Conservation Research
SEED has been working in the Sainte Luce area of southeast Madagascar for over 15 years, operating from a permanent research camp on the edge of the littoral forest on various conservation research projects. With a dedicated team of national and international researchers, Malagasy field guides and international volunteers, SEED’s Conservation Research Programme (SCRP) has carried out extensive research into this area of extreme biodiversity, and worked with the local community on conservation initiatives.
Current research areas
Herpetofauna surveys
Since 2017 we have been Carrying out research into reptiles and amphibians within the Sainte Luce forests and swamp areas. Regular surveying in the littoral forest fragments looking for chameleons, frogs, geckos and snakes is helping us build a better picture of the populations and diversity of these animals in the region. Using transects that cross swamp, dry forest and open areas, researchers are able to see the differences in habitat requirements. Research contributions in this area have included using genetic tools to ascertain the true identities of the herpetofauna found in the region, a range extension of a Critically Endangered gecko species and observation of a data deficient gecko not seen in over 10 years.
Nocturnal lemur surveys
Monitoring the population size and distribution of the three nocturnal lemur species found in Sainte Luce, Microcebus tanosi (Anosy mouse lemur), Cheirogaleus thomasi (Thomas’ dwarf lemur) and Avahi meridionalis (Southern woolly lemur) has been conducted for more than a decade. All three species are now classified as Endangered by the IUCN, and as such, continued population monitoring is necessary.
The Ala Programme
SCRP is also working with The Ala Programme to establish biodiversity corridors between the forest fragments of Sainte Luce to protect these species from further decline by increasing habitat connectivity. The corridors have been established in open habitat between forest fragment S8 North and the surrounding forest remnants. Read about our monitoring research here.
Red-collared brown lemur (Varika) surveys
Monitoring of the only cathemeral (active at any time of day or night) lemur species in Sainte Luce, the red-collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris) to inform the population size and distribution within the forests. Locally known as Varika, they are listed as Endangered by the IUCN and continuous research is required to detect changes in the population over time across forest fragments.
Project Palms
Six of the ten native palm species found within the Sainte Luce littoral forest are threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2012). SCRP have been supporting Project Palms, carrying out studies on all six palm species, which include Chrysalidocarpus saintelucei and Beccariophoenix madagascariensis. So far we have conducted a complete population census, ex-situ plant nursery evaluation, and microhabitat assessments. This has contributed to the scientific literature on these rare palm species, which are also important to the local communities for various uses. In 2024, the local community have been involved with planting over 1000 seedlings from all six species of palm in the protected forest fragments.
Anosy day gecko (Phelsuma antanosy)
Possibly the most endangered gecko in the world, the critically endangered P. antanosy is a species of day gecko endemic to an area no larger than 9km2 in the Anosy region of southeast Madagascar. Only a few thousand individuals are estimated to remain, and these remaining geckos are threatened by ongoing deforestation and proposed mining activities in the region. In response to this threat, Project Phelsuma Phase I will support the conservation needs of this highly vulnerable species through research, habitat restoration, and the development of a five-year translocation strategy, which will inform future conservation ambitions to translocate critically endangered P. antanosy subpopulations into protected areas. Phase I of the project will run for a duration of one year with activities commencing in April 2024.
Flying fox population studies
The Malagasy flying fox (Pteropus rufus) is an endemic fruit-eating megabat species, a colony of which is located in the Sainte Luce forest. Since 2016 our conservation team and volunteers have been making regular visits to monitor population size. The latest estimate of population size is 400-450 individuals.
Wetland diversity and ecosystem health
Working with SEED’s Sustainable Livelihoods Project Mahampy, SCRP has carried out floral and faunal surveys of mahampy reed wetlands in Sainte Luce to study the health of the reedbeds, and community usage patterns. This groundbreaking research combines traditional quadrant surveys with aerial monitoring using drone photography.
Join our conservation research programme in Madagascar for 2-8 weeks, and contribute towards serious scientific research.
