Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms on the entire earth, or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Biodiversity increases the productivity of an ecosystem. All species, regardless of their size, play a big role. For this particular study, our group chose the beautiful island of Madagascar. Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot because of its unique animal and plant species, and the fact that the island is under extreme threat. Habitat destruction, fires used for agriculture, erosion, and high risk of species extinction are some of the factors that have affected the island negatively.
Madagascar consists of several biomes- the savanna, desert, tropical rainforest, and mountain ecosystems. The savannah is a dry and hot grassland, while the desert is extremely dry, hot and has very little vegetation. The tropical rainforest is mostly on the east coast of Madagascar. The mountain ecosystems are found in higher elevations. The savannah and the desert are found along the western side of of the island, where most of the rain has fallen on the eastern side.The tropical rainforests are found on the opposite side of the savannah and desert biomes due to rainfall. "Madagascar is home to many particular animals, including: lemurs, chameleons, geckos, lizards, and endemic snakes." (Savannahs of Madagascar)
Madagascar's Biomes
Aye-Ayes are threatened by habitat loss (rainforest destruction).
Lemurs are local to to the island of Madagascar.
According to the Human Development Index of 2003, 70% of Malagasy people face malnutrition, and the average Malagasy makes about 1 US dollar a day. The economy is poor due to corruption caused by former leader/dictator Didier Ratsiraka. Madagascar and other areas have colonial-like economies focused on poor resource extraction, like mining. Many Malagasy locals live in rural areas and rely on slash-and-burn agriculture to survive. This results in habitat loss and possibly species extinction. The global economy influences these issues by having little interest in Madagascar. The small population of the area, lack of development, and sustainable industry causes investors to turn away, keeping the country in a cycle of poverty and degradation.
The natural vegetation of Madagascar is moderately diverse. Tropical rainforests in Madagascar consists of western dry deciduous forests along the western coast. An unusual spiny desert, also referred to as "spiny thicket", covers the extreme south. The island is also host to various high mountain ecosystems such as Tsaratanana and Andringitra massifs. These ecosystems are covered in moss and lichens. Soil degradation and habitat loss result from farming, mining, and logging. Only 17% of the original forest remains in Madagascar today. Some threatened plant species include the Traveller's Palm and the Rosy Periwinkle.
Rosy Periwinkle
Traveller's Palm
The species diversity is relatively high. There are at least 13,000 species of plants (90% endemic). The mammal and bird diversity is slightly low, but high with reptiles and amphibians. There are about 1,200 vertebrate species including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish (approximately 85% endemic). Hunting has harmed numerous animal populations. Invasive species like rats and cats eat some of the native species. Other invasive species, such as goats, consume the majority of food meant for the native species. Madagascar has several critically threatened species including the Silky Sifaka, a lemur, which is one of the rarest mammals on earth. Another threatened species, the rare Ploughshare tortoise, is found only in a small area of northwestern Madagascar where as few as 1,000 of these animals survive.
WWF works with traditional fishermen and government authorities to manage marine and coastal resources so that they not only contribute to conservation but also benefit local communities.
The beautiful island of Madagascar is one of the most known biodiversity hotspots because of its range of diverse wildlife and uniqueness as a whole. This evolutionary treasure-house is of great importance from a worldwide perspective. Deforestation and habitat destruction, agricultural fires, soil degradation, over exploitation of living resources, and invasive species are all factors of the environmental problems of Madagascar. The human population must become more aware of the negative effects of their activities. Madagascar is a unique, diverse, and beneficial location worthy of attention.
Works Cited
-International, C. (2011). Biological diversity in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150623
-"Savannahs of Madagascar"
http://www.eniscuola.net/en/argomento/savannah/savannah-biome/savannahs-of-madagascar/
-"Facts on the Rainforests in Madagascar"
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/rainforest-madagascar-43243.html
Your post was really well written- it was interesting to read and you explained all the research and concepts in ways that were easy to understand. I also liked all the pictures you used!
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