Ecological Restoration and Reforestation of Fragmented Forests in Kianjavato, Madagascar

Abstract

A reforestation effort in Kianjavato Commune in southeast Madagascar is presented that combines native diversity with rapidly growing introduced and native pioneer trees. This work utilizes a three-tiered corridor design that capitalizes on the region’s mountainous terrain. The process of seed selection, transplantation, and survival rate of seedlings over a 16 month period is reported. The uppermost 50% of each mountain is planted with 38 woody species and most closely approximates native forest. This tier was divided into two categories, pioneer and secondary species. Most of the pioneer species were not native; however, results showed that four fast-growing, environmentally-tolerant native species could be suitable alternatives:Streblus mauritianus, Syzygium bernieri, Treculia madagascariensisandUapaca thouarsii. More than 70,000 seeds of secondary species were extracted from fecal samples from wild, free-ranging black and white ruffed lemurs; the majority of which germinated significantly better after gut passage. The most effective pretreatment that enhanced germination was to scarify unwashed seeds. Commercially valuable trees, belonging to the community members, were grown on the lower half of each mountain. Lastly, the various contributions of the community are described along with agroforestry development plans designed to reduce pressure on forest resources and generate supplemental income.

Behaviour and Ecology of Male Aye-Ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) in the Kianjavato Classified Forest, South-Eastern Madagascar

“…The KCF is composed of a conglomeration of agricultural subsistence farming, a coffee plantation (approx. 150 ha) managed by the Centre National pour la Recherche Appliquée sur le Développement Rural or FOFIFA, and a non-protected classified forest (4,725 ha) which is a sec- ondary forest interrupted by bamboo [Manjaribe et al, 2013]. Our study area covered the Tsitola, Ambatovaky and Sangasanga forests which are local names for the 3 mountain ranges within the KCF.…”

“…The natural vegetation surrounding Kianjavato is a low elevation, humid, evergreen forest dominated by Anthostema (Euphorbiaceae) and trees from the family Myristicaceae [Faramalala, 1988]. Due to slash-and-burn agricultural practices, the KCF's landscape is classified as degraded and secondary; it is humid, lowland rainforest [Manjaribe et al, 2013].…”

Geothermal Energy Utilization in the Kamojang Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

“…As Paranoan et al (2012) revealed that payment service was given directly to the society in every activity of forest and land rehabilitation of Das Saddang, Tana Toraja Regency. Similar to Manjaribe et al (2013) explained that reforestation effort in Kianjavato Commune in southeast Madagascar was presented that combines native diversity with rapidly growing introduced and native pioneer trees. The various contributions of the community were described along with agroforestry development plans designed to reduce pressure on forest resources and generate supplemental income.…”

Vegetation Structure and Prioritizing Plants for Eco-Restoration of Degraded Wildlife Corridor in Dry Tropical Forest of South India

“…According to meta-population, meta-community and island-biogeography theories, degradation and fragmentation of natural wildlife habitats could lead to the extinction of many species across the globe due to loss of sub-population connectedness and inbreeding depression [4,8]. Therefore, at the time of unprecedented wildlife habitat destruction, eco-restoration of degraded forest areas particularly wildlife corridors is gaining global importance and also emerging as a practical conservation strategy [9][10][11][12]. Under the 'Green India Mission', the Indian government is planning to double afforestation efforts by 2020 [13] and also planning to buy private plantations to restore elephant corridors [14,15].…”