Taboos and social contracts: Tools for ecosystem management – lessons from the Manambolomaty Lakes RAMSAR site, western Madagascar

Traditional taboos and social contracts played an important role in managing the Manambolomaty RAMSAR site. Taboos are defined as a prohibition imposed by social custom as a protective measure’ and social contracts are – in conservation sense – a common agreement for achieving conservation, sustainable development and development of resources objectives. The Manambolomaty Lakes RAMSAR site, District of Antsalova in western Madagascar, is composed of four lakes (Soamalipo, Befotaka, Ankerika and Antsamaka) surrounded by the Tsimembo deciduous forest. The first three lakes with forest surrounding encompass 14,701 ha and are being managed by two local Associations: FIZAMI (FIkambanana Zanatany Andranobe MIray) and FIFAMA (FIkambanana FAmpandrosoana Mamokatra Ankerika). The associations have used traditional taboos and social conventions to manage their local natural resources by incorporating a GELOSE (GEstion Locale SEcurisée) management system to conserve biological diversity, maintain resource sustainability and socio - economic viability. This site has the highest concentration of the endemic and critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides), representing 10 % of the global population, and many other species of different faunal groups are also in good conservation status such as Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckeni) and Western lesser bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur occidentalis) and Madagascar flying fox (Pteropus rufus). Culturally, the site is known as a unique source of the endemic tree Hazomalania voyroni (Hernandiaceae), which is used by the Sakalava people for constructing coffins, and being buried in a coffin made of this wood is a great honour for the Sakalava people. From Manambolomaty’s Lakes fish yields, estimated at 60 - 100 tons per fishing season, FIZAMI and FIFAMA are one of the few Malagasy Associations with active bank accounts supported by management of their natural resources and associated activities. Their fisheries management system has increased the annual local revenue estimated at more than $ 1,562 US / fisherman per season. The tax of fish sales to wholesale fish buyers forms 56 % of the two local Commune’s budgets. This has made the Community - Based Wetlands Conservation at the Manambolomaty Lakes site well known in the conservation circles within Madagascar and has been modelled vy other organizations and associations. Consequently, the Manambolomaty Lakes site is in the process of being added into the System of Protected Areas of Madagascar (SAPM) (Figure 1)

Roles of a forest corridor between Marojejy, Anjanaharibe- Sud and Tsaratanana protected areas, northern Madagascar, in maintaining endemic and threatened Malagasy taxa

