Workshop Summary

SANREM CRSP Workshop Summary

Restoration of biodiversity and economic values to degraded rainforest and agricultural landscapes in southeastern Madagascar


"At the workshop, stakeholders discussed the need to increase knowledge about markets as well as accessibility of markets for local stakeholders." In this photo, villagers from Ambotovory, near Ranomafana National Park, wait for a small wooden boat to cross the Namorana River to take their bananas to the road for sale.	"Centre ValBio facilities along the Namorana River near the entrance of Ranomafana National Park."

Overview: On June 16^th-20^th , 2005 at the Centre ValBio in Ranomafana, Madagascar, 60 dynamic workshop participants came together to discuss local, regional, and national priorities and needs concerning the restoration of biodiversity and economic values to degraded rainforest and agricultural landscapes in southeastern Madagascar. Over these five days, the group was informed of the latest activities and planning concerning forest and agricultural restoration throughout Madagascar , and in particular the forest corridor between Ranomafana and Andringitra National Parks . The workshop organizers are currently working on a publication summarizing the outcomes of the workshop. In the short-term, we have compiled the final agenda, attendee list and contact information, meeting notes and presentations for the use of all conference attendees in future planning activities. The level of excitement of participants made it clear to the organizers that forest and agricultural land restoration is a major priority for this region of Madagascar . We hope that through the development of the long-term SANREM CRSP proposal, we will be able to conduct the highest priority research leading to successful, efficient restoration of biodiversity and economic values to the landscapes in this region.

After the workshop, Karpanty and Welch continued working in Madagascar to bring together information on past, current, and future restoration activities in Madagascar . A brief summary of these activities is provided in these documents as well. Additionally, Karpanty and Welch were invited to conduct a rapid assessment of the restoration and regeneration potential of a site in the Mantadia-Zahamena forest corridor, near the villages of Antsevabe and Didy, that was illegally logged in 2004 by the Malaysian Latitude Timber Company. As this rapid assessment identified key research issues and potential limitations to forest restoration activities, it is provided as well.


"The workshop was held at the CentreValBio research and training station in Ranomafana, Madagascar."	"One field trip during the workshop involved a visit to the Centre ValBio native tree nursery in Ranomafana. Nemese, the nursery director, gave the attendees an overview of the native tree reforestation program ongoing in the region for over five years."	"Early in the workshop, local stakeholders and village leaders shared their perspective on the need for and challenges to restoration of biodiversity and economic values to the corridor region."

"Vololona, A representative of Ecoregional Initiatives Fianarantsoa, leads one of several break-out group sessions during the workshop."	"A second field trip involved a visit by attendees to a 10-year old native tree reforestaion plot near Ranomafana. The experimental plots were initiated and currently are managed and studied by FOFIFA."	"Daniel Raik, Natural Resources Management Specialist of USAID/Madagascar, spoke early in the workshop on the USAID environmental and rural development initiatives in Madagascar."