17,985 research outputs found
Makira conservation site
No full textMetadata only recordThe forests of Makira, located in the northeast of Madagascar, adjacent to Masoala peninsula and its forests, represent one of the largest remaining contiguous areas of tropical rain forest in Madagascar. They are a tremendously valuable site for biodiversity conservation, carbon retention, and other critical ecosystem services. More than 50% of Madagascar's floral biodiversity can be found in the Greater Makira/Masoala landscape. Among its various terrains and diverse bioclimatic zones, Makira hosts critically endangered animal species, such as the Madagascar serpent eagle and silky sifaka, a lemur known for its rattling calls to warn of aerial predators. The biodiversity level of the Makira-system is expected to be among the highest in the country and, by extension of the world. In addition, the forests of Makira maintain connectivity between Masoala National Park and Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve, providing an important genetic corridor between these two protected areas and ensuring the ecological integrity of one of the most diverse and intact areas of Madagascar. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Forests and with financial support from Conservation International, WCS efforts in the Makira Conservation Site will protect the biodiversity of and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in northeastern Madagascar.PES-1 (Payments for Environmental Services Associate Award
Range-wide analysis of the spatial distribution and genetic diversity of Delonix s.l. (Leguminosae) in Madagascar : enhancing herbarium-based conservation assessments
No full textDespite their ecological and economic importance, the majority of plant species and
their conservation status are poorly known. Only 4% of plants have been assessed
globally and listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; and without plant
conservation assessments, many plant species will not feature in conservation
planning.
Herbarium collection information can significantly increase the number of plant
conservation assessments. Thus, the aims of this thesis were: (1) to investigate how
the quality of herbarium-based conservation assessments can be optimised; (2) to
assess the extent to which herbarium-based conservation assessments reflect the
reality on the ground; and (3) to scientifically validate genetic and spatial underpinning
of IUCN criteria.
Preliminary range-based assessments of the Leguminosae of Madagascar achieved a
result consistent with the final conservation rating for over 95% of species when using
up to fifteen herbarium specimens. Bioclimatic modelling of range shifts based on
future climate change predicted that, in the worst case scenario, up to one third of
endemic Leguminosae in Madagascar will be threatened with extinction over the next
100 years. An analysis of the population structure of species of Delonix s.l.
(Leguminosae) showed that combining spatial analysis with population genetic data
provides a more complete picture of landscape-level population dynamics and the
impacts on conservation status.
Moreover, range-wide genetic analysis of AFLP markers for four species of Delonix
demonstrated a genetic basis for IUCN categories distinguishing between threatened
and non-threatened species. Although genetic data are currently not often
incorporated in conservation assessments, they are crucial in making accurate
management decisions and creating effective action plans for conservation. Only by
using all available scientific resources can informed conservation decisions be made
and the survival of plants and their associated ecosystems be ensured
Social science and conservation in Madagascar
Get PDFINTERVIEW MADAGASCAR CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMEN
Reconciling conservation and development in Madagascar's rapidly-expanding protected area system
Get PDFThe creation and management of protected areas is our principal approach to conserving biodiversity worldwide. Management and governance models for these diverse institutions have become more pluralistic in recent decades, moving away from the traditional exclusionary protected area model that has proliferated historically. Indeed, most new protected areas are being established for ‘multiple-use’ and, therefore, permit a range of human livelihood activities to occur within their boundaries. However, we know little about how such sites can be effectively managed.