Site-based conservation is widely recognized as a fundamental requirement for the maintenance of  biodiversity. We carried out a rapid biological assessment from 17 March to 14 May 2011 in the southwestern part of the provisionally protected rainforest corridor between Marojejy, Anjanaharibe-Sud and Tsaratanana protected areas (COMATSA), northern Madagascar, to assess its biodiversity richness and species conservation status. We recorded 248 endemic vertebrate species, including 80 amphibians, 52 reptiles, 79 birds, 27 small mammals and 10 lemurs. Of these 248 species, 36 are threatened including one Critically Endangered (one lemur), nine Endangered (two amphibians, four reptiles and three lemurs) and 26 Vulnerable (10 amphibians, six reptiles, four birds, one small mammal and five lemurs). For herpetofauna species, the pair COMATSAc –cMarojejy was the only site that had a similarity value greater than 0.50. For birds and  lemurs, values of similarity in three pairs of sites COMATSAc –c Marojejy, COMATSA c –c Anjanaharibe-Sud and Marojejyc –c Anjanaharibe-Sud exceeded those of herpetofauna in COMATSAc –c Marojejy. The inclusion of the COMATSA into the new protected area network in Madagascar is supported by our findings. Il est dorénavant largement reconnu que pour maintenir la biodiversité, il est fondamental de réaliser la  conservation de la nature au niveau des sites. Un inventaire biologique rapide a été mené du 17 mars au 14 mai 2011 dans la partie sud-ouest du couloir forestier reliant les parcs et réserves du Marojejy,  d’Anjanaharibe- Sud et du Tsaratanana (COMATSA). L’inventaire de ce couloir qui bénéficie d’un statut de protection temporaire dans la partie septentrionale de Madagascar, était destiné à évaluer la richesse de sa biodiversité et le statut de conservation des espèces de vertébrés qu’il héberge. Les résultats ont   montré que parmi les 248 espèces endémiques de vertébrés recensées, 80 sont des amphibiens, 52 des  reptiles, 79 des oiseaux, 27 des petits mammifères mammifères et 10 des lémuriens. Sur ces 248  espèces, 36 sont menacées, dont une espèce qui est en Danger Critique d’Extinction (lémurien), neuf en Danger (deux amphibiens, quatre reptiles et trois lémuriens) et 26 Vulnérables (1 0 amphibiens, six  reptiles, quatre oiseaux, un micromammifère et cinq lémuriens). Ce couloir forestier présente un  coefficient de similarité élevé, d’une valeur supérieure à 0.50 avec le Marojejy pour les amphibiens et les reptiles. Pour les oiseaux et les lémuriens, les coefficients sont encore plus importants, plus  particulièrement dans les comparaisons COMATSAc –c Marojejy, COMATSAc –c Anjanaharibe- Sud et Marojejyc –c Anjanaharibe-Sud. Cette étude confirme l’importance d’intégrer le COMATSA dans le réseau des Aires Protégées de Madagascar pour renforcer la protection des espèces de vertébrés endémiques et menacées

Protected area surface extension in Madagascar: Do endemism and threatened species remain useful criteria for site selection ?

The ‘hotspot approach’ considers that endemism and threatened species are key factors in protected area designation. Three wetland and forest sites have been proposed to be included into Madagascar’s system of protected areas (SAPM – Système des Aires Protégées de Madagascar). These sites are Manambolomaty (14,701 ha) and Mandrozo (15,145 ha) in the west and Bemanevika (37,041 ha) in the north. Biodiversity inventories of these three sites recorded 243 endemic species comprised of 44 reptiles, 54 amphibians, 104 birds, 23 small mammals, 17 lemurs and one fish. Of these 243 species, 30 are threatened taxa comprising two Critically Endangered (CR), 11 Endangered (EN) and 17 Vulnerable (VU) species. The long term ecological viability of these sites has been shown by population stability of the two Critically Endangered flagship species, the Madagascar fish eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) in Manambolomaty and Mandrozo and the recently rediscovered Madagascar pochard (Aythya innotata) in Bemanevika. Other threatened species and high biological diversity also justifies their inclusion into Madagascar’s SAPM

Protected area surface extension in Madagascar: Do endemism and threatened species remain useful criteria for site selection?

