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Category: Forest Conservation

BlogForest Conservation

Forest Volunteers Investigate Butterfly Species

Our Forest Volunteers go the extra mile

 

Our Forest Conservation volunteers have always been passionate and eager to assist with our long-term monitoring projects. We encourage our volunteers to propose some of their own ideas. Many volunteers are already qualified scientists at home. They come to Nosy Komba with the aim to put their knowledge to good use.

 

Kay Royale introduces a butterfly investigation to the forest conservation program

One of our recent foresters, Kay Royale, is a wildlife photographer and biologist from Manchester. She took it upon herself to investigate the diversity of butterfly species here on Nosy Komba. Kay was interested to discover what species are present on the island. She also wanted to know whether different species existed within different habitat types. Kay’s fellow forest volunteers were very enthusiastic to help her. Together, they spent an afternoon creating butterfly traps out of mosquito nets, with banana purée as bait.

 

The following day, we positioned the traps in several locations. Down by the beach to higher up in the forest. We monitor the traps and check on them regularly. When we find butterflies in the traps we photograph them to enable us to identify them. Some adjustments to the butterfly traps were required. For example, the butterflies found the banana purée unappealing. We changed to a mixture of honey and sugar water which brought in better results.

 

In addition to the butterfly project, Kay wanted to investigate the difference in data accuracy between volunteers with no experience in species ID and data collection, and those with experience. To do this, naïve volunteers collected data, on bird surveys, alongside experienced volunteers and staff. The results were compared, to see how many surveys it took for naïve volunteers to match up with experienced surveyors. We hope that this data will enable the Forest Conservation staff to create improved training plans for the new volunteers, to enable volunteers to record data correctly and more efficiently.

 

Starting new projects always takes time and effort, as the experiments do not always go to plan. Kay is an incredibly passionate volunteer. She is determined to see her projects through, even after she has returned home. We have all learned a lot from her.

 

Forest Volunteers Making Butterfly Traps

MRCI’s Impact on Conservation and Commitment to the Environment
BlogCommunity DevelopmentForest ConservationMarine Conservation

MRCI’s Impact on Conservation and Commitment to the Environment

MRCI’s Impact on Conservation and Commitment to the EnvironmentOne of our previous forest conservation volunteers conducted some research on the impact the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI) has on social behaviour towards conservation for her university degree.  She asked all volunteers to complete a questionnaire when starting and ending their program.  The questions focused on commitment to the environment and respect for nature.  Overall, she found that volunteers showed more commitment to the environment in terms of water conservation, littering and respect on leaving after their volunteer stay, when compared to arriving.

MRCI’s Impact on Conservation and Commitment to the EnvironmentThis shows the impact that organisations such as MRCI have on volunteers, allowing them to experience living a more simple life first hand and seeing the impact of littering and degradation on the environment.  This change of attitude and behaviour towards the environment can have a lasting impact on volunteers and hopefully result in positive, sustainable change in their lives back home.

Along with the conservation work we do on the ground in Madagascar, we aim to promote positive behaviour changes that reach around the world and contribute to a more sustainable future.

MRCI’s Impact on Conservation and Commitment to the EnvironmentWe are very grateful to Sandra Ellerkamp for completing this research and allowing us to share a summary, see below:

Impact of MRCI on commitment to the environment

If you would like to find out how you can join one of our conservation programs, contact us or sign up today!

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute Staff Publish Herpetology Article
AchievementsBlogForest Conservation

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute Staff Publish Herpetology Article

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute Staff Publish Herpetology ArticleMadagascar 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.

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute Staff Publish Herpetology ArticleBlumgart 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.

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute Staff Publish Herpetology ArticleThe 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.”

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute Staff Publish Herpetology ArticleYou 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.
Madagascar Volunteer - male Panther Chameleon
BlogForest Conservation

Panther Chameleon Laying Eggs Caught on Video

Madagascar Volunteer - male Panther ChameleonVolunteers regularly do forest hikes for various surveys and manage to capture the most stunning photos of geckos, lizards, snakes, chameleons and other reptiles (not to mention all the other amazing wildlife on our doorstep), but it’s not often that they manage to capture exciting events such as this panther chameleon (furcifer pardalis) laying her eggs, on video.

