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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Madagascar, a tropical island, possesses extraordinary conditions for a high rate of species endemism. For example, 80% of the 14 000 vascular plants present in the country are endemic species. In the cases of snakes and chameleons, the endemism rate amounts to an exceptional 96%. Thus, the situation of threatened species becomes extremely important, especially for those that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. Madagascar’s ecosystems include many types of forests, savannah, steppes, rivers and lakes, wetlands, mangroves, drylands, and reefs. The unsustainable exploitation of resources, notably through agriculture, constitutes one of the major threats to the country’s biodiversity.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

In this document, the country details its intention to, among others, combat poverty, focus on traditional as well as modern knowledge, involve various stakeholders, contribute to local, regional and national development and also take into consideration international trade. The NBSAP focuses on three main themes: (1) conservation of biodiversity (ecosystems conservation; wild genetic resources conservation; and agrobiodiversity conservation); (2) sustainable valuation of biodiversity (improve knowledge regarding economic, ecological, and sociocultural values of biodiversity; improve the situation of under-valued and under-used biodiversity products; development of ecotourism); and (3) reduction of the pressures on biodiversity resources (improvement of behavior towards biodiversity; enforcement of legislation; development of alternatives to destruction of timber and natural resources, development of biosecurity). The NBSAP also discusses the need for more protected areas, capacity building, access and benefit sharing, improved monitoring, development of partnerships, sustainable financing mechanism, and regional, local, and community planning.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part I (French)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part II (French)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (French)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Stratégie et plan d'action national du centre d'échange d'information (French)

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Madagascar has adopted an integrated approach for the definition and implementation of its national programs. The State emphasizes the need for combating poverty, as the Strategic Document for the Reduction of Poverty is the framework document for all sectoral programs. The country intends to ensure the population’s economic, social and ecological needs regarding natural resources, as well as integrate an environmental dimension into sectoral actions and regional and local planning. Furthermore, the country is committed to, among others: improving the knowledge of its species; ensuring the stability of marine ecosystems production; suspend trade of threatened species; develop in-situ and ex-situ conservation actions regarding threatened species; protect in a strict manner certain species (such as the angulate tortoise and the Madagascar teal); rationalize forest exploitation and undertake reforestation activities; improve the quality of agricultural species; undertake environmental impact assessments; apply the polluter-pays principle; reduce damaging practices in natural resources sectors; reduce degradation of the coastal and marine areas; ensure food security; and intensify the transfer of natural resource management to local communities. By 2010, 10% of the country will be protected.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The government is committed to tripling its number of protected areas by 2008. The National Network currently comprises 1.7 million ha of protected areas and the country is aiming to protect 6 million ha (10% of the territory). In addition, the State wants to ensure the presence of all ecosystem types in the network.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Madagascar has undertaken studies focusing on the further participation of local communities in biodiversity related issues. The country intends to intensify the transfer of natural resource management to local communities. This management transfer would preserve the customary laws regarding these resources. It is also mentioned that the “dina” allow the preservation of traditional knowledge and practices. Moreover, the integration “nature-culture” is a criterion that needs to be taken into consideration when classifying new protected areas.