In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty...
Tags : Climate Change, COP16, Drought, health, MDGs, shortage, water
Auteur : 
325 commentaire(s)
Climate Change is Water Change - water is the primary medium through which climate change impacts will be felt by humans and the environ¬ment. The Impact of Climate change on water cuts across all sectors.
The rising temperatures combined with climate change is likely to create an environment of increasingly dry across the entire globe over the next thirty years. Water is a cross-cutting issue with poverty, health, exposition to the risks of water-related disasters, environmental degradation, political instability and conflict, and asserts that population growth; increasing consumption and climate change are among the factors that threaten to exacerbate these problems, with grave implications for human security and development.
Photo: River rinning dry due to climate change
In Madagascar , 41 percent of the Malagasy population has access to drinking water in 2010, compared with 47 percent in 2008, according to the United Nations System in Antananarivo. The report was released to mark the UN week of water in the Indian Ocean island country.
Only 14 percent of the rural population has access to safe drinking water and this figure drops to zero in many isolated villages. Although many rural areas in Madagascar contain sources of water stored in naturally occurring, shallow, sandy aquifers, local communities lacked the means to tap into this groundwater.
Photo: Young man collecting water : Madagascar
When the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was launched, Madagascar committed to provide drinking water to 9 millions people and sanitation to 14 millions by 2015. The country also promised to set up 4,800 water points between 2008 and 2015 for 1.5 million users. Unfortunately, we know officially today that the country would not reach this goal because of the political crisis in the country since December 2008. The UN system doubts that the MDGs will be difficult to achieve by Madagascar despite efforts.
Photo: Fetching Water in the town of Ambalavao
Investments for basic human water is needed more than ever in Madagascar : drinking water supply, sanitation and health, food security, mitigation of floods and droughts etc are issues addressed in the UN Millennium Development Goals... and should be at the centre of the meeting at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun Mexico .
Flickr Photo Courtesy of Andriankoto Harinjaka Ratozamanana, September 2010, Town of Ambalavao, southern of MADAGASCAR.
Cross-posted at climatechange.thinkaboutit.eu
Auteur : 44 commentaire(s)
Madagascar’s largest lake is located in the Northern Central Plateau in the province of Toamasina. Yet another fragile habitat for one of a kind biodiversity, one can only imagine a vast landscape of openwater, reedbeds, marshes and the picturesque Malagasy rice paddies.
Under the Ramsar convention of 2003, an international treaty aiming to conserve and ensures sustainable utilisation of wetlands, this great lake was classified as a wetland of international importance. Stretching afar, on a scientific stand point, it is another addition to the countless irreplaceable sites of endemic biodiversity in Madagascar.The lake hosts the endemic Alaotra Gentle Lemur now limited to 220km2, it is also the habitat for numerous water birds, amongst which is the endangered Meller’s duck, the list of rare species found there is simply endless. In addition, just a few weeks ago, a new carnivorous mammal the Durrell's vontsira was discovered in the lake’s vicinity.
Focusing on the domestic importance of the lake, its conservation is undoubtedly priceless. Lac Alaotra is surrounded by fertile grounds making it one of Madagascar’s most important rice-production regions. Once heavily forested it has now become essential grounds for farmland. Sadly agricultural exploitations have rendered the lake and its surroundings to unstable and menacing conditions for fauna and flora survival. These destructive cultivation methods require the clearing by fire of vast stretches of land for agriculture use. Despite its known and witnessed destructive consequences these methods remain frequently used. Amongst several other reasons: firstly due to population increase, people are forced into short term cultivation by clearing. Secondly, these agricultural methods are maintained because they were inherited by ancestors, thus it is "taboo" to end its use, by fear of curses by ancestors. In addition, fishing, grazing, hunting and charcoal productions are also imminent threats.
Meanwhile the environment continues to be victimised. Once more we are met with the conservation controversy, where economic and social aspects of an endangered area must be accounted for. This is nevertheless remediable, as realistic conservation projects have been drafted to benefit both the community and the environment. One closest illustration would be Vakan’ala’s project in its pilot site, located in the Ihorombe region, rural district of Ranohira Menamaty-Iloto, South Western region of Madagascar where the NGO plans to regenerate and protect remnant of a primary forest, whilst developing the rural community that surrounds the site. The rural development consists or the construction of school to provide the fundamental component of sustainable development as well as the construction of a water well to provide clean water source to ensure for an adequate standard of living.