As you will see in the video and photos, chameleons have incredibly distinctive eyes.  With both the upper and lower eyelids joined, there is only a pinhole opening just large enough for the pupil to see through.  Their eyes move independently of each other and can focus and rotate separately to view different objects simultaneously giving them 360 degree vision.

Madagascar Volunteer - male Panther ChameleonOnce prey is located, both eyes focus in the same direction, giving stereoscopic vision and depth perception.  They have very sharp eyesight and can see small insects from up to 10 metres away!

Did you know? A panther chameleon is also able to see ultra violet light…

Another distinct feature is their unusually long tongues which hits their prey in about 0.0030 seconds.

Madagascar Volunteer - Panther ChameleonMale panther chameleons can grow up to 20 inches in length, with a typical length of around 17 inches (45 centimetres).

One common misconception though, is that chameleons of any kind can change colour to match their environment.  This is not true.  Chameleons are born with a natural colour range that is dictated by their species.  This range is then affected by temperature, mood and light.

On this particular hike to do our T2 reptile survey, we spotted a pregnant female panther chameleon (furcifer pardalis) just outside of our T7 transect on a branch.

After doing our reptile survey and returning down the mountain about three hours later, we spotted the same chameleon with her head buried in the soil and she had changed from a light pink to dark purple.  Considering her actions and colour change, we assumed she was about to lay eggs.

We sat nearby and watched her dig a hole, very slowly, for about half an hour.  While she continued to dig, we decided that it would be interesting to capture her in a time-lapse video, especially considering her colour changes.

After she finished digging her hole, she then turned around and reversed into the hole to begin laying her eggs.  She continued to do so for about 30 minutes while continually moving and changing colours.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until we removed the camera and all moved away that she then exited the hole and began covering her eggs with soil.  We were then able to see that she had laid about 10 or 11 eggs.

Sadly, despite our best intentions to return to the site to attempt to see the eggs hatch, we soon found out that it takes about 240!  Most of us won’t be here in that time, however, we shall be marking the day for future forest conservation volunteers to return.

If you would like to join our forest conservation volunteers, contact us or sign up online today.

Forest Conservation Volunteers work with a little Church Village
BlogForest Conservation

Forest Conservation Volunteers Sleep in a Little Church

Every two weeks, our forest conservation volunteers make the relatively long walk to the top of Nosy Komba to spend a night in a church. The main objective is to do a solid night survey in the forest surrounding the area. However, a lot more gets accomplished.

Forest Conservation Volunteers work with a little Church Village

Around this little Catholic Church is the micro village Antanamonpere (village of my father). There are only about 12 people who live in the few houses surrounding the church and their purpose is simple – to care for and maintain the church and the surrounding property that belongs to the priest.

This church has an interesting history that dates back to the mid-late 1800s. In fact, they were the first to bring the Ylang Ylang flower to Madagascar on Nosy Komba. Now this flower is widely used to make essential oils, a main export of the area. The Forest Conservation Volunteers work with a little Church Villagepriest resides in a lower village, Ampangorina, which is the biggest village on Nosy Komba. At roughly 80 years old, he still makes his way to his church weekly as the weather permits.

The foresters’ bi-weekly expedition provides a steady income to the church village. The Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute pays the locals to kindly provide dinner for the volunteers and for the use of the church in which they sleep. The village takes great pride in this task, providing a beautiful spread of local foods including coconut rice and papaya salad. It’s a real treat for those looking for an authentic experience.

It is important to our conservation efforts that all projects have good community relations and this is one way our volunteers accomplish just that. Interacting with the Forest Conservation Volunteers work with a little Church Villagelocal community and sharing our conservation ideas and practices is the best way for us to ensure long term success. This church walk is one of many our projects where everyone is a winner.

If you would like to join our forest conservation program and make a difference to communities in Madagascar, contact us today or complete our online application form.