Bark harvesting: a potential threat for the Grandidier’s baobab Adansonia grandidieri in western Madagascar

The Grandidier’s baobab conveys the image of Madagascar worldwide. Locally, these trees have multiple uses; all parts of the plant are exploited by the population. We investigated the patterns of bark harvesting on the Grandidier’s baobab in three districts in the Menabe Region: Mahabo, Manja and Morondava. Following 103 transects of 1km each, we found that 54.0% of the baobab trees had been subject to bark extraction. The mean total area exploited per tree was 3.1 ± 0.2m2. Between April 2013 and January 2014, we also monitored four markets that regularly sell baobab products: Bemanonga, Mahabo, Morondava and Analaiva. Bemanonga revealed to be the largest market for the baobab bark with 21,594 straps and 34,517m of ropes recorded during the observation period. We estimate that some 9800 Grandidier’s baobab trees have been affected by debarking to supply the demands recorded over the ten months monitoring period. If this demand remains constant, all baobab trees in Menabe would be debarked within the next 39 years. Since most baobab trees have been located in hard-to-reach areas and in protected areas, bark extraction may intensify in accessible sites and populations without protected status may disappear locally. This would result in local extinction of the species within a short period. To ensure sustainable management of the Grandidier’s baobab, we recommend enriching the population by planting young baobabs, regulating access to the resources through local management structures and promoting alternatives to baobab ropes. RésuméLe baobab de Grandidier est une espèce emblématique de Madagascar. Il évoque la Grande Île dans le monde entier. Dans sa zone d’occurrence, c’est une espèce à usage multiple pour les riverains qui utilisent toutes les parties de ce baobab. La présente étude porte sur l’exploitation de l’écorce du baobab de Grandidier dans la région Menabe, plus particulièrement dans les districts de Mahabo, Manja et de Morondava. Pour estimer l’étendue de l’exploitation des écorces sur les pieds de baobabs, des observations ont été réalisées sur 103 transects de 1 km de long entre avril 2013 et janvier 2014. Pour évaluer l’importance des écorces de baobab pour les riverains, des observations ont été conduites au niveau de quatre marchés de la région dans les villes de Bemanonga, Mahabo, Morondava et Analaiva au cours de la même période. Au total, 21 594 lanières d’écorce et 34 517 m de corde de baobab ont été recensés dans les quatre marchés. La plus importante quantité d’écorce de baobabs commercialisée a été enregistrée à Bemanonga. À partir des données récoltées, il est estimé que près de 9800 pieds de baobabs à écorcer sont nécessaires pour couvrir les besoins des riverains pendant la seule période d’études de 10 mois. Si la demande devait se maintenir à ce niveau, tous les pieds de baobab de la région Menabe, dont la population avait été estimée à environ un million d’individus, seraient écorcés au cours des 39 prochaines années. Comme la plupart des pieds de baobab ont été localisés dans des zones difficiles d’accès et dans les aires protégées, l’extraction des écorces pourrait s’intensifier dans les sites accessibles et les populations qui ne bénéficient d’aucun statut de protection pourraient disparaître localement. Pour assurer la gestion durable du baobab de Grandidier, il est ainsi recommandé de renforcer la population existante par la plantation de jeunes plants, la régulation de l’accès aux ressources par des structures locales de gestion et la promotion d’alternatives aux cordes réalisées avec les écorces de baobab

Lois et règlements sur la faune sauvage à Madagascar : Progrès accomplis et besoins du futur

Les lois et règlements déterminant les niveaux de protection des espèces de la faune et de la flore sauvages sont des indicateurs importants de l’importance qu’accorde un pays à la conservation de sa biodiversité. Dans cette revue, nous évaluons la cohérence entre les lois et règlements portant sur la gestion de la faune sauvage à Madagascar, en considérant la législation nationale, les conventions internationales ratifiées et la Liste Rouge de l’UICN pour les confronter aux réalités locales. Suite à nos analyses, nous pouvons conclure que Madagascar dispose d’un cadre juridique adéquat pour réglementer la protection et l’exploitation des animaux sauvages. Cependant, des révisions et mises à jour sont nécessaires, particulièrement en ce qui concerne la liste des espèces dans les différentes catégories et la facilitation de la mise en application de la loi. In many countries wildlife species are threatened by hunting for meat or collection for the pet trade. Wildlife laws which control where these activities can occur, limit the timing of exploitation, or provide strict protection for some species are therefore an important component of the conservation strategy. However it is important that these wildlife laws reflect the ecology and threat status of the species concerned, and that they are aligned with any relevant international conventions. In this article we discuss the legal framework for exploiting and protecting tetrapod species in Madagascar. We review the 2006 update to wildlife legislation with respect to international treaties, other national legislation and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We also present a summary of the different categories of hunting (sport, commercial, scientific, and subsistence) and the control of hunting in protected areas. Madagascar has a sound legal framework for the use and protection of wildlife and the classification of species into protected, pest and legally hunted is clear and mostly fits well with the species’ classification according to the IUCN Red List and CITES. A revision of the protected species list managed is needed however to (i) include marine mammals that are protected by fisheries law and the Convention on Migratory Species and to (ii) better reflect the rights of people whose livelihoods rely heavily on the income or protein derived from hunting animals. Renewed effort to communicate and enforce wildlife legislation is needed, especially regarding the illegal hunting and export of protected species. This would also support the ongoing initiative to expand the protected area system and could be integrated into a revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan that Madagascar should produce for 2011 - 2020 as part of its commitment to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity

Household economy, forest dependency & opportunity costs of conservation in eastern rainforests of Madagascar

The Government of Madagascar is trying to reduce deforestation and conserve biodiversity through creating new protected areas in the eastern rainforests. While this has many benefits, forest use restriction may bring costs to farmers at the forest frontier. We explored this through a series of surveys in five sites around the Corridor Ankeniheny Zahamena new protected area and adjacent national parks. In phase one a stratified random sample of 603 households completed a household survey covering demographic and socio-economic characteristics, and a choice experiment to estimate the opportunity costs of conservation. A stratified sub-sample (n = 171) then completed a detailed agricultural survey (including recording inputs and outputs from 721 plots) and wild-harvested product survey. The data have been archived with ReShare (UK Data Service). Together these allow a deeper understanding of the household economy on the forest frontier in eastern Madagascar and their swidden agricultural system, the benefits households derive from the forests through wild-harvested products, and the costs of conservation restrictions to forest edge communities

First Physico-chemical and Traditional Characterisation of Lake Tseny, Northwest Madagascar

This study was designed to assess the biophysical structure, traditional practices and water quality of Lake Tseny in northwest Madagascar. The lake was divided into five zones: the central zone and the littoral zones (east, north, west and south). Transects and direct observation were used to estimate submerged tree and vegetation cover. Information on local traditions was collected through interviews with key people and visits to sacred sites. Water quality was assessed during the rainy and dry season, 2017-2018. Samples were taken twice a day, in the early morning and evening, at randomly selected points at intervals of 400m. Over 75% of the lakeshore was covered by aquatic vegetation. Most of the submerged trunks were recorded along the western area. Five sacred sites associated with eight forms of traditional taboos to reduce the potential source of water pollution were recorded in and around the lake. The lake is bowl shaped. The water was warm, slightly alkaline, well oxygenated and less mineralised. Between the rainy and dry seasons, we found a seasonal difference in water quality. Results showed spatial variation in water quality between zones. A comparison of the mean values with water quality standards showed that Lake Tseny has good water conditions for domestic purposes and suitable habitats for aquatic fauna throughout the year. These preliminary results provided reference data on the lake's characteristics. Due to the increasing human activities in the area, regular monitoring of water quality and physical characteristics should be carried out

First Physico-Chemical and Traditional Characterisation of Lake Tseny, Northwest Madagascar

This study was designed to assess the biophysical structure, traditional practices and water quality of Lake Tseny in northwest Madagascar. The lake was divided into five zones: the central zone and the littoral zones (east, north, west and south). Transects and direct observation were used to estimate submerged tree and vegetation cover. Information on local traditions was collected through interviews with key people and visits to sacred sites. Water quality was assessed during the rainy and dry seasons, 2017–2018. Samples were taken twice a day, in the early morning and evening, at randomly selected points at intervals of 400m. The aquatic vegetation covered over 75% of the lakeshore. Most of the submerged tree trunks were recorded along the western area. Five sacred sites associated with eight forms of traditional taboos to reduce the potential source of water pollution were recorded in and around the lake. The lake is bowl shaped. The water was warm (T° 25.3 - 35.6 °C), slightly alkaline (pH 7.1 - 8.5), well oxygenated (DO 4.63 - 9.6 mg/l ) and less mineralised (EC 71.70 - 122.40 µS/cm). We found a seasonal difference in water quality between the rainy and dry seasons. Results showed spatial variation in water quality between zones. A comparison of the mean values with water quality standards showed that Lake Tseny has good water conditions for domestic purposes and suitable habitats for aquatic fauna throughout the year. These preliminary results provide reference data on the lake's characteristics. Due to the increasing human activities in the area, regular monitoring of water quality and physical characteristics should be carried out

Les baobabs de Madagascar : quel cadre réglementaire pour leur conservation ?

With 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.

First Physico-chemical and Traditional Characterisation of Lake Tseny, Northwest Madagascar

This study was designed to assess the biophysical structure, traditional practices and water quality of Lake Tseny in northwest Madagascar. The lake was divided into five zones: the central zone and the littoral zones (east, north, west and south). Transects and direct observation were used to estimate submerged tree and vegetation cover. Information on local traditions was collected through interviews with key people and visits to sacred sites. Water quality was assessed during the rainy and dry season, 2017-2018. Samples were taken twice a day, in the early morning and evening, at randomly selected points at intervals of 400m. Over 75% of the lakeshore was covered by aquatic vegetation. Most of the submerged trunks were recorded along the western area. Five sacred sites associated with eight forms of traditional taboos to reduce the potential source of water pollution were recorded in and around the lake. The lake is bowl shaped. The water was warm, slightly alkaline, well oxygenated and less mineralised. Between the rainy and dry seasons, we found a seasonal difference in water quality. Results showed spatial variation in water quality between zones. A comparison of the mean values with water quality standards showed that Lake Tseny has good water conditions for domestic purposes and suitable habitats for aquatic fauna throughout the year. These preliminary results provided reference data on the lake's characteristics. Due to the increasing human activities in the area, regular monitoring of water quality and physical characteristics should be carried out

