Saint Helena: bastion of biodiversity

Surging up from the oceans depths in the middle of the South Atlantic lies an island independent of any continent that offers a window into the past riches of our planet. The volcanic island of Saint Helena is unique not only in its extreme isolation but also in its diverse flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. This otherworldly drop of land in our planets vast ocean is home to a multitude of micro-ecosystems from subtropical forest, to exposed desert-like plains, to rich marine sanctuaries, each with its own key endemic species. Once teeming with exotic creatures, since the islands discovery in the early 16th century its indigenous residents have become victims to the long drawn-out decline associated with the introduction of less specialised and highly adaptable alien species. The central role of the island in the European Empire’s web of expansion meant that it was many centuries before the colonial powers were willing to loosen their grip, and by then the island was almost unrecognisable from the paradise the first Portuguese had described it to be. Yet today, the people of Saint Helena have come together to preserve their home. Their remarkable efforts and dedication have resulted in their achieving what many would have deemed impossible, and should stand as an example to us all as to what can be accomplished when we work together.