Ala Maiky - Spiny Forest
Covering an area of 6.6 million ha, the dry spiny forests of southwestern Madagascar form one of WWF’s Global Ecoregions — a science-based global ranking of the world's most biologically outstanding habitats and the regions on which WWF concentrates its efforts. The forests have a high level of endemism, with succulent and spiny plants dominating in a semi-arid environment. It is home to many animal species, including lemur, tortoise, and mongoose.
WWF has been engaged in conservation work in the Spiny Forest Ecoregion since 1990. WWF MWIOPO seeks to address the ecological challenges posed by growing human numbers through meeting clear needs for land-use planning, improving land tenure and management, increasing the understanding of the impacts of socioeconomic and gender realities, and improving women’s reproductive health and literacy. WWF works with a broad variety of stakeholders, including local communities, Malagasy NGOs, regional government agencies, and other international development and conservation organizations.
The ecoregion contains a large variety of spiny and succulent plants, including the songo be, which can reach up to 50 feet (15 meters), aloes, baobabs, and Euphorbia, which resembles links of sausage.
Endemic birds include Verreaux's coua (Coua verreauxi), Running coua (C. cursor), Lefresnaye's vanga (Xenopirostris xenopirostris), and Long-tailed ground roller (Uratelornis chimaera). Spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides), Radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata), and Charlarodon madagascariensis are a few of the endemic reptiles.
Characteristic mammals include ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), White-footed sportive lemur (Lepilemur leucopus), Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi), and the recently described Grandidier's mongoose (Galidictis grandidiensis).
WWF has been engaged in conservation work in the Spiny Forest Ecoregion since 1990. WWF MWIOPO seeks to address the ecological challenges posed by growing human numbers through meeting clear needs for land-use planning, improving land tenure and management, increasing the understanding of the impacts of socioeconomic and gender realities, and improving women’s reproductive health and literacy. WWF works with a broad variety of stakeholders, including local communities, Malagasy NGOs, regional government agencies, and other international development and conservation organizations.
Local Species
The Spiny Thicket is particularly known for its endemic family of spiny Dideraceae trees, including the octopus tree, and Pachypodium, commonly referred to as elephant foot because of its huge bulbous base.The ecoregion contains a large variety of spiny and succulent plants, including the songo be, which can reach up to 50 feet (15 meters), aloes, baobabs, and Euphorbia, which resembles links of sausage.
Endemic birds include Verreaux's coua (Coua verreauxi), Running coua (C. cursor), Lefresnaye's vanga (Xenopirostris xenopirostris), and Long-tailed ground roller (Uratelornis chimaera). Spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides), Radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata), and Charlarodon madagascariensis are a few of the endemic reptiles.
Characteristic mammals include ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), White-footed sportive lemur (Lepilemur leucopus), Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi), and the recently described Grandidier's mongoose (Galidictis grandidiensis).
Threats
The principle threats to Madagascar's biodiversity come from the small-scale, but widespread clearance of habitats, primarily for firewood and charcoal production. Secondary threats are posed by subsistence agriculture, livestock grazing, and invasive species. Despite some recent improvements, Madagascar's protected area system does not yet encompass all of the country's critical sites.
Ambondrolava near Toliara, Southwest Madagascar
It's an excellent idea to protect our forests through community protected areas.If the felling of trees continues, Madagascar s forests will be entirely destroyed and there will be nothing left for us except bare earth.
Spiny Forest Facts
Size:
124,000 sq. km
Habitat type:
Deserts and Xeric Shrublands
Geographic Location:
Southern and southwestern Madagascar
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
124,000 sq. km
Habitat type:
Deserts and Xeric Shrublands
Geographic Location:
Southern and southwestern Madagascar
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
WWF's activities in the South
Contribution to Durban Vision
- Over 10 new protected areas programs catalyzed by WWF
- Approaches using almost of the IUCN protected areas categories
- Innovation and diversity of training programs for population
Main Activities
- Establish new protected areas (in line with IUCN's recommendation)
- Develop and implement management effectiveness systems for new PAs
- Targeted support to Madagascar National Parks
- Conservation management planning
- Research
- Support Community forest management and forestry governance
- Promote agro-ecological farming and pasturing techniques
- Capacity building
- Create local legislation
- Support educational programs
Achievements
- Decrease of up to 27% of the deforestation rate in in the ecoregion between 2000-2005
- Three new protected areas with a legal temporary protection status in 2007 (85,503 ha)
- Well advanced on-the-ground processes towards the creation of some 700,000 ha of future new PAs
- Finalization of 20 community-based forest management contracts
- Creation and reinforcement of 8 inter-communal associations
- Effective integration of environmental aspects and biodiversity conservation within the 3 Regional Development Plans and 48 Communal Development Plans encompassing priority conservation areas
- Effective integration of the biodiversity vision into the implementation of the Durban Vision and establishment of the new Malagasy Protected Area System
- Adoption of regional sustainable energy plans for the Anosy and Atsimo-Andrefana regions
- Creation of the Toliara Regional Office that supports ecotourism promotion in national parks and other protected areas.