Saving the Rainforests of Atsinanana

Rainforests are a vital part of our existence on this planet. Much of the world's oxygen, rain, and fresh water are generated through such places. The rainforests in Madagascar are some of the most diverse habitats on Earth. In Madagascar, an island about the size of Texas, live 250,000 species (70% endemic) of flora and fauna. (UNESCO Lists rainforests of Madagascar as Heritage Sites, 2007) The large majority of these species are found nowhere else on the planet. To preserve the beauty and diversity of life on Earth, we must start with conserving these rainforests.

Madagascar's Atsinanana Rainforests comprise of six parks that are under strict protection now. These parks are: Parc National de Marojejy, Parc National de Masoala, Parc National de Zahamena, Parc National de Ranomafana, Parc National d'Andringitra, and Parc National d'Andohahela. (Rainforests of Atsinanana, 2011) These parks are all known for their high levels of biodiversity and endemism in flora and fauna; the protected land is extremely important for the survival of these species. (Rainforests of Atsinanana, 2011)

Marojejy National Park, founded in 1952, has been described as one of the loveliest and bio-diverse areas protected. (Marojejy, 2011) This park is located at the northeastern part of Madagascar. (Marojejy, 2011) It contains a mountainous landscape with a range of vegetation from a lowland rainforest type to a mountain thicket. Although the park was devastated by the illegal logging of the Rosewood in 2009, it has since reopened and has been able to maintain a magical beauty. (Marojejy, 2011) There are 60 species of frog, 47 mammals (12 of which are Lemur), and 116 of bird located in this area. (UNESCO Lists rainforests of Madagascar as Heritage Sites, 2007) (Marojejy, 2011) Along with this diversity of fauna is inevitably a large population of flora can be found. Marojejy has 275 species of fern and over 50 species of palm tree catalogued depending on the altitude of the forest. (Marojejy National Park, 2011) All kinds of moss, lichens, bamboo, and grasses are found in this extremely varied park as well. (Marojejy, 2011)

Parc National de Masoala is located nearby Marojejy in the Northeastern part of the island. This is the largest protected area in Madagascar stretching through 2,300 square kilometers of rainforests and 100 kilometers of marine parks. (Masoala National Park, 2011) Masoala was established in 1997 to protect this special ecosystem which comprises of coastal rainforests, flooded forests, marshes, and mangroves from the local communities and international logging companies who wish to take over the land and cut down the trees. (Masoala National Park, 2011) An estimation of the diversity in this area is that the park contains 50% of all biodiversity in Madagascar even though it only makes up 2% of its land mass. (UNESCO Lists rainforests of Madagascar as Heritage Sites, 2007) Lemurs are found all over the island, but 10 of those species are found here including the white-fronted brown lemur. (Lemurs of Madagascar, 2009) Many new species of chameleon, frog, gecko, butterfly, and fish have been found in this park. Birds such as serpent eagles and red owls once thought extinct live in this wonderful park. (Masoala National Park, 2008) Over 10,000 coral reefs, marine plants, and mangroves are contained in Masoala. Recorded thus far are 3,001 species of fish. (Masoala National Park, 2011) The amazing humpback whale also uses the shelter of Antongil Bay for breeding. (Masoala National Park, 2011)

Parc National de Zahamena is located in Eastern Madagascar and was also created in 1997. (Zahamena National Park, 2011) Zahamena has a western and an eastern area separated by a couple of villages. (Zahamena National Park, 2011) Naturalists are working to gain more scientific knowledge of Zahamena's bio diversity as not much is known at this time. (Zahamena National Park, 2011) A hilly landscape with valleys drained by rivers, deep moist evergreen forests, and bushy forests filled with tree ferns and screw pines comprise the park. (Zahamena National Park, 2011) Of the 45 mammal species, 13 are lemurs such as the black and white ruffed lemur, aye-aye, or the extremely endangered Lake Alaotra bamboo lemur exist here. (Zahamena National Park, 2011) Zahamena contains 112 bird species (67 endemic) such as the serpent eagle, crested ibis, blue coua, or the velvet asity. The Madagascar big eyed gecko makes its home in the park as well as 45 additional reptile species, 62 amphibian varieties, and 29 types of fish. Of the flora, 60 orchid groups, 20 palms, and over 500 different types of woody plants are found here.

Parc National de Ranomafana is located in the Southeastern portion of Madagascar. This park is one of the most well known on the island and most important. (Ranomafana, 2008) After the golden bamboo lemur was discovered in 1986, the park was created in 1991 to serve as a model for reserves and parks across Madagascar and the world. (Ranomafana, 2008) The diversity of the fauna in this area is amazing: 115 bird types, 62 reptile species including 10 lizard varieties, 12 different kinds of chameleon, and 14 classes of snake, as well as 98 frog species, 90 butterfly species, 43 different mammals including 12 different lemurs, 6 rodent species, 11 types of insectivores, 8 species of bat, 6 carnivorous species, 350 different spider varieties, and 6 groups of crayfish. (Ranomafana, 2008) Unfortunately the mostly mountainous areas and low altitude rainforests, mid-altitude forests, and montane forests have been devastated by deforestation. (Ranomafana, 2008)

Parc National d'Andringitra is located south of Ranomafana and was established in 1999. This beautiful park has an unusual landscape with high peaks and waterfalls. (Andringitra, 2011) The biodiversity in this park includes 106 species of birds, 34 varieties of reptile, 55 types of frog, 54 mammal species including 13 lemur types, 11 different rodents, 16 insectivores, 11 species of bat, and 7 different types of crustaceans. (Andringitra, 2011) Flora varieties contain 1057 different species with 130 different families. (Andringitra, 2011) The landscape varies from tropical rainforests to cloud forests to highland forests. (UNESCO Lists rainforests of Madagascar as Heritage Sites, 2007) Bamboo thickets are found in this area and in the higher elevations, the forest is substituted with a medley of stunted cloud forest vegetation, lichens, and wonderful rock exposures. (Andringitra, 2011) The rice cultivating Betsileo are the dominant ethnic group of the area. (Andringitra, 2011)

Parc National d'Andohahela is on the southeastern part of the island, and is characterized by having dense tropical rainforests, then spiny forests. (UNESCO Lists rainforests of Madagascar as Heritage Sites, 2007)