Bad weather for the planet (France 5) – Mayotte, a paradise under threat

Mayotte is a huge aquarium rich in hundreds of marine species that sometimes lose their brightness when viewed from the sky. It is the result of mudslides that pour into the crystal-clear waters and drown out the coral, the natural barrier that protects the island. This threat to the environment worries scientists because in recent years the archipelago has faced a lot of trouble.

turtles are in danger

Located in the Mozambique Channel, the archipelago hides extraordinary wealth. But with rising waters, beaches are losing ground, and the effects on turtle nesting are immediate. It’s a tragedy when you know the survival stats of these reptiles: one in a thousand.

Coral reefs in danger

With heavy rains, the soils are saturated and landslides cause mudslides in the lagoon. The consequences: coral reefs and seagrass beds, these underwater meadows suffocate. Another tragedy for aquatic fauna…

An endemic species that needs to be protected

In 2006 the flora of Mayotte was enriched with a new species: Foetidia comorensis. This tree variety, unique in the world, grows only on the southeast coast of Grande-Terre. There are 82 of them, the first less than a meter from the lagoon. In a few years, this plant is at risk of being washed away by the sea.

Bad weather for the planet: Wednesday, July 27th at 21:00 in France 5

Caty Dewancke