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Overview
Overview
The Port Louis district, while highly urbanized and industrial, contains critical mangrove ecosystems that serve as environmental buffers for the capital. These northwest coast sites are characterized by their resilience in the face of industrial activity and their role as vital filtration systems for river runoff.
The mangrove landscape in the Port Louis district is primarily estuarine and riverine, concentrated at the mouths of major rivers. These areas are essential for trapping sediments and pollutants from the urban center before they reach the lagoon. The district is home to the island's first Ramsar site, underscoring its international ecological importance. Unlike the expansive forests of the east, Port Louis mangroves are often managed "planted" sites or protected sanctuary zones that require constant monitoring due to their proximity to the harbor and industrial zones.
Statistics - Port Louis
Statistics - Port Louis
GRNW ~793 m²
Rivulet Terre Rouge - Bird Sanctuary - Ramsar I ~23725.5 m²
District of Port Louis_Total ~24518.5 m² (or ~2.45 ha)
Dominance: Rhizophora mucronata
GRNW (Grande Rivière Nord Ouest)
GRNW (Grande Rivière Nord Ouest)
Located at the boundary of Port Louis and Black River, the Grande Riviere Nord Ouest site is a prime example of successful long-term mangrove reforestation.
Coverage: Comprises three distinct mangrove plots that have been monitored for over two decades.
Abundance: These plots reached a steady-state growth phase around 2018, approximately 15–16 years after their initial planting. They now form a dense, stable canopy.
Relevant Info: This site is frequently cited in scientific research as a benchmark for measuring the growth rates of planted Rhizophora mucronata in Mauritius. It serves as a natural shield for the estuary, dampening wave action and providing a nursery for local marine life.
Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar)
Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar)
The Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird SanctuaryClick to open side panel for more information is an internationally recognized wetland situated just north of the Port Louis harbor.
Coverage: Spans approximately 26 hectares (though the broader sanctuary habitat can reach up to 100 hectares), consisting of intertidal mudflats and fringing mangroves.
Abundance: Features dense stands of Rhizophora mucronata that provide essential roosting sites for birds.
Relevant Info: Designated as a Ramsar site in 2001, it is a vital refuge for over 1,200 migratory birds that visit annually between October and April. Despite its proximity to the industrial zone, the sanctuary provides a "green lung" for the Roche Bois area, though it remains vulnerable to plastic pollution and urban runoff.
Canal Dayot- Baie du Tombeau
Canal Dayot- Baie du Tombeau
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