MALDIVES

The Maldivian archipelago stretches for 860 Km from latitude 7°6’35”N to 0°42’24”S, and from longitude 72°33’19’’ to 73°46’13’’E. Because of climatic and edaphic factors it isn’t possible for luxuriant equatorial forests to grow. The dominant vegetation on the islands is coconut palm forest associated with shrubland on the edge of the beach. On Magoodhoo Island, 10 out of the 22 hectares are covered by coconut forest (Cocus nucifera) and shrubland is composed of sea lettuce (Scaevola taccada), tree hiliotrope (Tournefortia argenta), beach gardenia (Guettarda speciosa) and screw pine (Pandanus sp.). As to the Maldivian fauna, it is possible to spot flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus) and asian koels (Eudynamys scolopaceus) perched on tree branches, as well as white-breasted waterhed (Amaurornis phoenicurus) running on the ground among the roots of the palm trees.