GIS-based analysis of deforestation in Tsinjoarivo-Ambatolampy, Madagascar, from 1967 to 2000,

based on aerial photography

Post-graduate student

A. Andriamalala

Principal investigators/supervisors

P. Nagel, E. Parlow (Institute of Meteorology, Climatology and Remote Sensing, University of Basel), R. Peveling

Main collaborator

G. Besmer (Projet de Développement Forestier Integré de la Région de Vakinankaratra, GTZ, Madagascar)

Forest cover along a tilted band of aerial photographs from 2000

 (© C. Andriamalala)

Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are the biggest threats to the biodiversity of Madagascar. With annual deforestation rates of about 1% (1990-2000), only 20% of the original forest cover remained in 2000. This trend is likely to continue unless area-wide forest management and conservation measures are put into place effectively. Incorporation of conservation strategies into regional land use and development planning requires precise knowledge of deforestation rates in relation to demographic data. The present project studies deforestation in Tsinjoarivo-Ambatolampy, an area with large remnants of natural forest which are considered important for biodiversity conservation. Deforestation rates are established by comparing forest cover and land use in 1967 and 2000, based on aerial photography. This information will be used by the Projet de Développement Forestier Integré de la Région de Vakinankaratra to focus community conservation activities on viable tracts of forest.

Report

Andriamalala, C. (2003) Etude de la dynamique de la déforestation entre 1967 et 2000 traitée par un SIG. Cas de Tsinjoarivo Madagascar. Université de Bâle, NLU-Biogéographie.