Being at the eastern end of Madagascar Island, the Madagascar lowland forests are specifically known as the moist broadleaf region because of the warm humid winds which flow from the southeast area. This ecoregion comprises of lowland forests that extend from the eastern coast of Madagascar to the northern highlands. The Madagascar Island has been isolated for several years which helped animals and plants to build their homes. Consequently, the Madagascar lowland forests are densely populated with fauna and flora which is a typical characteristic of lowland forests that are evergreen with orchids, bamboos, lemurs and other species. However, the arrival of humans which directed towards the Madagascar Island eventually resulted in the destruction and degradation of the forest posing serious threat to the survival of the species. As a result, the Madagascar lowland forests now have the world’s greatest number of endangered species which are greatly at a risk because of humans (Bradt, 2011).
The place long been known for hosting a diverse breed of wildlife including vertebrate animals, mammals, amphibians, birds and several plants is now a threatened habitat which is greatly at risk because of practices of shifting cultivation. A substantial part of Madagascar lowland forests have been fragmented. This can be mainly attributed to deforestation which is the result of the rising population. The decrease in the forest covers result in greater pressure for the rest of the forests and it has been estimated that about 33,000km square of the Madagascar lowland forests now remain (Du Puy & Moat, 1996).
In addition, the shifting cultivation practice is another threat to the lowland forests which is often cut and burnt for the growth of crops such as hill rice. When few years pass by, the land transforms into a bush land and after about 10 years it can be used again for agricultural purposes. However, because of the increasing population, the fallow periods have consequently declined resulting in lands which have adversely degraded disallowing the plantation of crops. Moreover, commercial logging and the exploitation of forests for decoration purpose, home and industry use also pose a series of threats to the Madagascar lowland forests. This damage to the natural resources would continue to exist because of the growing population and the incessant stagnant agricultural practices (Goldman, 2010).
Hence, the Madagascar lowland forests are known for the diverse habitat of animals and plants which have existed for a long time. However, the growing population has now directed their attention to this forest which results in a number of threats for the species living there. Deforestation, commercial logging and fragmentation of land are some major threats for the fauna and flora of the Madagascar lowland forests. These agricultural and illegal practices should be replaced and measures must be incorporated to foster the survival of the species of the Madagascar lowland forests.
REFERENCES
Bradt, H. (2011). Madagascar. USA: Bradt Travel Guides.
Du Puy, D. J., & Moat., J. (1996). A refined classification of the primary vegetation of Madagascar based on the underlying geology: using GIS to map its distribution and to assess its conservation status. Paris: L’orstom.
Goldman, R. L. (2010). Ecosystem Services: How people benefit from nature. Environment, 52(5), 15-23.