HELP US HELP OTHERS GAIN ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER http://blogactionday.change.org/
Tags : Environment, pépinière, water
Auteur : 46 commentaire(s)
Blog Action Day was born in 2007, following the initiatives of founders Collis and Cyan Ta’eed. The idea was to subscribe a substantial number of bloggers from all four corners of the globe in an online interaction about current environmental issues. The event was a phenomenal success, as the world witnessed a concretisation of projects and exchanges of innovative ideas. Since then, in celebration of Blog Action Day, the blogging community dedicated a day to raise awareness on environmental issues. This year’s chosen theme is “waterâ€Â. As a result, on the 15th of October 2010, bloggers from all over the world will leave their prints in the virtual world in the hope of bringing change to the bitter reality. They will each publish one article, the same day, on one topic. http://blogactionday.change.org/why-water aims to allow the international community to partake through conversations, debates, advices, projects and actions.
We are all aware that water is an essential component of humanity’s and our planet’s survival. It is essential in ensuring an adequate standard of living. Unfortunately we pay minimal attention to it. Yet without water, we would be lost, unable to survive. Its role has long been neglected; in fact we have lost 50% of wetlands over the past century. Furthermore between 1991 and 2000, more than 665,000 were victims of natural disasters, of which 90% were events related to water . Sat in our cosy and comfortable homes with easy access to clean water, we tend to forget about the 10 000 persons per day who die of preventable diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.
Nonetheless, on this day, we the blogging community have taken upon ourselves the responsibility to reiterate to the World the existence of significant issues surrounding water, these are not myths they are a reality. All conscious that water is essential to life, we have dedicated this day to unite our strength in the ultimate aim of bringing change to the current situation. The crude fact is that humanity’s survival depends upon the access to water; we the people cannot live adequately if safe water is not accessible in addition, our planet will continue to suffer as a result of the lack of it. Last year, last month, last week, yesterday and today a staggering 900 million individuals do not have access to clean water. Will it be different tomorrow? Certainly not, change takes time and effort; but step by step, hand in hand this number will eventually decrease.
A mystical country, located in East Africa is the World’s fourth biggest island: Madagascar. Secluded in the Indian Ocean, it hosts an astonishing number of mysterious and endemic species of fauna and flora. Just a few weeks ago a new species of spider, the Darwin’s bark spider (Caerostris darwini) was discovered. It can build a web of up to 25m in order to go from one side of a river to another in search of food. This year’s second discovery was of a peculiar carnivore, the Salanoia durrelli named in honour of the late conservationist and writer Gerald Durrell. Sadly, Madagascar’s biodiversity is increasingly threatened as a result of continuing deforestation due to local practices. In addition, difficulty persists when reforestation projects are also at risk of failure because there is no access to water. Its population, also faces constant challenges due to the lack of water, in fact, 86% of the rural population have no access to water compared to 44% of the urban population.
Privileged with this opportunity to participate in Blog Action Day, NGO Vakan’ala or “Pearls of the Forest†did not hesitate to share its visions and projects within its field of expertise. The NGO is based in Madagascar, a third world country constantly exposed with social and economical struggles. “NGO Pearls of the Forest†has drafted and carried out reforestation, conservation, awareness and social projects, mainly in the Ihorombe region, in the rural district of Ranohira Menamaty-Iloto, South Western region of the country. Its ultimate goal is to preserve the last remnants of primary forests which once covered the island, as part of this process it also observed the necessity to partake in the fight for survival and development of the surrounding rural inhabitants. Along the process of preparation, and planning of its fieldwork, it concluded that none of its schemes could commence unless access to water was secured. Considerable aspects of these projects depend heavily on the ability to use water to provide for the irrigation of a tree nursery, for reforestation projects and water wells providing safe drinking water for the rural community.
