Greening Madagascar is the challenge that governments have set for themselves, highlighting their commitment to restoring lost forests. Equally important, however, is the conservation of the remaining natural forests. Let’s explore Madagascar’s primary forests.
The Thousand and One Forests of Madagascar
With a surface area of 587,040 km², Madagascar ranks among the five largest islands in the world. The extensive coverage, spanning 14 degrees of latitude, explains the diversity of its climates, resulting in a variety of forest ecosystems.
- Rainforests: Along the eastern coast of Madagascar, moist evergreen forests extend from Marojejy (Sava Region, Northern Madagascar) to Andohahela (Anosy Region, Southern Madagascar). Comprising endemic biodiversity found in high altitude rainforests are well-known terrestrial protected areas on the island. In fact, the Eastern Rainforests are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dry forests: The majority of forests in western and southern Madagascar are dense dry forests that shed their leaves seasonally, known as deciduous forests.
- Spiny dry thickets: In southwestern Madagascar, the geological variation of the region ranges from limestone plateaus to mountains. Volcanic formations, from the Mangoky River in the southwest to the mountains in the southeast, have covered the region with spiny forests. These forests have the ability to retain water, making them a source of water for many species, especially during dry seasons.
- Sclerophyllous dry forests: The sclerophyllous forest serves as a transition to lower regions, known as subhumid forests, and primarily harbors mosses, lichens, and epiphytes.
- Coastal forests: The eastern coastal forest corresponds biogeographically to areas near sea level on sandy soil in the humid bioclimatic region of Madagascar.
- Mangrove forests: Madagascar is home to 2% of the world’s mangrove reserves and 20% of the African reserves, covering nearly 236,400 hectares. It possesses the second-largest expanse of mangroves in the Indian Ocean. Mangroves develop between the sea, coastlines, and rivers. They mitigate the impact of storms and protect coastlines. Mangroves are highly productive areas for crab, shrimp, and fish fishing. Threats to these forests include conversion to paddy fields, charcoal production, and illegal logging.
Protecting Madagascar’s Forests through Protected Area Financing
In Madagascar, the annual deforestation rate has gradually increased, reaching up to 99,000 hectares per year between 2010 and 2014. By the end of 2017, the country had already lost more than half of its remaining forests and is at risk of losing them all within the next half-century.
The strategy for protecting forests and other natural habitats that harbor exceptional endemic biodiversity has long relied on the creation of protected areas (PAs) managed by conservation experts. Currently, the island has 123 PAs, totaling over 7 million hectares (approximately 10% of the national territory), within the Madagascar Protected Areas Network (SAPM). They are managed either by Madagascar National Parks, under the Ministry in charge of the environment, or by non-governmental organizations or research institutions, in accordance with IUCN governance categories and the national PA code (Law 2015-005 of January 22, 2005).
Despite being funded by numerous organizations, including FAPBM, there is still a funding gap for these PAs. According to a study conducted by FAPBM in 2021, the 123 PAs would require an average annual budget of USD 42 to USD 70 million, which is double the current budget (USD 25 to USD 30 million per year). This funding deficit is a major cause of the progressive loss of biodiversity in Madagascar, which threatens ecological balance, food security, community and household economies, and, consequently, social stability. To address this shortfall, the members of the Coalition for Madagascar Protected Areas are advocating for increased resources for forest protection and emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
