Biological Diversity
A masterpiece of Nature not only for its grand appearance, Le Morne also has valuable biological attributes. It is home to a large number of endemic plant species that include some of the rarest in the world. It is also the only habitat where the national flower of Mauritius, the Trochetia boutoniana is found.
Therefore, like many other unique sites in Africa such as the Kayas in Kenya, or Ambohimanga Royal City in Madagascar, it is important also from a biodiversity point of view, in addition to its core attributes of historical significance and cultural value.
Whilst, Le Morne is a Cultural Landscape, it is overwhelmed by nature; both on land and the water way. With its grand appearance, Le Morne is a masterpiece of nature with inestimable biological features.
The landscape consist both a mountain and marine ecosystem. It is home to a diverse number of living things especially flora. Being geographically isolated in a sense, two unique flowering species namely the Trochetia boutoniana and the Helichrysum mauritianum have evolved over millions of years. They are found only on Le Morne Brabant.
Fauna is not exceptional in Le Morne, but it has important populations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The major invertebrate population of the landscape consists of a myriad of insects, some of which are unknown.
Little is known about the marine life. A lagoon management plant has been set up which caters for zoning of the lagoon. In terms of conservation, Marine Conservation Areas is the approach that has been considered to preserve marine biodiversity.
Plants
The Le Morne Cultural Landscape has good vegetation cover. It includes pristine native forests, planted forests, shrub land and mangrove plantations.
Forests consist of several species of plants categorized as native, endemic, exotic and invasive. A database is under construction to record and classify each and every plant species of the landscape. 
The summit and the lower elevations of the mountain harbour good native forest; which is estimated to be around 25%. Unfortunately these remnants of pristine forests are threatened by invasive alien species and climate change. The major part that is 75% comprise of planted, exotic forests and shrub land.
Endemic Plants
Endemic plants are plants that can only be found in a location or geographical area, such as an island, mountain. Evolution has led to the development of two endemic species restricted to Le Morne Brabant Mountain. Both of them are flowering plants. They are:
Trochetia boutoniana
It is commonly known as Boucle d’Oreille or the National Flower. It was named after the French Botanist Louis Bouton. The plant can reach a height of 3m and bear bell-shaped red flowers.
The flowering time is from June to October. Each flower can produce up to 10 seeds. It can be found at an altitude ranging from 100-556m above sea level.
Helichrysum mauritianum
Indigenous Plants
Indigenous plants also known as native plants are those plants that settled in a given geographical area/location/region e.g the Mascarene islands, Indian Ocean rim or Mountains without human involvement . In other words the plants have settled in these locations by only natural process, for example seeds or plant material brought by wind, flood, sea or animals.
Exotic Plants
Exotic plants are those plants that successfully settled in a geographical area or location for example island, mountain exclusively by human activity. They originate from a foreign country. Many exotic species found on Le Morne Brabant Mountain also came from home gardens where the seeds of these plants have been dispersed by birds and wind.
Invasive Alien Species
Invasive alien plant species (IAS) are exotic species that have become dominant over indigenous plants because they grow at a faster rate and produce many fertile seeds. With the help of birds and wind currents their seeds are disperse everywhere, even on the cliffs of the Mountain. With favourable conditions these seeds germinate, grow rapidly and smother indigenous plants.
They compete for light, water, nutrients and space, thus reducing regeneration and survival of indigenous plants. Climate change adds on to the decline of indigenous vegetation. IAPS has reached to such extensive extents on Le Morne Brabant that they are endangering the existence of our indigenous and endemic plant species.
Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants are plants used as natural medicines to cure diseases. The inhabitants of Le Morne and surrounding villages are culturally linked to the mountain. For decades, traditional medicine has been practised by ancestors and their descendants. This knowledge is still alive and is being transmitted over generations. Treatment from plants obtain in the landscape are in the form of infusions, decoction and cataplasm. The plant parts used are leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and bark.
Animals
The fauna of the landscape consists of small populations of animals. Some of them are endemic such as the Mauritian flying fox, the Mauritian tomb bat, Paradise fly catcher, Grey white eye and Ornate Day geckos. Certain molluscs are also endemics.
Additionally, there are many exotic populations of birds, mammals and reptiles. Some of these species as rats, mongoose, cats, wolf snake and monkeys have reached invasive levels and are highly impacting on native populations. Insect population is greatly diversified. Many of them are unknown and unique.
