WILDLIFE MADAGASCAR’S REFORESTATION PROGRAM: RESTORING FORESTS FOR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE
Madagascar’s forests are in critical danger, with less than 10% of the original forest cover remaining due to ongoing deforestation. In fact, 80% of all forests in Madagascar occur within a single kilometer of the edge. Thus, there are very few large forests remaining. These forests are vital not only for the island’s incredible wildlife but also for the Malagasy people. Forests support livelihoods through agriculture, provide clean water, stabilize soils, and play a crucial role in local climate regulation. For the people who live by the parks where we work, the loss of these ecosystems means a loss of resources essential for daily survival. At the same time, with 98% of lemur species threatened with extinction, Madagascar’s wildlife faces a crisis like no other. Lemurs are not only the most endangered primates on the planet, but now, they are also the most endangered mammal in the world. Wildlife Madagascar’s reforestation program is a critical step toward reversing habitat loss, securing biodiversity, and supporting the communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
Why Reforestation Is Vital
Reforestation is essential for reversing the damage caused by forest loss, which impacts both wildlife and rural communities in Madagascar. Wildlife Madagascar’s reforestation program aims to address this by restoring native forests at our three key field sites: La Mananara, Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR), and Namoroka National Park as well as all future field sites. Our approach goes beyond simply planting trees—we focus on reconnecting fragmented habitats and creating forest corridors that enable lemurs and other species to move freely, increasing their chances of survival and promoting genetic diversity.
For local communities, reforestation offers critical benefits. It provides secure access to forest resources such as non-timber products which are vital for daily living. Restored forests also improve hydrological regulation, ensuring reliable water supply, and enhancing nutrient cycling, which benefits agriculture. By creating more diverse and connected habitats, reforestation supports greater biodiversity and strengthens the resilience of local ecosystems. Furthermore, restoring forests increases the adaptability of existing agricultural systems, offering communities the chance to build more sustainable livelihoods while conserving their natural environment.
Creating Corridors for Wildlife
A central focus of our reforestation program is to bridge the gap between isolated forest patches. These forest corridors will provide critical passageways for wildlife, allowing species like lemurs to move between fragmented habitats in search of food, mates, and shelter. By carefully selecting replanting areas, we aim to enhance connectivity across the landscape. Working closely with local communities and government agencies, we will determine optimal locations, obtain necessary permits, and ensure that all planting and restoration activities are in full compliance with any local and national regulations. Monitoring these corridors will be a key part of our program.
Meeting Community Needs
As part of Wildlife Madagascar’s reforestation strategy, it is essential to balance the ecological restoration goals with the practical needs of the local communities, particularly for access to fuel wood and building materials. To address these needs, a portion of the reforestation program will be dedicated to establishing small plantations of fast-growing, non-native tree species such as acacia and eucalyptus. These trees will provide a sustainable source of fuel wood and construction materials, including planks and palm fronds for homebuilding, reducing the pressure on native forests. In parallel, Wildlife Madagascar will explore the introduction of specialized, energy-efficient stoves that require less wood, helping to reduce overall demand and contributing to long-term forest conservation efforts. This approach not only supports local livelihoods but also ensures that reforestation goals are achieved without compromising the needs of the community.
Reforestation Steps
To achieve lasting success in restoring Madagascar’s forests, Wildlife Madagascar follows a comprehensive reforestation plan that begins with the careful collection and preparation of native seeds and continues through long-term care of the newly planted trees and the monitoring of success over time. Below is an outline of the key stages involved in bringing degraded areas back to life.
1. Establish Site Inventory and Monitoring Protocols: These include the following initiatives.
a) Botanical phenology: Establish trails throughout each site for bimonthly tree and liana reproductive monitoring which includes recording data on leaf flushing, flowering, and fruiting phases. These comprehensive data will inform our seed collection times for each targeted species annually.
b) Botanical plots: Establish plots throughout the forest (interior and edge, replicated annually) for both characterizing the environment and evaluating plant species richness, distribution, density, growth rates, and mortality.
c) Herbarium: Collect specimens for accurate taxonomic identification, supporting the botanical plot inventories. Specimens will be deposited in a museum for scientific posterity, and in the case new plant species are discovered, species-specific conservation programs will be created, including seed banking.
2. Seed Collection: The program begins with the collection of seeds from native tree species (see Table 1 for targeted plant families), which will be gathered by our team members, local community members, and volunteers. This ensures that the trees we plant are well-suited to their environment and will support local ecosystems. A unique and essential component of Wildlife Madagascar’s reforestation program involves collecting seeds not just from the forest floor but from lemur feces. This innovative approach allows us to gather seeds from plant species that are part of the lemurs’ natural diet, ensuring that we are restoring critical food sources for these endangered animals. Research has shown that some plant seeds that pass through a lemur’s digestive system have a higher germination rate, making them more likely to thrive when replanted. By leveraging this natural process, we increase the success of our reforestation efforts.
