Madagascar
Photo: S.Cable
Avenue of the baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri) near Morondava
Madagascar is globally important for plant conservation. It has a rich flora, estimated to total 10-12,000 species, of which 85% are endemic. In some groups endemism is much higher: for example, the tree flora totals 4,220 species, of which 96% are endemic. The vegetation of Madagascar ranges from humid forest in the east to semi-arid scrub in the southwest. In all areas the flora is under severe threat from vegetation clearance for agriculture, charcoal production and timber extraction, as well as by fire. In addition to these pressures, many species of orchids, dryland succulents and other charismatic plants are threatened by illegal collecting. At the World Park Congress in Durban on 17 September 2003, President Marc Ravalomanana pledged to increase the area of protected land in Madagascar to over 6 million hectares, roughly three times the current area. The Durban Vision encompasses the identification and protection of key areas, the restoration of degraded protected areas and the identification, protection and reintroduction of highly threatened species. The top priority for RBG Kew in Madagascar is to facilitate this process.