Biodiversity in the Comoros
The Comoros Islands feature spectacular and unique diversity in terms of their forest ecosystems because of their island biogeography. The two larger islands support lowland and montane forests, mangrove forests are present along the coastlines, and coastal forests and other biomes create spaces of habitat for over 500 endemic species of plants.Comoros also has 138 known species of animals. Of these 21.7% are endemic and 10.1% are threatened. Local flora and fauna has biogeographical affinities to Madagascar because of their close proximity. However, they also face the problems that come with exploitation on an island of limited space for habitat. Many of these endemic species are threatened by habitat loss and invasion of nonnative species. Between 1990 and 2000 Comoros lost an average of 400 hectares of forest per year, an average of 3.33% annually. Between 2000 and 2005 deforestation rate increased to 7.5% annually, so in total between 1990-2005, Comoros lost 58.3% of its forest cover or around 7,000 hectares. Forest cover has declined to less than 30% of its original area and conservation has become a necessity to preserve the local native species.
Comoros Conservation Efforts
None of the remaining forest areas are protected. Reserves have been proposed, but not yet established. There are three protected areas in the ecoregion: a Ramsar wetlands site, the Moheli Marine park, and the Saziley National Park. Thus current conservation measures are not enough, and many species are at risk of large-scale extinction if more action is not undertaken. This is especially true for islands like the Comoros because so many of the endemic species are exclusive to these isolated island habitats. The remaining forests are highly fragmented and mostly montane habitats.
Future recommendations for Comoros conservation largely are based on limiting land use and conserving the remaining forests. A study by Burgess in 2006 of biodiversity in Africa suggests that ecoregions like the Comoros with narrow endemic species require highly focused actions that prevent continuing loss of habitat that leads to the extinction of species that are exclusive to the Comoros.
The Comoros Islands 