Key species

Mauritius and Rodrigues are home to high levels of endemism amongst plants, reptiles, invertebrates and birds, although there have been several extinctions due to invasive species. There are 691 native flowering plants species of which 273 are endemic (150 endemic to the Mascarene Archipelago) in Mauritius and 150 native flowering plants species of which 47 are endemic (72 endemic to the Mascarene Archipelago) in Rodrigues.

Pressures and threats

Habitat clearance and invasive alien species have been the most significant threat to the biodiversity of Mauritius to date. Climate change and pollution have also caused pressure on the island’s ecosystems. Indirect drivers of biodiversity loss include demographic change, and socio-political factors, particularly funding and capacity for biodiversity conservation.