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." )