All of these phenomenons have led to the destruction of the forest of Madagascar. This has become a major issue, not only because of the value that the forest have on the living environment on earth, but also because of Madagascar's unusual and rare species. Biologically, Madagascar is one of the richest areas on earth. Approximately five percent of the world's species reside in Madagascar, and the island has 80,000 endemic species of flowering plants alone. However, this rare jewel of earth is in grave danger. Rapid deforestation, caused predominantly by the large population boom of the developing country, economic downturn, and mass migration to cities, is destroying much of the natural habitat of Madagascar. (Deforestation in Madagascar. December 19, 1996)
Madagascar's historic problem of deforestation can be linked to the damaging policies of the colonial state in terms of land use and agriculture. The deforestation problem in Madagascar began when it was annexed as a French colony in 1896. An uncertain political climate and famine followed this annexation, and many of the Malagasy fled to the woods for survival. These farmers started practicing the method of shifting cultivation as a means of survival.
There are many reasons Madagascar is facing so much deforestation, Tavy or Slash and Burn is one, another reason is logging for timber. Logging for timber is especially a problem in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar, particularly on the Masoala peninsula. The high value for Malagasy hardwoods (mostly ebony and rosewood which may fetch $2000 a ton in international markets) makes illegal logging a significant problem in some protected areas. The widespread forests of Madagascar are being cut at an alarming rate for charcoal production. Agricultural fires cause deforestation also in Madagascar. Fires set for land-clearing and pastureland spreads into adjacent wild lands causing damage to Madagascar’s ecosystems. (Butler R. A. n.d.)
The forest degradation problem became even more serious when the state decided to open up the island's forests to logging concessions in 1921. Many viewed it as ironic that the state allowed massive clear cutting on concessions while the ban on shifting cultivation was still in effect. More than just the claimed lands were ruined however, because many owners clear-cut lands beyond their concessionary limits. The Forest Service was unable to regulate the concessions because of shortages in labor and "a lack of political will." Much of the illegal felling of trees was completely overlooked and the fines that were levied for violation of the permits were far lower than the actual damages. The combination of these detrimental government policies meant that roughly 70% of the primary forest was destroyed in the 30 years between 1895 and 1925.
It is interesting to note that the much publicized "population growth" issue didn't become a factor in forest degradation in Madagascar until 1940 when vaccines were introduced that lowered the death rate. During the next 40 years the population increased rapidly from 4.2 million to 9.2 million, and some 4 million hectares of forests were cleared during this 40 year period, as compared to between 3 and 7 million hectares in the 40 year period from 1900 through 1940. (Madagascar: Colonialism as the historical root cause of deforestation, January, 2003)
Tavy is an agricultural system in which patches of forest are cleared, then burned, and not cultivated continuously, such that periods of fallow are longer than the periods during which a plot is cultivated. Tavy is mostly used for converting tropical rainforests in Madagascar into rice fields. Typically an acre or two of forest is cut, burned, and then planted with rice. After a year or two of production the field is left fallow for 4-6 years before the process is repeated. After 2-3 such cycles the soil is exhausted of nutrients and the land is likely colonized by scrub vegetation or alien grasses. On slopes, the new vegetation is often insufficient to anchor soils making erosion and landslides a problem. (Deforestation in Madagascar. December 19, 1996)
Tavy is the most expedient way for many Malagasy to provide for their families and for people where day to day subsistence is a question there is little concern for the long-term consequences of their actions. From their perspective, as long as there is more forest land freely available for clearing, you might as well use the land before a neighbor does. Tavy for rice also has spiritual and cultural ties that transcend the economic and nutritional value of rice as a crop.
Soil Degradation
Madagascar has suffered environmental degradation over a major part of its land mass. Forests that once covered the eastern third of the island have now been degraded, fragmented, and converted to scrub land. Spiny forests in the south are rapidly giving way to "cactus scrub" as home-grown vegetation is cut and burned for subsistence charcoal production. Each year as much as a third of the country burns and 1% of its remaining forests are leveled.
This ecological decline has not been ignored. Environmental regulations have been in place since Queen Ranavalona II first banned slash-and-burn agriculture in 1881. The French passed rulers followed their own edicts which aimed to protect wildlife and conserve forests. Nonetheless these efforts met mixed results. On one hand there is still forest in Madagascar; forest that houses thousands on common species. On the other hand the amount of forest today is less than any time since Madagascar was first inhabited by humans less than 2000 years ago.
The rivers in Madagascar are blood red and staining the surrounding Indian Ocean, Wild Madagascar (nd) says, “Astronauts have said that it looks like Madagascar is bleeding to death.” This observation shows one of Madagascar's greatest environmental problems, soil erosion. Deforestation of Madagascar's central highlands has resulted in widespread soil erosion which in some areas may top 400 tons/ha per year. For Madagascar, a country that relies on agricultural production for the foundation of its economy, the loss of this soil is very costly.
There are many strategies I have found that Malagasy people can use to prevent soil degradation and deforestation. As many areas as possible should be protected in Madagascar. If protected areas can be developed in such a manner to generate income for local communities, an increasing number of parks should theoretically create more economic benefits for a greater share of the population. It would help if there were an increase in surveillance of and patrols in protected areas. Community surveillance is the most effective way to patrol a protected area though it will probably be necessary to have park staff conduct patrols as well.
Crismier, K. (nd) shows how Vetiver grass counters soil erosion in Vietnam. Vetiver is perennial grass with roots 2-3 m in length, stems 1.5-2 m high, thin erect leaves 40-90 cm long, and 0.4-1 cm wide, with more than ten varieties. The roots of the grass by penetrating deeply enhance its function of countering erosion and collapse, and filtering polluted water in the soil.
The stems form a belt that block flying sand. The roots are fragrant, with distillation yielding 2-
3% of a valuable essential oil. The young leaves are fodder for livestock. The roots along with the stems and leaves can be used to make various artistic handicrafts, pulp for paper, and pressed panels.
Vetiver grass can be used in Madagascar for erosion control and for road and embankment stabilization. Visual sightings of Vetiver plantings confirm that Vetiver grass, if grown correctly, can be used throughout Madagascar for conservation and stabilization purposes with a high degree of certainty in its efficiency and effectiveness. For ten years now, the National Institute for Soils and Fertilizers has been carrying on experiments using Vetiver grass to create hedgerows to protect the soil in cultivation on sloping land in a number of midlands provinces to the North. (Grimshaw, R. October 28 to November 25 1997)
Success in conserving wild lands in Madagascar will require reconciling the unavoidable conflicts between short-term needs of local people and long-term nature of the benefits that conservation can generate on sustainable ongoing basis. Deforestation and Soil Erosion can be slowed, according to Vietnam testing of the grass, if Madagascar would try the Vetiver grass to control the environmental problems. I have listed many other ways also, but from my research the Vetiver grass seems to be the best option in fixing or at least controlling the problems of erosion.
References:
Butler R. A (nd) Threats to Madagascar's biodiversity and ecosystems. Wild Madagascar. Retrieved on July 30, 2005 from
Crismier, K. (nd) The Growing Vetiver Movement in Vietnam. Retrieved on July 28, 2005 from
Deforestation in Madagascar (December 19, 1996) American University, Retrieved on July 30, 2005, from
Grimshaw, R. (October 28 to November 25 1997) The Potential Use of the Vetiver Grass Technology for Soil and Water Conservation and Land Stabilization in Madagascar. Retrieved on July 29, 2005 from
Madagascar: Colonialism as the historical root cause of deforestation (January, 2003) World Rainforest Movement (66) Retrieved on July 30, 2005 from
