Tropical Island Recovery: Cousine Island, Seychelles.

Tropical island species and ecosystems are threatened worldwide as a result of increasing human pressure.  Yet some of these islands also lend themselves to restoration, as they are physically defined units that can be given focused attention, as long as resources are available and clear conservation targets are set.  Cousine Island, Seychelles, is a tropical island that has received such intensive restoration.  From a highly degraded island in the 1960s, the island has now been restored to what is believed to be a semblance of the natural state.  All alien vertebrates have been eradicated, as have 25 invasive alien plants.  Cultivated plants are now confined to one small section of the island.  Poaching of nesting marine turtles has been stopped, leading to an increase in turtle breeding numbers.  The shearwater population has increased in size with poaching activities under control.  The Sooty tern has also returned to the island to breed.  The coastal plateau has been restored with over 2500 indigenous shrubs and trees, which have now grown into a forest carpet. There are strict quarantine procedures on the island, keeping it free of rats, mice, various alien invertebrates and potentially invasive alien plants.  Thr.