Madagascar dry deciduous forests - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Madagascar dry deciduous forests represent a tropical dry forest

Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests

The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. Though these forests occur in climates that are warm year-round, and may receive several hundred centimeters of rain per year, they have long dry seasons...

ecoregion

Ecoregion

An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...

generally situated in the western part of Madagascar

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...

. The area has high numbers of endemic plant and animal species but has suffered large-scale clearance for agriculture. This clearance is ongoing and therefore the WWF

World Wide Fund for Nature

The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...

has designated these forests as a Global 200

Global 200

The Global 200 is the list of ecoregions identified by the World Wildlife Fund as priorities for conservation. According to the WWF, an ecoregion is defined as a "relatively large unit of land or water containing a characteristic set of natural communities that share a large majority of their...

ecoregion, one of the world’s most crucial regions for conservation. The Manambolomaty Lake area in particular is home to many species of fish and birds. The area is also home to distinctive limestone karst

KARST

Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...

formations known as tsingy including the World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

of Bemaraha

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located near the western coast of Madagascar in Melaky Region at . The area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 due to the unique geography, preserved mangrove forests, and wild bird and lemur populations...

Location

There are two separate areas within the ecoregion: the western side of Madagascar from the Ampasindava peninsula in the north to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina and Maromandia

Maromandia

Maromandia is a town and commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Analalava, which is a part of Sofia Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 34,000 in 2001 commune census....

in the south, (this is most of Mahajanga Province

Mahajanga Province

Mahajanga is a former province of Madagascar with an area of 150,023 km². It had a population of 1,896,000 . Its capital was Mahajanga.Except for Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga Province bordered all of the country's other provinces:...

); and the northern tip of the island (apart from the high areas of Amber Mountain

Amber Mountain National Park

Amber Mountain National Park is a National Park in the Diana Region of northern Madagascar. The park is known for its water falls and crater lakes and is located 1000 km north of the capital, Antananarivo...

Description

These dry deciduous forests span the coastal plain

Coastal plain

A coastal plain is an area of flat, low-lying land adjacent to a seacoast and separated from the interior by other features. One of the world's longest coastal plains is located in eastern South America. The southwestern coastal plain of North America is notable for its species diversity...

with its limestone

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....

plateau

Plateau

In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...

s emanating virtually at sea level to higher altitudes to 800 meters. The area includes wetlands and grasslands (mostly created by forest clearance for agriculture) as well as dry forests characterized by upper stories of deciduous

Deciduous

Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...

canopy extending to a height of 14 to 30 meters, and lower stories with dense shrubs and saplings, which may also contain some evergreen

Evergreen

In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...

species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

. Several distinct subregions are found.

Climate

Climate is tropical with summer daytime temperatures commonly exceeding 30 degrees Celsius throughout the region and a wet season between October and April. Rainfall is decidedly less than the eastern lowland rainforest

Madagascar lowland forests

The Madagascar lowland forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion, found on the eastern coast of the island of Madagascar.-Setting:...

s of Madagascar, attaining levels as low as 50 centimeters per annum in the southwest to 200 centimeters per annum in the northwest.

Flora

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.Trees have adapted to the drier climate by shedding leaves in the dry winter season (May to September) to limit evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration is a term used to describe the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth's land surface to atmosphere. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and waterbodies...

. Moreover, some species like baobab

Baobab

Adansonia is a genus of eight species of tree, six native to Madagascar, one native to mainland Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and one to Australia. The mainland African species also occurs on Madagascar, but it is not a native of that island....

s have adapted by evolving the ability to store copious water in their large bulbous trunks. Two species of baobab however are limited in range and are considered endangered, these are Adansonia grandidieri

Adansonia grandidieri

Adansonia grandidieri , the biggest and most famous of Madagascar’s six baobabs, is an endangered species in the genus Adansonia. It is endemic to Madagascar. A...

and Adansonia suarezensis

Adansonia suarezensis

Adansonia suarezensis is an endangered species in the genus Adansonia. It is endemic to Madagascar....

. An interesting feature of these dry forests is the presence of Pachypodium habitats

Pachypodium habitats

Pachypodium habitats consist of isolated, specialized, micro–environmental niches, generally xeric, rocky, frost-free areas within parts of western Madagascar and southern Africa. Pachypodium species are often indifferent to the regional ecological, biotic zone of vegetation, a fact which...

