Madagascar succulent woodlands

Coordinates: 22°36′S 44°36′E / 22.600°S 44.600°E / -22.600; 44.600
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Madagascar succulent woodlands
Hot semi-arid climate (BSh)
Soil typesSandy
Conservation
Conservation statusCritical, endangered
Protected4.63%[1]

The Madagascar succulent woodlands are a

various human activities
.

Geography

The succulent woodlands are found in the southwest and centre-west of Madagascar, in the

tropical and dry, with rainfall ranging from 575 to 1,330 mm per year, and a marked dry season from May to October.[2]

To the north, the succulent woodlands make a transition into the

Madagascar spiny thickets, and to the east the Madagascar subhumid forests. They are bounded on the west by the Mozambique Channel.[2]

Flora

The vegetation is similar to the dry deciduous forests to the north, but includes more dry-adapted,

Hazomalania voyronii), and succulents in the genus Pachypodium.[2]

Fauna

Between 60 and 90 bird species and eight lemur species are found in the ecoregion and a number of mammals, frogs, and reptiles are endemic to the area.[2]

Native mammals include the red-tailed sportive lemur (Lepilemur ruficaudatus), large-eared tenrec (Geogale aurita), lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi), and Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi). Endemic mammals include the narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata), Malagasy giant rat (Hypogeomys antimena), and endangered Madame Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae),[2] the world's smallest primate.[3]

Native limited-range birds include the

Appert's greenbul (Xanthomixis apperti), white-breasted mesite (Mesitornis variegatus), and long-tailed ground roller (Uratelorinis chimaera).[2]

Threats and conservation

The Madagascar succulent woodlands are threatened by burning, logging (which impacts species such as the endemic tree Hazomalania voyronii), cattle and goat farming, and hunting of several mammals.[2]

4.63% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, Kirindy Mitea National Park, Andranomena Special Reserve, and Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve.[1][2]

The Menabe Antimena protected area, located in the west of the ecoregion, includes the northern portion of the Kirindy Forest. Large areas have been illegally logged, burned, and converted to maize fields, which threatens the area's wildlife, including Madame Berthe's mouse lemur.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Madagascar succulent woodlands. DOPA Explorer. Accessed 7 September 2022.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-1559633642. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2016-11-01.
  3. ISBN 978-0226303062
    .
  4. ^ Ratsimbazafy, Rondro (6 September 2019). "Madagascar forest destruction wiping out humans' tiniest relative". Reuters. Retrieved 9 September 2022.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madagascar_succulent_woodlands&oldid=1117413793"