Les enjeux de la conservation de la flore et des habitats naturels menacés de l’outre-mer français

Abstract

Challenges for the conservation of threatened plants and natural habitats in French overseas territories. — The French overseas territories represent a broad range of climatic and biogeographical conditions, from sub-arctic to equatorial, resulting in a richness, diversity and uniqueness of their floras that mirrors that of the global flora. These territories range widely in area (from small oceanic islands to large continental regions) and human population densities, leading to more or less pronounced anthropogenic impacts on natural ecosystems. Threats to the French overseas flora are generally the same (habitat destruction, biological invasions, species overexploitation, climate change) but with varying importance depending on the territory. Conservation measures, including the establishment of lists of protected species or habitats and new protected areas, as well as habitat restoration, species reintroduction or population reinforcement of threatened species, also vary depending on the territory, in relation with their legal status, and the concern of local populations and authorities toward the conservation of their natural heritage. We underline the necessity and urgency to better know and conserve this flora (more than 10 000 vascular plants, including 3480 endemics, and with 685 protected species) of not only national but also regional and global importance.