, often associated with the hot dry conditions of life in a landscape of canyons and tsingy (limestone karst outcrops). One well-known tsingy area is Ankarana (see below for detailed description).

Fauna

One characteristic in common with other tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests

Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests

is the presence of relatively high densities of mammalian biomass. Several of Madagascar's characteristic lemur

Lemur

Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...

species are found here including the fat-tailed dwarf lemur

Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

The fat-tailed dwarf lemur , also known as the lesser dwarf lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur, or spiny forest dwarf lemur, is one of the smallest primates. It is endemic to Madagascar....

, five subspecies of Propithecus, three species of Lepilemur, and five species of Microcebus. Endemic mammals include three endangered species, golden-crowned sifaka

Golden-crowned Sifaka

The golden-crowned sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka is a medium-sized lemur characterized by mostly white fur, prominent furry ears and a golden-orange crown. It is one of the smallest sifakas , weighing around and measuring approximately from head to tail...

(Propithecus tattersalli) and Perrier's sifaka

Perrier's Sifaka

Perrier's sifaka is a sifaka endemic to Madagascar. It has a length of 85 to 92 centimeters, of which 42-46 centimeters are tail. Perrier's sifaka has a very limited range in northeastern Madagascar between the Irodo River to the north and the Lokia River to the south. It lives in dry deciduous...

(Propithecus diadema perrieri) and western forest rat (Nesomys

Nesomys

Nesomys is a genus of rodent in the family Nesomyidae. It is found only on Madagascar, and contains the following species:* White-bellied Nesomys * Western Nesomys * Nesomys narindaensis †...

lambertoni) as well as mongoose lemur

Mongoose Lemur

The mongoose lemur is a lemur ranging from 12 to 18 inches long plus a tail of 16 to 25 inches. The mongoose lemur lives in dry deciduous forests on the island of Madagascar as well as in the humid forests on the islands of the Comoros...

(Eulemur mongoz), golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis), Northern Rufous Mouse Lemur

Northern Rufous Mouse Lemur

The northern rufous mouse lemur , northern brown mouse lemur, or Tavaratra mouse lemur is found in North-western Madagascar in Ankarana Reserve....

(M. tavaratra), Pygmy Mouse Lemur (M. myoxinus), Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur

Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur

The Milne-Edwards' sportive lemur , or Milne-Edwards' weasel lemur, is a species of lemur in the Lepilemuridae family. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss....

(Lepilemur edwardsi), and Greater big-footed mouse

Greater big-footed mouse

The Greater big-footed mouse is a nocturnal rodent found only on Madagascar. It is listed as a critically endangered species due to habitat loss.-External links:*...

(Macrotarsomys ingens). As well as lemurs the dry forests are home to the island’s largest predator, the fossa

Fossa (animal)

The fossa is a cat-like, carnivorous mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the Eupleridae, a family of carnivorans closely related to the mongoose family . Its classification has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of cats, yet other traits suggest a...

(Cryptoprocta ferox) and some smaller carnivores. Among reptiles the Angonoka

Angonoka

The angonoka tortoise is a critically endangered species of tortoise endemic to Madagascar. It is also known as the angonoka, ploughshare tortoise, Madagascar tortoise, or Madagascar angulated tortoise....

tortoise is also endangered.

The lakes and rivers of the dry forest region are homes to most of Madagascar's bird species.

Threats and future outlook

The dry forests have almost entirely been destroyed by overgrazing

Overgrazing

Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. It can be caused by either livestock in poorly managed agricultural applications, or by overpopulations of native or non-native wild animals.Overgrazing reduces the...

and deforestation

Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....

and there has been slash-and-burn subsistence farming in much of the area, reducing forest habitat

Habitat (ecology)

A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...

and applying pressure to some endangered species

Endangered species

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...

. Slash-and-burn is a method sometimes used by shifting cultivators

Shifting cultivation

Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned. This system often involves clearing of a piece of land followed by several years of wood harvesting or farming, until the soil loses fertility...

to create short term yields from marginal soils. After clearcutting and burning

Slash and burn

Slash-and-burn is an agricultural technique which involves cutting and burning of forests or woodlands to create fields. It is subsistence agriculture that typically uses little technology or other tools. It is typically part of shifting cultivation agriculture, and of transhumance livestock...