Table 1. The top 30 (of 116) plant families that are used as food by lemur species. Many of these plant families contain several genera that produce foods consumed by lemurs, and once accurately identified, will be the focus of our reforestation efforts.
3. Processing and Germination: The seeds will be processed, soaked for 24 hours, and planted in bags filled with growing medium that consists of a mixture of local soil, compost, and sand to begin the germination process. This process is species-dependent; thus, the early stages of our efforts will rely on germination studies comparing the efficacy of varying quantities/proportions of growing media. These seedlings will be nurtured in nurseries at our field sites, where they will receive the care needed to grow strong and healthy.
4. Hardening: After the seedlings have grown in the nurseries, they will undergo a hardening phase, during which they are gradually exposed to direct sunlight to prepare them for planting in the wild.
5. Replanting: The seedlings will be replanted in carefully and strategically selected areas, as well as during the optimal time of year, to maximize survival rates and ecosystem integration. Initial morphometrics and GIS coordinates will be recorded for each planted seedling for future monitoring. We will be planting a large number of species that represent various stages of forest succession at high densities. The interactions among these seedlings will ultimately determine the composition of the restored forest community. This approach has proven successful in other tropical restoration projects. For example, at a Brazilian Amazon restoration effort on a post-production bauxite mining site, the forest composition in the restored area after 13 years was like that of nearby undisturbed forests, though full structural recovery was still ongoing. A similar strategy has been used in northern parcels of Masoala National Park, Madagascar, where 16 native tree species, favored by frugivorous lemurs, were planted to reconnect fragmented forests by creating corridors.
6. Long-Term Care and Monitoring: Once the seedlings are replanted, we are committed to their long-term success through careful management and monitoring. This includes selective manual removal of competing shrubs and clearing away invasive species to give these rare plants the space and resources they need to thrive. Ongoing weed management will be a key aspect, preventing invasive plants from overtaking the restored areas and preserving the integrity of the natural ecosystem. To further protect vulnerable seedlings, we will install tree guards where necessary, safeguarding them from animals that may graze on the young plants. Additionally, regeneration trials will be conducted, testing strategies like controlled burning and canopy thinning to promote natural forest regeneration. These methods will ensure that the reforested areas are resilient and capable of sustaining healthy ecosystems for years to come.
Measuring Success
Wildlife Madagascar’s reforestation program will be evaluated in two distinct phases: the Establishment Phase and the Building Phase. Each phase will use a set of specific criteria to measure the success and long-term sustainability of the reforestation efforts.
1. Establishment Phase (3 to 5 years)
During the initial phase, the focus will be on two key metrics:
a) Seedling Survival Rate: We will monitor the percentage of planted seedlings that survive and adapt to their new environment.
b) Canopy Closure: Another important indicator is how quickly the canopy closes, which demonstrates the successful growth of trees and their ability to provide shade and foster a microenvironment conducive to biodiversity.
2. Building Phase
After the establishment phase, a broader range of criteria will be used to assess the ongoing health and impact of the restored forests.
Tree Growth: This will be measured by tracking the basal area (the cross-sectional area of tree trunks) and tree height to monitor how well the trees are maturing.
Vegetation Structure: We will assess the overall plant density and cover, particularly of woody plants, to ensure that a stable and diverse plant ecosystem is developing.
Species Diversity: This will focus on tree species richness and the presence of desired tree species that are critical for wildlife and ecosystem health. Additionally, we will monitor the presence of appropriate wildlife species using camera traps and assess weed abundance to ensure invasive species are not overtaking the area.
Socio-Economic Factors: Reforestation success isn’t just about ecology—it’s also about the impact on local communities. We will evaluate how the program influences local income, creates employment opportunities, and supports other livelihood activities like sustainable agriculture. The availability of food through improved agricultural systems, bolstered by healthier ecosystems, will also be an important indicator of success.
By monitoring these ecological and socio-economic factors, Wildlife Madagascar will be able to assess the long-term impact of its reforestation program and make necessary adjustments to ensure both the forests and local communities thrive.
Reforestation Leads to a More Sustainable Future
Wildlife Madagascar’s reforestation program is a vital initiative to restore balance between people and nature on the island. By regenerating forests at La Mananara, Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR), and Namoroka National Park, we are not only safeguarding Madagascar’s incredible biodiversity but also creating a brighter, more sustainable future for local communities. The long-term success of this program depends on active collaboration with those who live near these forests, the rigorous monitoring of ecosystem health, and a commitment to both ecological and socio-economic benefits. Through reforestation, we are taking a significant step toward building resilient ecosystems that can thrive for generations to come.