The Ala Programme
Sainte Luce, in the Anosy region of southeast Madagascar, is home to one of the last remaining viable littoral forests in Madagascar. Yet the Sainte Luce littoral forest is threatened by deforestation and degradation due to mining, high community dependence on natural resources, and tavy (the clearance of land with fire for agriculture). To address these threats and conserve the unique biodiversity of Sainte Luce, SEED developed the Ala Programme (ala meaning forest in Malagasy).
The Ala Programme aims to improve habitat connectivity and species dispersal between Sainte Luce littoral forest fragment S8 and nearby littoral forest remnants through the creation of forest corridors. Additionally, Phase III will disseminate learnings on community forest usage patterns, engage with local forest management structures, and increase available knowledge on littoral forest biodiversity.
Without intervention, 91% of southern littoral forest is predicted to be lost by 2065, seriously threatening lemur species with extinction.
Temple et al., 2012
Degradation of the Sainte Luce littoral forest threatens four Endangered lemur species and the rich diversity of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and floral species the forest supports, as many are endemic and locally endemic species. Three of the four lemur species that occupy the Sainte Luce littoral forest cannot cross the open land between forest remnants. As a result, their populations are under greater threat from habitat fragmentation and reduced gene flow. These three are the Anosy Mouse Lemur (Microcebus tanosi), the Southern Wooly Lemur (Avahi meridonalis), and Thomas’ Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus thomasi). The fourth being the Red Collared Brown Lemur (Eulemar collaris).
SEED continues to work closely with the Sainte Luce community and other key stakeholders to implement the Ala Programme, including local forest management bodies COBA (Communautés de Base; forest management association), FIMPIA (Forestry Police Association), and Polisin’ala (local forest patrol). Numerous capacity and knowledge sharing sessions have been conducted to strengthen community-led conservation as a result.
SEED has planted five forest corridors, totalling 3.81 hectares and connecting 88 hectares of littoral forest, with over 4,000 Acacia mangium (Acacia) seedlings and 7,500 native seedlings. Between July 2019 and May 2024, 15 species of herpetofauna (amphibians and lizards) and 19 orders of invertebrates have been recorded in the Ala corridors.
In October 2024, a C. thomasi was spotted by a camera trap in Corridor 3, marking the first time a lemur has been seen using the Ala corridors. Then in November 2024, two more C. thomasi were spotted during a survey, also in Corridor 3. These lemur sightings represent a resounding success for the Ala Programme.
Phase III Progress (August 2024- )
- The Ala team received three days of worm composting training from a local agricultural organisation, Ver’Natiora.
- The nursery store in Sainte Luce was expanded and two worm composting beds and 40 worm cases were constructed. In December 2024, 4kg of worms were introduced into the worm cases with the aim of doubling their weight in three to five months to begin sustainably producing worm compost for use in the nursery and the corridors.
- In October, the corridor landowners ringbarked 49% of the Acacia trees to manage shade and competition with the native species.
- A meeting was held bringing together forest management organisations from seven communities to discuss permitting and the threat of fire.
- New botanical survey commenced, aiming to measure the ecological succession of the corridors.
Phase I & II Achievements (2019 - 2024)
- In Phase I (April 2019 – March 2021), SEED and local stakeholders planted four forest corridors, totalling 1.64ha, with both Acacia and native seedlings. Acacia was planted first to provide shade and structure for the native seedlings.
- In Phase II (June 2021 – May 2024), available habitat was increased by expanding the original corridors and establishing a fifth corridor, bringing the total corridor area to 3.81ha.
- Corridor management strategy has been implemented from July 2023 in collaboration with landowners and community team, which involves watering and fertilising the native seedlings during the dry season.
- Fire management strategy has been implemented each dry season in conjunction with forest management organisations, which emphasises fire prevention and strengthens fire mitigation through large-scale community awareness-raising, capacity building, the ratification of a dina (local law), and the distribution of fire beaters.
- 234 fire beaters and 175 pairs of gloves were distributed across six communities.
- 10 fire agents were recruited and trained to lead community fire responses. Since 2022, annual community mass mobilisations focusing on the threat of fire have been held across six communities.
- Annual clearance of 1.4km of firebreaks around Corridors 1-5.
- One year of data were collected, through a quantitative roadside survey, on community forest resource use. These data were analysed in the Community Forest Resource Usage Report. Ala Phase II - Community Forest Resource Usage Report
- Four years of scientific monitoring were conducted on the flora and fauna in Corridors 1-4 including herpetofauna, invertebrate, and native seedling survival and growth surveys.
- Camera traps replaced lemur Visual Encounter Sampling surveys in October 2022, allowing for continuous corridor monitoring.
- 300 community members earned additional income through transporting and planting seedlings.
Project Map
Use the interactive map below to explore the Ala corridor sites in Sainte Luce!
The Ala team in front of Corridor 5, June 2024.
Partners
NatureSpy are collaborating with SEED Madagascar by aiding the Ala Programme's research to monitor the transition of three nocturnal lemur species through habitat corridors using camera traps. These camera traps help us understand the success of the corridors as a lemur conservation strategy by informing national and international research.
Donors
The Ala Programme is possible thanks to the generosity of:
![IMG_Jul182021at85843AM[6]-1.png](/application/files/3316/4206/5433/IMG_Jul182021at85843AM6-1.png)
Aeonian Foundation, Conservation, Food and Health Foundation, Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Foundation, Leopardess Foundation, Reid Burns Foundation, and Superdry.