Charlotte Rajeriarison

Achieving sustainable conservation in Madagascar: The case of the newly established Ibity Mountain Protected Area

Globally, the number of protected areas (PAs) has increased exponentially during the last 25 years, particularly in biodiversity-rich developing countries. Many recent initiatives have integrated local-scale socio-economic development into both design and management. Because the rates of deforestation and species extinction are increasing in most parts of the world, substantial efforts have been made to build and strengthen local environmental organizations, to establish new protected areas (NPAs), and to improve natural resource management. An NPA was recently established at Ibity Massif in central Madagascar, where a community-based conservation project is being coordinated by the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG). In December 2008, a temporary protection order was issued, and definitive establishment of the NPA, which falls under Category V of the IUCN PA system, is expected before the end of 2015. This initiative has involved significant outreach and community education programs to raise awareness of Ibitys conservation and economic importance and the threats to its biodiversity, along with ongoing efforts to reduce fire frequency and implement ecological restoration projects with significant local community participation. In order to ensure the sustainability of this NPA, a co-management plan has been implemented involving MBG, local authorities, and the local population. This study describes the diagnostic process undertaken at Ibity in order to: 1) disseminate the data gathered to inform establishment of the NPA; and 2) summarize the initial state of the environment on the massif prior to the implementation of a management plan, as a baseline for assessing the NPAs effectiveness.

Comparison of plant communities on the Ibity and Itremo massifs, Madagascar, with contrasting conservation histories and current status

Background: Deforestation processes and species extinction on islands have made them the focus of substantial efforts to create and strengthen local environmental organisations, establish new protected areas and improve natural resource management. In Madagascar, despite promising new policies, the flora and fauna are under serious threat. More than 80% of the island shows a significant loss of natural plant cover. Current levels of diversity reflect natural disturbance regimes, with fire representing one of the more important factors. Aims: We compared two new protected areas (Ibity and Itremo) with different environmental and management contexts to identify the roles and impacts of the environmental conditions and the different types of management applied by their respective local communities on vegetation. Both areas have extensive stands of tapia (Uapaca bojeri) woodland. Methods: Herbaceous vegetation surveys were carried out enumerating 16 1-m² quadrats in each of 10 sites on Ibity and seven on Itremo to characterise plant community composition and structure, complemented by tree and shrub surveys within three 40 × 40 m quadrats at each site. Results: Floristic richness was higher at Ibity. Populations of U. bojeri were better conserved at Itremo. Conclusions: While the total exclusion of fire is impracticable, careful management should enable the maintenance of natural conditions and at least lead to a reduction in the impacts on the structure of tapia woodland vegetation.

Taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands III: subgenera Swartziani, Afroswartziani and Emblica

SummaryThe third part of the revision of the genus Phyllanthus L. (Phyllanthaceae) in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands treats the subgenera Swartziani comb. & stat. nov., Afroswartziani subgen. nov. and Emblica. Taxonomic history of the subgenus Phyllanthus is given and its circumscription is revised. Phyllanthus subgenus Afroswartziani subgen. nov. comprises thirteen species. One species P. ankazobensis is described as new to science. P. vatovaviensis and P. madagascariensis var. kalambatitrensis are validly published by this paper. Identification keys, descriptions and species notes (habitat, distribution and threats) are provided. Distribution maps and IUCN conservation assessments are provided for all species and varieties.