Seychelles Key Biodiversity Areas

under construction

An analysis published in 2008 as "Key Biodiversity Areas of the Seychelles islands". Open Conservation Journal.

Key Biodiversity Areas of the Seychelles islands
b y Justin Gerlach
Published by Backhuys Publishers, Leiden

The 115 Seychelles islands cover an area of over a million square kilometres in the western Indian Ocean, lying within the Madagascar region biodiversity hotspot. 7,200 species of animal, plant and fungi have been recorded from the islands, including
several famous species such as the Aldabra giant tortoise Dipsochelys dussumieri and the coco-de-mer palm Lodoicea maldivica. Endemism is exceptionally high at over 60% for animals in general and 50% for plants. A large proportion of the genera are endemic and there is one endemic family of tree, represented by the Critically Endangered jellyfish tree Medusagyne oppositifolia (Medusagynaceae) and an ancient endemic family of frogs (Sooglossidae). Many of the endemic species show remarkable adaptations to their island life, from tadpole carrying frogs to carrion feeding caddisflies.
‘Key Biodiversity Areas of the Seychelles islands’ provides the first comprehensive review of the sites of conservation importance in the islands. 48 sites are identified and described.