In Madagascar, local communities and international organizations are working on creating a forest corridor that will connect the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park with the Analamazoatra Special Reserve. The goal is to restore a fragmented habitat since the 1960s, which has isolated twelve lemur species due to agricultural and livestock expansion.
The plan, led by the Mad Dog Initiative along with the Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC), aims to reforest 150 hectares of degraded land. So far, 70 hectares have been recovered with more than 100 species of native trees.
Applied Science and Mycorrhizal Fungi
The strategy is not limited to planting trees: it focuses on soil health. It is inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi, which strengthen the roots and improve nutrient absorption. This symbiosis has reduced seedling mortality to just 4%, allowing some species to reach two meters in height in a few years.
The corridor will be 6 km long and 500 meters wide, allowing lemurs to move safely between reserves. Families of eastern bamboo lemur have already been detected, and through bioacoustic monitoring, the presence of the Goodman’s mouse lemur.
Community-Focused Conservation
The project directly involves rural communities:
- More than 30 people work in permanent positions as seed collectors, guards, and nursery technicians.
- A free medical center is being built in Andasifahadimy, benefiting ten communities.
- By hiring locals, pressure on natural resources is reduced and sustainable income is generated.
This model integrates conservation and social development, strengthening the relationship between communities and the forest.
Challenges and Goals
Experts from the IUCN and TDARFAC warn that reforestation does not replace the intact primary forest. Therefore, efforts are being made to eliminate invasive species like eucalyptus, which hinders the growth of native trees.
The ultimate goal is to complete the planting of the 150 hectares by December 2027, with constant monitoring using GPS coordinates and growth records. According to Abby Ross, executive director of TDARFAC, the longitudinal data from the corridor will serve as a replicable model in other tropical rainforests.
The initiative in Madagascar demonstrates that ecological restoration can be effective when combining applied science, local knowledge, and community participation. Although it does not replace the primary forest, this green corridor offers an opportunity to reconnect habitats, save iconic species like lemurs, and improve the quality of life for communities.
