Terrestrial

Terrestrial Environment

The west coast of Madagascar consists of sedimentary formations deposited in multiple layers. The broad alluvial plains found along the west coast, from Mahajanga to Toliara, are believed to have great agricultural potential but remain sparsely populated and largely unexploited. The major rock type of the Velondriake region is limestone, which begins from the fringing coral reefs and follows up into the spiny forest

There is no significant river flow or associated sediment within 100 km of Andavadoaka village due to the very gradual slope in the land; therefore, rivers that flow to the west coast tend to be longer and slower. The major rivers along the west coast are the Sambirano, the Mahajamba, the Betsiboka, the Mania, the North and South Mahavavy, the Mangoky and the Onilahy.

Spiny forests

The primary ecosystem in southwest Madagascar is the endemic spiny forest, a curious combination of desert and dry forest.  The name for this unique forest type comes from the numerous vegetation types that grow spines as defense mechanisms; this is one of the only vegetative communities able to survive the extreme arid climate of the region.

Plants here can go without water for more than a year, many of which are part of the Didiereaceae family.  Plants in this family have bulbous trunks and small deciduous leaves, which are protected by thorns and spines that grow out of the plant's tangled branches. The "octopus tree" is one aptly named plant, with its many curved limbs resembling octopus arms.  Other plants found in these forests are evergreen succulents and endemic orchids.

Spiny forests are extremely threatened by local use for charcoal production, building materials, and slash and burn agriculture. They are also threatened by mining and petroleum exploration which have begun throughout the southwest

Neighbouring Velondriake is The Mikea Forest National Park (MFNP) established in 2007 and encompasses more than 180,000 hectares of Spiny Forest. The buffer zone of this protected area meets with the boundaries of the Velondriake MPA buffer zone along the coastal road from Morombe. This national park, managed by Madagascar National Parks (MNP), aims to preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Mikea people as well as the stunning biodiversity of the forest.

Baobab Trees

Eight baobab species exist in the world - six endemic to Madagascar – and are one of the country's most striking attractions.  Their bulbous trunks can grow up to 10 metres in diametre and as tall as 30 metres.  Sparse branches – often without leaves - are located at the very top of the tree, and most photosynthesis occurs in the bark. Baobabs can store thousands of litres of water in their trunks, which allows them to survive during the lengthy dry seasons. The trees are extremely long lived – the oldest trees studied have been about 600 years old.

Baobabs are extremely important to local communities. The bark is used to build huts and make rope; their fruits and leaves, which are rich in calcium, are eaten; the seeds are crushed to extract oil which is used to make soap; and the sap is used in manufacturing paper.  The hollow trunks of baobabs have served as homes, storage barns, places of refuge or worship, prisons and tombs.

Fauna

Southwest Madagascar is home to a wide variety of unique animals,  including a number of species found nowhere else on earth.  Some of the species found in the terrestrial portion of Velondriake include: 

 

Lemurs

The best known Lemur, the Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) can only be found in south and southwest Madagascar. It can be easily identified by the striking bands around it's tail.   

 

Tenrecs

Tenrecs are small insectivores, often compared to hedgehogs.  They are active mainly at night and can vary widely in color, size and body size. For example, the large-eared tenrec (Geogale aurita) measures less than 100 mm, and the lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) is covered in spines and curls into a ball when threatened. 

About 30 species live in Madagascar - more than any other place on earth - with several found in the Velondriake region.

 

Chameleons

Chameleons are well known for their ability to change colour from brown to blue to red, black or white in response to temperature, light and mood. Chameleons also use colour to communicate, expressing such things as their willingness to mate.

With 59 species, Madagascar has one of the largest and most diverse chameleon populations in the world.  Among the species found in the Velondriake region are Furcifer belalandaensis and F. antimena.

 

Tortoise

The spider web pattern on the shell of the spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) is the reason for it's name. There are three geographically seperated subspecies of Pyxis arachnoides, and one of these Pyxis arachnoides brygooi can be found within the Velondriake region.

 

Iguanids

Two iguanid species are endemic to the Velondriake region: spiny–tailed iguanids, genus Oplurus, are found throughout the Velondriake area, and the ‘three-eyed’ lizard (Chalarodon madagascariensis) – its ‘third eye’ is a black dot on the back of its head. A further three iguanid species can be found in the region.

 

Geckos

There are thought to be 10-15 species of gecko living in the Velondriake region, including Hemidactylus frenatus, Paroedura picta and Paroedura Bastardi. They are active by day and have brightly coloured green, orange, red or blue spots. Geckos are well known for their vocalizations (chirps) used to communicate between each other.

 

Birds

Well over 250 bird species inhabit Madagascar, 109 of which are found nowhere else on earth. Of these, there are five endemic families and 36 endemic genera, making Madagascar a “hotspot” for bird endemism in Africa.

 

Visiting ecologists Jorge Parra, Tamás Székely and Sama Zefaina from the University of Bath, in collaboration with the University of Toliara, identified the attached species.