So far, two issues relating to the access of water have been raised, one relating to environmental protection essential to preserve the water cycle. The second concerns the guarantee of an adequate quality of life, a duty owed to the every individual which was further emphasised since the right to water has become a humanitarian right. The equation is simple, by providing a water well in this village, we will ensure the survival of many families, the education of their children consequently contributing to the long-term development of the rural community. No more days sacrificed on long walks to collect unsafe water instead their effort will be devoted to employment and education. One of the NGO’s founding members recounts one of the many stories she witnessed while visiting the field work location: a 4 year old girl who has to walk 2.5 miles twice a day to fetch water, dirty water from the Manambolo river.
Presented with the possibility to communicate our project, NGO Vakan’Ala exposes before the World its desire to continue fulfilling its environmental and social projects. Regrettably the fulfilments of these projects depend on financial resources at hand. In a nutshell, we aim to start with the construction of water well in the rural district of Ranohira Menamaty-Iloto. The water will be used to irrigate a tree nursery and serve as a clean and safe water source for the village.
According to recent research and reports, the most compatible, less costly and long lasting type of water well is the drilling by means of jetting that can be well combined with a Canzee pump. Experts feel it is cost effective, durable (made of PVC, ABC and its metallic parts in stainless steel) and pragmatic since reparations are feasible and easy for the locals to carry out. In an all inclusive quote the price of one water well is estimated at 750 Euros, the water well is designed to be cost effective. NGO Vakan’Ala having critically assessed the project in its practicality and financial aspects, feel this would be the best and most appropriate option for the village. We therefore call upon the blogging community and beyond to assist us in bringing changes to the lives of many in Ranohira Menamaty-Iloto region. The NGO has long been by extensively supported by crowd sourcing and funding.
We believe to save the present and succeeding generation from scourging social and environmental crisis, a collective unified effort is needed; we decided to start in our backyard, on a small scale in Madagascar, where we felt progress was indispensable. NGO Vakan’Ala chose this day, this event to voice its concern, to present life changing projects, and to encourage international solidarity towards the island. Help mothers provide clean and safe water to their children, allow these children a chance to education, and the parents employment so that they can become economically active citizens contributing to economic development , finally assist us in protecting one of the most threatened ecosystem. We urge you to assist us in realising these projects, your contribution regardless of its size will undoubtedly bring the change they have been longing for.
Water for education, Water for employment, Water for biodiversity, Water is life. This is our message to the World.
With sincere concern and immense gratitude,
NGO Vakan’Ala, Pearls of the Forest.
For more information, active participation, please visit our website: http://vakanala.org/en
All donations are welcomed at: http://vakanala.org/en/donate
Do not forget to check our water: charity page on http://blogactionday.change.org/
Une Toile d'araignée gigantesque concue avec le matériel biologique le plus solide au monde découverte à Madagascar
Tags : araignée, Bio, Biodiversité, Caerostris darwini, Darwin's bark spider, Materiau, Matjaz Kuntner, Megadivesity, professeur Ingi Agnarsson, Université de Porto Rico
Auteur : 27 commentaire(s)
Une nouvelle espèce d'araignée vient d'être découverte à Madagascar. Elle tisse la plus longue toile connue au monde, allant jusqu'à 25m.
Cette araignée fait aussi la plus grande soie filée jamais vue chez aucune araignée répertoriée. Elle le produit avec le bio-matériau le plus dur, selon les scientifiques.
L'araignée d'écorce de Darwin (du nom scientifique de Caerostris darwini - "Darwin's bark spider" en anglais) est une nouvelle espèce pour la science. Elle tisse sa toile énorme, suspendue au dessus des rivières de rive en rives, comme sur cette photos publiédans le National Geographic.
Elle est si grande qu'elle peut attraper 30 insectes à la fois, à tout moment. Ainsi on trouve jusqu'à 32 proies, essentiellement éphémères, sur chaque unique toile d'araignée.
L'araignée d'écorce de Darwin tisse ce que les spécialistes appellent la soie filée, la conception la plus familière de toile d’araignée. Mais sa soie est inhabituelle car c'est la plus grande soie filée jamais connu pour être tissée par aucune araignée répertoriée, avec la plus longue toile d'araignée au monde mesurant 2.8m².
