Chamarel - Le Morne (6647)
Mauritius, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Chamarel - Le Morne
Central coordinates: Latitude: -20.4419, Longitude: 57.3629
System: terrestrial, freshwater, subterranean
Elevation (m): 20 to 611
Area of KBA (km2): 29.00297
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This 29 km2 KBA is composed of the following mountain peaks— Le Morne (556 m), Piton du Fouge (611 m), La Porte Mountain (568 m) and Piton Canot or Chamarel Peak (540 m)—and their slopes in the extreme south-west of Mauritius, and coastal villages from Le Morne in the southern extreme to Petite Riviere Noire in the northern extreme. The KBA has elevation ranging from rugged mountains over 600 m to almost sea level, offering attractive landscapes. The peaks are composed of native species, plantation forests, deer grazing and secondary forests. The KBA includes some of the driest parts of the island, receiving 1400-1800 mm of rainfall. It includes the Le Morne World Heritage Site, and is closely associated with slavery that was prevalent in the 18th C and early 19th C, aided by a network of forests, peaks and lava tunnels.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas). KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot (2014, maintained in 2023).
Three species trigger KBA status. Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus, Endangered), Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri, Vulnerable) and Echo Parakeet (Alexandrinus eques, Vulnerable) all trigger B2.
Additional biodiversity: Mascarene Cave Swiftlets, Collocalia francica, breeds in this KBA. Mauritius Paradise Flycatchers, Terpsiphone bourbonnensis desolata, occupies exotic Tabebuia pallida forest as well as native vegetation. Although believed to be declining in 1993 (3–20 pairs), recent observations suggests a considerable increase.
A network of lava tunnels, are important for Mascarene Cave Swiftlets and Mauritius Free-tailed Bats, Mormopterus acetabulosus, but were also refuge for maroon slaves.
MAMMALIA: Pteropus niger (VU, endemic), Mormopterus acetabulosus (EN, endemic).
REPTILIA: Phelsuma guimbeaui (EN, rapidly declining), Phelsuma cepediana (endemic).
MOLLUSCA: Gonospira modiola; Harmogenanina semicerina; Microstrophia clavulata; Pachystyla bicolor;
VEGETATION: Endemic plant communities, all rich in rare and endemic species: dry evergreen lowland forest (near the coast in the south); mixed montane forest (on the upper slopes); evergreen bushland and thicket (small area). Many endemic, several very rare, some known only from this site.
PLANTAE: Chassalia boryana; Erica mauritiensis; Pyrostria fasciculata; Ruizia boutoniana (the National Flower); Syzygium dupontii.
Manageability of the site: Much of the area is privately owned. A proportion of the area is State Lands leased to private sector for deer (Rusa timorensis) ranching and hunting, and 'gardiennage' (wardening). The rest are unleased State Lands. Some of the area is declared as 'Mountain Reserve' and protected under the Forest and Reserves Act 1983. Even when privately owned, the Forestry Service has an oversight ('droit de regard'). Le Morne Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a Nature Reserve (under Forestry and Reserves Act 1983). The area has high tourism and recreational value (Le Morne, Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth), and one area (Ebony Forest in Chamarel) is being restored by a private sector company.
Supersedes another site: None
Other site values: Whilst Mauritius does not have indigenous people, the area of Le Morne - Chamarel is associated with slavery and marooning during the 18th and early 19th C (up to 1835).
Delineation rationale: The KBA includes some of the remaining forests in the south west in the Chamarel-Le Morne area, both privately or State-owned. At the time when the CEPF Ecosystems Profile was being drafted and KBAs identified in 2014 (See:https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/ecosystemprofile_madagascar_en.pdf), the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation was in close discussion with the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) regional Implementation Team and Manager. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation was also closely involved in the revision of the ecosystems profile in 2023 (https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/madagascar-and-indian-ocean-islands-ecosystem-profile-brochure-fr.pdf). During the reassessment process, the CEPF was consulted; the initial boundaries of the KBA were maintained.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The habitat is composed of sub-tropical moist forest (e.g. Chamarel in south west) and sub-tropical dry forest (e.g. Case Noyale closer to the west), though much invaded by introduced plants and animals, secondary forests, some exotic species plantations (e.g. Tabebuia pallida, Eucalyptus spp.) and agricultural (mainly sugar cane) fields. Some of the area has been converted to pasture for deer and golf.
Land use: Forest (including Mountain Reserves), deer ranching, golf, agriculture (abandoned and active sugar cane lands, some vegetable gardens), housing (low, middle and upper class), (eco)tourism, ecosystems restoration, World Heritage Site (Le Morne), villages (Le Morne, Case Noyale), roads and amenities.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 4 | Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) – Caves |
| Forest | 10 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 75 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The region has undergone significant habitat destruction, invasion by introduced species, and development pressure (housing and road enlargement in early 2020's). The KBA still maintains globally threatened endemic plants and animals. Non-native invasive species include rats (Rattus spp.), Indian Lesser Mongoose (Urva auropunctatus), feral cats (Felis sp.), Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and invasive plants (such as Ravenala madagascariensis, Syzygium jambos, Psidium cattleyanum, Hiptage benghalensis, Tecoma stans) pose a significant threat to native wildlife and plants.
Habitat loss: Agricultural expansion, urban development, road construction, and deforestation and habitat degradation have led to a reduction in natural habitats across Mauritius, and also at the Chamarel-Le Morne KBA. Deer ranching intensification in parts of the KBA will lead to further habitat loss and degradation.
Climate change: Shifts in weather patterns, rising temperatures, and altered rainfall can further stress the biodiversity in the area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Anon (2014). Ecosystem Profile - Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot. Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund.
Anon (2022). Ecosystem Profile - Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot. 2022 Update. Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund.
Jones, C.G., Heck, W., Lewis, R.E., Mungroo, Y., Slade, G. & Cade, T.J. (1995) The restoration of the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) population. Ibis, 137, S173–S80.
Nicoll M, Jones C G, Groombridge J, Henshaw S, Ruhomaun K, Tatayah V, Zuel N & Norris K (published online 2021). Contrasting recovery trajectories of four reintroduced populations of the Endangered Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus). Ibis. http://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12987
Contributors: Vikash Tatayah, Sion Henshaw, Josua Hollandais, Reeya Ujoodha, Farheen Dustagheer, Pascal Sk. Mucktoom (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation); Nik Cole (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust/Mauritian Wildlife Foundation).