STORIES By Heritage Resorts - Issue 3 - 2019 - Page 38

|NATURE
BEL OMBRE LAGOON
A WEALTH OF INFORMATION
THROUGH OBSERVATION
A WELL-KEPT
JEWEL
Reef Conservation focuses
on protecting and restoring
the marine and coastal
environment of Mauritius
through implementing
conservation programmes,
research, education and
awareness – the perfect partner
for Heritage Resorts. The
NGO completed a first survey
in 2015 and a subsequent
Environmental Monitoring
Report in 2018. The message
is clear: despite being in good
condition, the Bel Ombre
lagoon is vulnerable and
requires active protection.
by Mélissa Leclézio
Photos : Gerald Rambert
THE BEL OMBRE LAGOON IS A MODEL OF MARINE
CONSERVATION FOR THE COUNTRY, AND HERITAGE RESORTS
IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING THIS VULNERABLE AND
INVALUABLE HERITAGE TREASURE. THE GROUP HAS TEAMED
There is a total of 55 hectares
of reef habitat and 20 hectares
of seagrass in the four areas
of the lagoon. These two
types of seabed are vital to a
healthy ecosystem. There are
differences between seaweed
and seagrass, the latter consists
UP WITH REEF CONSERVATION, AN NGO WHICH HAS BEEN
MONITORING THE BEL OMBRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM AND
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF SURVEYS
UNDERTAKEN SINCE 2015. LET’S TAKE A DISCOVERY TOUR
AND LEARN TIPS TO HELP PROTECT THIS AMAZING LAGOON!
36
| HERITAGE RESORTS STORIES
HERITAGE RESORTS STORIES |
37
of flowering plants forming
underwater meadows in bays
and coastal areas. Their leaves
slow down currents, allowing
sedimentation, and their roots
keep sand in place and prevent
the dispersion of sediments,
which can smother corals.
Seagrass meadows play an
important role in slowing down
beach erosion and also provide
cover for young fish.
Coral habitats also help
slow down beach erosion
by protecting the shoreline
against waves. They harbour
various species of plants and
animals, and are a major food
source for marine wildlife and
humans. Finally, they contribute
significantly to medical
advances. The Bel Ombre
lagoon is home to brain corals
– which are easy to identify! – as
well as massive corals, delicate
branched and soft corals.

• Page 1
• Page 2
• Page 3
• Page 4
• Page 5
• Page 6
• Page 7
• Page 8
• Page 9
• Page 10
• Page 11
• Page 12
• Page 13
• Page 14
• Page 15
• Page 16
• Page 17
• Page 18
• Page 19
• Page 20
• Page 21
• Page 22
• Page 23
• Page 24
• Page 25
• Page 26
• Page 27
• Page 28
• Page 29
• Page 30
• Page 31
• Page 32
• Page 33
• Page 34
• Page 35
• Page 36
• Page 37
• Page 38
• Page 39
• Page 40
• Page 41
• Page 42
• Page 43
• Page 44
• Page 45
• Page 46
• Page 47
• Page 48
• Page 49
• Page 50
• Page 51
• Page 52
• Page 53
• Page 54
• Page 55
• Page 56
• Page 57
• Page 58
• Page 59
• Page 60
• Page 61
• Page 62
• Page 63
• Page 64
• Page 65
• Page 66
• Page 67
• Page 68
• Page 69
• Page 70
• Page 71
• Page 72
• Page 73
• Page 74
• Page 75
• Page 76
• Page 77
• Page 78
• Page 79
• Page 80
• Page 81
• Page 82
• Page 83
• Page 84
• Page 85
• Page 86
• Page 87
• Page 88
• Page 89
• Page 90
• Page 91
• Page 92
• Page 93
• Page 94
• Page 95
• Page 96
• Page 97
• Page 98
• Page 99
• Page 100
• Page 101
• Page 102
• Page 103

Powered by