Mammals
Endemic Mammals
The only endemic mammals found in the Le Morne Cultural Landscape are bats.
Mauritius Flying Fox /Mauritian Fruit Bat/ Rousette Noir
Scientific name: Pteropus niger
The Mauritian Fruit Bat or Mauritian Flying Fox is the largest endemic mammal in Mauritius. It can reach a wingspan of about 80 cm and it has a golden fur. They are nocturnal animals and their diet consists of fruit and nectar, making them important seed dispersers and pollinators.
Mauritian Tomb Bat
Scientific name: Taphozous mauritianus
Common name: Taphien de Maurice
The Mauritian Tomb bat is an indigenous species. It can be found in the African region. As it was first discovered in Mauritius, it was named as the Mauritian Tomb Bat. They range from 3.5 to 10 cm in body length. They live in a variety of environments e.g trees, old wells, walls of buildings and are not restricted in tombs or caves. These bats tend to be nocturnal hunters and their normal prey consists of moths, butterflies, and termites.
Exotic Mammals
Exotic mammals are mammals that have been either purposely or accidentally introduced in Mauritius. For example the Indian mongoose was introduced to control pest rodents in sugar cane crops. Black and brown rats have been accidentally introduced hiding in ships.
Birds
Endemic Birds
Mauritius Grey White eye
Scientific name: Zosterops mauritianus
Common name: Pic-Pic, Zoiso Manioc.
The Grey White eye is endemic to Mauritius. It has a length of 9.5 cm and its plumage exhibits a color morph which varies from gray to brown. Its diet consists of insects, fruits and nectar. They are gregarious and can be observed hunting insects in flocks of 5 to 15 individuals. It is also the pollinator of orchids and the national flower. It inhabits woodlands, forests, and gardens.
Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher
Scientific name: Terpsiphone bourbonniensis desolata
Common name: Coq des bois
It is endemic to the island of Mauritius. A similar species exist in Reunion Island known as the Reunion paradise flycatcher. The male has a black head with a grey neck-band, throat, breast and belly. The upperparts and tail are chestnut, and the wings are tipped black. The bill is bright blue, and the legs greyish. The female is smaller than the male, with a paler bill and a dark-grey head. This bird species feeds upon insects like flies, grasshoppers and beetles. It is insectivorous.
Indigenous Birds
Mascarene Martin / Hirondelle des Mascareignes
Scientific name: Phedina borbonica
Common name: Hirondelle
The Mascarene martin or Mascarene swallow is a passerine bird in the swallow family that breeds in Madagascar and in the Mascarene Islands.
The Mascarene martin is a small swallow that has grey-brown underparts becoming white on the throat and lower abdomen, dark grey-brown upperparts and a slightly forked tail. The underparts are heavily streaked with black.
Exotic Birds
Exotic birds are birds that have been intentionally introduced by man as pets, biocontrol agents and as food. All the exotic birds found in Mauritius come from the different continents especially Africa and Asia.
Migratory Birds
Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement, often north and south along a flyway, between breeding and wintering grounds. Many species of bird migrate. The following can be observed in the landscape during summer.
Sea Birds
Sea birds also known as marine birds are birds that are adapted to the marine environment. In general, seabirds live longer, breed later and have fewer young than other birds do, but they invest a great deal of time in their young. They feed both at the ocean’s surface and below it. There are two species of tropic bird that nest on Le Morne Brabant.
White-tailed Tropic Bird
Red-tailed Tropic Bird
Reptiles
Endemic Reptiles
Mauritius Ornate Day Gecko
Scientific name: Phelsuma ornata
Common name: Lezar vert / Lezar couleur / Vinson’s Gecko
Mauritius ornate day gecko is a diurnal (active during the day) species of geckos. It occurs on the island Mauritius and some surrounding islands and typically inhabits different trees and bushes. Ornate Day Gecko is characterized by its soft skin, bizarre eyes, specialized feet, and brilliant colors. They display striking patterns of greens, blues, yellows, reds, and oranges. This species is one of the smallest reptiles in the world, ranging in length from 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Its tail brakes easily, but will begin to regenerate after only a few days. Males are generally more massive. Ornate Day Geckoes are omnivorous, feeding on insects, nectar, saps, juices and consuming pollen and fruits. The Day Gecko is the most vocal of all geckoes.
