The dry forest ... First!

Abstract

The dry forest ecosystem is obviously the environmental priority insofar as it is the most threatened in the world. New Caledonia is the third hot spot after Hawai'i and Madagascar. With about a hundred forests located all along the West Coast, with areas from 1 to 320 hectares, this Island constitutes an exceptional richness in terms of biodiversity. The Dry Forest Conservation Program is the first intiative in the world to safe-guard this very little known forest. International and provincial organisations, public authorities, activities, landowners and the inhabitants of the region have been thus mobilized to defend this extraordinary environment. It is a challenge that everyone here in New Caledonia, wants to work together for the future of this country.