In this thesis, I use an interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach to investigate the implementation of new multiple-use protected areas in Madagascar. Madagascar is a global conservation priority characterised by high levels of endemism, and has a largely forest-dependent biota. Since most of the human population is rural and dependent on natural resources for subsistence and income to differing extents, the expanded protected area system is managed for both conservation and socioeconomic goals (poverty alleviation and development). However, these objectives may be conflicting since human resource use can be a significant driver of biodiversity loss. I begin by examining trends in new protected area establishment at the nationwide-level to generate insights into protected area categorisation, and the role of natural resources and protected areas in poverty alleviation. I then consider the impacts of forest use on biodiversity, through a literature review and empirical study of bird and reptile communities across a degradation gradient. The findings indicate that habitat change arising from forest use may impact the high-value, endemic component of the fauna most negatively. In addition, I develop a simple index to enumerate the conservation value of different species. This is then used to determine how degradation influences the conservation value of exploited habitats, as well as assessing if the index is a suitable tool that can be used to prioritise conservation investment across a portfolio of sites. Finally, I seek to understand the drivers of natural resource use by rural communities within the Ranobe PK32 protected area, and discover that both bushmeat hunting and charcoal production are fallback activities or supplements to other livelihoods.
The evidence collated in the thesis, derived from both ecological and social perspectives, suggests that managing new protected areas in Madagascar for conservation and development is overambitious, and that, at least in forest areas, management cannot be optimised towards both goals simultaneously
The challenge of conserving amphibian megadiversity in Madagascar
Get PDF4 pages, 2 figures.-- PMID: 18462021 [PubMed].-- PMCID: PMC2365978.Frogs from Madagascar constitute one of the richest groups of amphibian fauna in the world, with currently 238 described species; caecilians and salamanders are absent. Several frog radiations of the island are species-rich and parallel lemurs and tenrecs in their astonishing morphological and ecological diversity. According to the Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA), Madagascar ranks as the country with the 12th highest amphibian species richness (see also http://www.globalamphibians.org), but this is likely an underestimate, because an additional 182 candidate species have been identified since. Diversity is concentrated in rainforests and can locally reach over 100 species. Impressively, 100% of the autochthonous species and 88% of the genera are strictly endemic to Madagascar and its inshore islands. Most of these species belong to two radiations of astonishing ecomorphological and reproductive diversity, the mantellids and the scaphiophrynine plus cophyline microhylids.Peer reviewe
Les baobabs de Madagascar : quel cadre réglementaire pour leur conservation ?
Get PDFWith lemurs, baobabs are the most emblematic species of Madagascar internationally. Seven species of the nine existing in the world are Madagascan endemic. This fact testifies the high rate of the biodiversity of the island. Having signed a number of international conventions, Madagascar intends to underline its commitment to the management and conservation of its natural resources. The international system of conservation framing is used for the implementation of national strategy. Thus, in addition to the international system of conservation systems such as the CBD, IUCN or CITES, baobabs of Madagascar are considered as non - timber forest products according to Decree N. 2915/87 of 7 September 1987 related to products accessories forest even if no term is clearly stipulated in this text. Moreover, there is no regulatory framework or specific text about conservation or exploitation of baobabs in Madagascar. Protected areas are then the only protection structures for baobabs. All species of Malagasy baobabs are represented in protected areas but their representation differs depending on the distribution of each species. Except for two protected areas, the baobab is not yet among the specific targets of conservation of protected areas in Madagascar. Adansonia grandidieri is an exception. It benefits indeed from two regional frameworks that specify measures to protect the species and priority activities to be undertaken for the species with the Dinan'ny Menabe and the regional conservation strategy for the species validated in 2013. At the local level, tools and instruments governing the management transfer could constitute framing elements for the management of baobabs. Some species have in fact non-negligible economic values without forgetting the cultural and religious values of some baobab trees. The implementation of the strategy for the conservation of each species is necessary at all levels especially in protected areas as three species are classified as ‘Endangered’ by IUCN. The conservation is necessary to ensure both sustainability of the species and integrity