Rainforest, Atsinanana Madagascar
Page 1
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Melissa Potter
Rasmussen College
G346/Physical Geography
May 2, 2011
Sabrina Hall, Professor
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 2
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Thesis: Deforestation in the Atsinanana Rainforests has increased global warming and has
destroyed the habitat of many animal species that are endemic to Madagascar.
I. The Atsinanana Rainforests provides worldwide benefits.
A. Rain forests provide a rich ecosystem to approximately 50% of the known species
on Earth.
B. Rainforests helps to maintain climate.
1. Rainforests regulate gases in the atmosphere.
2. Rainforests stabilize rainfall.
3. Rainforests protects against desertification.
C. Provides protection during times of climate change.
1. The large mountains and steep terrains provide its endemic species protection
against climate changes.
2. The rainforest canopy provides protection to its occupants.
a. The canopy provides protection from torrential rains (CUIPO, n.d.).
b. Filters the suns harsh rays, allowing little sunlight through (CUIPO, n.d.)
1. Maintains a constant warm temperature beneath the canopy.
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 3
2. Little sun reaches the rainforests floor allowing decay to happen quickly,
allowing another layer on the floor to provide protection for different species.
c. Many species makes its home within the rainforests canopy.
D. There are many herbal medicines that are found only in rainforests.
1. Two-thirds of all medicines known to have cancer fighting capabilities come from
the rainforest (Wolfson, 2010).
2. More than 120 prescription medications come from the plants located in
rainforests (Wolfson, 2010).
II. Atsinanana Rainforests is located on the eastern part of Madagascar. Madagascar
is an island that is located southeast of Africa.
A. The Tropic of Capricorn runs through the southern tip of Madagascar.
1.
Madagascar is divided, according to latitude and altitude, in three climate
zones: along the coast is a strip of hot and humid tropical climate, in the interior
highlands, the climate is temperate, while the southern region of the country has a
semi-desert climate, dry and arid (Colonial Voyage, 2011).
2.
The climate of the country is dominated and governed by the trade winds of
the south-east and is divided into two seasons a hot and rainy season from November
to April and a dry and cool season from May to October. Colonial Voyage et al.
A. Six national parks which make up this serial site (namely Marojejy, Masaola,
Zahamena, Ranomafana, Andringitra and Andohahela) are located along the 1,600
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 4
kilometre length of eastern Madagascar and represent the remnants of rainforests that
used to cover much of the eastern half of the country (African Natural Heritage,
2009).
B. Madagascar is very unique in that it separated from other land masses more than
60 million years ago.
1.
The species on Madagascar are unique in that they have developed and
evolved unique and separate from other parts of the world
2.
The human species has only been on Madagascar within the last 2000
years.
III. Global warming has an especially ill effect on rainforests ecosystems.
A. Deforestation of the rainforests and the continual emissions of CO2 have created
global warming and volatile weather patterns (Rainforest Alliance).
1. Carbon Dioxide is one of the leading agents causing global warming.
B. The Atsinanana Rainforests are part of the larger ecosystem that controls weather
and regulates greenhouse emissions.
C. According to Irina Ignatova, The lack of sufficient amounts of rainfall due to
global warming (among many other factors) may lead to the loss of forest cover
because tropical rainforests need lots of moisture to thrive (Ignatova, 2011).
D. Higher temperatures cause the plants' rates of photosynthesis to decline.
Ignatova et al.
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 5
E. Global warming has been directly linked to the loss of habitat for many species
that are now extinct. Ignatova et al.
1. According to Rainforest Alliance (2011), In every environment plants and
animals depends on its habitat for food and shelter, protection and community
(para. 1).
2. There have already been many animal and plant species that have become extinct
due to the loss of habitat in the Atsinanana Rainforests.
IV. The Rainforests of Atsinanana is home to many species that are endemic to
Madagascar.
A. One of the most notable mammals found in Atsinanana Rainforests are the lemur.
1. The lemur is endemic to Madagascar and some species are found only in the
Atsinanana Rainforests.
b. Lemurs belong to the primate family.
1. Monkeys evolved from earlier species of lemurs under different
influences.
2. Lemurs were not affected by these other species and its evolvement had
different environmental influences than monkey.
B. The fossa is also endemic to Madagascar and is the top carnivore.
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 6
1. The fossa looks like a cross between a dog and a cat but is related to the
mongoose family.
2. The fossa is endangered and could become extinct due to the loss of habitat
(National Geographic, 2011).
C. Atsinanana Rainforest is home to more than 400 species of reptiles.
1. Ninety-six percent of the species reptiles found in Madagascar are endemic.
2. The chameleon is believed to have originated in Madagascar.
D. Twelve thousand different species of plants are found in the Atsinanana
Rainforests.
