Publications
Ecological Niche Modeling of Nuxia capitata and Phyllarthron madagascariensis: Delineating Bioclimatic Envelopes for Sustainable Forest Management in Madagascar
Ecological niche modeling reveals critical insights for the conservation of two endemic Malagasy forest resources, Nuxia capitata and Phyllarthron madagascariensis. The study identifies their bioclimatic envelopes with high predictive accuracy (AUC: 0.951 and 0.919, respectively), showing that N. capitata thrives in cooler highland ecosystems, primarily driven by annual temperature (75.6% contribution), while P. madagascariensis is shaped by precipitation seasonality (43.4%), dominating the eastern humid forest biome. Spatial analyses indicate that 31.81% of N. capitata's niche and 36.36% of P. madagascariensis's range overlap with protected areas, but significant gaps persist in central highlands like Analamanga. The research underscores the urgency of strengthening community-based forest management to safeguard fragmented genetic reservoirs and preserve indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge, amid accelerating anthropogenic pressures.
Nature's contributions to human well‐being under climate change: Evidence from Central and Eastern Madagascar
Climate change significantly degrades both material and non-material ecosystem services, disproportionately affecting the well-being of vulnerable communities in Madagascar. A study across four sites in the Rainforests of the Atsinanana revealed that non-material contributions—such as companionship and cultural experiences—are more closely tied to human well-being than tangible resources like food or labor. Impacts include biodiversity loss, drought, and temperature variability, leading to ecological grief and psychological strain. The research combines participatory workshops, mapping, and interviews with local residents to uncover these mechanisms, providing actionable insights for policymakers and conservationists to address climate adaptation holistically.
Satellite observations of aerosol and precursor gas distribution in Madagascar
Aerosol and precursor gas distributions in Madagascar's Rainforests of the Atsinanana exhibit distinct fire radiative power (FRP) patterns, with savannah/grassland fires showing low FRP (<10 MW) compared to rainforest fires (>100 MW). This study leverages satellite observations to analyze spatio-temporal variations in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), formaldehyde (HCHO), and carbon monoxide (CO), linking them to fire phases and fuel types. The research provides critical insights into the atmospheric impacts of wildfires, which are essential for understanding regional air quality dynamics.
A habitat stronghold on the precipice: A call‐to‐action for supporting lemur conservation in northeast Madagascar
Northeast Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot with six protected areas and at least 22 lemur species, faces severe threats from unsustainable resource use despite formal conservation efforts. This study highlights the region's precarious balance between biodiversity protection and human livelihoods, advocating for eight key conservation strategies to mitigate these threats. These include empowering local conservation actors, expanding reforestation, long-term research and monitoring, reducing food insecurity, promoting environmental education, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and community health initiatives. The authors emphasize the urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard this critical habitat for lemurs and other wildlife.
Biodiversity and ecosystem services in a tropical smallholder landscape in Madagascar
In Madagascar's Atsinanana rainforests, land-use changes driven by smallholder agriculture differentially impact biodiversity and ecosystem services. Research reveals that while endemism among plants and ants declines with increased land-use intensity—particularly on previously burned land—vanilla agroforestry systems can enhance biodiversity compared to fallow lands. Notably, primary forests remain irreplaceable for harboring unique species assemblages of ants, butterflies, and plants, while woody fallows provide critical provisioning services for rural communities. The study also highlights that hand-pollination in vanilla cultivation, necessitated by the scarcity of natural pollinators, offers economic potential but poses risks such as labor exploitation and ecological neglect if not managed sustainably. By integrating biodiversity data with yield metrics, the research demonstrates that increased vanilla production does not inherently deplete biodiversity, provided landscape-level forest cover is maintained. These findings underscore the need for diversified land-use strategies to balance agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem service delivery in Madagascar's smallholder landscapes.
Checklist and distribution of the liverworts of the Andasibe (Périnet) region (Madagascar)
A comprehensive checklist of liverworts (Marchantiophyta) from the Andasibe (Périnet) region, Madagascar, identifies 222 species, including five newly reported for the country. These discoveries—Cheilolejeunea ngongensis, Cheilolejeunea unciloba, Heteroscyphus grandistipus, Lejeunea angulifolia, and Kymatocalyx africanus—expand Madagascar's known liverwort diversity. The study synthesizes literature, herbarium records, and recent collections to map species occurrences, providing critical data for future research on distribution patterns and conservation efforts in this UNESCO-listed rainforest region.