of all uses of baobabs. Résumé Avec les lémuriens, les baobabs sont certainement reconnus dans le monde comme l’un des groupes les plus emblématiques de Madagascar. La Grande Île abrite six espèces endémiques dont trois ‘En Danger’ sur la liste rouge de l’UICN et trois ‘Quasi - menacées’. Cet article se propose de passer en revue les dispositions mises en place ainsi que les opportunités et limites de la conservation et de la gestion durable des baobabs endémiques de Madagascar. En ratifiant les conventions internationales sur la diversité biologique (CDB) et sur le commerce international des espèces menacées (CITES), Madagascar s’est engagé à assurer la conservation et la gestion durable des baobabs, plus particulièrement celles des espèces menacées. Cependant, selon l’Arrêté n° 2915/87 du 7 septembre 1987 sur les produits accessoires des forêts, les baobabs de Madagascar sont considérés comme des produits forestiers non ligneux pouvant être exploités et aucune disposition n’a été prise pour gérer durablement leur exploitation. La présence des baobabs est confirmée dans 35 zones protégées mais, à l’exception de l’Allée des Baobabs et de la Montagne des Français, les baobabs ne sont pas considérés comme des cibles de conservation mais davantage comme des éléments profitant d’une protection intrinsèque en faisant partie intégrante d’habitats ciblés pour la conservation. Seule Adansonia grandidieri bénéficie de mesures de conservation régionales par la mise en place du Dinan’ny Menabe et de la stratégie de conservation de l’espèce dans la Région du Menabe. Or les pressions observées actuellement et les prospectives portant sur l’aire de distribution des deux autres espèces classées ‘En Danger’ que sont A. perrieri et A. suarezensis justifient la mise en place de stratégies de conservation.
Madagascar’s rosewood stocks – which way to go?
Get PDFFor centuries, people around the globe have admired Rosewood. Malagasy rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.) are especially valued for their qualities. In recent years, illegal sourcing of rosewood escalated to unprecedented levels: this coincided with the political fallout from 2009-2013. The wood has been – and is - sourced mainly from protected areas in eastern Madagascar. Before being exported, timber is stockpiled, mostly in well-concealed localities. Despite an international ban on export and trading, the timber has been – and continues to – leave Madagascar. The species targeted are CITES listed, which means that trading them is forbidden. Most of the wood has been shipped to China, where demand for it is enormous. In 2011, stocks were estimated to be in excess of 500,000 tons. In 2013, the international community, spearheaded by the SADC were to prepare new presidential elections which were expected to put an end to the political and economic crisis of what is an increasingly beleaguered nation. In the same period, the World Bank implemented a project aimed at finding a solution of how to deal with the controversial rosewood stocks. At time of writing, this remains a topic of debate. Experts in a previous MCD interview suggested either to destroy the stocks in order to avoid further illegal sourcing of timber from protected areas, or to establish a timber bank of sorts. All agreed that selling the wood would be a double-edged sword: while it brings much- needed revenues to the empty coffers of the government, it may fuel and further increase demand for Rosewood. A noticeable and lengthy silence followed, with virtually no coverage in the national and international media. The World Bank project (#PO93271) comes to an end in December 2015: “all illegal precious woods stockpiles sized by Government have been audited and secured”. The journal MCD is asking the 2011 questions – four years later, and would like to give voice to some of the experts and practitioners involved in this rosewood crisis
Do species conservation assessments capture genetic diversity?
No full textThis work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council NER/S/A/2006/14303 (MR) and the Leverhulme Trust RF/2/RFG/2007/0314 (TM).The best known system for classifying threat status of species, the IUCN Red List, currently lacks explicit considerations of genetic diversity, and consequently may not account for potential adaptation of species to future environmental change. To address this gap, we integrate range-wide genetic analysis with IUCN Red List assessments. We calculated the loss of genetic diversity under simulated range loss for species of Delonix (Leguminosae). Simulated range loss involved random loss of populations and was intended to model ongoing habitat destruction. We found a strong relationship between loss of genetic diversity and range. Moreover, we found correspondence between levels of genetic diversity and thresholds for ‘non-threatened’ versus ‘threatened’ IUCN Red List categories. Our results support the view that current threat thresholds of the IUCN Red List criteria reflect genetic diversity, and hence evolutionary potential; although the genetic diversity distinction between threatened categories was less evident. Thus, by supplementing conventional conservation assessments with genetic data, new insights into the biological robustness of IUCN Red List assessments for targeted conservation initiatives can be achievedPeer reviewe
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