Aerial photo of a portion of the Anjajavy Forest, inset by a swath of mangrove riparian forest. Photo credit: C. Michael Hogan

Large bifurcated trunk of Adansonia madagascariensis in a Madagascar dry deciduous forest

Madagascar dry deciduous forests represent a tropical dry forest ecoregion generally situated in the western part of Madagascar. The WWF has designated these forests as a Global 200 ecoregion, one of the world’s most crucial regions for conservation. These western dry forests are characterized by upper stories of deciduous canopy extending to a height of 14 to 30 meters, and lower stories with dense shrubs and saplings, which may also contain some evergreen species. Rainfall is decidedly less than the eastern lowland rainforests of Madagascar, attaining levels as low as 50 centimeters per annum in the southwest to 200 centimeters per annum in the northwest. Trees have adapted to the drier climate by shedding leaves in the dry winter season (May to September) to limit winter evapotranspiration. Moreover, some species like baobabs have adapted by evolving the ability to store copious water in their large bulbous trunks.^[1] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2816x2112, 1119 KB) Summary photo taken by C.Michael Hogan, who releases all rights Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2816x2112, 1119 KB) Summary photo taken by C.Michael Hogan, who releases all rights Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Georgian terrace of Royal Crescent (Bath, England) from a hot air balloon Dulles Airport in Reston, Virginia, from an airplane Aerial photography is the taking of photographs from above with a camera mounted on an aircraft, balloon, rocket, kite, skydiver or similar vehicle. ... Above and below water view at the edge of the mangal. ... Atlantic coastal salt marsh A Riparian forest is a forested area of land adjacent to a body of water such as a river, stream, ponds, lakes, marshlands, estuary, canals, playas, and reservoirs. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2112x2816, 1256 KB) Summary photo by C. Michael Hogan, who releases rights to wikipedia Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2112x2816, 1256 KB) Summary photo by C. Michael Hogan, who releases rights to wikipedia Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Binomial name Adansonia madagascariensis Adansonia madagascariensis is one of six species of baobab endemic to Madagascar, where it occurs in the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. ... Trinidad and Tobago dry forest on Chacachacare showing the dry-season deciduous nature of the vegetation The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. ... An ecoregion, sometimes called a bioregion, is a relatively large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities. ... The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization for the conservation, research and restoration of the natural environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in the United States and Canada. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Deciduous means temporary or tending to fall off (deriving from the Latin word decidere, to fall off) and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally. ... Look up Canopy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the biological organisms known as trees. ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... The hierarchy of scientific classification. ... In meteorology, precipitation is any kind of water that falls from the sky as part of the weather. ... The Madagascar lowland forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion, found on the eastern coast of the island of Madagascar. ... Evapotranspiration (ET) is the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration. ... Species See text The baobab (Adansonia), or monkey bread tree are a genus of eight species of trees, native to Madagascar (the centre of diversity, with six species), and mainland Africa and Australia (one species in each). ...

These dry deciduous forests of Madagascar possess a very high ratio of species endemism, although the absolute number of total endemics is less than the wetter eastern rainforests of the island. The elevation of dry deciduous forests here spans the coastal plain with its limestone plateaus emanating virtually at sea level to higher altitudes to 800 meters. Considerable anthropogenic destruction has occurred, decimating whole regions of the forest, almost all of which has been driven by subsistence farming. After clearcutting and burning, a residual sparse, sometimes sterile grassland savanna is relict. Because trees grow slowly in the rocky soils, regeneration time may be measured in centuries, but the toll of extinct species is permanent. Several distinct subregions are found within the western dry forest zone, several of which will be discussed separately here. Endemic, in a broad sense, can mean belonging or native to, characteristic of, or prevalent in a particular geography, race, field, area, or environment; Native to an area or scope. ... In geography, a coastal plain is an area of flat, low-lying land adjacent to a seacoast and separated from the interior by other features. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image:NONE Monte Roraima In geology and earth science, a plateau, also called a high plateau or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat rural area. ... Look up anthropogenic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Assarting in Finland in 1892 Slash and burn (a specific practice that may be part of shifting cultivation or swidden-fallow agriculture) is an agricultural procedure widely used in forested areas. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Savanna at Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. ... The term relict is used to refer to surviving remnants of natural phenomena. ... In biology and ecology, extinction is the ceasing of existence of a species or group of species. ...

