What can be done

Although it seems that there is little hope in restoring Madagascar’s tropical rainforests, there are still many things that can be done to slowly save them! We can introduce new agricultural techniques, promote ecotourism, expand protected areas, increase surveillance, train scientists and guides, and establish programs to educate people.

1. New agricultural techniques such as Savoka gardens can replace old subsistence agriculture. These gardens through careful selection of trees and plants that re-enriches the soil are planted on uncultivated tavy plots. Not only does it re-enrich the soil, but it produces a stable amount of food crops and other functional products. Savoka gardens also maintain forest systems, soils, and biological diversity at a much higher level than typical agricultural techniques.
2. By promoting ecotourism, local people would be more willing to conserve the environment around them because tourists pay to see the beauty of the country. This can provide substantial amounts of income to employ more local people. Local communities benefit greatly through their 50% share of the park entrance fees, sales of handicrafts and tourist items, employment as porters, wildlife guides, park rangers, and workers in hotels, restaurants, and lodges. Through more job opportunities, local people would not have to go to the means of cutting down trees in these areas.
3. The government can also expand protected areas by creating more national parks and reserves. If these areas can be developed in a way that can generate income for local communities, there will be more economic benefits for the population and reserves as well. 
4. Surveillance is a very effective way to keep watch over these protected areas. Park staff can conduct patrols and guides should be trained to keep watch for any activities that may damage the ecosystem. If any suspicious activities were to occur they can be reported to park headquarters so that necessary actions can be taken.
5. Research facilities can e built so that scientists and guides could be trained to make better use of the country’s resources. If studies on endemic species can be further conducted then there would not just be the name to these species, but how can they be saved as well. Research can also be done on improving crop yields and reducing erosion.
6. The government can establish programs that educate the community and local people about the damages brought from deforestation. They can teach them other sustainable practices that can still bring in income without having to cut down the trees. Local people need to know how to effectively maximize productivity and minimize the impact on the environment. 

Advertisement for tourism in Madagascar

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"Ensuring conservation is a success in Madagascar." Wild Madagascar. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.wildmadagascar.org/conservation/funding.html>

Future of ecosystem

President Marc Ravalomana created the Madagascar Action Plan which was established to lead to rapid growth and reduce poverty. In March 2009 though, he was exiled and since then illegal logging and trade in wildlife escalated in the protected areas. The new transitional government is currently failing to maintain commitments to protect these national forests and even granted permission to 13 operators to each export 25 containers of ebony and rosewood. Two major donors, United States and World Bank even said they would withdraw non humanitarian aid due to the change of government. With the lack of control and decline in foreign aid, there will be an increase in deforestation in the ecosystem. It was said by vice president of Conservation International’s Africa program, “Park staff and management authorities have been deprived of the resources and mechanisms they need to prevent illegal logging”. Between January and October 2009 it was estimated that 7,000 cubic meters of rosewood and ebony were cut and shipped each month to Madagascar’s ports.  With the increased pressure on protected forests many of the island’s rare species are being threatened toward extinction. Madagascar’s tropical rainforests are heading towards an increase of deforestation due to the lack of government maintenance, increasing population, and current agricultural techniques. This ecosystem will be damaged to the point where it will not ever return to its original state if illegal logging is not stopped or minimized greatly.

"Political Unrest Portends Ecological Ruin in Madagascar." World Watch Jan.-Feb. 2012: 7. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/24302240/World-Watch-Magazine-Jan-Feb-2010#outer_page_7>.

Status of Protected Areas?!

Although there are quite a few protected areas for these lowland forests in Madagascar, they are not all successful! About only 7% of the remaining forests are "well protected" in some type of reserve, while 27% of the remaining forests are poorly protected in forest reserves or nation parks. The succession at some sites in protecting forests fail due to poorly marked and managed boundaries, lack of logistic and financial resources, poorly trained staff, and escalating pressure from farming communities around the reserves. For example, the Masoala National Park suffers from illegal logging, violation from villages, and hunting and stealing of lemurs and carnivores.

"Madagascar Lowland Forests." Madagascar Lowland Forests. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2012. <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Madagascar_lowland_forests>.

Protected Areas

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~mart1152/photogallery/IMG_2410compressed.JPG

Masoala National Park is one of Madagascar’s top conservation priorities due to its high biodiversity of plants and animals. It was created in the late 1900’s with 410,000 Ha acres of land. Although it makes up only 2% of the land in Madagascar, it has 50% of plant species and more than 50% of animal species of this island.
 

Mananara Biosphere Reserve was created in 1990 and covers an area of 140,000 hectares. It is a very diverse biosphere reserve that includes tropical humid forest, sandy coastal plains with littoral vegetation, river vegetation, mangrove formations, marshlands, and coral reefs.
 

Ambatovaky Special Reserve was established in 1958. It is the largest special reserve in Madagascar and covers a total of 60,050 ha.  Here you can find 11 species of lemurs, more than 100 birds species, like the extremely rare Madagascar serpent-eagle, 113 species of herps, and 34 species of fish.

Zahamena Integral Nature Reserve and National Park is composed of the park and a complete natural reserve. It was created in 1997 and has an area of 64,370 ha in which the park is 42,300 ha and reserve over 21,100 ha.

1. "Masoala." Masoala National Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.wildmadagascar.org/conservation/parks/Masoala.html>.
2. "Mananara-Nord" UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory, Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?mode=all&code=MAG+01>.
3.  "Ambatovaky Special Reserve." Madagascar TravelInformation Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.travelmadagascar.org/PARKS/Ambatovaky-Reserve.html>.
4. "Zahamena National Park." Madagascar Travel Information Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.travelmadagascar.org/PARKS/Zahamena-National-Park.html>.