Protecting Threatened Lemur Habitat in Madagascar

SEED’s project to conserve lemur habitats in the Sainte Luce littoral forest (SLLF) will soon enter its sixth year. The project aims to improve the environment for endangered lemur species by protecting the existing forest areas and increasing the number of connections – or ‘corridors’ – between them by reforestation and thus expanding the available habitat. Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and littoral forests are among its most threatened ecosystems – a fact which has led to lemurs being one of the world’s most endangered species.

Much progress has been made in the five years so far, and many things have been learned in partnership with local communities. Five forest corridors have been established to date. Improved techniques to nurture tree seedlings have been found. In coordination with villages in and around SLLF better fire prevention and management strategies have been devised. Further, improved sustainable forest management techniques have been implemented to increase the economic security of those whose livelihoods depend on the forest’s resources. Five years of data have been gathered on the species and populations of fauna residing within the area, contributing to international knowledge on biodiversity and reforestation techniques. SEED has identified areas of the forest that are critical to the preservation of specific species of lemur which improves SEED’s ability to campaign for the continued protected status of SLLF.

Significant challenges remain: threats of deforestation from economic pressures and climate change leading to hotter and drier seasons which increases the risk of forest fires. As the project to conserve SLLF as a vital habitat for lemurs continues into its sixth year, we remain enormously grateful to all donors and supporters who make the project possible.

Littoral forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems in Madagascar, with over 90% lost due to human activity. Specifically, persistent industrial-scale mining, logging, and high community dependence on natural resources have endangered endemic species. Some of the last viable littoral forests in Madagascar are in its Southeast Anosy region, including the Sainte Luce Littoral Forest (SLLF) where, since 2019, SEED has worked to improve habitat connectivity and species dispersal. 

In the second half of 2023, SEED continued to promote habitat expansion and preservation. Specifically, SEED instituted a new planting method to increase native seedling growth by enhancing water retention. Nearly two thousand seedlings were replanted using this method. Moreover, SEED instituted a new corridor management strategy, in which regular mulching, fertilizing, and watering delivered more nutrients to the seedlings. These measures resulted in average native growth of 0.81cm per month, with an average corridor survival rate of 83%. Constant communication with local communities, and specialized training with corridor landowners, as well as the distribution of 65 fire beaters, have strengthened the community’s resource management efforts. 

SEED’s efforts have only expanded in 2024, with the additional planting of 4,595 native seedlings, including for the first time in the fifth forest corridor and the new extension of the fourth forest corridor. SEED is also working with local stakeholders to establish a community planting site and managing committee ramp up before the end of Phase II in May 2024. These efforts, coupled with consistent monitoring, evaluation, fire mitigation efforts, and community engagement will remain a focus of the project team as it continues its work to safeguard these fragile habitats. 

We are grateful for the generosity of the many donors who have helped promote the conservation of endangered lemurs and other wildlife through the conservation of this crucial natural resource.