Piton des Neiges - Gros Morne (6761)
Réunion (to France), Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, B2, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Piton des Neiges - Gros Morne
Central coordinates: Latitude: -21.8333, Longitude: 55.4833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2000 to 3069
Area of KBA (km2): 18.31781
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is made up of the mountainous massif that includes Le Piton des Neiges (3,069 m, the island’s highest summit) and Le Gros Morne (2,991 m, the meeting point of the island’s three cirques). Its formation resulted from the activity of the now extinct volcano, followed by its collapse and severe erosion. The lower parts (2,000–2,800 m) are covered by montane shrubland or bushland and thicket, whereas the summits are largely bare rock and volcanic scree. The area is uncultivated and uninhabited apart from a mountain refuge, and is used for recreation and tourism, especially hiking, climbing and helicopter trips.
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. The site covers the most important known breeding area (at least four colonies) of the endemic Pterodroma baraui and could possibly support a small population of P. aterrima. Non-bird biodiversity: Endemic plant communities: distinctive montane vegetation with many endemic plants.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | not utilised
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Much of the site (around Le Piton des Neiges) has been classified under an Arrêté de Protection de Biotope since January 2001. This will regulate intrusive activities such as climbing and helicopter flights which are increasing in popularity and which may affect colonies of Pterodroma baraui. Operations to control introduced vertebrates are also proposed. Rats Rattus rattus and feral cats are proven threats to the survival of the colonies, and feral goats cause degradation of soil and vegetation near the colonies and may reach the colonies themselves.
Additional information
References: Anon. (1998), Barré (1988), Bretagnolle and Attié (1991), Cadet (1980), Cheke (1987b), Le Corre et al. (1996), Jouanin (1963, 1987), Probst and Le Corre (1996), Probst et al. (2000).