The Ala Programme
Sainte Luce, in the Anosy region of southeast Madagascar, has one of the few remaining viable littoral forests in Madagascar. Yet it 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). In response to these threats, 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, community engagement, and alternative resource provision.
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 Southern Wooly Lemur (Avahi meridonalis), Anosy Mouse Lemur (Microcebus tanosi), and Thomas’ Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus thomasi); the fourth being the Red Collared Brown Lemur (Eulemar collaris).
SEED has planted five forest corridors, totalling 3.72 hectares and connecting 108 hectares of littoral forest, with over 4,000 Acacia mangium (Acacia) seedlings and 6,000 native seedlings. Between July 2019 and May 2023, four E. collaris, 13 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 19 orders of insects were observed in the corridors, and one E. collaris and three C. thomasi were observed from the corridors in the adjoining forest remnants.
SEED is working closely with key stakeholders, such as local forest management bodies CoBA (Communautés de Base; forest management association), FIMPIA (Forestry Police Association), and Polisin’ala (local forest patrol), and the Sainte Luce community to implement the Ala Programme. Numerous capacity and knowledge sharing sessions have been conducted to strengthen community-led conservation as a result.
Phase II Progress (2021 - 2024)
- A fifth corridor (C5) planted with Acacia. The native seedlings are due to be planted in early 2024, when Acacia is established and can provide the shade and litter leaf coverage required.
- Corridors 1, 3, and 4 expanded and planted with Acacia and native seedlings.
- Corridor management strategy implemented from July 2023 in collaboration with landowners and community team, which involves mulching, fertilising, and watering native seedlings.
- Fire management strategy 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.
- Distribution of 144 fire beaters and 85 pairs of gloves among five communities.
- 10 community fire agents recruited and trained, and 12 community mass mobilisations held, focusing on the threat of fire.
- Annual clearance of 1.4km of firebreaks around Corridors 1-5.
- Three years scientific monitoring of 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, to allow continuous corridor monitoring.
- One year of data collected, through a quantitative roadside survey, on community forest resource use.
Phase I Achievements (2019 - 2021)
- Four forest corridors (C1, C2, C3, and C4) planted with Acacia and native seedlings.
- 2,000 community members attended three community mass mobilisations focused on conservation issues.
- 300 community members earned additional income through transporting and planting seedlings.
- 200 community members attended workshops on conservation and environmental threats.
- Six youth conservation education sessions were held.
Project Map
Use the interactive map below to explore the Ala corridor sites in Sainte Luce!
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.