The Parc National de la Réunion covers the heart of the island. The extraordinary landscapes of the park include two volcanic massifs: Piton des Neiges, the oldest, and Piton de la Fournaise. The Piton des Neiges gives Réunion one of its most defining natural features: the cirques of Mafate, Cilaos, and Salazie. The park is managed under government delegated management and IUCN category IV.
The forest environments of the island are particularly well preserved and are extremely rich in biodiversity, with a rate of endemism which is remarkably high for an island environment. A variety of climates and microclimates, as well as reliefs and soils, gives the island a mosaic of ecosystems which are unique in the world. The beauty of these landscapes, along with their rich biodiversity, has earned the territory international distinction. The ‘Pitons, Cirques and Ramparts of Réunion Island’ was inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.
Site Name | WDPA ID | Country | Region | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
RBd Littoral st philippe et Bois de couleurs des bas | -- | Reunion | East and Southern Africa | Candidate |