Mauritius, a volcanic island shaped by isolation, was once almost entirely covered in a unique and dense forest. Its remote location in the Indian Ocean allowed for the evolution of remarkable species found nowhere else on Earth. Over centuries, this emerald canopy gave rise to a complex, self-contained ecosystem that thrived undisturbed.
The Original Mauritian Forest Ecosystem
Before human settlement, Mauritius was cloaked in diverse forests, their composition dictated by altitude and rainfall. The coastal lowlands were home to dry palm-rich woodlands and semi-dry evergreen forests, where towering black ebony trees dominated the canopy. These forests were dense, with species like the red saga wood and colophane batard creating a rich, multi-layered environment.
As the elevation increased, the forests transitioned into wet upland ecosystems, often shrouded in clouds. In these humid forests, trees like Mimusops maxima and Calophyllum tacamahaca formed a canopy reaching heights of 17-20 meters. Below this, a dense understory of smaller trees, ferns, and orchids thrived in the cooler, moist conditions. This pristine environment began to disappear with the arrival of humans, who cleared vast tracts of forest for timber and agriculture, particularly sugar cane plantations.
Key Forest Reserves and National Parks
Today, the last significant remnants of this native forest are protected within national parks and reserves. The Black River Gorges National Park is the largest protected area in Mauritius, covering approximately 6,754 hectares in the island’s hilly southwest. Proclaimed in 1994, the park safeguards a variety of habitats, including humid upland forest, drier lowland forest, and marshy heathland. It serves as the last refuge for much of the island’s endangered wildlife and offers over 60 kilometers of hiking trails.
Another important sanctuary is Île aux Aigrettes, a small 26-hectare island off the southeast coast. Unlike the volcanic mainland, this island is made of coralline limestone and preserves the last remnants of the dry coastal forest. Managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the island is a living laboratory for forest restoration. Other conservation areas, such as the Ferney Valley, also contribute to protecting the island’s biodiversity as part of a broader effort in the Bambou Mountain range. These protected places are the last strongholds of the original Mauritian forest.
Unique Plants and Wildlife
The forests of Mauritius are home to species that evolved in isolation over millions of years, resulting in a high degree of endemism. Among the most famous inhabitants are several bird species that have been pulled back from the brink of extinction. The Pink Pigeon, one of the rarest pigeons in the world, saw its population drop to just nine known individuals in 1990. Today, thanks to dedicated conservation, over 500 of these birds exist in the wild.
Similarly, the Mauritius Kestrel, the island’s only remaining bird of prey, was once the rarest bird in the world, with only four individuals recorded in 1974. The Echo Parakeet, the last endemic parrot of the Mascarene Islands, also faced extinction but has seen its population rebound through focused efforts. The flora is just as unique, with the Mauritian ebony trees (Diospyros species) being iconic. Mauritius is home to several endemic species of ebony, with Diospyros tessellaria once being the most common. This dark, dense hardwood was heavily exploited during the colonial period and is now protected, representing a direct link to the island’s original forest ecosystem.
Conservation and Reforestation Initiatives
Protecting and restoring the forests of Mauritius is an ongoing effort led by organizations like the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF). A primary strategy involves the removal of invasive alien plant species, such as Chinese Guava and privet, which outcompete native flora. This “weeding” of the forest is labor-intensive but allows native and endemic plants to regenerate.
Once areas are cleared of invasive species, reforestation can begin. This involves propagating native plants in nurseries and then replanting them in protected plots within reserves like Île aux Aigrettes and Ebony Forest. Tens of thousands of plants have been planted on Île aux Aigrettes alone, helping to reconstruct the coastal forest ecosystem and create suitable habitats for reintroducing native animal species. On Île aux Aigrettes, for example, Aldabra giant tortoises have been introduced as ecological replacements for the extinct Mauritian tortoises to aid in seed dispersal and habitat management.