, a residual sparse, sometimes sterile grassland

Grassland

Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...

savanna

Savanna

A savanna, or savannah, is a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being sufficiently small or widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of C4 grasses.Some...

remains. When practised repeatedly, or without intervening fallow periods, the nutrient

Nutrient

A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy...

deficient soils may be exhausted or eroded

Erosion

Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...

to an unproductive state. Because trees grow slowly in the rocky soils, regeneration time may be measured in centuries, but the toll of extinct species is permanent. Further protection of western forests would assist in preservation of these diverse ecosystem

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....

s, which have a very high proportion of endemic

Endemic (ecology)

Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...

species.

Towns and cities in this ecoregion include Mahajanga

Mahajanga

Mahajanga is a city and a district on the north-west coast of Madagascar.- City :The City of Mahajanga is the capital of the Boeny region. Population: 135,660 ....

, Maevatanana

Maevatanana

Maevatanana is a city and commune urbaine in Madagascar. The city is in the central-north part of the island, at the Ikopa River, and is connected by the national road RN 4 to Antananarivo and Mahajanga. The altitude is low and as it is located far from the coast, temperatures tend to be high. The...

, Maintirano

Maintirano

Maintirano is a coastal city and commune in western Madagascar approximately 325 kilometres west of the capital Antananarivo. It belongs to the district of Maintirano, which is a part of Melaky Region – Maintirano is capital of Melaky region. The population of the commune was estimated to be...

, and Antsiranana

Antsiranana

Antsiranana , named Diego-Suarez prior to 1975, is a city at the northern tip of Madagascar.Antsiranana is the capital of Diana Region.-Transports:...

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

KARST

formation often exhibits spiry pinnacle

Pinnacle

A pinnacle 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. The pinnacle looks like a small spire...

s, called "tsingy" by the natives. The name derives from the Malagasy

Malagasy language

Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar, a member of the Austronesian family of languages. Most people in Madagascar speak it as a first language as do some people of Malagasy descent elsewhere.-History:...

word which means "walk on tiptoe", used by the earliest settler

Settler

A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...

s from around 1500 years ago to describe the sharpness of the rugged limestone shelves. There are an abundance of limestone cave

Cave

A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...

s and virgin forests that shelter the diverse wildlife

Wildlife

Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....

of the Ankarana region. In many cases the cave roofs collapse and form forested gorges through which rivers may flow.

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

Four-wheel drive

Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...

vehicles can reach most of the actual campsites. Below the massif is a grassy plain that leads to the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...

. In the higher elevations Lac Vert is perched among tsingy formations.

Mammals found in this forest include the apex predator

Apex predator

Apex predators are predators that have no predators of their own, residing at the top of their food chain. Zoologists define predation as the killing and consumption of another organism...

Fossa

Fossa (animal)

(Cryptoprocta ferox), the Fanaloka

Fanaloka

The Malagasy or striped civet , also known as the fanaloka , is a rare euplerid endemic to Madagascar....

(Fossa fossana), Northern Ring-tailed Mongoose and numerous bat

Bat

Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...

species. Lemurs occurring here are the Crowned Lemur

Crowned Lemur

The crowned lemur is a lemur that is 31–36 cm long and weighs 2 kg. Its tail is about 42–51 cm long). The crowned lemur is endemic to the dry deciduous forests of the northern tip of Madagascar. It eats a diet of mostly flowers, fruits, and leaves...

, Northern Sportive Lemur

Northern Sportive Lemur

The northern sportive lemur , also known as the Sahafary sportive lemur or northern weasel lemur, is a species of lemur in the Lepilemuridae family. It is endemic to Madagascar. It is threatened by habitat loss and has been named one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates."-References:...

, Gray Mouse Lemur

Gray Mouse Lemur

The gray mouse lemur , or lesser mouse lemur, is a small lemur, a type of strepsirrhine primate, found only on the island of Madagascar. Weighing , it is the largest of the mouse lemurs , a group which include the smallest primates in the world...

and Sanford's Brown Lemur

Sanford's Brown Lemur

Sanford's brown lemur , or Sanford's lemur, is a species of prosimian primate in the Lemuridae family. The Sanford's brown lemur was previously considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur but as of 2005 many of the brown lemurs have been elevated to a full species status...

