· Deciduous and Diverse
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

Like other communities in Madagascar, these are some of the world's most unique forests.

Deciduous and Diverse

Many people know that Madagascar's rain forests are hopping with life, but fewer people know that the island's dry forests also support hundreds of endemic plant and animal species. As one example, these dry forests contain seven different species of baobob tree, compared to the entire African continent, which only has one. Venture here, and you'll be treated to the sight of rare reptiles and many other natural wonders.

Special Features

Periods of steady rainfall alternate with drier periods in the areas where Madagascar's dry forests grow. Many of the local trees, including baobobs, drop their leaves in the dry months to avoid losing too much moisture. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year.

	Male angonoka tortoises have a large spur protruding from under their shells. They engage in combative jousting at breeding time, running headlong into one another as a test of dominance.

Wild Side

One of the world's largest and most endangered reptiles--the angonoka tortoise--lives in Madagascar's dry forests. The flat-tailed tortoise, the smallest tortoise on the island, lives only in one area of about 40 square miles (100 km). Rare mongoose lemurs lick nectar and pollen from the flowers in giant kapok trees. Black and white birds called Van Dam's vangas break off loose bark in search of insects. And giant jumping rats about the size of rabbits search for fruit and seeds among the dry leaves.

Cause for Concern

Most of the forests have already been cleared for slash-and-burn agriculture, livestock pasture, firewood, or construction materials. Grasslands now cover most of the region, and the remaining forest fragments continue to be reduced by uncontrolled burning of surrounding savannas.

Looking Ahead

Madagascar is facing intense pressure from a growing human population. More people need more firewood, charcoal, and areas for grazing -- all of which are causing widespread clearing of habitat in both the forest and thicket areas in the west. WWF and its partners are working with the Malagasy government, traditional leaders, women, and other local organizations and citizens to help protect traditionally sacred and taboo forests, reduce fuelwood consumption, ensure the protection of national park and protected areas, and build support for conservation through rural radio, theater, and other environmental education and communication programs. Recent activities have included the development of management plans for existing parks, training for park staff, and workshops to help women learn how to build fuel-efficient stoves that reduce household wood and charcoal consumption by 40 percent. WWF is also continuing to support research on the endangered lemur populations, build a network of locally managed tree plantations, and conduct training programs for conservation leaders.