From the dense rainforests to the diverse wetlands, French Guiana’s biodiversity is nothing short of astonishing. Nestled within the Guiana Shield, this region is a haven for flora and fauna, offering a stunning range of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, mangroves, inselbergs, savannahs, and wetlands. French Guiana stands as a key player in the conservation of biodiversity, with its forests serving as one of the richest ecosystems on Earth.

With much of its land safeguarded through national parks and nature reserves, French Guiana plays a crucial role in global conservation efforts. However, challenges like deforestation, illegal gold mining, and climate change pose threats to its rich biodiversity.

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

French Guiana is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, coastal mangroves, savannahs, inselbergs, and various wetlands. It spans three distinct ecoregions: the Guayanan Highlands moist forests, Guianan moist forests, and Guianan mangroves. The region boasts significant biodiversity in both flora and fauna, largely due to its old-growth, or primary, forests, which are recognized as biodiversity hotspots. These rainforests serve as vital refuges for numerous species during dry seasons and periods of terrestrial glaciation.

French Guiana’s rich ecosystems are protected by the Guiana Amazonian Park, along with seven nature reserves and 17 additional protected sites. Both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the European Union (EU) have called for increased efforts to preserve these critical areas.

Threats to Biodiversity

Environmental threats to French Guiana include habitat fragmentation from roads, though this remains minimal compared to other South American forests. Other issues involve the direct and long-term effects of EDF’s Petit-Saut Dam, gold mining, inadequate regulation of hunting and poaching—often made easier by the creation of numerous tracks—and the increasing use of all-terrain vehicles. Logging in the region is relatively low due to the limited road infrastructure, challenging climate, and rugged terrain. The Forest Code of French Guiana was revised on 28 July 2005, and logging concessions or land transfers are occasionally granted by local authorities to individuals who traditionally depend on the forest for their livelihood.

Capacity and Governance

Following the 2007 Grenelle Environment Round Table, the Grenelle Law II was introduced in 2009 under law number 2010–788. Article 49 of this law called for the establishment of a unified organization dedicated to environmental conservation in French Guiana. Additionally, Article 64 proposed the creation of a “departmental mining orientation plan” for the region, aimed at promoting gold mining that aligns with environmental protection standards. Historically, the coastal areas along the RN1 have undergone the most development, but growth is also occurring near the RN2 and in western French Guiana, driven in part by gold mining activities.

Future Trends

French Guiana’s biodiversity plan emphasizes the extraordinary diversity of its ecosystems, with just one hectare of forest containing over 300 tree species—far surpassing the diversity found in Europe. The 2030 national strategy prioritizes designating areas for high-level protection, focusing on ecosystems that are particularly rich in biodiversity or possess unique characteristics. The BIODEV2030 Initiative seeks to promote the sustainable use and management of biodiversity, ensuring it is integrated across multiple sectors, making conservation efforts both effective and inclusive.

Biodiversity

French Guiana is a biodiversity treasure trove, ranking among the most ecologically rich regions in the world. Located within the Guiana Shield, this French overseas territory is part of one of the largest expanses of tropical rainforest on the planet, home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. French Guiana boasts an incredible array of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, coastal mangroves, wetlands, and savannahs, all contributing to its rich biodiversity.

The territory hosts a remarkable variety of species, with many being endemic to the region. Its forests are some of the most pristine and ancient in the world, sheltering an abundance of wildlife. French Guiana is home to more than 5,500 species of plants and thousands of animal species, including jaguars, giant otters, and a wide variety of birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Its marine environment is equally diverse, supporting species such as dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles along its coastline.