. Numerous gecko

Gecko

Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....

s inhabit the Reserve including Leaf-tailed Gecko, Big-headed Gecko and Day Gecko. Other local reptile

Reptile

Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...

s 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.

Some bird species commonly seen are the Hook-billed Vanga

Hook-billed Vanga

The Hook-billed Vanga is a species of bird in the Vangidae family. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. ...

, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Crested Coua

Crested Coua

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. They are very attractive birds.The Crested Coua is...

, White-breasted Mesite

White-breasted Mesite

The White-breasted Mesite, Mesitornis variegatus, is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. One of three species in the mesite family Mesitornithidae, it has a small population and is restricted to five sites in the north and west of the island....

and Madagascar Ibis. Raptor

Bird of prey

Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....

s sighted in the reserve include the Madagascar Harrier Hawk and the Madagascar Scops Owl. Other avafauna occurring here include Red-capped Coua

Red-capped Coua

The Red-capped Coua is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...

and Coquerel's Coua

Coquerel's Coua

The Coquerel's Coua is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...

, and the vanga

Vanga

The vangas are a group of little-known small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to Madagascar and the Comoros. They are usually classified as the family Vangidae. There are about 22 species, depending on taxonomy...

s Van Dam's Vanga

Van Dam's Vanga

The Van Dam's Vanga is a species of bird in the Vangidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...

, Rufous Vanga

Rufous Vanga

The Rufous Vanga is a species of bird in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Schetba. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...

and Sickle-billed Vanga

Sickle-billed Vanga

The Sickle-billed Vanga is a species of bird in the vanga family Vangidae. It is monotypic within the genus Falculea. It is endemic to Madagascar...

. Vangas are significant in Madagascar, as 15 of the 16 vanga species are endemic to Madagascar

Endemic birds of Madagascar and western Indian Ocean islands

This article is one of a series providing information about endemism among birds in the World's various zoogeographic zones. For an overview of this subject see Endemism in birds.- Patterns of endemism :...

. The Greater Vasa Parrot

Greater Vasa Parrot

The Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa is one of two species of vasa parrot, the other being the Lesser Vasa Parrot C. nigra. The Greater vasa parrot can be found throughout Madagascar and the Comoros...

and Madagascar Green Pigeon are also indigenous. An important endangered species, the Madagascar Fish Eagle

Madagascar Fish Eagle

The Madagascar Fish Eagle or 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. The range of this eagle is within the Madagascar dry deciduous forests...

has a number of breeding pairs located in the Ankarana Reserve.

Anjajavy Forest

The Anjajavy Forest

Anjajavy Forest

Anjajavy Forest is an element of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests situated on the Indian Ocean of northwest Madagascar. The Anjajavy Forest surrounds the village of Anjajavy and provides a habitat for many rare and endangered species. It covers roughly fifty square kilometres, and occupies a...

is an example of a purely lowland dry deciduous forest in northwest Madagascar. It is punctuated with numerous tsingy outcroppings and limestone karst

KARST

caves, and in many locations abuts the Indian Ocean

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

Peninsula

A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....

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.

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

Baobab

and tamarind

Tamarind

Tamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...

are among the tallest species forming the canopy. Considering the lower precipitation

Precipitation (meteorology)

In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of 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.

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

Diurnal animal

Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...

lemurs that are found here include the Coquerel's Sifaka

Coquerel's Sifaka

Coquerel's sifaka is a medium-sized lemur of the sifaka genus Propithecus. Like all lemurs, it is endemic to Madagascar.-Description:...

and the Common Brown Lemur

Common Brown Lemur

The common brown lemur , or brown lemur, is a species of lemur in the Lemuridae family. It is found in Madagascar and Mayotte.-Range:...

. 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

Endangered species

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...

Madagascar Fish Eagle

, which has four (of the approximately 99 known) breeding pairs resident in Anjajavy Forest. Other birdlife present are the Crested Coua

Crested Coua

, kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...

s, Madagascar Wagtail

Madagascar Wagtail

The Madagascar Wagtail is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland and rivers.-References:...

and Magpie Crow. Numerous lizard

Lizard

Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...

s, chameleon

Chameleon

Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. They are distinguished by their parrot-like zygodactylous feet, their separately mobile and stereoscopic eyes, their very long, highly modified, and rapidly extrudable tongues, their swaying gait, the possession by many of a...

s and snake

Snake

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...

s populate the forest and are easily seen from the sparse trail

Trail

A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...

network.

