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)