Biodiversity Hotspots: Madagascar (Works Cited)

Works Cited

"A Conservation Plan for Madagascar." A Conservation Strategy for Madagascar. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

 "Biodiversity - Genetic Diversity." Biodiversity - Genetic Diversity. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

"Biodiversity & Human Well-being." 1. Biodiversity: What Is It, Where Is It, and Why Is It Important? GreenFacts, 2005. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. 

Luebbe, Angie. "Madagascar Tropical Rainforest." Prezi.com. 5 Jan. 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

"Threats to Madagascar's Biodiversity and Ecosystems." Threats to Madagascar's Environment. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

"Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services."Madagascar Is All Set to Value Its Unique Natural Resources. Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. 

Hogan, Michael, and Conservation International. "Biological Diversity in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands." Biological Diversity in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands. The Encyclopedia of Earth, 26 Aug. 2008. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

 Kremen, Claire. "Traditions That Threaten." PBS. PBS. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

 "Madagascar." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 15 Dec. 2015

Portela, Rosimeiry, and Paulo A.L.D. "ASSESSING AND VALUING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE ANKENIHENY-ZAHAMENA CORRIDOR (CAZ), MADAGASCAR." WAVES. WAVES, 1 June 2012. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

 "SER." Ecological Restoration – a Means of Conserving Biodiversity and Sustaining Livelihoods. Web. 15 Dec. 2015

  "Support the Astrochelys Yniphora.” (Angonoka, Madagascar Angulated Tortoise, Madagascar Tortoise, Ploughshare Tortoise). Web. 15 Dec. 2015

 "Support the  Propithecus Candidus.” (Silky Sifaka, Silky Simpona). Web. 15 Dec. 2015.

"Amazon Development and Climate Impacts." Amazon Development and Climate Impacts. Web. 16 Dec. 2015.

Biodiversity Hotspots: Madagascar (Conclusion)

Conclusion

Madagascar is one of the major biodiversity hotspots of the world and it a very interesting place! The diverse plants and animals make it a very unique place, but action does need to be taken to preserve the hotspot. Because of deforestation from slash and burn agriculture, overexploitation, and introduction of alien species, the populations of these diverse organisms are becoming threatened. Humans need to take action by protecting diverse areas and sustainably collecting resources. We wouldn’t want these awesome species to die would we? The fun lemurs and pretty periwinkles? No. So we need to take a stand and conserve Madagascar!

Figure6

Still want to learn more? Visit these websites: 

http://www.greenfacts.org/en/biodiversity/l-3/1-define-biodiversity.htm  

http://www.wildmadagascar.org/conservation/threats.html 

http://www.worldwildlife.org/places/madagascar 

Diversity Hotspots: Madagascar (Discussion)

Discussion

In Madagascar, the unique hotspot provides many natural and economic services. Mining is on the brink of a major expansion which is benefiting countries worldwide. (Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services) As well, the vast forests provide carbon storage and they also have many renewable water resources. (Assessing and Evaluating Ecosystem Services) 
       However, due to enormous environmental degradation occurring, the area is damaged. Deforestation and habitat destruction play vital roles in the process as tavy or slash-and-burn agriculture is used to convert the tropical rainforests into rice fields in order to sustain the population. Additional logging for timber and using the forests for charcoal production assists in the degradation. Other factors negatively influencing the hotspot are agricultural fires, erosion and soil degradation, overexploitation of living resources and collection of wild species, and the introduction of alien species. Agricultural fires burn as much as a third of Madagascar each year, while the deforestation of highlands and weathering has resulted in soil erosion to the point where it looks as if the island is bleeding. Many animals such as Lemurs are hunted down, as well as others for international trade. With the fishery system poorly regulated, marine ecosystems are being depleted at unsustainable rates. Lastly, with the introduction of alien species many endemic ones are ruined such as seen with the new species found in the rivers and lakes.(Threats to Madagascar's Biodiversity and Ecosystems) 
      The causes of the degradation are rooted in many regional cultural, political and economic factors. Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest nations with about 80 percent of the population being subsistence farmers who depend entirely on ‘natural capital’ to support themselves. Many continue to practice slash and burn agriculture because they know no other way and have no other means to survive. Rural people depend on the forest in other ways and pose threats. In the rainforest, many species are used for food, shelter etc. which leads to over-collection and hunting. The government recognized the environmental degradation and implemented the National Environmental Action Plan in order to stop the destruction, reduce poverty and protect biodiversity. Global economic influences help majorly in creating plans for using their resources sustainably and helping save the country. (Kremen)
       Because of tavy, fires and deforestation mentioned above, the functional diversity and ecosystem processes have been lowered. The loss of habitat leads to the loss of animals and plants that maintain the ecosystem and keep it diverse. If those organisms don’t have a habitat, they can not provide the ecological services to maintain biodiversity. (“Threats to Madagascar’s Biodiversity and Ecosystems”). 
      Genetic diversity is the genetic variability and total diversity of the ecosystem. Genetic biodiversity is important because some species can thrive in environments that others can’t which leads to natural selection and the changes the genes over time to thrive and survive longer in the different conditions. There is a lot of pressure on populations closer to the coastal zones, such as Madagascar, which causes degradation. (Biodiversity-Genetic Diversity).