Les toiles les plus larges connues jusqu’ici ont étéfilées par des araignées appartenant au genre Nephila. L'année dernière, une nouvelle espèce d’araignée géante (Nephila komaci) a déjà étédécouverte en Afrique et à Madagascar. Cette espèce tisse jusqu'à 1m de diamètre de toile d'araignée. Même avec cette taille de toile, ce dernier est vite éclipsépar la dimension de la toile de l'araignée d'écorce de Darwin nouvellement découverte.
"Ils construisent leur toile directement au-dessus d'une rivière ou plan d'eau d'un lac. Un habitat qu'aucun autre araignée ne pourra utiliser" dit le professeur Ingi Agnarsson, le directeur du Musée de zoologie de l'Universitéde Porto Rico, à San Juan qui a fait la découverte avec ses collègues.
Cela permet à l'araignée d'attraper les insectes volant au-dessus de l'eau, et explique la longueur de sa toile.
Pour traverser d'une rive à l'autre, l'araignée doit tisser des fils d'ancrage d'un maximum de 25m.
Ceci explique aussi pourquoi l'araignée doit la tisser à partir de tels matériaux solide car la toile géante doit supporter son propre poids et celui de toute proie qu'il capture.
Les chercheurs ont découvert de nombreuses toiles d'araignées tissées verticalement au-dessus de la rivière, quelques unes ont des inclinaisons d'un maximum de 50º.
Le professeur Agnarsson et son collègue Matjaz Kuntner, travaillant tout les deux à la Smithsonian Institution à Washington DC, USA ont découvert cette nouvelle espèce d'araignée, autour de la rivière Namorona dans le Parc Nationale de Ranomafana , partie sud-est de Madagascar.
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Comment les araignées tissent une toile énormes au dessus de l'eau, et comment ancrent-ils leurs fils à chaque cà´téd'une rivière ? Tels sont les études sur lesquelles se penchent les scientifiques actuellement.
Le Détails sur l'araignée et son comportement sont publiés dans le revue " Journal of Arachnology"
La plupart des toiles d'araignée montre des signes évidents de dommages et de réparation, tandis que d'autres ont de grands trous ouverts, ce qui montre que l'araignée maintient chaque toile pendant plusieurs jours.
La plupart des araignées démontent et reconstruisent leurs toiles chaque jour.
"C'est la fibrille de soie qu'on qualifiera de meilleure à nos connaissances, ce sont également les plus grandes toiles d'araignées jamais documentées par la science", affirment les chercheurs dans la revue
Les araignées sont capables de tisser ces grandes toiles, qui se tiennent en place grà¢ce à des longues soies filées, utilisant le plus solide et le plus apte à absorber de l'énergie de soie jamais découvert. Un matériau plus dur, inconnu ni par la biologie ni par tout autres fabrications artificielles.
Les toiles d'araignées géantes combinent forte résistance et élasticitéce qui est déjà exceptionnellement difficiles à concevoir. Ce matériau est en mesure d'absorber trois fois plus d'énergie avant la rupture que le kevlar, un matériau souvent utilisédans les gilets pare-balles, disent les chercheurs.
Cependant, La toile de L'araignée d'écorce de Darwin qui est d'environ 100% plus dur que n'importe quel autre toiles d'araignée connue, faisant de lui le matériel biologique le plus dur du connu au monde, selon les chercheurs.
Les détails sur la duretéde ces toiles ont étépubliés dans une autre revue scientifique PLoS One.
D'autres araignées sont capables de tisser des toiles géantes. Par exemple, un complexe énorme de toile d'araignée a ététrouvéen 2007 au Texas.
Mais cette toile complexe n'a pas étél'œuvre d'une seule araignée comme à Madagascar.
Cependant, des millions de petits araignées ont tissés une série de fibrille entrelacée qui s'étend sur une superficie de deux fois la taille d'un terrain de foot.