The ‘hotspot approach’ considers that endemism and threatened species are key factors in protected area designation. Three wetland and forest sites have been proposed to be included into Madagascar’s system of protected areas (SAPM – Système des Aires Protégées de Madagascar). These sites are Manambolomaty (14,701 ha) and Mandrozo (15,145 ha) in the west and Bemanevika (37,041 ha) in the north. Biodiversity inventories of these three sites recorded 243 endemic species comprised of 44 reptiles, 54 amphibians, 104 birds, 23 small mammals, 17 lemurs and one fish. Of these 243 species, 30 are threatened taxa comprising two Critically Endangered (CR), 11 Endangered (EN) and 17 Vulnerable (VU) species. The long term ecological viability of these sites has been shown by population stability of the two Critically Endangered flagship species, the Madagascar fish eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) in Manambolomaty and Mandrozo and the recently rediscovered Madagascar pochard (Aythya innotata) in Bemanevika. Other threatened species and high biological diversity also justifies their inclusion into Madagascar’s SAPM.RÉSUMÉL’endémisme et les espèces menacées constituent les éléments clef pour la création des aires protégées. Trois zones humides de Madagascar ainsi que leurs forêts avoisinantes sont proposées pour la protection sous le nouveau système des aires protégées malgaches connu sous le sigle SAPM (Système d’Aires Protégées de Madagascar) : Manambolomaty (14.701 ha) et Mandrozo (15.145 ha) à l’Ouest et Bemanevika (37.041 ha) dans le Nord. Les inventaires biologiques entrepris dans ces trois sites ont montré que 243 espèces y sont endémiques, avec 44 reptiles, 54 amphibiens, 104 oiseaux, 23 petits mammifères, 17 lémuriens et un poisson. Parmi ces 243 espèces, 30 sont menacées d’extinction avec deux qui sont en danger critique d’extinction (CR), 11 en danger (EN) et 17 vulnérables (VU). La survie écologique à long terme de ces sites a été avérée avec la découverte de la stabilité des populations des deux espèces indicatrices en danger critique d’extinction que sont le Pygargue de Madagascar (Haliaeetus vociferoides) à Manambolomaty et Mandrozo et une espèce récemment redécouverte, le Fuligule de Madagascar (Aythya innotata) à Bemanevika. La stabilité de plusieurs autres espèces menacées ainsi que la diversité biologique de ces sites justifient leur inclusion dans le SAPM. Les sept associations locales, deux à Manambolomaty, deux à Bemanevika et trois à Mandrozo, ont supporté le programme de suivi de ces sites ainsi que de ces espèces indicatrices en montrant ainsi leur engagement dans le processus de création des aires protégées. Le Peregrine Fund a travaillé dans ces sites en vue de mettre en synergie ses objectifs de conservation avec le développement socio-économique local

Breeding biology and diet of Banded Kestrels Falco zoniventris on Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar

We studied the breeding biology of the Banded Kestrel (Falco zoniventris) in the forest edge habitat of Masoala Peninsula of north-eastern Madagascar from 1997 to 1999. Banded Kestrels begin their breeding season at the end of the wet season during August and the start of the dry season in September. Courtship began during August and September, egg-laying occurred in October and young fledged in December. Three nesting attempts were documented with 10 eggs laid from clutches of three, three and four. Incubation was approximately 29 days (n = 3 clutches). Of 10 eggs laid, 70&#37 hatched and all hatched young fledged. A total of 2.3 young fledged per nesting attempt and overall nest success was 67&#37. All Banded Kestrel nests were placed inside clusters of epiphytic arboreal plants composed of Asplenium nidus, Phymatodes scolopendria and Medinilla sp. and averaged 18m above the ground. Banded Kestrel diet, derived from 188 prey items, comprised 47&#37 chameleons, 18&#37 other lizards, 31&#37 insects, 3&#37 birds, a frog (0.5&#37) and a snake (0.5&#37).Ostrich 2005, 76 1&2): 32–3

Breeding biology and food habits of the Madagascar Kestrel (Falco newtoni) in northeastern Madagascar

Volume: 39Start Page: 149End Page: 15

The population status of chameleons within Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar, and recommendations for future monitoring

Malagasy chameleons are threatened by the relentless pace of habitat destruction. Their great popularity amongst herpetoculturalists has also resulted in collection for international animal markets. Most previous fieldwork has focused on the compilation of much needed species inventories, but little attention has been given to estimating chameleon population densities. This lack of information prevents a reliable assessment of the effects of habitat loss and direct exploitation on wild populations. A simple and repeatable methodology for the monitoring of chameleon populations is therefore urgently required. The present study developed sun ey techniques based on distance sampling within an area of relatively undisturbed rain forest at Ranomafana National Park. In total 394 individuals from six species were recorded and population densities (+/- SE) of 27.2 +/- 5.4/ha Brookesia spp and 21.4 +/- 4.0/ha Calumma spp. were estimated using the computer program DISTANCE. The authors propose that monitoring of chameleons in areas subject to different threats should begin immediately using the methods outlined in this paper