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. Three threatened Seychelles endemic land birds (Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie robin and Seychelles white-eye) have been introduced and are thriving, with these introductions contributing to both the magpie robin and the white-eye being downgraded from CR to EN (the warbler remains at VU). Ecotourism, and nature conservation for the local inhabitants, have been introduced in a way that does not reduce the improved compositional, structural and functional biodiversity of the island. The result of the restoration effort appears to be sustainable in the long term, although challenges still remain, especially with regards to adequate clean water and a non-polluting power supply on the island. Cousine is thus paving the way in the art and science of tropical island restoration as a legacy for future generations. There is no other book available on this case study. The need for the book arises from the fact that here is a positive note for conservation in these times of so much negative news on the state of our environment. More importantly, the book shows how such restoration should be done, and is therefore a model for many other islands around the world. The book has many illustrations so as to give the book wide appeal and literally to show what can done in terms of restoration. All this is based on much scientific detail, including many new data. The aim is, by way of example, to demonstrate how practical restoration, based on sound scientific research, can be carried out for the betterment of ecological integrity and ecosystem health.

Tropical island species and ecosystems are threatened worldwide asa result of increasing human pressure. Yet some of theseislands also lend themselves to restoration, as they are physicallydefined units that can be given focused attention, as long asresources are available and clear conservation targets areset. Cousine Island, Seychelles, is a tropical island thathas received such intensive restoration. From a highlydegraded island in the 1960s, the island has now been restored towhat is believed to be a semblance of the natural state. Allalien vertebrates have been eradicated, as have 25 invasive alienplants. Cultivated plants are now confined to one smallsection of the island. Poaching of nesting marine turtles hasbeen stopped, leading to an increase in turtle breedingnumbers. The shearwater population has increased in size withpoaching activities under control. The Sooty tern has alsoreturned to the island to breed. The coastal plateau has beenrestored with over 2500 indigenous shrubs and trees, which have nowgrown into a forest carpet. There are strict quarantine procedureson the island, keeping it free of rats, mice, various alieninvertebrates and potentially invasive alien plants. Threethreatened Seychelles endemic land birds (Seychelles warblerSeychelles magpie robin and Seychelles white-eye) have beenintroduced and are thriving, with these introductions contributingto both the magpie robin and the white-eye being downgraded from CRto EN (the warbler remains at VU). Ecotourism, and natureconservation for the local inhabitants, have been introduced in away that does not reduce the improved compositional, structural andfunctional biodiversity of the island. The result of therestoration effort appears to be sustainable in the long termalthough challenges still remain, especially with regards toadequate clean water and a non-polluting power supply on theisland. Cousine is thus paving the way in the art and scienceof tropical island restoration as a legacy for future generations.There is no other book available on this case study. Theneed for the book arises from the fact that here is a positive notefor conservation in these times of so much negative news on thestate of our environment. More importantly, the book showshow such restoration should be done, and is therefore a model formany other islands around the world. The book has manyillustrations so as to give the book wide appeal and literally toshow what can done in terms of restoration. All this is basedon much scientific detail, including many new data. The aimis, by way of example, to demonstrate how practical restorationbased on sound scientific research, can be carried out for thebetterment of ecological integrity and ecosystem health.

Foreword by Sir James ManchamAcknowledgementsCousine Island in a world contextCousine as a Seychelles islandCousine Island's conservation significance in anutshellHow humans nearly pushed Cousine past the tipping pointThe changing seasonsThe lie of the landCousine's rocks, soils and sandThe moody seaCousine's green carpetCousine's woody cloakCousine's vegetation reprieveSponges, corals and the great bleaching eventLife in the shallow sea: from shells to urchinsBetween sea and land: a variety of crabsEcological webmasters: terrestrial invertebratesA rich tapestry of fish lifeCousine as a haven for turtlesOf tortoises, lizards and snakesOvercoming the extinction of experience: sea bird havenAquatic and shore birdsA truly successful story: endemic land birdsThe welcome and the unwelcome: vagrant and alien birdsVisiting mammals to CousineCousine Island in the world today, and its futureScientific summaryList of species recorded on and around CousineGlossaryBibliographyPhotographic and artwork creditsAbout the authorsIndex