This module is designed to work in unison with the Lemur Venture project as it will also consist of research activities in the littoral forest fragments of Sainte Luce. Whilst the Lemur Venture module will focus solely on researching lemurs, this module will examine the flora and fauna of the littoral forest. Specifically, for at least until the end of 2011, this module will focus on the two palm species Dypsis saintelucei and Beccariophoenix madagascariensis, and the gecko species Phelsuma antanosy – all three of which are categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and all three of which have declining populations. Volunteers on this module will conduct research to examine the abundance of these species and the threats they face.
Aims and Objectives
The overall aim of this project is to collect data on the flora and fauna in the littoral forests of Sainte Luce to aid their conservation. The research will be focussed on the regionally endemic and critically endangered species listed above. In addition, the botanical data collected for this research will be combined with those collected for the Lemur Venture module to produce a tree guide for the littoral forests.
Methods
Dypsis saintelucei and Beccariophoenix madagascariensis
Both D. saintelucei and B. madagascariensis are regionally endemic to South-East Madagascar and are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Although very little research has focused on these species, their IUCN status has been assigned due to low numbers and the continued loss of habitat.
Preliminary surveys of D. saintelucei in November 2007 revealed a population number of 50 individuals remaining in the wild. During surveys conducted in August 2008 previously unrecorded individuals were found, yet at least four of the previously recorded individuals were dead from natural causes or human use.
The surveying and documentation of these species will focus on determining population numbers remaining, their location and an investigation into the reason for their distribution and decreasing numbers. Initially GPS mapping of each individual tree will be completed to determine population numbers and locations. GIS software will be used to produce maps showing the location of each tree which will be used to monitor the species.
It has already been established that the palms are used as a source of food and for the construction of lobster traps. An investigation into the reason behind the rapidly decreasing numbers will examine the level of human impact. Interviews will be conducted in the surrounding hamlets to assess the impact that humans are having on population numbers and will explore the use of other resources to help reduce the pressures facing these palms. Another factor which may be having a detrimental effect on the population numbers is the fragmentation of the littoral forests and the changes this has caused to the forest composition and characteristics. This will be examined by determining the habitat characteristics of the remaining individuals and comparing this with the assessment of forest fragments where the species do not exist.
Phelsuma antanosy
Phelsuma are arboreal and diurnal geckos. The species P. antanosy is a bright green gecko with a green or tortoise tail. Three elongated red streaks run down the lower back and two transverse red bands on the head with a tortoise band between the eyes (Glaw and Vences, 2007). This species is found only in two fragments of forest close to Tolagnaro - Ambatotsirongorongo and Sainte Luce. Due to their limited occurrence and habitat degradation, this species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List 2008. It has previously been discovered that P. antanosy selectively use a Pandanus spp. and Dypsis spp. (Lehtinen, 2002): a behaviour which greatly threatens the survival of this critically endangered species.
Initially, studies on P. antanosy will focus on their numbers and distribution within the forest fragments. As this species is arboreal and selectively utilises Pandanus spp., a sample unit of Pandanus trees will be selected from each of the forest fragments and repeatedly searched for P.antanosy (Lehtinen, 2002).
Once the presence-absence surveys and estimates of population numbers have been completed, the research will examine their behavioural ecology through observations. The aim of this research is to determine the effect that further habitat degradation could have on the survival of P.antanosy. Previous studies have examined the use of Pandanus spp. in the reproductive biology of P.antanosy (Lehtinen, 2002). This research will be continued as well as examining the use of Dypsis spp., in particular D. saintelucei. In addition, interviews will be conducted within the hamlets surrounding the forest fragments to assess human impact on both Dypsis spp. and Pandanus spp. to assess the stability of the populations.
Tree guide
To aid the research being conducted for both this module and the Lemur Venture module, data will be collected on the floral species found in the littoral forest fragments. These will include species descriptions and identification, and reference photographs. Local guides will be employed to identify the species and provide local knowledge of the uses, including any medicinal uses.
Targets
- Publication of the population size and distribution of D. saintelucei and B. madagascariensis;
- Analysis of the investigation into the distribution of D. sainteluei and B. Madagascariensis in the forest fragments;
- Publication of the estimated population size and distribution of P. antanosy, including any behavioural observations;
- Production of a tree guide for the forests of Sainte Luce, which will include distributions, photographs, descriptions, and any uses.
Sample schedule
| Day | Place | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Lanirano | Arrival - Azafady and Monitoring introductory talks | |
| Friday | Sainte Luce | Trip to Nahampoana | Banking and e-mailing |
| Saturday | Sainte Luce | Trip to Sainte Luce | Setup camp and visit Chef de Quartier |
| Sunday | Sainte Luce | Tour of the forests | GPS training |
| Monday | Sainte Luce | GPS mapping Dypsis saintelucei | |
| Tuesday | Sainte Luce | GPS mapping Dypsis saintelucei | |
| Wednesday | Sainte Luce | GPS mapping Dypsis saintelucei | |
| Thursday | Sainte Luce | GPS mapping Dypsis saintelucei | |
| Friday | Sainte Luce | GPS mapping Dypsis saintelucei | |
| Saturday | Sainte Luce | OFF - beach | |
| Sunday | Sainte Luce | Tree guide data collection | |
| Monday | Sainte Luce | Tree guide data collection | |
| Tuesday | Lanirano | Trip to Fort Dauphin | OFF |
| Wednesday | Lanirano | Debrief | Banking and e-mailing |
| Thursday | Lanirano | Departure | |