The dry forest is invaded by fingers of mangrove swamp in the form of riparian zone

Riparian zone

A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream. Riparian is also the proper nomenclature for one of the fifteen terrestrial biomes of the earth. Plant habitats and communities along the river margins and banks are called riparian vegetation, characterized by...

s at several small coastal estuaries

Estuary

An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....

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

Ecotone

An ecotone is a transition area between two biomes but different patches of the landscape, such as forest and grassland. It may be narrow or wide, and it may be local or regional...

, providing unusual niches for several species of animals.

Kirindy Forest

Not a part of the official Madagascar National Park System, Kirindy Forest at 20.070000°N 44.6569°W is a private park situated in the southwestern part of Madagascar, 40km northeast of the town of Morondava

Morondava

Morondava is a city located in Menabe Region, of which it is the capital, in Madagascar. It is located in the delta of the Morandava River at .-Communication:...

. The forest was earlier operated as an experimental sustainable timber harvesting scheme, which 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 zone

Riparian zone

s) it may almost triple in vertical extent. There are three species of baobab trees present: Adansonia grandidieri
Adansonia grandidieri
Adansonia grandidieri , the biggest and most famous of Madagascar’s six baobabs, is an endangered species in the genus Adansonia. It is endemic to Madagascar. A...

, Adansonia rubrostipa
Adansonia rubrostipa
Adansonia rubrostipa, commonly known as Fony Baobab is one of the eight species within the baobab genus, within the family Malvaceae. This tree is endemic to western Madagascar and occurs in the Madagascar dry deciduous forests....

and Adansonia za
Adansonia za
Adansonia za, common name Baobab, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Adansonia belonging to the Malvaceae family.-Description:...

.

Kirindy Forest, approximately 100 square kilometres in area, may be best known as the only location where the endangered species

Endangered species

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...

Giant jumping rat

Malagasy Giant Rat

The Malagasy Giant Rat , also known as the Votsovotsa, is a nesomyid rodent found only in the Menabe region of Madagascar...

(Hypogeomys antimena) occurs. This animal can hop like a miniature kangaroo

Kangaroo

A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...

, but is also seen walking on all four limbs. There are a number of species of nocturnal lemurs present: Red-tailed sportive lemur

Red-tailed Sportive Lemur

The red-tailed sportive lemur , or red-tailed weasel lemur, is native to Madagascar like all lemurs. It is a nocturnal species feeding largely on leaves, though they also eat some fruit. Individuals weigh around 800 grams, and there is little sexual dimorphism...

, Pygmy mouse lemur, Gray mouse lemur

Gray Mouse Lemur

, Pale Fork-marked Lemur, Coquerel's Giant Mouse Lemur and the Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

The fat-tailed dwarf lemur , also known as the lesser dwarf lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur, or spiny forest dwarf lemur, is one of the smallest primates. It is endemic to Madagascar....

. Further mammalian species of fossa

Fossa (animal)

, Narrow-striped mongoose

Mongoose

Mongoose are a family of 33 living species of small carnivorans from southern Eurasia and mainland Africa. Four additional species from Madagascar in the subfamily Galidiinae, which were previously classified in this family, are also referred to as "mongooses" or "mongoose-like"...

, Verreaux's Sifaka

Verreaux's Sifaka

Verreaux's sifaka , or white sifaka, is a medium sized primate in one of the lemur families, Indriidae. It lives in Madagascar and can be found in a variety of habitats from rainforest to western Madagascar dry deciduous forests and dry and spiny forests...

, Common tenrec, Greater hedgehog tenrec and Red-fronted Brown Lemur are also found here.

Some of the local reptiles present are: Labord's chameleon

Furcifer labordi

Labord's chameleon is a species of chameleon endemic to Madagascar. Like other Furcifer species , it has obligate year-long lifecycle...

, various plated lizards, Leaf-tailed gecko

Gecko

Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....

, Big-headed gecko, Madagascar Ground Boa, Giant hog-nosed snake, Spear-nosed snake and Kapidolo.

External links

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Location

Description

Climate

Flora

Fauna

Threats and future outlook

Ankarana Special Reserve

Anjajavy Forest

Kirindy Forest

See also

External links