|
phelsuma madagascariensis grandis, phelsumen, genus, reptilia, gecko, gekko, gekkonidae, gekkota, reptiles, biology, ecology, biogeography, evolution, species dispersal, adaptive radiation, rodrigues, aldabra, captive care, laticauda, vitamines, green, day gecko, lighting, palm, breviceps, modesta primary forest ampasindava madagascar masoala, mangabe, nosy be, national park RNI lokobe, ankarafatsika,phelsuma, phelsuma laticauda, madagascar, daygeckos, daygecko, mauritius, seychelles, mascarenes, reunion, réunion, comoro, comoros, lineata, cepediana, phelsuma guimbeaui, phelsuma andamanensis, phelsuma abbotti, laticauda, madagascariensis, phelsuma lineata, serraticauda, guimbeaui, phelsuma laticauda, phelsuma madagascar, daygecko, daggekko, taggecko |
        |
Introduction
The
42 granitic islands are the peaks on a large submarine plateau.
Mahé is the largest and tallest island in the Seychelles. A
mountain ridge runs the length of the island. The lower regions
are now developed for residential and agricultural purposes and
only the upper plateau remains largely forested. The granite
islands rise above the sea surface to form a peak or ridge
which, in the case of Mahé, attains an elevation of 905 m at
Morne Seychellois, the highest point. Rugged crests, towering
cliffs, boulders and domes contribute to the islands great
natural beauty. Here and there, in the hollows between the rock
relief, are pockets of lateritic soil, often very thin and
easily eroded.
The
Coralline Islands
The Seychelles government has set aside a
number of national parks and reserves to protect the natural
heritage of the islands. Together, these protected areas and
reserves do a good job of saving critically endangered species
as well as the habitats they rely upon, particularly in the
native forests in the higher reaches of the granitic islands.
However, most of the lowland forests of the Seychelles Granitic
Islands have been disturbed or destroyed. Coconut, vanilla, and
cinnamon plantations occupy most of the coastal plateaus. Human
disturbance of native habitats is still a problem, and
human-facilitated introduction of exotic species is a continuing
threat. Exotic species now comprise more than half of the total
plant species of the Seychelles. Introduced goats, pigs, and
cattle inhibit regeneration of native forest; and introduced
cats and dogs prey upon native species, particularly seabirds,
lizards, caecilians, and invertebrates. Aside from clearing of
land and introduced species, the main conservation concern in
the Seychelles is the small size of many plant and animal
populations. Although many native species have probably always
had small populations, the majority of them were spread over
several islands. Following human settlement, one species after
another has been reduced to one or two relict populations with
very small ranges.