1
|
Eppley TM, Borgerson C, Patel ER, Herrera JP, Kirkby AE, Golden CD, Andriamahaihavana M, Andrianandrasana L, Bóveda A, Gibson D, Jaofeno LJ, Rakotondrasoa F, Ramahaleo TA, Rasamisoa DC, Ratelolahy F, Razafindramanana J, Spira C, Welch C, Vasey N. A habitat stronghold on the precipice: A call-to-action for supporting lemur conservation in northeast Madagascar. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23483. [PMID: 36851838 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The northeast of Madagascar is as diverse as it is threatened. The area bordering the Analanjirofo and SAVA regions contains six protected areas and at least 22 lemur species. Many applied research and conservation programs have been established in the region with the aim of ensuring both wildlife and people thrive in the long term. While most of the remaining humid evergreen forest of northeast Madagascar is formally protected, the local human population depends heavily on the land, and unsustainable natural resource use threatens this biodiversity hotspot. Drawing from our collective experiences managing conservation activities and research programs in northeast Madagascar, we discuss the major threats to the region and advocate for eight conservation activities that help reduce threats and protect the environment, providing specific examples from our own programs. These include (1) empowering local conservation actors, (2) ensuring effectively protected habitat, (3) expanding reforestation, (4) establishing and continuing long-term research and monitoring, (5) reducing food insecurity, (6) supporting environmental education, (7) promoting sustainable livelihoods, and (8) expanding community health initiatives. Lastly, we provide a list of actions that individuals can take to join us in supporting and promoting lemur conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Eppley
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Cortni Borgerson
- Department of Anthropology, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
| | - Erik R Patel
- Lemur Conservation Foundation, Myakka City, Florida, USA
| | - James P Herrera
- Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew E Kirkby
- Birdlife International, Conservation Department, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher D Golden
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - McAntonin Andriamahaihavana
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Antonio Bóveda
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Dean Gibson
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Delaïd C Rasamisoa
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Felix Ratelolahy
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Josia Razafindramanana
- Mention Anthropobiologie et Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charlotte Spira
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charles Welch
- Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalie Vasey
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thompson KET, Borgerson C, Wright PC, Randriamanetsy JM, Andrianantenaina MY, Andriamavosoloarisoa NNM, Razafindrahasy TA, Rothman RS, Surkis C, Bankoff RJ, Daniels C, Twiss KC. A Coupled Humanitarian and Biodiversity Crisis in Western Madagascar. INT J PRIMATOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00338-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
3
|
Andrianiaina A, Andry S, Gentles A, Guth S, Héraud JM, Ranaivoson HC, Ravelomanantsoa NAF, Treuer T, Brook CE. Reproduction, seasonal morphology, and juvenile growth in three Malagasy fruit bats. J Mammal 2022; 103:1397-1408. [PMID: 36686611 PMCID: PMC9841406 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The island nation of Madagascar is home to three endemic species of Old World fruit bat in the family Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, and Rousettus madagascariensis, all three of which are IUCN Red Listed under some category of threat. Delineation of seasonal limits in the reproductive calendar for threatened mammals can inform conservation efforts by clarifying parameters used in population viability models, as well as elucidate understanding of the mechanisms underpinning pathogen persistence in host populations. Here, we define the seasonal limits of a staggered annual birth pulse across the three species of endemic Madagascar fruit bat, known reservoirs for viruses of high zoonotic potential. Our field studies indicate that this annual birth pulse takes place in September/October for P. rufus, November for E. dupreanum, and December for R. madagascariensis in central-eastern Madagascar where the bulk of our research was concentrated. Juvenile development periods vary across the three Malagasy pteropodids, resulting in near-synchronous weaning of pups for all species in late January-February at the height of the fruiting season for this region. We here document the size range in morphological traits for the three Malagasy fruit bat species, with P. rufus and E. dupreanum among the larger of pteropodids globally and R. madagascariensis among the smaller. All three species demonstrate subtle sexual dimorphism with males being larger than females. We explore seasonal variation in adult body condition by comparing observed body mass with body mass predicted by forearm length, demonstrating that pregnant females add weight during staggered gestation periods and males lose weight during the nutritionally deficit Malagasy winter. Finally, we quantify forearm, tibia, and ear length growth rates in juvenile bats, demonstrating both faster growth and more protracted development times for P. rufus as compared with E. dupreanum and R. madagascariensis. The longer development period for the already-threatened P. rufus further undermines the conservation status of this species as human hunting is particularly detrimental to population viability during reproductive periods. Our work highlights the importance of longitudinal field studies in collecting critical data for mammalian conservation efforts and human public health alike.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Andrianiaina
