Restoration of a tropical island : Cousine Island, Seychelles

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dc.contributor.authorSamways, Michael J.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHitchins, Peter M.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBourquin, Ortyen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHenwood, Jocken_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:56:38Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:56:38Z
dc.date.issued2010-02
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available http://link.springer.com.ez.sun.ac.za/article/10.1007/s10531-008-9524-zen_ZA
dc.descriptionPlease cite as follows:en_ZA
dc.descriptionSamways, M.J., Hitchins, P., Bourquin, O. & Henwood, J. 2010. Restoration of a tropical island: Cousine Island, Seychelles. Biodiversity and Conservation, 19(2):425–434, doi:10.1007/s10531-008-9524-z.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractTropical 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. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.en_ZA
dc.description.versionPost-printen_ZA
dc.format.extent10 p. : ill.
dc.identifier.citationSamways, M.J., Hitchins, P., Bourquin, O. & Henwood, J. 2010. Restoration of a tropical island: Cousine Island, Seychelles. Biodiversity and Conservation, 19(2):425–434, doi:10.1007/s10531-008-9524-z.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn9603115
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.1007/s10531-008-9524-z
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/9960
dc.publisherSpringer Verlagen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectNature conservation -- Seychelles -- Cousinen_ZA
dc.subjectIsland ecologyen_ZA
dc.subjectBiodiversity -- Seychelles -- Cousinen_ZA
dc.subjectEcotourism -- Seychelles -- Cousin.en_ZA
dc.subjectIsland restoration -- Seychelles -- Cousineen_ZA
dc.subjectInvasive species management -- Seychelles -- Cousineen_ZA
dc.titleRestoration of a tropical island : Cousine Island, Seychellesen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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