Summer daytime temperatures commonly exceed 30 degrees Celsius in all the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. One characteristic in common with other tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests is the presence of relatively high densities of mammalian biomass. Like these other dry forests, the Madagascar dry deciduous forests are sensitive to overgrazing and deforestation. An interesting feature of these dry forests is the presence of Pachypodium habitats, often associated with tsingy outcrops. There are numerous distinct forests within the biome, Madagascar dry deciduous forests; the following text treats three of these, selected for representativeness as to location and size.^[1][2] Trinidad and Tobago dry forest on Chacachacare showing the dry-season deciduous nature of the vegetation The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. ... // In the dictionary and agriculture, overgrazing is when plants are exposed to grazing for too long, or without sufficient recovery periods. ... Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forest land use such as arable land, pasture, urban use, logged area, or wasteland. ... The study of detailed scattered, specialized, micro-environmental habitats of Pachypodium species are often indifferent to the greater, regional ecological, biotic zone of vegetation. ...

Ankarana Special Reserve

The Ankarana Massif consists of a limestone shelf which imposes a picturesque landform on the few adventurers who find this remote forest. As the limestone has weathered over geologic time, this karst formation often exhibits spiry pinnacles, called "tsingy" by the natives. The name derives from the Malagasy word which means "walk on tiptoe", used by the earliest settlers from around 1500 years ago to describe the sharpness of the rugged limestone shelves. There are an abundance of limestone caves and virgin forests that shelter the diverse wildlife of the Ankarana region. In many cases the cave roofs collapse and form forested gorges through which rivers may flow. Ankarana Plateau from savannah Ankarana Plateau is a small vegetated mountain range in northern Madagascar with elevations that exceed 1220 meters (4000 feet) above sea level. ... Karst topography occurs when a landscape is marked by underground drainage patterns. ... pinnacle Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk, Ostend, Belgium A pinnacle (from Latin pinnaculum, a little feather, pinna) is an architectural ornament originally forming the cap or crown of a buttress or small turret, but afterwards used on parapets at the corners of towers and in many other situations. ... Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located in Madagascar close to that nations Western coast. ... A family of Russian settlers in the Caucasus region, ca. ... Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The Ankarana Special Reserve is one of the northernmost reaches of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests, and correspondingly very hot December through March with this equatorial proximity. Access to wildlife viewing is through strenuous hiking, given the elevation differences, complex terrain and heat, but four-wheel drive vehicles can reach most of the actual campsites. Below the massif is a grassy plain that leads to the Indian Ocean. In the higher elevations Lac Vert is perched among tsingy formations. The Jeep Wrangler is a 4WD vehicle with a transfer case to select low range or high range 4WD. The Lamborghini Murciélago is a 4WD/AWD that powers the front via a viscous coupling unit if the rear slips. ...

Mammals found in this forest include the apex predator Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), the Fanaloka (Fossa fossana), Northern Ring-tailed Mongoose and numerous bat species.^[3] Lemurs occurring here are the Crowned Lemur, Northern Sportive Lemur, Gray Mouse Lemur and Sanford's Brown Lemur.^[4] Numerous geckos inhabit the Reserve including Leaf-tailed Gecko, Big-headed Gecko and Day Gecko.^[1] Other local reptiles are the Madagascar Ground Boa, the White-lipped chameleon (Forcifer minor) and Oustalet's chameleon, the world's largest chameleon, which can attain 68 centimeters in length. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Bennett, 1833 The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) (pronounced FOO-sa[2][3] or Fah-suh) is a mammal endemic to Madagascar. ... Binomial name Fossa fossana Müller, 1776 The fanaloka or Malagasy civet (Fossa fossana) is a rare Madagscan viverrid. ... “Chiroptera” redirects here. ... Binomial name Eulemur coronatus (Gray, 1842) The Crowned Lemur (Eulemur coronatus) is a lemur that is 33 cm (13 inches) long and weighs 2 kg. ... Binomial name Rumpler & Albignac, 1975 The Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis) is a species of lemur in the Lepilemuridae family. ... Binomial name Microcebus murinus (J.F. Miller, 1777) Synonyms The Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) is, by far one of the smallest of all the primates, smaller even than the Pygmy Marmoset, which is the smallest monkey. ... Subfamilies Aeluroscalabotinae Eublepharinae Gekkoninae Teratoscincinae Diplodactylinae Geckos are small to average sized lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae which are found in warm climates throughout the world. ... Subclasses Anapsida Diapsida Synonyms Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class Sauropsida. ... Binomial name Acrantophis madagascariensis Duméril & Bibron, 1844 The Madagascar Ground Boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis) is the largest snake species occurring on the island of Madagascar, and can be found in the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. ...

Some bird species commonly seen are the Hook-billed Vanga, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Crested Coua, White-breasted Mesite and Madagascar Ibis. Raptors sighted in the reserve include the Madagascar Harrier Hawk and the Madagascar Scops Owl. Other avafauna occurring here include Red-capped Coua and Coquerel's Coua, and the vangas Van Dam's Vanga, Rufous Vanga and Sickle-billed Vanga. Vangas are significant in Madagascar, as 15 of the 16 vanga species are endemic to Madagascar. The Greater Vasa Parrot and Madagascar Green Pigeon are also indigenous. An important endangered species, the Madagascar Fish Eagle has a number of breeding pairs located in the Ankarana Reserve.^[5] Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Hook-billed Vanga (Vanga curvirostris) is a species of bird in the Vangidae family. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Madagascar Pygmy-kingfisher (Ceyx madagascariensis) is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Crested Coua, Coua cristata is a medium-sized, approximately 44cm long, greenish-grey coua with grey crest, blue bare orbital skin, rufous breast, brown iris, black bill and legs, white belly and long white-tipped purplish-blue tail feathers. ... Binomial name Mesitornis variegatus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1838) The White-breasted Mesite, Mesitornis variegatus, is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. ... Look up raptor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Binomial name G. R. Gray, 1846 The Red-capped Coua (Coua ruficeps) is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. ... Binomial name Grandidier, 1867 The Coquerels Coua (Coua coquereli) is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. ... Genera Calicalicus Schetba Vanga Falculea Artamella Leptopterus Cyanolanius Oriolia Euryceros Tylas Hypositta Xenopirostris The vangas are a group of little-known small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to Madagascar. ... Binomial name Schlegel, 1866 The Van Dams Vanga (Xenopirostris damii) is a species of bird in the Vangidae family. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Rufous Vanga (Schetba rufa) is a species of bird in the Vangidae family. ... Binomial name Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1836 The Sickle-billed Vanga (Falculea palliata) is a species of bird in the Vangidae family. ... This article is one of a series providing information about endemism among birds in the Worlds various zoogeographic zones. ... Binomial name Coracopsis vasa (Shaw, 1812) The Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa is one of two species of vasa parrot, the other being the Lesser Vasa Parrot Categories: | ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1771) The Madagascar Green-pigeon (Treron australis) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. ... Binomial name Haliaeetus vociferoides Des Murs, 1845 The Madagascar Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides[1]) or - to distinguish it from the Ichthyophaga true fish eagles, Madagascar Sea-eagle - is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. ...

Anjajavy Forest

Coquerel's Sifaka in arboreal feeding mode in Anjajavy Forest. Photo Credit: C. Michael Hogan

The Anjajavy Forest is an example of a purely lowland dry deciduous forest in northwest Madagascar. It is punctuated with numerous tsingy outcroppings and limestone karst caves, and in many locations abuts the Indian Ocean, especially where the dramatic tsingy formations jut out into the ocean. The canopy height is typically 15 to 25 meters high, and is at its lowest at the coastal verge, where growth may be impeded by saline rocky soils. The forest resides on a small peninsula of land poking into the Indian Ocean, that is bounded on the north and part of its eastern extent by the Bay of Narinda and on the south by the Bay of Majajamba. Access to this forest is difficult since there are no roads connecting this peninsula to the Madagascar highway system; however, arrival by sea and by air are accomplished with some effort.^[2] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1492x1732, 285 KB) Summary photo taken by C.Michael Hogan, who releases all rights Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1492x1732, 285 KB) Summary photo taken by C.Michael Hogan, who releases all rights Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Anjajavy Forest is an element of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests situated on the Indian Ocean of northwest Madagascar. ... Karst topography occurs when a landscape is marked by underground drainage patterns. ... A peninsula in Croatia A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered on three or more sides by water. ...

In many places at the ocean edge as well as forest interior, several tree species are capable of taking root directly in the tsingy rocks. Several species of baobab and tamarind are among the tallest species forming the canopy. Considering the lower precipitation rates on the west coast (about 130 centimeters per annum at Anjajavy Forest), the vegetation is surprisingly verdant in the beginning of the dry season, but eventually will become mostly leafless by late winter. The forest understory is moderately dense but not impenetrable to the determined explorer. Nor is the understory heavily thorned in most locations. Species See text The baobab (Adansonia), or monkey bread tree are a genus of eight species of trees, native to Madagascar (the centre of diversity, with six species), and mainland Africa and Australia (one species in each). ... Binomial name Tamarindus indica L. This article refers to the tree – for other uses see Tamarindo (disambiguation). ... See also explorations, sea explorers, astronaut, conquistador, travelogue, the History of Science and Technology and Biography. ...

Anjajavy Forest on Tsingy rocks juts into the Indian Ocean

The Anjajavy Forest is named for the Jajavy tree, which is endemic only to the forest itself. and, in fact, only is found within a five kilometer radius of Anjajavy village. Abundant diurnal lemurs that are found here include the Coquerel's Sifaka and the Common Brown Lemur. One nocturnal species of mouse lemur is seen, but its precise species is yet to be documented. A variety of birds are present including the endangered species Madagascar Fish Eagle, which has four (of the approximately 99 known) breeding pairs resident in Anjajavy Forest. Other birdlife present are the Crested Coua, kingfishers, Madagascar Wagtail and Magpie Crow. Numerous lizards, chameleons and snakes populate the forest and are easily seen from the sparse trail network. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 561 pixelsFull resolution (2396 × 1680 pixel, file size: 659 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) subject: Anjajavy Forest joining to the Indian Ocean, Madagascar date: April, 2006 photographer:C. Michael Hogan File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 561 pixelsFull resolution (2396 × 1680 pixel, file size: 659 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) subject: Anjajavy Forest joining to the Indian Ocean, Madagascar date: April, 2006 photographer:C. Michael Hogan File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del... A diurnal animal (dī-ŭrnəl) is an animal that is active during the daytime and sleeps during the night. ... Binomial name Propithecus coquereli (A. Grandidier, 1867) Coquerels Sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) is a medium-sized lemur of the sifaka genus Propithecus. ... Binomial name (É. Geoffroy, 1796) The Common Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus) is a species of lemur in the Lemuridae family. ... The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ... Binomial name Haliaeetus vociferoides Des Murs, 1845 The Madagascar Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides[1]) or - to distinguish it from the Ichthyophaga true fish eagles, Madagascar Sea-eagle - is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Crested Coua, Coua cristata is a medium-sized, approximately 44cm long, greenish-grey coua with grey crest, blue bare orbital skin, rufous breast, brown iris, black bill and legs, white belly and long white-tipped purplish-blue tail feathers. ... Families Alcedinidae Halcyonidae Cerylidae Kingfishers are birds of the three families Alcedinidae (river kingfishers), Halcyonidae (tree kingfishers), and Cerylidae (water kingfishers). ... Binomial name Hartlaub, 1860 The Madagascar Wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris) is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family. ... Binomial name (Fabricius, 1793) Synonyms Euploea diocletiana Euploea diocletianus The Magpie Crow (Euploea radamanthus) is a butterfly found in India that belongs to the Crows and Tigers, that is, the Danaid group of the Brush-footed butterflies family. ... For other uses, see Lizard (disambiguation). ... Genera Bradypodion Calumma Chamaeleo Furcifer Kinyongia Nadzikambia Brookesia Rieppeleon Rhampholeon Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are squamates that belong to one of the best-known lizard families. ... Infraorders and Families Alethinophidia - Nopcsa, 1923 Acrochordidae- Bonaparte, 1831 Aniliidae - Stejneger, 1907 Anomochilidae - Cundall, Wallach & Rossman, 1993 Atractaspididae - Günther, 1858 Boidae - Gray, 1825 Bolyeriidae - Hoffstetter, 1946 Colubridae - Oppel, 1811 Cylindrophiidae - Fitzinger, 1843 Elapidae - F. Boie, 1827 Loxocemidae - Cope, 1861 Pythonidae - Fitzinger, 1826 Tropidophiidae - Brongersma, 1951 Uropeltidae - Müller, 1832... “Footpath” redirects here. ...

The dry forest is invaded by fingers of mangrove swamp in the form of riparian zones at several small coastal estuaries at the western verge of the Anjajavy Forest, where small tidal streams flow into the Indian Ocean. The species of the mangrove swamps are, of course, totally different from the dry forest, and the transition zone supports an interesting ecotone, providing unusual niches for several species of animals. Mangrove swamps are a characteristic for the tropical and subtropical coasts. ... A well preserved Riparian strip on a tributary to Lake Erie. ... For other meanings, see Estuary (disambiguation) Rio de la Plata estuary An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. ... An ecotone is a transition area between two adjacent ecological communities (ecosystems). ...

Kirindy Forest

Not a part of the official Madagascar National Park System, Kirindy Forest at 20°04′12″S 44°36′07″E / -20.070000, 44.601944 (Kirindy Forest) is a private park situated in the southwestern part of Madagascar, 40km northeast of the town of Morondava. The forest was earlier operated as an experimental sustainable timber harvesting scheme, which activity has not left indelible scars on the region. Most of the canopy top is about 14 meters in height, but in wetter parts (e.g. in riparian zones) it may almost triple in vertical extent. There are three species of baobab trees present: Adansonia grandidieri, Adansonia rubrostipa and Adansonia za.^[6] Morondava is a city located in the province of Toliara in Madagascar. ... Sustainable forestry is a forest management concept. ... Loggers on break, c. ... A well preserved Riparian strip on a tributary to Lake Erie. ... Binomial name Baillon The Grandidiers Baobab is an endangered species of the Adansonia genus. ... Binomial name Adansonia rubrostipa Adansonia rubrostipa, commonly known as Fony Baobab is one of the eight species within the baobab genus, within the family Malvaceae. ... Binomial name Baill. ...

Kirindy Forest, approximately 100 square kilometres in area, may be best known as the only location where the endangered species Giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena) occurs. This animal can hop like a miniature kangaroo, but is also seen walking on all four limbs. There are a number of species of nocturnal lemurs present: Red-tailed sportive lemur, Pygmy mouse lemur, Gray mouse lemur, Pale fork-marked lemur, Coquerel's Giant Mouse Lemur and the Fat-tailed dwarf lemur. Further mammalian species of fossa, Narrow-striped mongoose, Verreaux's Sifaka, Common tenrec, Greater hedgehog tenrec and Red-fronted Brown Lemur are also found here. The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ... This article is about the animal. ... Binomial name Lepilemur ruficaudatus Grandidier, 1867 The Red-tailed Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur ruficaudatus) is, like all lemurs, native to Madagascar. ... Binomial name Microcebus myoxinus Peters, 1852 The Pygmy Mouse-lemur (Microcebus myoxinus) is the smallest of the mouse-lemurs and the smallest primate in the world, only weighing around 30 grams (roughly 1 ounce). ... Binomial name Microcebus murinus (J.F. Miller, 1777) Synonyms The Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) is, by far one of the smallest of all the primates, smaller even than the Pygmy Marmoset, which is the smallest monkey. ... Binomial name A. Grandidier, 1867 Coquerels Giant Mouse Lemur or Coquerels Dwarf Lemur (Mirza coquereli) is a small nocturnal lemur endemic to Madagascar. ... Binomial name Cheirogaleus medius É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1812 The Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), or Lesser Dwarf Lemur, is one of the smallest primates. ... Binomial name Bennett, 1833 The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) (pronounced FOO-sa[2][3] or Fah-suh) is a mammal endemic to Madagascar. ... For other uses, see Mongoose (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Propithecus verreauxi A. Grandidier, 1867 Verreauxs Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) is a medium sized primate in one of the lemur families, Indriidae. ... Subfamilies  Oryzorictinae  Potamogalinae  Tenrecinae Tenrecidae (common name tenrecs) is a family of mammals found on Madagascar and parts of western Africa. ...

Some of the local reptiles present are: Labord's chameleon, various plated lizards, Leaf-tailed gecko, Big-headed gecko, Madagascar Ground Boa, Giant hog-nosed snake, Spear-nosed snake and Kapidolo. Genera Bradypodion Calumma Chamaeleo Furcifer Kinyongia Nadzikambia Brookesia Rieppeleon Rhampholeon Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are squamates that belong to one of the best-known lizard families. ... Subfamilies Aeluroscalabotinae Eublepharinae Gekkoninae Teratoscincinae Diplodactylinae Geckos are small to average sized lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae which are found in warm climates throughout the world. ...

Future outlook

Madagascar's dry deciduous forests have been preserved generally better than the eastern rainforests or the high central plateau, presumably due to historically less population density and scarcity of water; moreover, the present day lack of road access further limits human access. There has been some slash-and-burn activity in the western dry forests, reducing certain forest habitat and applying pressure to some endangered species. Slash-and-burn is a method sometimes used by shifting cultivators to create short term yields from marginal soils. When practiced repeatedly, or without intervening fallow periods, the nutrient deficient soils may be exhausted or eroded to an unproductive state. Further protection of western forests would assist in preservation of these diverse ecosystems, which have a very high ratio of endemic organisms to total species. The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. ... Image:NONE Monte Roraima In geology and earth science, a plateau, also called a high plateau or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat rural area. ... Assarting in Finland in 1892 Slash and burn (a specific practice that may be part of shifting cultivation or swidden-fallow agriculture) is an agricultural procedure widely used in forested areas. ... Habitat (which is Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular species live and grow. ... The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ... Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned. ... Link title {{portal|Food} A nutrient is either a chemical element or compound used in an organisms metabolism or physiology. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) by the agents of ocean currents, wind, water, or ice by downward or down-slope movement... A coral reef near the Hawaiian islands is an example of a complex marine ecosystem. ... In biology and ecology endemic means exclusively native to a place or biota, in contrast to cosmopolitan or introduced. ... “Life on Earth” redirects here. ...

References

See also

• Sustainable forestry
• Tropical agriculture
• Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
• List of national parks of Madagascar

Sustainable forestry is a forest management concept. ... Worldwide more human beings gain their livelihood from agriculture than any other endeavor; the majority are self-employed subsistence farmers living in the tropics. ... Trinidad and Tobago dry forest on Chacachacare showing the dry-season deciduous nature of the vegetation The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. ... Andohahela National park in southern Madagascar The protected areas network of Madagascar is managed by the Madagascar National Parks Association (PNM-ANGAP). ...

External links

• Ankarana Reserve, Parcs et reserves de Madagascar, le site officiel
• Anjajavy Forest Google satellite map
• Further detail on Kirindy and Ampijoroa Forests