Seychelles Conservation Project
Placement number: 0010
Location: Mahe, Seychelles
Preferred Languages: English
Date: Placements required all year
round
Minimum Period: 6 weeks to a max of 3 months
The Seychelles Conservation Project aims to protect the island's forest environments and to restore them to a near-natural state. A large part of the conservation work involves research into the diversity and ecology of the forest animals and plants. Another important aspect is the control of invasive species. The island is also the base for the Seychelles Giant Tortoise and Terrapin Conservation Projects, which are breeding these animals for re-introduction to the wild. Volunteers are expected to help with research projects and habitat restoration work.
The Conservation Project is based on the third largest island in Seychelles (1995 hectares) and Mont Dauban the second highest mountain (740m), the island's steep slopes have prevented significant development and restricted the population to 147 people at the present time.
As a result, human impact has been less significant than on other islands and much of the original nature of the Seychelles islands has been preserved. The height of the mountains and the limited amount of development means that the island has an exceptional range of unique animals and plants. It is regarded by conservationists as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Indian Ocean. The island is in the centre of a Marine National Park and the terrestrial habitats are managed for conservation.
Role of Volunteer
Volunteers will undertake monitoring work and specific research projects as part of the research and management carried out on the island. Projects cover all aspects of the nature of the island, including studies of vegetation structure, plant and animal distributions, population estimates, ecology and behaviour.
The Seychelles Giant Tortoise Project is also based on the island and volunteers will support this project by assisting with feeding of the tortoises and maintenance of their enclosures and undertaking studies designed by the NPTS.
Prospective Research volunteers welcome September-March should select one of the following research projects and include a short study outline with their application. Selection of volunteers will be based on these outlines. Proposal of projects not included on this list will also be welcomed.
Further Information
Vertebrates
- Impact of alien fresh-water fish (tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus) introduction
- Ecology of the endemic fresh-water fish Pachypanchax playfairii
- Amphibian and reptile ecology - population densities and habitat preferences; with special emphasis on alien and anthropogenic habitats, diet, reproduction, parasitology
- White-tailed tropicbirds (Phaeton lepturus) - these nest in significant numbers on the small sea-bird islands and also in the high forests
There is some data from the sea-bird islands although methods are under review. The species is a tree-nester but a ground nester on the smaller islands, a comparison of the success of these strategies should look at:
- Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) - evolutionary and conservation ecology (population size, habitat preferences, diet, parasitology)
- Seychelles bulbul (Hypsipetes crassirostris) ecology - reputed nest-predation behaviour, fruit dispersal
- Barn owl (Tyto alba) ecology - introduced barn owls have been blamed for many bird population declines but the evidence is disputed. There is a need to quantify the diet of this species and to evaluate its probable impact on native species
- Indian mynah (Acridotheres tristis) ecology - often blamed for declines in native animal populations but the impacts of introduced Indian mynahs have not been investigated directly
- Habitat use by bird species - there have been no detailed investigations of the habitat preferences of the native species or investigation of the factors that have allowed some species to be survive whilst others have declined
- Rat diet and numbers
- Fruit bat ecology - role in pollination and dispersal would have important conservation implications. Population size should also be determined
Invertebrates
- Giant millipede ecology - population sizes and habitat preferences, diet, reproduction and life history
- Stylodonta unidentata snail ecology - population sizes and habitat preferences, diet
- Crab densities and identification, habitat preferences, zonation around water, diet, input of calcium to terrestrial environment by movement of shells by hermit crabs
- Ecology and conservation of bee hawkmoths and hummingbird hawkmoths (January/February and July/August only) - these appear to be associated with native coastal vegetation and with the introduced shrub Lantana camara. Ecological data, in particular the role of native and introduced plants, are needed to improve conservation prospects
- Ecology of dragonflies and damselflies, concentrating on habitat requirements
Plants
- Plant diversity, the effects of invasive plants, plant conservation, pollination
- Ecology of endemic/threatened plants - pollinators, dispersal agents, predators/parasites, conservation status
- Ecology of invasive plants - quantification of spread and impact, prediction of trends, effectiveness of different control methods, ecological consequences of control or of invasion, seed bank in invaded areas
Habitats
- Ecology of Mare aux Cochons marsh (this is very challenging and should be considered by the most intrepid volunteers only)
- Lowland marsh ecology
- Marine surveys - general
Cost
US$1500 for 8 weeks.
Travel
By air to Seychelles (Mahe island), then by helicopter
or boat.
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