IUCN Management Category I (Strict Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 3.09.04 (Malagasy woodland/savanna)

Geographical Location In Mahajanga Province 40km north-west of Ambato-Boéni. 15°59'-16°22'S, 45°56'-47°12'E.

Date and History of Establishment The integral reserve was established by a decree of 31 December 1927, and updated by decree 66-242 of 30 June 1966.

Area 60,520ha, bordering a Réserve Naturelle to the west which covers some 20-30,000ha.

Land Tenure Government

Altitude 75-390m

Physical Features Very rugged relief to the east, with a cliff which makes access difficult. Towards the west and north, the plateau descends gently. The soils of the plateau are very sandy. Precipitation is between 1000 and 1500mm a year with a marked dry season of five-six months (May-November). Mean annual temperature is c. 26°C, with maximum 35°C and minimum 17°C. The reserve protects a sample of habitats typical of the arenaceous soils of western Madagascar, and also protects the catchment of one of Madagascar's most important rice growing areas. Problems occur in the paddy fields downstream when sand eroded from cleared areas is carried by the rivers.

Climate No information

Vegetation Still largely covered in the original forest vegetation. Forest is dense and dry of the series Dalbergia-Commiphora-Hildegardia. Numerous Leguminosae and Myrtaceae. Some species adapted to dry environments such as Pachypodium, and members of the families Ampelidaceae and Passifloraceae. Numerous lianes, but epiphytes are virtually absent. The forest is deciduous, and contains a wide variety of trees and shrubs at a high density (about 170 species of 35 families).

Fauna There is a diverse avifauna, with some 90 recorded species; around 30 of these are endemic to Madagascar, including the white breasted mesite Mesitornis variegata (R), Van Dam's vanga Xenopirostris damii (R), and the Madagascar little grebe Tachybaptus pelzelnii (K). The highly endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides (E) is also reported. Seven lemur species occur, namely: Verreaux's sifaka Propithecus verreauxi, woolly lemur Avahi laniger, brown lemur Lemur fulvus, fat-tailed dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus medius, mongoose lemur Lemur mongoz, lesser mouse-lemur Microcebus murinus, sportive lemur Lepilemur. The fossa Cryptoprocta ferox, two rodents, Macrotarsomys ingens (only known from the Ankarafantsika forest) and M. bastardi, and two insectivores, the tail-less tenrec Tenrec ecaudatus and the greater hedgehog tenrec Setifer setosus have also been recorded. At least two swallowtail butterflies occur, Papilio morondavana and P. grosesmithi. Information on reptiles and amphibians is sparse, though reptiles are believed to be abundant and two chameleons, Brookesia decaryi and Chamaeleo angeli, and one skink Pygomeles petteri are apparently endemic to the area.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities No information

Scientific Research and Facilities Some primate studies have been made in the reserve, particularly on range sizes and diet; the University of Madagascar also has study areas here. Entomological research has been carried out in the area.

The forestry station at Ampijoroa is used by research workers in the area.

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management Total

None

WWF/IUCN are assisting in the development of the reserve. The present project is aimed principally at improving the protection of the reserve, including the cutting of limited paths, seen as essential for the patrols of the Guard Force, and restoration of the deteriorated boundary markers and the forest station in the adjacent natural reserve. Allocation is made for the provision of equipment both for scientific study and for the better management of the reserve. The project covers an inventory of the flora and fauna by the University of Madagascar, and many other scientific studies including conservation-orientated research to be done on the vegetation of the reserve. It has been suggested that the Ampijoroa lake and the hills to the north of the lake should be included in the reserve, as it is here that tourists from Antananarivo and Mahajanga can best observe the typical fauna of the region.

Management Constraints Undermanning, frequent fires during the dry season and penetration by cattle; in 1972 it was reported that poaching was frequent. The reserve was burned over three-quarters of its area in 1966-67 and burned again in 1968, and it was at that time thought to be in a very degraded state. The area was surveyed by air in June 1981 and found not to have suffered major deterioration, except in the north and east where access is easy. Some regeneration is taking place over areas burned or cut. The borders of the reserve are not marked on official maps, and a review of the boundaries has become necessary.

Staff Two full-time auxiliaries

Budget Salaries paid by the government. WWF allocated budget: US$17,649 to 1981; US$81,900 in 1982 and US$20,000 in 1983. WWFTropical Forest Campaign grant of US$50,000 over 3 years from 1983.

Local Addresses

The headquarters is at Bevazaha.

References

Andriamampianina, J. and Peyrieras, A. (1972). Les réserves naturelles intégrales de Madagascar. In: Comptes rendus de la Conférence internationale sur la Conservation de la Nature et de ses Ressources à Madagascar, Tananarive, Madagascar 7-11 octobre 1970. IUCN, Switzerland.

IUCN/WWF Project 1911. Protection and development of the Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve.

Martin, C. (1982). Rapport de la mission technique WWF/IUCN à Madagascar 1981. IUCN/WWF, Gland, (contains a list of birds and mammals found within the reserve).

Date 1986