There is also a globally-important breeding population of rare green turtles, while hawksbill turtles – classed as critical – also reside around the atoll.īirdlife includes endemic species such as the Aldabra drongo and the Aldabra brush warbler, plus 11 subspecies including the Western Indian Ocean’s only surviving flightless bird, the white-throated rail. These include animals, invertebrates and plants, on land, in the sea and in the air.Īmong them are more than 100,000 Aldabra giant tortoises, the largest individual population in the world. The atoll is a fascinating natural laboratory for scientific discoveries, supporting more than 400 endemic species and sub-species. Scientists describe the reef and coral habitats as being intact, in excellent health and in “pristine” condition, housing an abundance of marine species. The contrasting habitats including coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove mudflats provide a location which is both rugged, yet scenic, with an ecosystem that sustains all of its key species. The larger islands of Picard, Polymnie, Malabar and Grand Terre enclose a shallow lagoon, while the entire atoll is surrounded by an outer reef, with the richness of the ocean and diversity of the terrain creating a unique colourful landscape. The coral reef is around 125,000 years old. The Aldabra Atoll consists of four main coral limestone islands and the surrounding marine area, with additional smaller islets. It fulfils three of the organisation’s guidelines – it contains superb natural phenomena superlative on-going ecological and biological processes and significant natural habitats to conserve biological diversity. The site has been designated UNESCO World Heritage List status, which means it’s of outstanding value, meeting the strict criteria set out by the United Nations’ specialised agency. Thanks to its remote location in the Indian Ocean, Aldabra Atoll remains unspoiled by human influence and provides an excellent example of natural habitat where evolutionary and ecological processes can be studied.
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