Community-Based Wetland Conservation Protects Endangered Species in Madagascar: Lessons from Science and Conservation

Survival                of the Madagascar fish eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) is threatened by habitat loss. Of a population estimated at 100-120 breeding pairs, 10 pairs breed on three adjacent lakes in western Madagascar.  Fishing on the lakes is the main livelihood of local Sakalava people. From 1991 through 1995 we documented a massive              influx of migrant fishermen who abused local traditional resource extraction rules and threatened the livelihood of local inhabitants, as well as the survival of one of the world’s most endangered eagles. Migrants’ economic incentive was strong. In 1995 per capita income from fishing was about USD1500 for the six-month season, about 7.5 times the national annual average. Fish stocks were rapidly diminished through the fishing season as catches diminished to the point where fishermen gave   up fishing before the end of the season. Fish stocks were lowest when Madagascar fish eagle nestlings fledged, affecting annual productivity. The most serious impact of fishermen may be on the lake-side forest, which was used as a source of dugout canoes and wood to fuel fishdrying fires. To conserve this important breeding site we worked with the local community to enhance and enforce traditional resource utilization rules that helped    prevent                loss of fish eagle breeding habitat, reduce nest site disturbance, and sustain prey availability. We used a 1996 law to empower communities to control natural resource use by creating two community associations with authority to enforce local rules. We helped the associations become               effective through training, advice, logistical, and scientific support

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 $1,562 US / fisherman per season. The tax of fish sales to wholesale fish buyers forms 56$ / pêcheur par saison. La taxe collectée à partir de la ristourne de pêche constitue près de 56% du budget communal des deux communes. Cette gestion communautaire de la zone humide de Manambolomaty est si bien connue dans le domaine de la conservation à Madagascar, qu’elle sert de modèle pour d’autres organisations et associations. En conséquence, le Complexe Lacustre Manambolomaty est proposé pour être inclus dans le Système des Aires Protégées de Madagascar connu sous le sigle 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 Ecology of Two Species of Forest-Falcons (Micrastur) in Northeastern Guatemala

I studied the breeding biology, food habits, and home ranges of the Barred Forest-Falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) and the Collared Forest-Falcon (M. semitorquatus) in Tikal National Park of northeastern Guatemala from 1988 to 1992. Barred and Collared Forest-Falcons are residents and maintain territories throughout the year. Barred Forest-Falcon breeding coincides with the end of the dry and beginning of the wet seasons. Nesting sites were occupied in April, May, and June and average reoccupancy rate was 86%. Thirty-eight nests were located in tree cavities. The onset of egg-laying was in mid April to early June. The incubation period was 37 days from laying of the first egg to hatch (n=6 nests) and the average age of fledging was 38.3 days (SD±3.3, range=35-44 days). Fledging occurred in July and August. Of 34 fully documented nesting attempts 16 (47%) produced young. A total of 1.1 young fledged per breeding attempt. Most reproductive losses in 17 nests resulted from egg predation (n=ll). Survivability of adult breeding females was less than that for males. Food habits were based on 600 prey deliveries during the breeding season. On a numerical basis, lizards made up 40.8% (n=245) and birds 14.6% (n=88) of the diet. Biomass estimates showed lizards 37.3% and birds 36.8% to be the most important prey items delivered during the breeding season. Home range estimates of 85 harmonic means averaged 114.6±28.8 ha for breeding males (n=ll). Collared Forest-Falcon breeding occurs at the end of the rainy season through the dry season to the beginning of the rainy season in June and July. Nesting sites were occupied in February and March. Eight nests were located, seven in Tikal and one outside the park. Laying occurred in late February to mid May. The incubation period was 47 days (n=l nest) and the average age of young fledging was 50.0±4.2 days (ranging from 46 to 56 days). Fledging occurred in June. Overall reproductive success was 57% (4 nests fledged young out of 7 attempts). Productivity was 1.0 young fledged per breeding attempt. Nest failures were caused by predation on eggs. Food habits were based on 258 prey items delivered during the breeding season. On a numerical basis (n=222 prey items) mammals 35.1% (n=78) and birds 26.5% (n=59) made up the major proportion of the diet. Biomass estimates showed mammals 45.6% and birds 49.4% to be the most important prey delivered during the breeding seasons. An extra adult took over parental duties of feeding fledglings in 1990 and delivered 36 prey items. Home range estimates for the 85% harmonic means averaged 877.6±301.6 ha for males (n=3, two breeding and one nonbreeding) and 712.0±578.7 ha for females (n=4, one breeding and three nonbreeding)