Randriamalala J.R., Hervé Dominique, Radosy H.O., Randriambanona H., Carrière Stéphanie M.. (2022). Endangered spiny thicket in Madagascar. In :
DellaSala D.A. (ed.), Goldstein M.I. (ed.). Imperiled : the encyclopedia of conservation. Amsterdam : Elsevier, 208-220. ISBN 978-0-12-821139-7.
Titre du document
Endangered spiny thicket in Madagascar
Année de publication
2022
Type de document
Partie d'ouvrage
Auteurs
Randriamalala J.R., Hervé Dominique, Radosy H.O., Randriambanona H., Carrière Stéphanie M.
In
DellaSala D.A. (ed.), Goldstein M.I. (ed.), Imperiled : the encyclopedia of conservation
Source
Amsterdam : Elsevier, 2022,
208-220 ISBN 978-0-12-821139-7
Spiny thicket (also called xerophytic thicket) is a shrubby vegetation found in the Southern and South-Western Madagascar, the driest part of the island (annual rainfall varying from 300 to 700 mm from 7 to 9 dry months). It belongs to WWF 200 most important ecological regions in the world and to critical/endangered status. This vegetation (generally < 5 m high) includes species adapted to drought (root systems with massive tubers, enlarged, succulent trunks and branches, succulent and reduced leaves, thorns, and waxy and hairy coatings). Spiny thicket is rich in endemic animal and plant species and is a fragile ecosystem that is not resilient to human activities such as slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production, which cause its degradation and conversion to crop fields. This vegetation is also used as pasture for ruminants (especially goats) whose livestock is an important source of income for the local population. Conservation issues discussed in this chapter highlight that further knowledge and actions needs to promote its sustainable management.