Source: Matt Walker ,Editor, Earth News, BBC le 16 septembre 2010
Photos: World's Biggest, Strongest Spider Webs Found
Spider web dew drops wit a blue sky in the background © 2006 Kees Smans
Traduction libre
L'une des 25 primates les plus en danger au monde: moi le Lépilémur "sportif" du nord
Tags : Habitat, IUCN, Lepilemur septentrionalis, primate
Auteur : 54 commentaire(s)
Je suis le Lépilemur Nordique (Lepilemur septentrionalis), une espèce de lemurien endémique à Madagascar de la famille des Lepilemuridae. Comme mon nom l'indique, je viens du nord de l'île, d'une forêt prè du village de Madirobe et d'Ankarongana, région de Sahafary. Je suis une espèce nocturne. Dans la journée je dors à l'intérieur des troncs d'arbres.
"je suis menacée par la destruction de mon habitat et fait partie " des 25 primates les plus en danger au monde "
Une liste établie par les scientifiques à partir de deux critères essentiels: la raretéde l'espèce et la baisses trè rapide du nombre des individus au sein d'une même famille.
Notre disparition a étéinfluencée par la perte de nos habitat et la chasse dont nous sommes les cibles.
En effet, la déforestation causée par l'agriculture sur brà»lis ainsi que le tavy pour le pà¢turage des bétails provoquent la pertes de nos habitats, ajouter à cela, la production de charbon de bois, la coupe illégale qui causent la fragmentation de nos forêt. Malgréle nombre déjà trè faible de notre population (plus d'une centaine) le commerce exotique d'animal de compagnie continue, et il nous arrive encore souvent de finir dans les assiettes des braconniers.
Faire partie de cette liste de l'IUCN, c'est pour nous l'espoir d'attirer l'attention du public et celles des gouvernements. Et ce afin qu'on se mobilise ensemble pour trouver les ressources et les mesures nécessaires à la perpétuation de notre espèce.
Pour en savoir plus sur moi, Lépilémur Nordique, cliquetez ici.
Et n'oubliez pas que je ne suis pas le seul menacé, voici la liste des 25 espèces de primates les plus en danger de l''IUCN
Auteur : 56 commentaire(s)
It was a hot December day during a trip to Diego Suarez (North of Madagascar), hoping to catch a breath of fresh air and reconnect with the islands exceptional nature that we were headed to visit Montagne d’Ambre Natural Reserve. Situated at the peak of the island, this green patch is lost amongst bare rolling hills, it is famous for its montane rainforests, waterfalls and extraordinary numbers of endemic species.
Although our trip took place awhile ago, memories of our time there remain vivid in my mind. We first drove into a little town called Joffreville, an old retreat for French officers back in the day. As we were travelling with relatives who were familiar with the area they told us tales about “Joffreville fleurieâ€Â, taking us back to the times when the town’s houses were not in such a state of disrepair, when flowers blossomed, embellishing every little corner of Joffreville. From there onwards, the scenery drastically changed, it transformed into a lavish tableau of mighty trees, bird nest ferns suspended on tree trunks and unusual colourful wild flowers.
Paying a visit to National Parks in Madagascar is a true adventure; it is the very definition of ecotourism. Secluded from lodges, resorts and safari cars, we have to follow a trail through the forest and be on constant guard for the tiniest creatures. Accompanied by one the park’s guard we walked into the Malagasy wild, stopping often so the guard could show us families of lemurs peaking from high above, chameleons starring from their habitat and stunning birds quenching their thirst by the waterfalls.
When the visit came to an end, on our way out we were most marvelled by a “gecko†so in tune with its habitat that it unifies with it in all its aspects. You must be confused by that sentence, it is so I can share with you our perplexity when the guard pointed at a tree trunk and stood there, impatiently inquiring whether we figured out what he was up too. He picked up a branch and “poked†it against the tree, at that instant something moved; surprised we all stood there with increasing sense of wonder and bewilderment. It was not long until, he explained that we were in the presence of “Uroplatus sikoraeâ€Â, a species of gecko also know as a “Mossy leaf-tailed geckoâ€Â.
