemism rate plants 774 6% molluscs % crustaceans 462? terr. reptiles 16 50% amphibia 2 100% birds 32 6% terr. mammals 10 0% mar. mammals 24 0% fishes 1000+? corals 450+? insects 400++? Existing biodiversity High site-specific marine diversity Home to 25% of world s marine mammal species Important bird migration route between East Africa & Madagascar >130 bird species observed, 32 nesting Ramsar site with 35 birds species More resilient insects and plants biodiversity than Reunion TN MD MD CA

Existing biodiversity Brisith Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), aka

region s low threat, healthy corals Up to 7x higher reef fish

(IBAs): > 50 bird species on atoll,17 breed on atolls Home to

9 Existing biodiversity Brisith Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), aka «Chagos archipelago» Over 10% of Indian Ocean reef cover 25% of region s low threat, healthy corals Up to 7x higher reef fish biomass than other regional sites 10 Important Bird Areas (IBAs): > 50 bird species on atoll,17 breed on atolls Home to largest land-living arthropod - coconut crab extinct on other islands JS JS JS

Existing biodiversity Îles Éparses (Scattered Islands) Juan de Nova Bassas da

Glorieuses) healthy reef systems Each island an IBA Diverse flora on each

Europa Island (Ramsar site): 2 nd biggest regional nesting site for green

10 Existing biodiversity Îles Éparses (Scattered Islands) Juan de Nova Bassas da India Europa Madagascar Glorieuses Tromelin Large (esp. Glorieuses) healthy reef systems Each island an IBA Diverse flora on each island (diff. climates), with endemics on some. Europa Island (Ramsar site): 2 nd biggest regional nesting site for green turtles Nesting site for endangered birds Several bird and plant species extinctions during 20th century due to human activities TP TAAF JB

Threats and pressures on biodiversity Invasive alien species (IAS) main

(uninhabited) Plants/habitats in ORs No regional IAS strategy Habitats

Lack of enforcement of Mayotte s biodiversity strategy Very demanding social

11 Threats and pressures on biodiversity Invasive alien species (IAS) main threat to biodiversity loss in all 4 entities Birds nesting in OCTs (uninhabited) Plants/habitats in ORs No regional IAS strategy Habitats destruction biodiversity urbanization/agriculture Limited land-use planning Lack of enforcement of Mayotte s biodiversity strategy Very demanding social context monopolizing most attention and means (local authorities to state institutions) DR CAt TN

12 TN TN

UICN Fr Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) La Réunion La Réunion KBAs KBA with Pas Terrestrial 34 20

13 UICN Fr Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) La Réunion La Réunion KBAs KBA with Pas Terrestrial Marine 7 1 Total KBA without any protection status KBA with a protection status Non-KBA Protected area

14 Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) UICN Fr UICN Fr Mayotte Mayotte KBA without any protection status KBA with a protection status Non-KBA Protected area KBAs KBA with PAs Terrestrial Marine 5 5 Total 26 21

15 Glorioso / Glorieuses Juan De Nova Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) Delineation KBAs for Îles Éparses currently under finalization and validation: 10 IBAs, all emerged land Including marine reef species Îles Éparses Tromelin Bassas Da India Europa

16 Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) Delineation KBAs for BIOT currently under finalization and validation: 10 IBAs and most emerged land Lagoons and mangroves (2) RAMSAR site BIOT

