Les Lacs du Grand Sud Neo-Calédonien

Vue surplombante le parc provincial de la rivière bleue
Rivière des lacs, entre Netcha et le lac de yaté
Doline de la plaine des lacs

Les Lacs du Grand Sud Neo-Calédonien

  • Country: 
    France (outre-mer)
  • Site number: 
    2194
  • Area: 
    43,970 ha
  • Designation date: 
    02-02-2014
  • Coordinates: 
    22°09'S 166°46'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Site is the largest freshwater reserve of New Caledonia, situated in the Great Lakes Region (Région des Grands Lacs) in South Province of Grande Terre, the main island. It consists of tree-dominated wetlands, shrub-dominated marshes, and permanent and seasonal rivers, streams, creeks, and lakes including a reservoir. It is internationally important for the conservation of outstanding endemic plants and animals; it supports vulnerable and endangered species which are important for the maintenance of biological diversity within the New Caledonian Moist Forests biogeographic region. The Site, which includes an extensive underground karst system, plays an important role in flood regulation, water supply, maintenance of water quality and groundwater recharge. The artificial Yaté Lake at the centre of the Site provides 20% of the country’s energy needs. The area is also used for research and tourism including camping, hiking and kayaking. The main threats to its ecological character derive from fires, forestry, invasive species, and mining in surrounding areas.

Administrative region: 
Province Sud

  • National legal designation: 
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle du barrage de Yaté
    • parc provincial - parc provincial de la rivière Bleue
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle de la Fausse Yaté
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle de la Haute Pourina
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle de la Haute Yaté
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle du Pic du Pin
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle du Pic du grand Kaori
    • réserve naturelle - réserve naturelle des chutes de la Madeleine
  • Last publication date: 
    13-07-2023

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents