NORTHERN MADAGASCAR

MBG’s activities

MBG’s two main roles in the second phase of ICBG-Madagascar are: a) to make and identify voucher herbarium specimens to accompany the samples of plant parts collected by the CNARP team; and b) to conduct research to identify priority areas for plant conservation in north Madagascar by means of botanical inventory at a range of sites and the modeling and analysis of species distributions based on the collection locations of new and historic herbarium specimens. To date we have worked at two sites: Montagne des Français and the Orangea Peninsula.

Montagne des Français

Montagne des Français is a dramatic massif lying just across the bay from Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) and adjacent to the popular tourist site of Ramena Beach. The Massif covers an area of around 5,000 hectares and ranges in elevation from 100 to 400 meters. Its tortured relief is formed by various rock types, including tertiary limestone and sandstones. It has a high priority for plant conservation on account of its diverse flora, which includes several species endemic to the region and not included in any existing protected area, and the large blocks of dry deciduous forest that survive on its slopes in its valleys. With its dramatic scenery and interesting flora and fauna, the site has considerable potential for ecotourism. However, its biodiversity is seriously threatened by exploitation of wood for the manufacture of charcoal. Click here for our evolving botanical inventory and associated photos from this site.

Orangea Peninsula

The Orangea Peninsula is the finger of land that guards the south-eastern part of Antsiranana’s massive harbor. It covers an area of around 4,000 hectares, much of which is located within an army base. Its geology is mainly loose sand, with Mesozoic limestone to the west, and it supports large areas of botanically diverse dry deciduous forest. The flora include several plants species that are more or less restricted to this site and not included in any protected area. Its biodiversity is threatened by exploitation of woody plants for charcoal production and, in the future, it may also be threatened by mining. Click here for our evolving botanical inventory and associated photos from this site.