Randriamalala J.R. auteur aut IRD Hervé Dominique auteur aut IRD Radosy H.O. auteur aut IRD Randriambanona H. auteur aut IRD Carrière Stéphanie M. auteur aut IRD text bookSection eng text/pdf born digital access 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. specialized MADAGASCAR 082VEGET01 021ENVECO DellaSala D.A. ed. edt IRD Goldstein M.I. ed. edt IRD 208-220 Amsterdam Elsevier 2022 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010085856 10.1016/B978-0-12-821139-7.00054-4 978-0-12-821139-7 [F B010085856] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010085856 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2024-07/010085856.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-09-23 2025-02-24 fdi:010085856 fre