Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Aride (68.3 ha) is the most northerly of the granitic islands, lying 9 km north of Praslin and 45 km north-east of Mahé. The site also includes 105 ha of coastal marine habitat. A ridge of Precambrian granite, rising to 135 m, dominates a small plateau of 9 ha. There is a single beach 800 m long on the southern side of the island while the rest of the coastline is composed of cliffs and rocky shore. The island is densely covered with mixed native woodland dominated by
Pisonia grandis,
Ficus lutea and
F. reflexa. Granite outcrops and open glades are abundant on the hill, where there are also smaller areas of
Euphorbia pyrifolia scrub. A young, managed woodland, replanted with indigenous species (
Callophyllum inophyllum,
Terminalia catappa,
Morinda citrifolia, etc.), and a small wetland, are present on the plateau. Human activities are limited to nature conservation, research and ecotourism (day visits and confined to main paths only). Most of the former coconut plantation has been progressively eliminated and the only remaining agricultural activity is restricted to a small garden for resident staff. Coral reefs surround the island.
See Box and Table 2 for key species. With approximately one million breeding seabirds of 10 species, Aride island holds one of the most important seabird colonies of the Indian Ocean. In addition to the tern species listed below, 71–89 pairs
Sterna anaethetus also breed. Aride also hosts the largest known population in Seychelles of
Puffinus lherminieri nicolae and is the most northerly breeding site for
Phaethon rubricauda (3–5 pairs). Important numbers of
Puffinus pacificus also occur from September to March. Seabird numbers are largest during the south-east monsoon, from May to October, the breeding season for many species. However,
Phaethon lepturus,
Gygis alba,
Puffinus lherminieri and
Sterna anaethetus may nest all year-round. Mixed, non-breeding flocks of
Fregata minor and
F. ariel are regularly seen roosting or soaring over the island (up to 4,600 birds between November and February). Landbirds include
Acrocephalus sechellensis, originating from 29 birds introduced from Cousin in 1988. With a minimum of 1,600 birds present in 1997, the majority of the world population now occurs on Aride. Several attempts to re-establish a breeding population of
Copsychus sechellarum have not so far succeeded (one pair still present in 2001).
Nectarinia dussumieri (min. 49 birds) and
Alectroenas pulcherrima (min. three pairs) have recolonized the island naturally.
Streptopelia picturata picturata (200–400 birds) and
Gallinula chloropus (200–400 birds) are also present.
Non-bird biodiversity: There are eight resident reptile species, of which seven are endemic (including Mabuya wrightii and M. seychellensis at extremely high densities). Among the large invertebrate fauna, the whip scorpion Phrynicus scaber is present in good numbers. The turtles Eretmochelys imbricata (CR) and, occasionally, Chelonia mydas (EN) nest on the beach. Of the 100 vascular plants recorded on the island, Rothmannia annae is now restricted to Aride, as may be the Peponium sp. (taxonomy uncertain).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Aride was purchased by Christopher Cadbury in 1973 on behalf of the RSNC to be managed as a wildlife sanctuary. It was declared a Special Nature Reserve by government in 1979 and its boundary extends 200 m offshore. The reserve is funded through sponsorship, tourism and an endowment fund. The island is rat-free and although mice are present their impact is thought to be minor. The management plan includes the future re-establishment of other endemic species historically present, including
Terpsiphone corvina and
Coracopsis nigra barklyi. Aride has the longest continuous bird-monitoring programme of any island in Seychelles. Research programmes (e.g. on
Sterna dougallii,
Phaethon lepturus and
Acrocephalus sechellensis) are conducted by the island staff and graduate volunteers in collaboration with different conservation bodies and universities. A
Tyto alba eradication programme is in progress. Colonization of the island by alien predators, especially rats, is the main threat. Poaching of seabirds, including of eggs, for food and for sale still occurs and may be significant.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aride Island Special Reserve (Seychelles). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aride-island-special-reserve-iba-seychelles on 23/12/2024.
