The Environment in Saint Helena, Saint Helena

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The island is of volcanic origin. Early records relating to its discovery show that the island was once covered in rich vegetation. It has been suggested that seeds of plants must have been carried by birds or blown by the wind that caused such vegetation to be found by early discoverers. It is thought that the introduction of goats by the Portuguese did much to destroy many of the forests, and that this accounts for the barrenness of much of the land on the coastal areas today.




Fortunately the island is left with lush vegetation in its interior. Among plant life on the island is a variety of endemics. Some however have become almost extinct and others are threatened but a dedicated programme is currently ongoing to enhance the growth of some of these threatened or near extinct species.
The Millennium Forest is an example of this where more than a thousand endemic seedlings were planted by the inhabitants and Government in joint venture to re-establish what was once a thriving forest of gumwoods. A list of the Island's endemics is on the next page.
The island is hilly in most parts with only a small portion of level ground. The highest peak rises to some 2300 feet above sea level. At these altitudes some of the islandÂ’s thriving endemic plants such as ferns and cabbage trees can be found.


There is only one endemic specie of bird - the Wirebird which resembles birds of the plover family. Other birds abound that have at one time or another been introduced to the island; they include, canaries, Java sparrows, mynahs, pigeons, doves, cardinals, tropic birds, fairy terns. Partridges and pheasants are also found.


Many species of fish, some of which are endemic, abound in the waters around St Helena. The endemic species include Bastard Cavalley Pilot (Stegastes sauctaehelenae), Silver eel (Arisoma mellissii), Springer's Blenny (Scartella springeri), Skulpin (Physiculus helenaesus), Bastard Fivefinger (Chromis sanctahelinae) St Helena Dragonet (Calliorymus sauctahelinae), Hen Deepwater Greenfish (Holautthias frontiunctus), Deep-water Gurnard (Scoprpaena mellissii), Deep-water Jack (Pontinus nigropunctatios), Greenfish (Thallassoma sanctaehelenae).

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General Tips about Saint Helena

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