Economic activities and their impacts on the ecosystem and biodiversity in Madagascar (Case of the Eastern region)
Unregulated economic activities, particularly wood extraction for charcoal and construction, significantly threaten the ecosystems and biodiversity of Madagascar's Atsinanana rainforests. These pressures are exacerbated by high unemployment rates, leading to disproportionate forest degradation despite restoration efforts. The study highlights that fast-growing native species used in restoration may not fully mitigate these impacts. Socio-economic surveys and econometric modeling were employed to analyze data on logging practices, tree species exploited, and their ecological consequences. Findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable alternatives, such as promoting efficient cook stoves like 'fatana mitsitsy,' to reduce reliance on wood extraction and alleviate forest degradation.
Tree canopy density thresholds for improved forests cover estimation in protected areas of Madagascar
Standardized global thresholds for tree canopy density (TCD) overestimate humid and dry forests while underestimating dry spiny forests in Madagascar, leading to inaccurate forest cover estimates. This study identifies specific TCD thresholds tailored to individual protected areas (PAs), enabling more precise monitoring of deforestation at reduced costs. Researchers analyzed official PA boundaries, national-scale forest cover maps, and global TCD data from 2000 onward to derive localized thresholds that significantly improve accuracy across most PAs. The methodology is adaptable to other regions and can be enhanced with future advancements in remote sensing and field data, offering a scalable solution for tracking forest cover changes over time.
Phylogeny of the Madagascar-centred tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) as a precursor to taxonomic revision: insights into its generic and species limits, affinities and distribution
A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Madagascar-centred tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) reveals substantial undocumented species diversity, with 42 confirmed species and nine non-monophyletic ones. The study, employing nuclear and plastid sequence data from 193 samples, challenges traditional morphological classifications by demonstrating that key diagnostic features are not clade-specific. It also suggests parallel northward diversification in two genera, Payera and Schismatoclada, despite the anemochorous dispersal pattern of the tribe. This research provides a robust foundation for future taxonomic revisions, highlighting Madagascar's rich but understudied biodiversity within the Western Indian Ocean Region.
Prevalence and factors associated with human Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in twelve remote villages of Ranomafana rainforest, Madagascar
A high prevalence of Taenia solium infections, including cysticercosis with viable cysts, was identified in twelve remote villages surrounding Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. The study revealed that nearly 28% of participants tested positive for anti-cysticercal antibodies, with a 12.4% prevalence of circulating cysticercal antigens indicating active infections. Key risk factors included open defecation and living in households with more than four people, while females and those using river water as a source were less likely to have viable cysts. The research employed a community-based cross-sectional survey, combining stool and serum sample analysis with PCR sequencing and ELISA assays to characterize Taenia species and detect cysticercal antibodies or antigens.
Ethnobotanical Survey in Tampolo Forest (Fenoarivo Atsinanana, Northeastern Madagascar)
Tampolo Forest, a remnant littoral forest in northeastern Madagascar, is a critical resource for local communities, hosting 123 useful plant species—92 of which are endemic to the region. These plants are primarily used for timber, food, and medicine, with medicinal applications targeting stomach ailments (71%), fever (33.3%), and fatigue (25%). Leaves are the most commonly utilized plant part. Phytochemical screening of 20 endemic medicinal species revealed bioactive compounds linked to their therapeutic effects. The study highlights the ecological and socio-economic importance of Tampolo Forest, emphasizing its role in local livelihoods while underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts due to significant forest fragmentation caused by anthropogenic activities.
Notes on the Bryophytes of Madagascar 6. Epiphyllous liverworts from Zahamena National Park
A survey of epiphyllous liverworts in Zahamena National Park, Madagascar, identified 28 species, including three previously known only from their type localities and eight endemic to the island or the Indian Ocean. This study significantly expands the documented bryophyte diversity of this globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, which is renowned for its high endemism rates across multiple taxa. Researchers collected specimens during a 2002 expedition, with identifications conducted by experts at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The findings highlight the park's ecological importance while underscoring gaps in our understanding of its non-vascular flora.
Seven new giant pill-millipede species and numerous new records of the genus Zoosphaerium from Madagascar (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Arthrosphaeridae)
Seven new species of giant pill-millipedes, belonging to the genus Zoosphaerium, have been discovered in Madagascar's Atsinanana rainforests. These include Z. nigrum, Z. silens, Z. ambatovaky, Z. beanka, Z. voahangy, Z. masoala, and Z. spinopiligerum, each described using detailed drawings and scanning electron microscopy, with genetic barcoding of the COI gene confirming six of them. The study also provides new locality data for 11 known species, expanding their distribution records. Notably, Z. ambatovaky from Ambatovaky's isolated lowland rainforest is flagged as a conservation priority due to habitat loss from slash-and-burn agriculture. The research updates identification keys for various species-groups and highlights the biodiversity richness of Madagascar's rainforests, with potential implications for their preservation.
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