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Santino Andry
- Mention Entomologie, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Anecia Gentles
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens 30609, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah Guth
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley 94720, California, USA
| | - Jean-Michel Héraud
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar 10200, Senegal
- Ecole Doctorale Science de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Hafaliana Christian Ranaivoson
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | | | - Timothy Treuer
- Gund Institute for Environment, The University of Vermont, Burlington 05405, Vermont, USA
| | - Cara E Brook
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley 94720, California, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago 60637, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Razafindratsima OH, Raoelinjanakolona NN, Heriniaina RR, Nantenaina RH, Ratolojanahary TH, Dunham AE. Simplified Communities of Seed-Dispersers Limit the Composition and Flow of Seeds in Edge Habitats. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.655441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Edge effects, driven by human modification of landscapes, can have critical impacts on ecological processes such as species interactions, with cascading impacts on biodiversity as a whole. Characterizing how edges affect vital biotic interactions such as seed dispersal by frugivores is important for better understanding potential mechanisms that drive species coexistence and diversity within a plant community. Here, we investigated how differences between frugivore communities at the forest edge and interior habitats of a diverse tropical rainforest relate to patterns of animal-mediated seed dispersal and early seedling recruitment. We found that the lemur communities across the forest edge-interior gradient in this system showed the highest species richness and variability in body sizes at intermediate distances; the community of birds showed the opposite pattern for species richness. Three large-bodied frugivores, known to be effective dispersers of large seeds, tended to avoid the forest edge. As result, the forest edges received a lower rate of animal-mediated seed dispersal compared to the interior habitats. In addition, we also found that the seeds that were actively dispersed by animals in forest edge habitats were smaller in size than seeds dispersed in the forest interior. This pattern was found despite a similarity in seed size of seasonally fruiting adult trees and shrubs between the two habitats. Despite these differences in dispersal patterns, we did not observe any differences in the rates of seedling recruitment or seed-size distribution of successful recruit species. Our results suggest that a small number of frugivores may act as a potential biotic filter, acting on seed size, for the arrival of certain plant species to edge habitats, but other factors may be more important for driving recruitment patterns, at least in the short term. Further research is needed to better understand the potential long-term impacts of altered dispersal regimes relative to other environmental factors on the successional dynamics of edge communities. Our findings are important for understanding potential ecological drivers of tree community changes in forest edges and have implications for conservation management and restoration of large-seeded tree species in disturbed habitats.
Collapse
|
5
|
|
6
|
Jones SCZ, Papworth SK, St. John FAV, Vickery JA, Keane AM. Consequences of survey method for estimating hunters' harvest rates. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sorrel C. Z. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London Surrey UK
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy Bedfordshire UK
| | - Sarah K. Papworth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London Surrey UK
| | | | - Juliet A. Vickery
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy Bedfordshire UK
| | - Aidan M. Keane
- School of GeoSciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Borgerson C, Razafindrapaoly B, Rajaona D, Rasolofoniaina BJR, Golden CD. Food Insecurity and the Unsustainable Hunting of Wildlife in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2019.00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
8
|
Annapragada A, Borgerson C, Iams S, Ravelomanantsoa MA, Crawford GC, Helin M, Anjaranirina EJG, Randriamady HJ, Golden CD. Modeling the Impact of Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccinations on Chicken Production Systems in Northeastern Madagascar. