Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute’s (MRCI) former forest conservation staff turned their time on Nosy Komba, Madagascar, into a published research article depicting the herpetological diversity across the island, and how abundance is affected by different habitat types and therefore the conservation value of those areas.  The following is a brief summary of its contents:

Across Madagascar, the majority of herpetofauna species are endemic, with many in decline.  39% of reptile species (Jenkins et al., 2014) and 25% of frog species (Andreone et al., 2005) are “threatened with extinction” on the IUCN Red List.  Human populations on Madagascar are expanding, and with them so is the use of agriculture, making human-modified habitats a more prominent feature across the landscape (Harper et al., 2007).  The aim of MRCI’s former staff members (Blumgart et al., 2017) in this paper was to establish the extent to which endemic species on Nosy Komba are reliant on primary vegetation, compared to those that can be sustained in human-modified environments (Irwin et al., 2010).  This aim is to then allow for the prioritisation of conservation objectives on the island.

Blumgart et al., 2017, conducted 237 sampling trials, 205 during the day (between 08:00 and 16:00) and 32 at night (between 19:30 and 22:50), from March 16th until September 9th 2015.  Each survey was conducted at pre-chosen sites within 20m x 20m quadrats.  These were across four different habitat types; closed canopy forest, disturbed canopy forest, shade-grown coffee plantation and mixed open plantation.  These four habitats all had quadrat sites located at a low (0-150m), medium (150-350m), and high (350-505m) elevation level.

Each survey consisted of searching all micro-habitats; leaf litter, crevices in bark and rocks, understory, and observable parts of the canopy.  Between four and six observers were involved with each survey and for each individual observed, the vertical height of the animal was recorded.  Specimens unidentifiable in the field were photographed for identification at a later stage.  For each survey, certain variables were measured and recorded; temperature, humidity, cloud cover, and rain during the previous night/day.

During the course of their study, they encountered 14 species previously unrecorded on Nosy Komba; 2 frogs and 12 reptiles; 4 of which are listed as “threatened” on the IUCN Red List.  The results of their 6 month study showed that both reptile and frog abundance differed significantly across habitat types during the day, whilst having no significant difference at night.

The only species found on Nosy Komba during this study that has not been found on Nosy Be was Amphiglossus mandokava.  This species is associated with undisturbed humid forest (Raxworthy, 2011).  It was found only once in a highly modified habitat with sparse tree cover, after heavy rainfall.  This suggests it may have been washed down from intact forest higher up the island.  It’s presence on Nosy Komba means it is possible it may yet be undiscovered in Lokobe National Park; a neighbouring island which theoretically used to be connected to Nosy Be, Nosy Komba and mainland Madagascar many years ago.

Overall Blumgart et al., 2017, concluded that some man-made environments, such as the low-intensity coffee plantations, supported a “high abundance and diversity of herpetofauna and are utilised to varying extents by six threatened species”.  They did, however, note that some species appear “unlikely to persist in large coffee plantations without interspersed areas of forest”.  Therefore, the species found in the plantations are partially dependent on spill-over from adjacent forest habitats (Lucey and Hill, 2012). The authors suggest that to assess the true conservation value of man-made habitats a long term study should be undertaken. Especially as they found it was the generalist species utilising these areas, and in fact only a few of the threatened species were found in them; all present at lower densities.”

You can view the entire published paper on the herpetological survey of Nosy Komba, Madagascar here:

Blumgart et al 2017- Herpetological survey Nosy Komba

Bibliography

1. Blumgart, D., Dolhem, J. and Raxworthy CJ. (2017) Herpetological diversity across intact and modified habitats of Nosy Komba Island, Madagascar. Journal of Natural History DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2017.1287312
2. Harper, GJ., Steininger MK., Tucker, CJ., Juhn, D. & Hawkins, F. (2007) Fifty years of deforestation and forest fragmentation in Madagascar. Environmental Conservation 34: 325-333
3. Irwin, MT., Wright, PC., Birkinshaw, C., Fisher, BL., Gardner, CJ., Glos, J., Goodman SM., Loiselle, P., Rabeson, P., Raharison, JL. & Raherilalao, MJ. (2010) Patterns of species change in anthropogenically disturbed forests of Madagascar. Biological Conservation 143: 2351-2362
4. Jenkins, RKB., Tognelli, MG., Bowles, P., Cox, N., Brown, JL., Chan, L., Andreone F., Andriamazava, A., Andriantsimanarilafy, RR., Anjeriniaina, M., Bora, P., Brady, LD., Hantalalaina, EF., Glaw, F., Griffiths, RA., Hilton-Taylor, C., Hoffmann, M., Katariya, V., Rabibisoa, NH., Rafanomezantsoa, J., Rakotomalala, D., Rakotondravony, H., Rakotondrazafy, NA., Ralambonirainy, J., Ramanamanjato, JB., Randriamahazo, JE., Randrianizahana, H., Raselimanana, AP., Rasolohery, A., Ratsoavina, FM., Raxworthy, CJ., Robsomanitrandrasana, E., Rollande, F., van Dijk, PP., Yoder, AD. & Vences, M. (2014) Extinction risks and the conservation of Madagascar”s reptiles. PLoS ONE 9:e100173
5. Lucey, JM. and Hill, JK. (2012) Spillover of insects from rain forest into adjacent oil palm plantations. Biotropica 44: 368-377
6. Raxworthy, CJ. (2011) Amphiglossus mandokava. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e. T172859A6930994. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.
7. T172859A6930994.en. cited 26 December 2016.