17 Indian ocean EU ORs & OCTs Mayotte (F) La Réunion (F) Îles Éparses (F) BIOT (UK) FL LS TN HL TAAF DM JS Current conservation activities Protected areas (PAs) Natural Marine Park on whole EEZ Coastal area protection (incl. Mangroves) National Natural Reserve (only PA) Public forests (outdated prot.status) 2 Biotope protection decrees National Park (40% of the island) 2 National Natural Reserves (1 marine, 1 wetland) 13 Biological Reserves (ONF) Coastal areas protected 3 Biotope protection decrees Natural Marine Park covering the whole EEZ, neighbouring Mayotte Marine Park Several protection decrees (prefectural and ministerial) on fishing and terrestrial species taking/introduction 5th world largest MPA covering the whole EEZ full No Take Zone, except Diego Garcia atoll and recreational fishing 12 miles around Strict land reserves on 2 islands Recognition of natural habitats and wildlife RAMSAR site Currently 5 IBAs (15 suggested for update, Dec. 2014) ZNIEFF (mar. & terr.) under delineation Whole National Park is UNESCO World Heritage (since 2008) 8 IBAs 270 terrestrial ZNIEFF 23 marine ZNIEFF proposed RAMSAR site 4 IBAs (all 4 emerged islands) Europa: IOSEA site (10 Indian Ocean South- East Asian marine turtles importance sites) RAMSAR site 10 IBAs Some projects in conservation Reserve(s): hill tops & ridges Reserve on Saziley dry forest tip New National Action Plans Defining local IAS strategy Lagoon listed as candidate for UNESCO World Heritage site Better implementation of IAS strategy (+means and stakeholder involvement) New reserves for endangered natural areas out of NP Extend habitat restoration actions (dry forest and savannah) National Natural Reserve project for entire Europa island (important habitat, plant and nesting birds diversity + marine turtles regional critical site) Eradication of rats on Europa (complex in mangrove part) Island restoration: terr. habitat, native plants rats eradication Ecological monitoring Conservation outreach (visitors and military staff)

18 European level National & Regional level Local level & Other Current investments in conservation 2 ORs (FR) 2 OCTs (1 UK & 1 FR) BEST (3 projects) EU structural funds (FEDER & FEADER), but 1st programming for MYT, yet to be implemented LIFE+/environment (currently REU only) Ministère de l'ecologie, du Développement durable et de l'energie (DEAL) Ministère de l Outre-Mer (IFRECOR) Conseils Départmentaux, Conseil Régional (REU) Préfecture (CPER) Agence des Aires Marines Protégées (AAMP, MYT) Conservatoire du Littoral (CdL) Office National des Forêts (ONF) French research institutes IFREMER, IRD (REU) Private companies with an impact on natural habitats through their activities (quarries, electricity, waste and water management, road & infrastructure building): environmental compensations but also funding local NGOs BEST 2.0 (potentially) FED (mostly Îles Éparses) UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) TAAF Préfecture DEFRA UK- Darwin Initiative Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Université de La Réunion (ATF) US Army via local association/club (IOT) Foundations (Chagos Conservation Trust, Bertarelli, Pew Charitable Trust, Kew Botanical, Blue Marine Foundation, etc.)

Mayotte: Better integration of natural habitats and biodiversity conservation in territory management schemes Focus on nature-based

19 Critical areas for action & investment needs All 4 entities of the Indian ocean region: Fight against invasive alien species Restoration of degraded ecosystems Mayotte Declaration of new protected areas and enforce protection Local capacity building ORs La Réunion and Mayotte: Better integration of natural habitats and biodiversity conservation in territory management schemes Focus on nature-based solutions in environmental management Increase knowledge on ecosystem services Research further inventories of species, habitat descriptions CA TN JS

Contact us in the Indian ocean hub aurelie.bocquet @uicn.

20 Contact us in the Indian ocean hub Aurélie BOCQUET BEST III Indian ocean Coordinator Tanguy NICOLAS BEST III Indian ocean Expert Léa TRIFAULT BEST III Indian ocean Ecosystem Profile Expert IUCN French Committee Photos credits: AG Alice GOUZERH CA Charly ANDRAULT CAt Chris ATTRAIT CS Chris SIMIAND DR David RINGLER FL Frédéric LARREY FLe François LEPAGE GH Gaetan HOARAU JS Jon SLAYER KL Kevin LE PAPE MD Matthias DEUSS NV Norbert VERNEAU TAAF Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises TN Tanguy NICOLAS TP Thomas PESCHAK TAAF

East Pacific hub. An area larger than continental Europe with over 120 islands and 20% of the world s atolls on the front line of climate change

East Pacific hub. An area larger than continental Europe with over 120 islands and 20% of the world s atolls on the front line of climate change 2 entities (FR / EN ) An area larger than continental Europe with over 120 islands and 20% of the world s atolls on the front line of climate change Results from ecosystem profiling in French Polynesia