Madagascar Lowland Forest
by Clayton, Patrick, Aaron and Ethan
Where is Madagascar's Lowland Forest?
The lowland forest of Madagascar consists of a narrow strip of lowland forests between Madagascar's east coast and the mountainous central highlands. Its altitude varies from sea level to 800 metres elevation. It covers an area of approximately 112,600 square kilometres. The ecoregion is under the direct influence of the moist southeast trade winds which maintain a warm, humid climate.
20.0000° S, 47.0000° E.
Wooly Lemur (Avahi)
These tiny creatures range from 11 to 20 inches in height and can only be found in Madagascar.
Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
This panther chameleon is one of thousands of species found nowhere else than in the rain forests of Madagascar's moist tropical forests and dry forests disappear.
Giraffe Weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa)
The giraffe weevil is native to Madagascar. It derives it's name from an extended neck, much like that of the common giraffe.
Animals and Extinction
17 species of lemurs, including the giant lemur, together with giant tortoises, the pygmy hippopotamus, and the elephant bird an enormous flightless bird related to the ostrich, became extinct after the arrival of the human settlers approximately 2000 years ago.
The other islands of the Madagascan region also suffered from waves of extinctions as a result of human arrival on the islands. Numerous bird species, including the famous Dodo of Mauritius, became extinct after human settlers arrived. Most of the islands also had one or more species of giant tortoise before humans arrived; 19 of 20 giant tortoise species are presently extinct, and only the Aldabra Giant Tortoise still survives.
Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata)
The large Adansonia Grandidieri is Madagascar's best known species of baobab tree. These giants are nevertheless threatened with extinction and need to be protected.
Rafflesia Flower (Rafflesia arnoldii)
This incredible flower, found primarily in the shady lowland tropical forests of Indonesia, has by far the largest bloom of any flower and is one of the world's rarest and most endangered plants. Almost one meter wide and weighing over 6 pounds, it is a fleshy, malodorous plant.
Orchid (Orchidaceae)
There are over 25,000 different types of orchids, and many of them are threatened, endangered or extinct. Habitat destruction and orchid smugglers are the two major threats. orchids have exotic beauty and have long been sought after by collectors and growers.
Flora and Extinction
The rain forests of the world are estimated by scientists to contain 80% of the green flowering plants in existence and it is estimated that 2.5 acres of tropical rainforest may contain more than 750 types of trees and 1500 species of higher plants. With the loss of each acre of rainforest to farming, logging or other forms of development, hundreds of species disappear forever. The number of endangered rain forest plants is vast and rather than attempt to list every known species of plant that is endangered only two of the better known ones will be presented here.
Logging
Logging has occurred for:
- shifting cultivation
- grazing
- fuel wood gathering
- economic development
- cattle ranching and
- mining.
Many forests were destroyed in the search for precious woods such as ebony and rosewood. Other forest products such as raffia, beeswax, honey, lichens, and camphor were gathered for export. In addition to crops, the construction of railroads and their operation relied heavily on timber, intensifying the demand for wood.
Population
Population growth didn't become a factor in forest degradation in Madagascar until 1940, when vaccines were introduced that lowered the death rate. During the next 40 years the population increased rapidly from 4.2 to 9.2 million. This put a significant strain on the natural resources and estimates show that 4 million hectares of forests were cleared during this 40-year period.
Protecting
Population growth didn't become a factor in forest degradation in Madagascar until 1940, when vaccines were introduced that lowered the death rate. During the next 40 years the population increased rapidly from 4.2 to 9.2 million. This put a significant strain on the natural resources and estimates show that 4 million hectares of forests were cleared during this 40-year period.
Food Web
The top producer in the food chain of Madagascar are fruits, flowers, leaves. They are all types of plants which give the main consumers energy and the nutrients to keep them healthy. The Madagascar Ring tailed Mongoose is the primary consumer . It is a carnivore and is often located in groups up to 5. The secondary consumer is the Zebu it is a Zebra and cattle mix which is very rare to find in Madagascar. The people first started breeding this animal as far back as 3000 B.C. In Madagascar the tertiary consumer is the Fossa. It is a animal which can be only found in the forests of Madagascar. The fossa can grow to be up to 6 ft long and 26 pounds. It is one of the many Big Cats.
Introduced Pests
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)
The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), also known as the hissing cockroach or simply hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2 to 3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) at maturity. They are from the island of Madagascar off the African mainland, where they can be found in rotting logs. It is one of some 20 known species of large hissing cockroach from Madagascar, many of which are kept as pets, and often confused with one another by pet dealers
Locust (Locusta migratoria capito)
In 2012, Madagascar had an upsurge in the size of its Malagasy locust populations. In November of that year, the government issued a locust alert, saying that conditions were right for swarming of the pest inscects. In February 2013, a cyclone struck the country, creating optimal conditions for locust breeding. By late March 2013, approximately 50% of the country was infested by swarms of locusts, with each swarm consisting of more than one billion insects.
Day Geckos (Phelsuma)
Day geckos inhabit the islands of the south-west part of the Indian Ocean. Most species are found in mauritisand Madagascar. Some species are found on neighbouring island groups, including the mascarence, Selshelles, and Comoros. Due to human introduction, they are also often found on some of the Hawaiian, including the Big Island and Kauia, and the state of Florida, where they were introduced as a form of pest control.