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:305. [PMID: 31612142 PMCID: PMC6775217 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chickens are a key source of nutrition for rural Malagasy communities. Due to high endemic rates of Newcastle disease, it remains challenging to raise sustainable chicken flocks as a consistent food source. Here, we explore the impact of triannual Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine interventions on the growth and herd immunity acquisition of Malagasy chicken flocks. Between 2011 and 2018 we collected longitudinal data to assess the population dynamics of chicken populations in remote Malagasy communities. In 2016, we launched a pilot campaign for vaccination in six rural communities to determine the impacts on chicken survivorship and productivity. We used these data to specify a mathematical model of realistic Malagasy chicken population dynamics under a triannual vaccination regime. The mathematical model represents an extension to conventional SIR models that allows for modeling the impact of specific vaccinations on chicken flock dynamics, rather than estimation of parameters. Understanding chicken population dynamics is important for realizing the potential for domestic chicken flocks to serve as sustainable food sources. The results suggested that vaccination coverage of at least ~40% is necessary over 5+ years to achieve population doubling, while complete herd immunity may not be possible given the short duration of effectiveness of vaccination, and the high levels of births and deaths in the chicken flocks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Annapragada
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Cortni Borgerson
- Department of Anthropology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, United States
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
| | - Sarah Iams
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - M. Ando Ravelomanantsoa
- Departement Production et Partenariat, Institut Malgache des Vaccins Vétérinaires (IMVAVET), Ampandrianomby, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Marika Helin
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
| | | | | | - Christopher D. Golden
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Educational Approaches to Encourage Pro-Environmental Behaviors in Madagascar. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11113148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot under threat, with about 80% of the population living below the poverty line and dependent on the use of diminishing local resources. Environmental education (EE) can act as an important tool for biodiversity conservation, however, its implementation is challenging in low-income countries. Here, we provide a review of 248 EE interventions throughout Madagascar. We highlight how EE can promote pro-environmental behaviors and show the major obstacles it faces, using Madagascar’s Lake Alaotra as a case study area. All EE activities are implemented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international institutions. EE and community engagement have been shown by practitioners and scientific research alike to be valuable tools but are severely restricted in their impact when their outreach is limited by insecure and insufficient funding, and often funding periods that are too short. Another major hindrance to EE producing positive changes in people’s real-life decisions in low-income countries like Madagascar, arises when lessons are taught to a population that is at once understanding and severely constrained in its choices due to poverty, and corresponding malnutrition, that forces people to make unsustainable decisions on a daily basis. Our conclusions should help to improve the practice of EE in Madagascar and other low-income countries.
Collapse
|
10
|
Brook CE, Ranaivoson HC, Andriafidison D, Ralisata M, Razafimanahaka J, Héraud JM, Dobson AP, Metcalf CJ. Population trends for two Malagasy fruit bats. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2019; 234:165-171. [PMID: 31937976 PMCID: PMC6959543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Madagascar is home to three endemic species of Old World Fruit Bat, which are important pollinators and seed dispersers. We aimed to quantitatively assess population trajectories for the two largest of these species, the IUCN-listed 'Vulnerable' Eidolon dupreanum and Pteropus rufus. To this end, we conducted a longitudinal field study, in which we live-captured E. dupreanum and P. rufus, estimated species-specific fecundity rates, and generated age-frequency data via histological analysis of cementum annuli layering in tooth samples extracted from a subset of individuals. We fit exponential models to resulting data to estimate annual survival probabilities for adult bats (s A = .794 for E. dupreanum; s A = .511 for P. rufus), then applied Lefkovitch modeling techniques to infer the minimum required juvenile survival rate needed to permit longterm population persistence. Given estimated adult survival, population persistence was only possible for E. dupreanum when field-based fecundity estimates were replaced by higher values reported in the literature for related species. For P. rufus, tooth-derived estimates of adult survival were so low that even assumptions of perfect (100%) juvenile annual survival would not permit stable population trajectories. Age-based survival analyses were further supported by longitudinal exit counts carried out from 2013-2018 at three local P. rufus roost sites, which demonstrated a statistically significant, faintly negative time trend, indicative of subtle regional population declines. These results suggest that Malagasy fruit bat species face significant threats to population viability, with P. rufus particularly imperiled. Immediate conservation interventions, including habitat restoration and cessation of legally sanctioned bat hunting, are needed to protect Madagascar's fruit bats into the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cara E. Brook
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hafaliana C. Ranaivoson
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew P. Dobson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - C. Jessica Metcalf
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|