Construction of another artificial reef started a couple of weeks ago with the purchase of cement and donation of porous rocks. These would make up the base structures to which we would attach coral polyps, ready to grow into a self-sustaining reef

Over the course of the week our marine team, led by Roshan, Emma, Antonia and Alex, have worked hard to build over 20 dome structures. In order to do this, they first had to dig a hole in the sand, high up the beach so that only very high tides would potentially fill them in. Each hole was shaped and patted down to create a smooth surface before it could be filled with our cement mixture. This was then patted into the holes to create slightly varied styles of domes. Each dome had to have some arches to allow both water current and sea life to enter and flow through them. Small holes were added throughout the drying domes as another way of allowing some current flow, and also as a necessary part of the structure that would allow us to attach the Polyps.

After allowing the mixture to set overnight, the marine team returned to dig up each dome and move them to a dry zone. Here they were rinsed repeatedly with fresh water. This process helps to ensure the mixture continues to harden without causing any cracks. Seven or eight structures were built each day until the required materials were used up.

On Saturday, 18th March, Francois Gilbert, the General Director of Madagascar’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, joined us here on Nosy Komba, along with over 100 other government officials and guests to participate in attaching the polyps to our concrete domes. Just under 100 polyps, plus an adhesive were provided by Markus (the owner of Marine Aquaculture Nosy Be) to use for this process.

The polyps were already attached to mini concrete circles so the glue was applied to this before being placed on the dome. The coral polyps were spaced approximately 20cm away from each other. Since there were a mixture of hard and soft corals, these needed to be grouped together separately to maximise their growth.

As wells as MRCI staff, volunteers, and guests, a media crew was also on site filming the event and doing interviews. This means that the conservation work and the importance of the MPA and the coral reef for boosting biodiversity and fishing opportunities, will hopefully reach the wider local community. This will help them understand and perhaps aid our work in the future.

Since the event, the marine team has continued to work hard every day, attaching many more polyps to more of the dome structures and transporting them out into deep waters. There are currently 12 completed domes in the deep water, with more being added this week.

The marine staff and volunteers at MRCI will be closely monitoring the artificial reefs over the next few weeks in the hope that they will develop into a fully self-sustaining organism. During this trial period, the marine team will be monitoring indicators of stress, damage and the physical conditions. This is to allow the planting methodology to be adapted and improved, if necessary, to increase the survivability of any subsequent structures that are built and added to the reef system.

A huge thank you to our partners in this project, Marine Aquaculture Nosy Be and CNRO, for involving MRCI and aiding us throughout the building of the artificial reef.

If you would like to find out how you can join our marine conservation program, contact us today!

At Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute, we are always striving to improve the lives of the people we come into contact with on the island.  Our latest project is to build a school.  Our community development volunteers, along with many of the local people from the village, are in the process of building the school for Andrekareka Be on Nosy Komba.

Andrekareka Be is an amazing little community with awesome people just 20 minutes away from the research centre.  The children of Andrekareka Be currently walk for an hour over rough terrain to the nearby villages of Ampangorina or Kely to attend classes, so they are extremely excited about having their own school.  They have been working on the school for the last 7 weeks, and it is finally nearing completion.

The money to build the school has been raised and donated by a school in Texas through one of our interns. Another volunteer, Chloe Stewart, has set up a Go Fund Me page for tables, chairs, blackboards, and other supplies to furnish the school once it is built.   Progress is going very well, but there are still a few more building supplies to purchase before our project is completed.

If you would like to support us in this final stretch of bringing this school to life, please visit the Go Fund Me page here.

Contact us today to find out how you can join our volunteer programs in Madagascar.