Lois et règlements sur la faune sauvage à Madagascar : Progrès accomplis et besoins du futur

In many countries wildlife species are threatened by hunting for meat or collection for the pet trade. Wildlife laws which control where these activities can occur, limit the timing of exploitation, or provide strict protection for some species are therefore an important component of the conservation strategy. However it is important that these wildlife laws reflect the ecology and threat status of the species concerned, and that they are aligned with any relevant international conventions. In this article we discuss the legal framework for exploiting and protecting tetrapod species in Madagascar. We review the 2006 update to wildlife legislation with respect to international treaties, other national legislation and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We also present a summary of the different categories of hunting (sport, commercial, scientific, and subsistence) and the control of hunting in protected areas. Madagascar has a sound legal framework for the use and protection of wildlife and the classification of species into protected, pest and legally hunted is clear and mostly fits well with the species’ classification according to the IUCN Red List and CITES. A revision of the protected species list managed is needed however to (i) include marine mammals that are protected by fisheries law and the Convention on Migratory Species and to (ii) better reflect the rights of people whose livelihoods rely heavily on the income or protein derived from hunting animals. Renewed effort to communicate and enforce wildlife legislation is needed, especially regarding the illegal hunting and export of protected species. This would also support the ongoing initiative to expand the protected area system and could be integrated into a revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan that Madagascar should produce for 2011-2020 as part of its commitment to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. RÉSUMÉLes lois et règlements déterminant les niveaux de protection des espèces de la faune et de la flore sauvages sont des indicateurs importants de l’importance qu’accorde un pays à la conservation de sa biodiversité. Dans cette revue, nous évaluons la cohérence entre les lois et règlements portant sur la gestion de la faune sauvage à Madagascar, en considérant la législation nationale, les conventions internationales ratifiées et la Liste Rouge de l’UICN pour les confronter aux réalités locales. Suite à nos analyses, nous pouvons conclure que Madagascar dispose d’un cadre juridique adéquat pour réglementer la protection et l’exploitation des animaux sauvages. Cependant, des révisions et mises à jour sont nécessaires, particulièrement en ce qui concerne la liste des espèces dans les différentes catégories et la facilitation de la mise en application de la loi

Traditions et Tabous dans le Complexe Bobaomby, Extrême Nord de Madagascar

Le respect des normes et des pratiques traditionnelles de la communauté locale est la clef de voûte dans la création d’une aire protégée. Dans l’extrême Nord de Madagascar, une aire protégée est actuellement en phase de création dans le Complexe Bobaomby, une zone riche en biodiversité et en divers sites sacrés. Les communautés locales du site sont composées des adeptes de la tradition et des cultes aux ancêtres. Au cours des entretiens avec des personnes ressources au sein des communautés et dirigeants des villages, huit sites sacrés constituant des centres de pratiques traditionnelles ont été identifiés dont Ambatomitongoa, Madiromasina, Madirokitamby (Antsahampano), Madirokitamby (Baie de Courrier), Doany-Be, Ambatosariaomby, Ambatonjanahary et Ampasimantoraka. Un rituel traditionnel appelé « joro » marque le commencement de toute investigation dans le territoire de Bobaomby dont la présente étude n’est pas épargnée. Deux « joro », l’un à Ambatomitongoa et l’autre à Madiromasina sont décrits et discutés dans cette étude. Quatorze tabous localement appelés « fady » et leurs significations traditionnelles ont été recensés à Bobaomby. À Bobaomby, les traditions locales et les règles coutumières sont les garants de la sauvegarde environnementale et de la cohésion sociale ; elles sont aussi la base du système économique local.   The respect of a local community’s traditional practices is a key success for the protected area creation. The process of creating a protected area in the Bobaomby Complex, a rich area in terms of biodiversity and sacred sites in northern Madagascar, is currently underway. At this site, the local communities are composed of followers of the traditional and ancestral worships. During interviews with communities and villages leaders, there are eight sacred sites that constitute the centres of traditional practices identified as Ambatomitongoa, Madiromasina, Madiromikitamby (Antsahampano), Madiromikitamby (Baie de Courrier), Doany-Be, Ambatosariaomby, Ambatonjanahary and Ampasimantoraka. A traditional rite called ‘joro’ has to be undertaken at the beginning of any investigations in the territory of Bobaomby. Two ceremonies of ‘joro’ in the sacred sites, respectively, Ambatomitongoa and Madiromasina were described and discussed in this study. Fourteen taboos known locally as ‘fady’ and their traditional meanings were recorded in Bobaomby. Apart from their environmental safeguard roles: taboos and traditions in Bobaomby generate a cohesion within the social groups, and they are also, locally, the key elements for the economic development