Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is made up of the mountainous massif that includes Le Piton des Neiges (3,069 m, the island’s highest summit) and Le Gros Morne (2,991 m, the meeting point of the island’s three cirques). Its formation resulted from the activity of the now extinct volcano, followed by its collapse and severe erosion. The lower parts (2,000–2,800 m) are covered by montane shrubland or bushland and thicket, whereas the summits are largely bare rock and volcanic scree. The area is uncultivated and uninhabited apart from a mountain refuge, and is used for recreation and tourism, especially hiking, climbing and helicopter trips.
See Box and Table 2 for key species. The site covers the most important known breeding area (at least four colonies) of the endemic
Pterodroma baraui and could possibly support a small population of
P. aterrima.
Non-bird biodiversity: Endemic plant communities: distinctive montane vegetation with many endemic plants.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Much of the site (around Le Piton des Neiges) has been classified under an Arrêté de Protection de Biotope since January 2001. This will regulate intrusive activities such as climbing and helicopter flights which are increasing in popularity and which may affect colonies of
Pterodroma baraui. Operations to control introduced vertebrates are also proposed. Rats
Rattus rattus and feral cats are proven threats to the survival of the colonies, and feral goats cause degradation of soil and vegetation near the colonies and may reach the colonies themselves.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Piton des Neiges - Gros Morne (Réunion (to France)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/piton-des-neiges--gros-morne-iba-réunion-(to-france) on 23/12/2024.
