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Restoration of a tropical island: Cousine Island, Seychelles

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Abstract

Tropical island species and ecosystems are threatened worldwide as a result of increasing human pressure. Yet some of these islands also lend themselves to restoration, as they are physically defined units that can be given focused attention, as long as resources are available and clear conservation targets are set. Cousine Island, Seychelles, is a tropical island that has received such intensive restoration. From a highly degraded island in the 1960s, the island has now been restored to what is believed to be a semblance of the natural state. All alien vertebrates have been eradicated, as have 25 invasive alien plants. Cultivated plants are now confined to one small section of the island. Poaching of nesting marine turtles has been stopped, leading to an increase in turtle breeding numbers. The shearwater population has increased in size with poaching activities under control. The Sooty tern has also returned to the island to breed. The coastal plain has been restored with over 2,500 indigenous shrubs and trees, which have now grown into a forest carpet. There are strict quarantine procedures on the island, keeping it free of rats, mice, various alien invertebrates and potentially invasive alien plants. Three threatened Seychelles endemic land birds (Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie robin and Seychelles white-eye) have been introduced and are thriving, with these introductions contributing to both the magpie robin and the white-eye being downgraded from CR to EN (the warbler remains at VU). Ecotourism, and nature conservation for the local inhabitants, have been introduced in a way that does not reduce the improved compositional, structural and functional biodiversity of the island. The result of the restoration effort appears to be sustainable in the long term, although challenges still remain, especially with regards to adequate clean water and a non-polluting power supply on the island. Cousine is thus paving the way in the art and science of tropical island restoration as a legacy for future generations.

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Acknowledgments

Restoration of an island is the product of a team effort, and in this regard we are very thankful for the enormous input from the local Seychellois people, and from many international volunteers. Also the restoration has benefited enormously from various inputs from Dylan Evans, Selwyn Gendron, Quentin and Debbie Hagens, Stella Hitchins (née Le Maitre), Frankie Hobro, Kevin and San-Marie Jolliffe, James Lawrence, Nirmal Jivan Shah and the late Danielle St Jorre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology and Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7612, South Africa

    Michael J. Samways

  2. P.O. Box 101834, Meer en See, 3901, South Africa

    Peter M. Hitchins

  3. 172 Stillwater Loop, Columbus, MT, 59019, USA

    Orty Bourquin

  4. P.O. Box 977, Cousine Island, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles

    Jock Henwood

Authors
  1. Michael J. Samways
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  2. Peter M. Hitchins
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  3. Orty Bourquin
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  4. Jock Henwood
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael J. Samways.

Additional information

This paper is dedicated to Fred Keeley, patron of Cousine Island, whose insight bequeaths to future generations a jewel of an island.

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Samways, M.J., Hitchins, P.M., Bourquin, O. et al. Restoration of a tropical island: Cousine Island, Seychelles. Biodivers Conserv 19, 425–434 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-008-9524-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-008-9524-z

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