Securing threatened tree populations at Analalava forest, Madagascar

Securing threatened tree populations at Analalava forest, Madagascar

Partner: Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG)
Years: 2025-2027

The Analalava Forest, in central-eastern Madagascar, has been managed by Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) since 2006. It is the last remaining fragment of low elevation humid forest remaining in the district and the last refuge for a very rich biodiversity including many threatened species of animals and plants , with ten plant species only known from this site. However this forest is small (just 229 ha) and it is vulnerable to an array of outside threats.

With the support of the World Land Trust, Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) plans to acquire ca. 38 ha of land adjacent to the Analalava Forest from willing sellers with the aim of restoring this area; the forest will be expanded and its integrity will improve.
This project will improve the status of a number of rare and threatened tree species by including genetically diverse seedlings in the mix of tree species that will be planted on the acquired land. The seeds for propagation will be collected both from Analalava Forest but also from tiny areas of forest in the wider landscape. The restoration zones will be integrated into the protected area.
A long list of species will benefit from the project, including Millettia hitsika (CR), Tabernaemontana capuronii (CR), Baudouinia louvelii (EN), Chaetocarpus rabaraba (EN), Dalbergia bathiei (EN), Dalbergia maritima (EN), Diospyros thouarsii (EN), Foetidia cuneata (EN), and Ivodea analalavensis (EN).