UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH MADAGASCAR EXPEDITION PROJECT KOBOKARA 2011 – FINAL REPORT A MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH EXPEDITION TO THE COMMUNITY OF KOBOKARA IN THE IFOTAKA-NORTH PROTECTED AREA EXPEDITION TEAM MEMBERS: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH MARK SCHERZ – TEAM LEADER, SCIENCE COORDINATOR, HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH MATTHEW MAY – ASSISTANT TEAM LEADER, MEDICAL OFFICER, RADIATED TORTOISE RESEARCH JUSTINE TAYLOR – ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH NATALIE JANE SMITH – ORAL TESTIMONIES AND NGO IMPACTS CENTRE ECOLOGIQUE DE LIBANONA HERMAN ANICET TSIAFA – HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH MORULLA TAPIET DANVI – BOTANICAL RESEARCH MIANDANARIVO RAKOTOMALAZA – RADIATED TORTOISE RESEARCH 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Kobokara was a multidisciplinary, student-run expedition to the community of Kobokara, in southern Madagascar, between July and September 2011. This expedition was a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh (UoE) and the Centre Ecologique de Libanona (CEL). Ecological research focused on an assessment of the status of a Utility Forest, investigating reptile and plant diversity, and how they are influenced by anthropogenic disturbance. Additionally, a study was conducted on the status of a critically endangered tortoise species. Anthropological studies were conducted in the village of Kobokara and other surrounding villages. Four short documentaries were produced, highlighting key aspects of the area. HERPETOFAUNAL SURVEYS – Surveys performed at various levels of disturbance within the forest, utilizing time-constrained and opportunistic searches, in addition to pitfall trapping. We recorded a total of 22 species of reptiles, including a potentially new species of snake. 100% of recorded species are endemic to Madagascar. We conclude that disturbance may be causing a shift in herpetofaunal species composition. We stress the need for further research in the area, particularly during the wet season. TORTOISE SURVEY – A survey of the status of the radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata, within the forest. We found a total of 35 individuals in an area of 3.29 km2, and therefore put a conservative estimate of 55 tortoises over the total forest area of 5.19 km2. We observed a 1.83:1 ratio of males to females amongst adult tortoises. We highlight the need for studies on the mode and specifics of sex determination in A. radiata. We emphasise the need for additional tortoise studies, particularly in the unstudied area of Conservation Zone forest to the north of the Ikonda River, and review tortoise conservation efforts in rural southern Madagascar. BOTANICAL SURVEY – A survey of the plant diversity in the forest, and how it is affected by anthropogenic disturbance. We recorded 66 species, approximately 95% of which are endemic to Madagascar, representing over half of the known species from the Mandrare River Valley. We observed a shift in botanical species composition related to disturbance. We propose a scheme of active replanting, cactus culls, and rotating usage zonation be implemented to mitigate further loss of forest integrity. DISTURBANCE SURVEY – A survey to assess the overall disturbance levels within the study forest. We found there to be a persistent, low level of disturbance within the forest, increasing with proximity to its edges. We judge livestock grazing and selective deforestation to be the most detrimental practices. We propose a rotating scheme of usage and protection, coupled with active re-forestation and cactus culls, in order to maximise the longevity of this forest. ORAL TESTIMONIES AND NGO IMPACTS – Four documentaries were produced from footage shot in the field entitled “A day in Kobokara”, “Madagascar’s Biodiversity and Local Resource Use Patterns”, “Project Kobokara”, and “NGOs in Kobokara”. These will be made available on our website, www.projectkobokara.wordpress.com. ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH – An assessment of Kobokara’s potential for tourism. We present the pros and cons of Kobokara as a potential tourism destination. We conclude that ecotourism should be encouraged only if it is not detrimental to the wellbeing and lifestyle of the local people, and should therefore be approached with caution. 2 2 PUBLISHING Mark Scherz, Matthew May, Justine Taylor, Natalie Jane Smith, Herman Anicet Tsiafa, Morulla Tapiet Danvi, Miandanarivo Rakotomalaza For blogs and other articles, see our website: http://www.projectkobokara.compaktclub.com/ 2.1 Contact For further information and inquiries, please contact the expedition leader: MARK SCHERZ E-mail: [email protected] 13 2f1 Moncrieff Terrace Edinburgh, EH9 1NA United Kingdom Eigenweg 11, Ettingen, BL, CH-4107 Switzerland 2.2 Institutions The University of Edinburgh Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH8 9YL, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Centre Ecologique de Libanona BP 42, Fort Dauphin 614, Madagascar 3 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 2 2 Publishing ..................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Contact .................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Institutions .......................................................................................................................................... 3 3 Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ 4 4 List of Tables and Figures ........................................................................................................ 7 4.1 Tables .................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.2 Figures ................................................................................................................................................... 7 5 Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................. 8 6 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 9 7 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 10 7.1 The Expedition ................................................................................................................................ 10 7.2 Madagascar ....................................................................................................................................... 10 7.2.1 Geological and Natural History ............................................................................................................ 10 7.2.2 Climate ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 7.2.3 Humans .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 7.3 Conservation .................................................................................................................................... 12 7.3.1 Threats to Madagascar’s Biodiversity .............................................................................................. 12 7.3.2 Protecting Madagascar’s Forests ........................................................................................................ 14 7.4 Southern Madagascar .................................................................................................................... 16 7.4.1 The Spiny Forest ........................................................................................................................................ 16 7.4.2 The Herpetofauna of Southern Madagascar .................................................................................. 16 7.4.3 The Radiated Tortoise ............................................................................................................................. 17 7.5 Maps .................................................................................................................................................... 18 8 Study Area ................................................................................................................................... 20 8.1.1 Kobokara ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 9 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................................ 22 10 The Team .................................................................................................................................. 23 10.1 University of Edinburgh ............................................................................................................. 23 10.2 Centre Ecologique de Libanona ............................................................................................... 25 10.3 Other ................................................................................................................................................. 25 10.4 Local Staff .......................................................................................................................................