1. Between 80% - 90% are endemic to Madagascar (Wild Madagascar, 2011).
2. There are over 170 different species of palm trees in Atsinanana Rainforests (Wild
Madagascar, 2011).
3. There are approximately 1000 different orchids in which 850 are endemic to
Madagascar are found in the Atsinanana Rainforests.
E. Frogs are the only amphibians found in Madagascar.
1.
There are over 150 different species of frogs have been found in Madagascar.
2. All of these are endemic except two species.
a. One of the species was physically brought over by man from Asia.
b. The other species of frog not endemic originates in Africa.
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 7
c. A new frog species was recently discovered deep in the Atsinanana
Rainforests.
F. There are 256 different bird species found in Madagascar.
1. The Elephant bird lived in Madagascar up till about 200 years ago.
a. People hunted the bird easily and destroyed its habitat.
b. The loss of habitat resulted in its extinction.
V. There are currently efforts underway to conserve and preserve parts of the
Atsinanana Rainforests.
A. Atsinanana Rainforest was added as a World Heritage Site in 2007 (Madagascar,
n.d.)
1.
As being name on the World Heritages Site, they will receive technical
support, management training, emergency assistance, and public
awareness of their endangered site (UNESCO, (2011).
2.
Needed resources are provided to Atsinanana Rainforests that are used for
preservation. UNESCO et al.
3.
The area must be well managed to be eligible for listing on the World
Heritage Site. UNESCO et al.
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
a.
Page 8
There needs to be management and government in place that can
help to control illegal logging and other practices that will disturb
and destroy the site.
b.
There are large areas surrounding the Atsinanana Rainforests that
needs to be included in its protection but there are militia groups
and an unstable government in that area.
B.
Reducing human activities that contribute to global warming will help to protect
the rainforests, including Atsinanana Rainforests, Madagascar.
1.
Seek additional national assistance in halting deforestation in rainforests.
2.
Reduce the use of natural resources for energy.
3.
Find ways to lower the costs to implement using solar and wind power.
4.
Reinforce programs designed to replace trees that were previously
destroyed.
5.
Discover ways to assist the Malagasy so that deforestation is not needed
for survival.
6.
Support scientific research in ways to save the ozone layer.
7.
Provide military support to Madagascar so that additional areas can receive
help from the World Heritage Site.
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 9
References
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
African Natural Heritage. (2009). Rainforests of the Atsinanana - Madagascar.
Retrieved from http://www.africannaturalheritage.org/index.php?id=150
Butler, R. A. (2010). A world imperiled: forces behind forest loss. Mongabay.
Retrieved from http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0801.htm
Conservation International. (2007). Biodiversity hotspots. Retrieved from
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/hotspots/madagascar/pages/impacts.aspx
CUIPO. (n.d.). Rainforest Canopy. In The Rainforests. Retrieved from
http://www.cuipo.com/TheRainForest/RainforestCanopy.aspx
FAO . (2011). Desertification. Retrieved from Food and Agricultural Organization
of the United Nations website: http://www.fao.org/desertification/
default.asp?lang=en
FAO . (2011). Desertification. Retrieved from Food and Agricultural Organization
of the United Nations website: http://www.fao.org/desertification/intro_txt/
en/unccd.htm
Ignatova, I. (2011). How close is the relationship between global warming and
rainforests? Retrieved from Stuff in teh Air website:
http://www.stuffintheair.com/global-warming-and-rainforests.html
National Geographic. (2010). Fossa. Retrieved from
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/fossa.html
New World Encyclopedia. (2008). Chameleon. Retrieved from
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Chameleon
Rainforest Alliance. (2011). Learning site. Retrieved from http://www.rainforestalliance.org/education.cfm?id=third_l1
Suite101 Media Inc.. (2008). Lemur reintroduction in Madagascar. Retrieved from
Page 10
Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar
Page 11
http://www.suite101.com/content/lemur-reintroduction-in-madagascar-a48177
UNEP, WCMC. (2007). Rainforests of the Atsinanana Madagascar. Retrieved from
www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/pdf/ATSINANANA.pdf
UNESCO. (2011). Media Services. Retrieved from
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/singleview/news/world_heritage_committee_inscribes_rainforests_of_atsinanana_mada
gascar_on_list_of_world_heritage_in_danger/
Wild Madagascar.org (2009) Birds of Madagascar. Retrieved from
http://www.wildmadagascar.org/wildlife/birds.html
Wild Madagascar.org (2009). Tropical rainforests of Madagascar. Retrieved from
http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/rainforests.html
Wolfson, E. (2010). Earth Talk. About.com. Retrieved from
http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/rainforest_drug.htm
http://