Figure 4: periwinkle

      The Silky Sifaka, a lemur, is one of the most rare mammals on earth. The lemur lives in north-eastern Madagascar in the humid forest in Marojejy National Park. Research has shown that there are less than 250 lemurs alive today. The species is threatened for many reasons. Slash and burn agriculture and hunting are the major threats because they cause habitat destruction. Logging also causes habitat destruction and hunters kill them for food (Support the  Propithecus Candidus). Another threatened species is the Ploughshare tortoise. There are less than 1,000 of these left. Threats to this species include being sold illegally for $200,000 in the international pet trade, poaching and exploitation ("Madagascar.")  One plant that is endangered in Madagascar is the Rosy Periwinkle. The plant has many powerful qualities that can be put in drugs. For example, it can enhance the memory of older people. The flower had been overcultivated because of the powerful qualities that it has ("Support the Astrochelys Yniphora.”) 

Figure 3

Figure 4: Lemur

      Degraded ecosystems are being restored by improving biodiversity conservation, improving livelihood, empowering local people, and improving ecosystem productivity ("SER.") In Madagascar many efforts are being made to sustain biodiversity. Conservationists are trying to get more area controlled and if the area is controlled they can still use the plants and animals for the resources people need, but they will do it sustainably. Along those same lines, there have been patrols put out in controlled areas. They make sure that the ecosystem is not being damaged, but civilians still get the income and resources needed from the area. As more protected areas are created, some people may be forced to move, so the government must compensate them for the hassle and then there is a chance they will be on board for setting up these areas and the people’s consent for conservation is very important ("A Conservation Plan for Madagascar." ) 

Biodiversity Hotspots: Madagascar (Background Information)

Background Information

Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean Islands region off the southeast coast of Africa. The country’s culture reflects the origins of the Malagasy people in Southeast Asia and East Africa with the influence of Arabs, Indians, British, French and Chinese settlers (Hogan). Besides the unique cultural mix, the large island holds many biomes and ecosystems. Tropical moist forests, Southern and western dry forests, secondary (man-made) communities, savannas, shrub-lands, wetlands, and coral reefs can all be found in the area.

Figure 2: Madagascar's Tropical Rainforest Food Web
(Luebbe)

Biodiversity Hotspots: Madagascar (Introduction)

Introduction

Biodiversity is everywhere around us and in our lives. It is defined as, “the variability among living organisms from all sources… and the ecological complexes of which they are part” (Greenfacts). Essentially, biodiversity is the variety of life in the world or a specific habitat or ecosystem. The importance of this is that it plays a huge role in how an ecosystem functions which provides natural and cultural services. Madagascar was chosen as our spot because it holds a great unique variety of life and is known for having many endemic species.

Figure 1"Amazon Development and Climate Impacts."