Mascarene forests

The Mascarene forests is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion located in the Afrotropic biogeographic realm, covering sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, spanning approximately 4,931.8 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code AT0120, this region represents a distinct ecological community shaped by its unique combination of climate, geography, and evolutionary history.

Climate and Vegetation

This ecoregion experiences warm year-round with high annual rainfall, typically exceeding 2,000 mm. The dominant vegetation consists of dense, multi-layered canopy of broadleaf evergreen trees. These conditions create the foundation for the ecological communities found within the Mascarene forests.

Ecological Significance

These forests are the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems on Earth, hosting an extraordinary density of plant and animal species per unit area. Epiphytes, lianas, and a rich understorey characterise the complex vertical structure. The Mascarene forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Afrotropic realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Mascarene forests extends entirely within Mauritius. This geographic range places it within the Afrotropic realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Mascarene forests supports a range of wildlife, including African jointgrass (Hemarthria altissima), Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Anil de pasto (Indigofera suffruticosa), Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea), Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), Asian nakedwood (Colubrina asiatica), Awnless Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa colonum), baby rubberplant (Peperomia obtusifolia), and 42 more species.

Conservation

Like many tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecosystems, the Mascarene forests faces threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging, and climate change. Conservation efforts in this ecoregion focus on habitat preservation, sustainable land management, and protecting corridors that connect fragmented habitat patches.