Fruit-frugivore interactions in a Malagasy littoral forest - Universiteit ...

Chapter 5
comm.). Mixed species plantations in Ampijoroa have proven to be suitable and to offer
fairly acceptable habitats for the majority of the extant lemur species. In Mandena
Cheirogaleus medius and Microcebus murinus were observed to feed on the flowers of
the exotic Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae, QIT Madagascar Minerals 2001). In
other eastern sites even the larger lemurs, like Eulemur sp., were seen to relate on
Eucalyptus flowers (Ganzhorn 1985; Overdorff 1988). However the floristic diversity of
plantations is limited and may thus not provide food year round for all lemur species
(Ganzhorn 1987; Ganzhorn and Abraham 1991). Therefore plantations, just as corridors,
should ideally border natural forests. This way economic interest can be combined with
lemur conservation by planting economically and ecologically valuable trees on presently
deforested areas (Ganzhorn and Abraham 1991). Nevertheless one should be careful in
selecting appropriate species for this and the corridors or plantation should not be
monospecific nor involve dominant invasive species.
Planting important fruiting trees in corridors, plantations or clearings also improves
the process of reforestation by attracting frugivores and the seed dispersal they provide.
Fruit trees can thus be used to accelerate seed dispersal and enrich biodiversity. As
zoochory is the predominant dispersal mode in the tropics (Howe and Smallwood 1982),
dietary data on frugivores can influence the choice of fruit species included in planting
projects. Otherwise, perches or trees in clearings may further attract bird and flying foxes,
which then again bring certain seeds into these open areas (Holl et al. 2000). In this way
frugivores can be used to facilitate regeneration, reforestation and vegetation succession
of tropical forest.
Development aid
Together with active protection measures for the littoral forest ecosystem, there is great
need for an integrated approach combining research, conservation and developmental
aid in the area. Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 75%
of its human population lives below the poverty level. Conservation of local fauna and
flora is a luxury for the Malagasy who struggle to survive from day to day. There is an
urgent need for alternative resources necessary to provide the people with fuel,
construction and tool wood. For this, plantations of fast-growing non-invasive species are
necessary. At the same time conservation management plans and long term integrity of
protected areas depend critically upon support from rural communities. Cooperation with
local people, as promoted by the first phase of the National Environment Action Plan
(1991-1995), is an essential feature to succeed in conservation.
There are several possibilities to provide economical benefits to the Malagasy. First
of all, ecotourism may serve as a conservative strategy for extending economic
opportunities while safeguarding this unique natural environment. The area of Sainte
Luce provides several options for ecotourism, as there are impressive coastal and inland
forests, beautiful pristine white sandy beaches, several nearby small islands, gorgeous
bays and traditional villages. Several groups of E. f. collaris are habituated and can thus
easily be observed as well as numerous bird, amphibian and reptile species. The main
problem for ecotourism is the difficult accessibility of Sainte Luce because of the poor
road system and rough sea conditions during most of the year. Sharing revenues from
forest entrance may be one way to fully distribute benefits from tourism to residents.
Furthermore local guides can be trained and organisations could support local economy.
Mainly small-scale tourism would be advantageous here, so it does not have a negative
impact on the ecosystem nor lead to increased habitat disturbance or human immigration.
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