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The Mangroves of Ambanja and Ambaro Bays, Northwest Madagascar: Historical Dynamics, Current Status and Deforestation Mitigation Strategy

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Estuaries: A Lifeline of Ecosystem Services in the Western Indian Ocean

Part of the book series: Estuaries of the World ((EOTW))

Abstract

Madagascar contains Africa’s fourth largest extent of mangroves, representing approximately 2% of the global distribution. Since 1990, more than 20% of Madagascar’s mangrove ecosystems have been heavily degraded or deforested due primarily to increased harvest for charcoal and timber and the expansion of agriculture and aquaculture. Anthropogenic-driven loss is particularly prominent in the north-western Ambanja and Ambaro Bays (AAB). At over 24,000 ha, AAB is one of Madagascar’s largest mangrove ecosystems, including prominent estuaries fed by rivers and streams originating in the country’s highest mountain range. Similar to the national rate, AAB has experienced approximately 20% loss since 1990, driven primarily by over-harvesting for charcoal and timber. Continued loss threatens the livelihoods and wellbeing of thousands of residents who rely on the many goods and services provided by a healthy, relatively intact mangrove ecosystem. To combat this loss, Blue Ventures (BV), in partnership with local communities and the University of Antananarivo, is working to protect, restore and encourage the sustainable use of mangroves. BVs’ Blue Forests project aims to help maintain and diversify local livelihoods and to sustainably manage mangroves and their associated biodiversity in AAB, as well as throughout western Madagascar. This chapter provides an overview of the biophysical characteristics, historic dynamics and current status of the AAB mangrove ecosystem, and mitigation strategies being implemented through BVs’ Blue Forests project.

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Abbreviations

AAB:

Ambanja-Ambaro Bays

BV:

Blue Ventures

Dbh:

diameter at breast height

GoM:

Government of Madagascar

ODK:

Open Data Kit

PES:

Payments for Ecosystem Services

REDD+:

Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation plus sustainable management of forests, conservation of forest carbon stocks and enhancement of forest carbon stocks

USGS:

United States Geological Survey

VCS:

Verified Carbon Standard

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by grants from the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Thanks to Joseph Langat (Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute) for assistance with adapting field techniques and undertaking carbon stock measurements. Additional thanks to Rado Rakotomanana (Blue Ventures), Pierre-Francois Roy (Institut Catholique des Arts et Métiers), Holy Heriniaina and Tina Harizo (Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines) and Walerian Lemaitre (AgroParisTech), Arsène Ratovoniaina, Fidison Rabenanahary, Justine Razafinandrianina and Soloandry Rakotonindrina (EASTA-Pro Ambanja) for assistance with data collection. Extensive gratitude is owed to Alban Aoemba and Adonis Patine and numerous local guides and field assistants from numerous coastal Malagasy communities, including Ampampamena (Dada, Felix and Christian) and Justin Soloniaina Ramaroson, Basil, John and Ludo from Ambolikapiky. Thanks also to Kate England (Blue Ventures) for socio-economic context and to Ferdinand Botsy, Sitraka Andriarimanana, Jean Florent Adamainty and Ulich Toly Kasy (Blue Ventures) for socio-economic assistance and community liaising.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Blue Ventures Conservation, Villa Bella Fiharena, Rue Gambetta, Lot 269, Toliara, 601, Madagascar

    Trevor Gareth Jones, Aude Carro, Lalao Ravaoarinorotsihoarana, Leah Glass, Marianne Teoh, Lisa Benson, Garth Cripps, Bienvenue Zafindrasilivonona, Raymond Raherindray, Zo Andriamahenina & Mialy Andriamahefazafy

  2. Dynamic Ecosystems and Landscapes Lab, Department of Environmental Science and Management, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA, 97207

    Trevor Gareth Jones

  3. Department of Forestry, University of Antananarivo, 175, Antananarivo, 101, Madagascar

    Harifidy Rakoto Ratsimba

  4. United States Geological Survey, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA, 27708

    Chandra Giri

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  1. Trevor Gareth Jones
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  2. Harifidy Rakoto Ratsimba
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Correspondence to Trevor Gareth Jones .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Academy of Sciences and Techniques – Section of Agricultural Sciences, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar,National Sciences and Techniques,Academy of,Senegal,, Dakar-Fann, Senegal

    Salif Diop

  2. WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative, Dares Salaam, Tanzania

    Peter Scheren

  3. College of Agricultural Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    John Ferdinand Machiwa

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Jones, T.G. et al. (2016). The Mangroves of Ambanja and Ambaro Bays, Northwest Madagascar: Historical Dynamics, Current Status and Deforestation Mitigation Strategy. In: Diop, S., Scheren, P., Ferdinand Machiwa, J. (eds) Estuaries: A Lifeline of Ecosystem Services in the Western Indian Ocean. Estuaries of the World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25370-1_5

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