Mauritius Lowland Forest Day Gecko
Scientific name: Phelsuma guimbeaui
Common name: Lezar vert / Guimbeau’s Day Gecko
The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko is a diurnal subspecies of gecko. It lives on the western coast of Mauritius and typically inhabits large trees. It prefers the higher branches or in the crown of the trees, where thick foliage offers a good camouflage. With an overall length of up to 17cm this species is amongst the larger ones. It has a green to dark-green colouring of the body top side. Three red longitudinal stripes start between the eyes and continue to the back. The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko feeds on insects and nectar. It is considered as one of the rarest endemic geckos.
Blue Tail Day Gecko
Scientific name: Phelsuma cepediana
Common name: Lezar Vert / Lezar Banane
Blue tail day gecko belongs to the middle-sized day geckos. It can reach a total length (including tail) of about 15 centimeters. The male body colour is light green or bluish green. The backs of males have a bright blue colour and are covered with dark red spots and dashes. The males have deep blue tails. Females lack the brilliant blue colour of the males. They have a bright green back and rust-coloured spots. These geckos prefer a moist and warm climate. Blue-tailed day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
Exotic Reptiles
Exotic reptiles are animals that have been intentionally or accidentally introduced in a location by man for a purpose or during human activities.
Insects
Insects are a large group of invertebrates (no backbone) of the animal kingdom. Most insects have five basic physical characteristics; an exoskeleton, three main body parts, a pair of antennae, three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings.
Insects Groups
Groups of insects that can be observed in the landscape
Arachnids
Arachnids are joint-legged invertebrate animals (arthropods). They are not insects. Physical characteristics; four pairs of legs, two body parts head and thorax fused plus abdomen, no wings and joint appendages.
Amphibians
Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates (vertebrates have backbones) that don’t have scales. They live part of their lives in water and part on land. Amphibians breathe through gills, lungs and skin. The following are present in the landscape.
Scientific name: Amietophrynus gutturalis
Common name: Guttural toad / Crapo
Scientific name: Ptychadena mascareniensis
Common name: Mascarene grass frog or Mascarene Ridge Frog, Beng
Gastropods
Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates (vertebrates have backbones) that don’t have scales. They live part of their lives in water and part on land. Amphibians breathe through gills, lungs and skin. The following are present in the landscape.
Marine Biodiversity
The marine cover of the landscape is more compared to the terrestrial component. Marine biodiversity of LMCL includes marine plant and animal species. Several habitats such as, muddy estuary, sandy plains, coral reefs, rocky shores and mangroves that support marine life. Several sea channels connect the lagoons with deeper waters. As far as it has been surveyed, a large quantity of sea organisms found in the lagoons around the island can be found in Le Morne. The lagoons and sea channels of Le Morne are rich in sea flora and fauna.
Marine flora includes mangrove plants, seagrass and seaweed. The fauna is diverse; includes invertebrates and vertebrates. Marine invertebrates are those animals that lack a backbone, for example marine worms, molluscs, crustaceans, sponges, sea urchins, polyps, jellyfish, starfish etc. Marine vertebrates are animals that have a backbone for instance fishes, turtles, sea snakes, whales, dolphins etc.
Unfortunately, with the event of climate change coral bleaching is occurring in Le Morne. Moreover, pollution from sewerage and deforestation is affecting the marine ecosystem.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation Of Biodiversity
Conservation is the act of securing and protecting biological diversity to a level where species are sufficiently abundant and out of danger of extinction, all in a state of equilibrium. There are two types of conservation; in-situ (on-site) and ex-situ (off-site e.g nursery) conservation.
Restoration And Conservation Of Forests Of Le Morne Brabant
Invasive alien species are recognized as one of the major agents contributing to the decline of the native plant population on the top and lower elevations of Le Morne Mountain. These alien species become a direct threat to native forest as they compete for space, light, water and nutrients, eventually smothering regeneration. Restoration is an undertaking which involves reverting changes to reinstate the indigenous forest to a self-sustainable state.
To save the native species from total invasion, a well-established restoration and conservation plan is being followed. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation are carried to restore flora and fauna. The conservation program includes; survey flora and fauna of the LMCL, maintain, restore and monitor ecological communities, maintain a viable population of all species of plants and animals, especially endangered species, eliminate or control introduced species of plants and animals and improve the basis of management through research into natural and introduced species and their impacts and natural processes.
Efforts to safeguard the endangered native forests are underway. Each year conservation and restoration of the forests work programs are being undertaken in collaboration with the Forestry Services. Other programs as native forest reforestation and mangrove afforestation are conjointly being implemented.