Case Studies: Madagascar
Ring-Tailed Lemur --- photo by George Lisensky
400 miles off the southeastern coast of Africa Madagascar is one of the three “hottest” of the Earth’s 25 biodiversity hotspots. Largely this is because of the 1,600 plant and tree species that comprise the forests of the island and the many rare and endemic species including numerous lemur species that range in size from as small as mice to as large as pandas. (
McConnell 2002)
The biodiversity of Madagascar is helped, and possibly created, by the large size of the island and a combination of varied topography and vast differences in amounts of annual rainfall as well as differences in the seasonality of precipitation all over the island. It has also been isolated from other landmass for at least 88 Million years (when it separated from India), this accounts for the high level of endemism in both land and aquatic species. (Benstead et al. 2003)
Why Madagascar should be preserved: Protection of the forests is not only important in relation to the species of animals that could be endangered but also in the effect that it would have on the rest of the world. The large numbers of trees within the forests are important in sequestering carbon, and thus reducing some effects of global warming. One of the most cited species when Madagascar and preservation is mentioned is the Rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). This plant is an important source of alkaloids that are used to treat childhood leukemia as well as Hodgkin’s disease. (McConnell 2002)
Almost 80% of the original forest cover has disappeared in the last 2,000 years and around 150,000 to 200,000 hecatares a year is estimated to be lost by deforestation, mostly due to slash and burn agriculture. The country also has extreme poverty that is coupled with a rapid population growwth. (Conservation International)
Some of the Rare and Endangered Species of Madagascar as classed by Conservation International are :
- Aye-aye
- Pygmy mouse lemur
- Golden-bamboo lemur
- Tomato frog
- Madagascar serpent eagle
Of the 50 species listed in the 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, 41 are endemic to Madagascar.
What is the Ecotourism draw to Madagascar: Being home to so many endemic creatures (nine-tenths of all lemur species),considered a must-see for any serious bird-watcher, 6 species of baobabs and 1,000 different species of orchids among its at least 10,000 plants, it is almost a required stop for any serious ecotraveler. With the malagasy people many organizations have teamed up in order to provide protection of these natural treasures as well as trips to visit them.
How is Madagascar being preserved:
A large portion of the Biodiversity in Madagascar is outside of the reserve systems that exist currently. only 1.25% of the land is totally protected with 0.63% partially protected (Massicot 2004). This 1.88% of protected land equals 22 National Parks and Reserves.
Related Sites:
Madagascar Wildlife Conservation
- A malagasy non-profit association who aims to be an information platform
About Madagascar
- True it may really be a travel agency, but it gives some good links for organizations that have teamed up to help protect Madagascar.
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