The focus of the Lemur & Biodiversity Research module is to investigate the impact of forest fragmentation on lemur, reptile and amphibian populations by collecting data in the littoral (coastal) forests in Sainte Luce, situated in south east Madagascar.
The littoral forests of Madagascar are restricted from what was once a continuous forest from the north of Vohimarina to Tolagnaro now to just a narrow band along the east coast. Currently, the state of the eastern littoral forest is severely degraded and fragmented. Since human colonisation of Madagascar some 90% of the littoral forest has been cut down and currently only 1.5% of the remaining forest is protected. Research has shown that many of the large animal species of the littoral forests have been lost and the remaining may not be able to maintain viable populations beyond 2020-2040. The forest in Sainte Luce is one of only three significant areas of southern littoral forest remaining in Madagascar.
The forest fragments in Sainte Luce range in size from 1 to 377 hectares; each, with its own unique landscape features, is vulnerable to human disturbances in slightly different ways. Research on the Azafady Conservation Programme will expand across all the littoral forest fragments in the Sainte Luce region; providing not only an individual account of species and forest vulnerability but also an overall perspective of issues facing the biodiversity across the region.
The data collected is used nationally and internationally to highlight the plight of the fauna and flora in Sainte Luce. This is particularly important as the area has been earmarked for future ilmenite mining which will remove two-thirds of the remaining littoral forest.
Lemur Research Objectives
- To establish the density and distribution of the diurnal and nocturnal lemurs in the Sainte Luce forest fragments.
- To investigate the influence of edge effects on lemur density and distribution in the Saint Luce forest fragments.
Diurnal and nocturnal transects are walked through the dense littoral forests searching for individuals and groups of lemurs. Once spotted, volunteers are involved in collecting data on the lemur population and the surrounding habitat.
Biodiversity Research Objectives
- To establish the density and distribution of diurnal and nocturnal reptiles and amphibians in the Sainte Luce forest fragments.
- To investigate the influence of edge effects on the reptile and amphibian populations in the Sainte Luce forest fragments.
Biodiversity work involves "sweeping" the forest floor searching for herpetofauna (reptile and amphibian species) both diurnally and nocturnally; seeking out species inhabiting palms, logs and leaf litter. Additionally, transects searching for those species inhabiting higher ground in trees will also be surveyed separately.
The herpetofauna within the littoral forests of Sainte Luce is highly exceptional and very diverse. However, this region is also in need of further study to facilitate conservation efforts within the area. The aim of our research is to update the current species lists of the herpetofauna occurring within the fragments of Sainte Luce, assess the role edge effects play in influencing the distribution of species and determine the effects fragment size has on the herpetofauna within them.
Habitat Data Collection
How does the vegetation change across the forest fragments of Sainte Luce with particular reference to vulnerability of degredation?
In conjunction with the lemur and biodiversity research, habitat data is collected to assess the extent of human disturbance across the forest fragments.
Typical Working Day
The daily schedule varies tremendously depending on study activity and location but a typical day in the field starts with breakfast at 7.30am (though earlier in summer). Then you head into the forest to work on the module until just before midday. A typical activity is walking a lemur transect through a fragment of littoral forest - once spotted, with the help of the local guides, you will be recording critical data including the number and sex of lemurs, and sometimes observing their behaviour. Another day, you could find yourself identifying reptile and amphibian species by "sweeping" through the forest floor.
After a two-hour break during the heat of the day for lunch to eat, nap, relax or sunbathe, as well as time to evaluate the morning's progress or have a Malagasy language lesson - the afternoon work session starts around 2pm. Afternoon sessions may be spent discussing research techniques, continuing with a lemur or reptile transect, or collecting habitat data.
Evenings are very sociable affairs and generally volunteers discuss their days amongst each other whilst having supper together around 6pm, and preparing for the next day. On some evenings you will find yourself doing nocturnal transects; walking through the littoral forests searching for nocturnal species of lemurs or reptiles typically from 7pm to 11pm.
Sample Schedule
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, setting up camp in town, banking and emailing | Introductory drinks | |
| 2 | Travel from Fort Dauphin to Sainte Luce and set up camp | Walk the three hamlets to the beach | |
| 3 | Lemur transect | Reptile transect | |
| 4 | Habitat data | Lemur transect | Nocturnal walk |
| 5 | Reptile transect | Lemur transect | |
| 6 | Reconnaissance to new forest fragment | Reconnaissance to new forest fragment | Nocturnal lemur transect |
| 7 | OFF - sunrise at the beach | OFF - Beach | OFF |
| 8 | Lemur transect | Reptile transect | Nocturnal reptile transect |
| 9 | Lemur transect | Habitat data | Quiz night! |
| 10 | Reptile transect | Lemur transect | Nocturnal reptile transect |
| 11 | Behavioural lemur research | Behavioural lemur research | Bush party! |
| 12 | Behavioural lemur research | OFF | Debrief and nocturnal lemur transect |
| 13 | Travel from Sainte Luce back to Fort Dauphin | ||
| 14 | Trip to Nahampoana reserve | Leaving dinner | |
This is a sample schedule for volunteers who are joining for just one 2-week module. If you are joining for more than one module you may stay in rural Sainte Luce for up to 4 weeks at a time and visit Nahampoana nature reserve at the end of your last module. Also, please note this is an example itinerary and should be referred to as a guide only; projects vary, communities are different and every volunteer group is unique
