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College of William and Mary

Publication Date

Fall 2015

Program Name

Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management

Abstract

Over the past 50 years, more than 90% of dense low-altitude humid forest in the District of Vangaindrano has been lost to deforestation and the remaining fragments continue to be threatened by slash and burn agriculture and selective cutting by local populations. These activities are driven by widespread poverty, population growth, and lack of development, which have made subsistence increasingly difficult. This study investigates logging rates and the stock of five commercially valuable trees in the Ankarabolava-Agnakatrika New Protected Area. Fifteen 1000m2 transects were established systematically within the territory of the Matanga commune. Within each transect data was collected on all trees cut in the past year and demographic information was collected on five of the most commercially valuable species. Results showed that extensive illegal logging is taking place and the rates of loss for target species were as high as 40% in the past year. The five target species are already devastated among larger size classes and if current rates of logging continue, it is likely the forest will disappear in the near future.

Disciplines

Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Policy | Environmental Studies | Forest Management | Forest Sciences | Growth and Development | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Place and Environment | Sustainability

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