Moka mountains (6654)
Mauritius, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B2

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Moka mountains

Central coordinates: Latitude: -20.1833, Longitude: 57.5167

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 20 to 823

Area of KBA (km²): 79.58905

Protected area coverage (%): 0.49

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is a rugged and spectacular mountain chain above the city of Port Louis in north-west Mauritius. The main ridge runs approximately east to west, and three long spurs extend northwards. Major peaks are Pieter Both (823 m), Le Pouce (812 m) and Montagne Ory (c.700 m). The area is much drier than the south-western and eastern forests, most receiving around 1,000–2,000 mm rainfall annually. However, the highest peaks receive extra moisture from cloud, resulting in the presence of native cloud-forest on Le Pouce. This is the only area of native vegetation of significant size, although native plants are scattered throughout the range. Exotic vegetation dominates—most is scrub, but grassland, Eucalyptus plantations and cliffs also occur. Deer-stocking and wildlife tourism (focused mainly on exotic animals) take place in Domaine Les Pailles, in Anse Courtois, and open access areas are popular for recreation.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. Reintroduction of Falco punctatus took place successfully in the early 1990s, mainly in the Anse Courtois valley. The birds are expected to spread to occupy much of the Moka Range. Collocalia francica is also present (probably uncommon breeder), while a population of the restricted-range Terpsiphone bourbonnensis appears to have become extinct since 1975. Non-bird biodiversity: Plant communities: mixed montane forest on Le Pouce is cloud-forest, with several critically endangered species. Other endemic plants: several known from single sites elsewhere in Moka Mountains. Reptiles: Phelsuma guimbeaui, Phelsuma cepediana (endemic). Mammals: Mormopterus acetabulosus (VU) probable.

Habitats

Land use: hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Le Pouce Nature Reserve protects the cloud-forest, and the Moka Mountain Reserves protect the watershed above Port Louis and Notre-Dame. These reserves are not of particular significance for Falco punctatus, although this species is likely to occur there. No threats are apparent to the Falco punctatus population, which does not necessarily need native vegetation.

Additional information