| Madagascar lowland forests | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Humid forest inMasoala National Park | |
 | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Afrotropical |
| Biome | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
| Borders | Madagascar subhumid forests,Madagascar spiny forests |
| Animals | Lemurs,chameleons,Mantella frogs |
| Geography | |
| Area | 112,100 km2 (43,300 sq mi) |
| Country | Madagascar |
| Elevation | 0–800 metres (0–2,625 ft) |
| Coordinates | 19°48′S48°30′E / 19.800°S 48.500°E /-19.800; 48.500 |
| Geology | Metamorphic andigneous basement rock; locallylava and unconsolidated sands |
| Climate type | Tropical rainforest climate (Af) andTropical monsoon climate (Am) |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | critical/endangered |
| Global 200 | included |
| Protected | 10.79%[1] |
TheMadagascar lowland forests orMadagascar humid forests[2] are atropical moist broadleaf forestecoregion found on the eastern coast of the island ofMadagascar, home to a plant and animal mix that is 80 to 90% endemic, with the forests of the eastern plain being a particularly important location of this endemism. They are included in theGlobal 200 list of outstanding ecoregions.[3][1][4]
The ecoregion constitutes a narrow strip of lowland forests between Madagascar's east coast and the mountainousCentral Highlands, from sea level to 800 metres (2,600 ft) elevation. It covers an area of approximately 112,600 square kilometres (43,500 sq mi). The ecoregion is under the direct influence of the oceanictrade winds, which maintain a warm, humid climate; rainfall is above 2,000 mm per year and can reach up to 6,000 mm on theMasoala peninsula.[2]
The lowland forests extend fromMarojejy in the north to the southeast corner of the island. At the northern edge of ecoregion aroundVohemar, the moist forests transition to the drierMadagascar dry deciduous forests ecoregion. To the east, at approximately 800 metres (2,600 ft) elevation, the lowland forests transition gradually to theMadagascar subhumid forests ecoregion. The southern end of the ecoregion lies at the crest of the Anosyennes Mountains, where a narrow belt of dry transitional forest marks the transition to the dryspiny forests ecoregion in the mountains'rain shadow.[2]
The lowland forests are characterized by dense evergreen forests, 82% of which is endemic species, with a canopy exceeding 30 metres (98 ft). Typical canopy species includeDalbergia,Diospyros,Ocotea,Symphonia, andTambourissa; emergents ofCanarium,Albizia, andNeobrochoneura acuminata rise above the canopy. The lowland forests have a rich diversity ofPandanus,palm,bamboo, andepiphyticorchid species. At higher elevations the trees become shorter and have a denser undergrowth.[2]
The lowland forests represent a great reservoir of diversity andendemism. Nearly all of Madagascar's endemic mammal genera are represented there, including all five families oflemurs.[2]
Fifteen species and subspecies of lemurs are endemic and near-endemic to the ecoregion, including theaye-aye(Daubentonia madagascariensis), thehairy-eared dwarf lemur(Allocebus trichotis), both species ofruffed lemurs(Varecia variegata, V. rubra), theindri(Indri indri), theeastern woolly lemur(Avahi laniger), thediademed sifaka(Propithecus diadema),Milne-Edwards's sifaka(P. edwardsi), thegolden bamboo lemur(Hapalemur aureus), thegreater bamboo lemur(Prolemur simus), thegray-headed lemur(Eulemur cinereiceps), thecollared brown lemur(E. collaris), and thered-bellied lemur(E. rubriventer).[2]
As well as lemurs, the forest are home to seven endemic genera ofrodents, six endemic genera ofcarnivorans and several species of bat. Rare animals include the brown-tailed mongoose (Salanoia concolor).[2]
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The lowland forests are home to many of endemic and limited-range species of birds. Of the 165 bird species found here 42 are endemic to the region, such as the rarered-tailed newtonia (Newtonia fanovanae).[2] Thebrown mesite (Mesitornis unicolor),red-breasted coua (Coua serriana),scaly ground roller (Geobiastes squamiger),nuthatch vanga (Hypositta corallirostris),helmet vanga (Euryceros prevostii),Bernier's vanga (Oriolia bernieri), red-tailed newtonia (Newtonia fanovanae), anddusky tetraka (Xanthomixis tenebrosa) are largely endemic to the lowland forests, ranging occasionally into the lower montane forests. TheMadagascar serpent eagle (Eutriorchis astur),short-legged ground roller (Brachypteracias leptosomus),Madagascar red owl (Tyto soumagnei),Pollen's vanga (Xenopirostris polleni), andbrown emu-tail (Bradypterus brunneus) live in both the lowland forests and montane forests. Therufous vanga (Schetba rufa) andMadagascar green pigeon (Treron australis) are widespread Madagascar lowland birds who inhabit the humid lowland forests as well as the dry forests on the west of the island.[5][6]
A famous extinct species isDelalande's coua (Coua delalandei) which has not been seen since the 19th century.[2]
The forests are also home to 50 endemic reptiles and 29 amphibians such as the following chameleons:Calumma gallus,Calumma cucullatum,Furcifer balteatus,Furcifer bifidus,Brookesia superciliaris, andBrookesia therezieni. The freshwater fish population, with more than 100 endemic species, is also unique.[2]
Madagascar's lowland rainforests have been preserved generally better than the highcentral plateau, but there has still been substantial loss. Widespreadslash-and-burn activity in the lowland rainforests is one of the major reasons. Slash-and-burn is a method sometimes used byshifting cultivators to create short term yields from marginal soils. When practiced repeatedly, or without intervening fallow periods, thenutrient-poor soils may be exhausted or eroded to an unproductive state. Another threat is the selective exploitation of some species, such as palms andtree ferns.[2]
10.79% of the ecoregion is in protected areas, including national parks and reserves. They include:[1]
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Media related toMadagascar Humid Forests Ecoregion at Wikimedia Commons