This species is endemic to Madagascar, it is found nowhere else in the world. This gecko has the ability to change its skin colour to match its surroundings as if it was constantly playing “peek a booâ€Â. Sadly similar to several other species in Madagascar it is on the WWF (World Wide Fund for nature) lists for “Top ten most wanted species list†of animal threatened by illegal wildlife trade. These defenceless geckos are victims of habitat loss due to deforestation and over collection for the pet trade. They are nocturnal, most active at night and arboreal, they dwell in the trees. Despite their perfect camouflage these geckos remain vulnerable to extinction, their fate may only be defined by the protection of their habitat and ending their collection for pet trade.
Throughout our exploration we were constantly amazed by the hidden wildlife riches Montagne d’Ambre shelters, but we had to leave nature in its sanctuary, hoping that it is left unharmed. Rejuvenated we left Montagne d’Ambre, reminded of how special our island was.
VAKANALA BlogDay2010
Tags : Blog, blogday2010, NTIC
Auteur : 42 commentaire(s)
Le 31 aoà»t est depuis quatre ans synonyme de journée du blog.L'ONG Vakanala utilise l'outil du blog pour informer, sensibiliser mais surtout d'échanger avec les supporters de la cause environnementale malagasy et mondiale.
Le Blog de Vakanala vise à offrir un plateforme de discussion et d'interaction ouvertes entre les chercheurs, les étudiants, les professionnels, les volontaires de divers milieux et le public dans son ensemble.
Ensemble, nous partagerons ici des informations, des points de vue et des visions dans le but commun de faire avancer la conservation de l'environnement et le développement de nos projets.
Nous souhaitons publier régulièrement des articles dans toutes les langues, particulièrement en malgache, franà§ais et anglais sur ce blog. Si vous ou quelqu'un que vous connaissez serez intéresséà publier des articles de blog (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog) , n'hésitez pas à nous contacter car quelques doigts nous manques encore.
En ce jour de BlogDay, nous avons sélectionner 5 blogs pour vous:
Le monde a étélent pour réagir à l'énormitédes inondations au Pakistan. Le Pakistan a un besoin urgent du monde pour se tenir avec elle pendant cette crise humanitaire grave. Nous vous invitons d'abords à élever votre voix et soutenir le Pakistan sur http://www.ontheground.pk/ (le lien n'est pas trop à un blog mais c'est pour la bonne cause. Les médias parle de 20 Million de sinistréet d'une aide qui se fait attendre. 20 Million, c'est équivalent du total de la population Malgache)
Humanityy est un blog (franà§ais)qui donne des informations sur le développement durable: les organisations caritatives, les actions pour l'écologie,la protection des animaux et l'actualitéde l'humanitaire dans le monde. Vous y trouverez es actualités ainsi que des analyses de fond, sans langue de bois ! Humanityy est un blog multilingue : à la fois Franà§ais, Anglais, Espagnol et Chinois.
Kizzie Shawkat est le pseudonyme de l’auteur du blog I Have No Tribe, I’m Sudanese (Je n’appartiens à aucune tribu, je suis Soudanaise). Kizzie est étudiante en communication et en sociologie au Caire. Née au Soudan, elle a grandi en Libye, au Qatar et aux Emirats arabes unis et se définit comme étant une “femme africaine, créative, musulmane, en faveur de l’éducation des femmes, poétique, trilingue, contre le racisme, lectrice invétérée et folle de théà¢treâ€Â.
The Boy who Harnessed The Wind: le blog (eng) de William Kamkwamba. Adolescent, William a lu un livre sur l'énergie éolienne. Cela l'a motivéà en construire une avec du matériel de récupération. Son éolienne permet d'alimenter la radio et les lampes de la maison. Aprè avoir participer à des conférences comme TED, il a écrit un livre, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope (Le garà§on qui collectait le vent:créer des courants d'électricitéet d'espoir) William contribue également a mettre en place des projets de développement dans son village au Malawi.
Turk et Christy Pipkin , producteurs du film Nobelity, ont étéinspirés pour créer une organisation non gouvernementale appelée "Nobelity Project"(englais) . Parmi les activités: construction d'école et éducation pour tous les enfants à travers le globe...
End Water Poverty est une campagne internationale réclamant l'hygiène et l'accè à l'eau potable pour tous. Georgina Rannard publie de trè bons articles (englais).
Rejoignez l'ONG Vakanala sur les réseaux sociaux Facebook et Twitter
Tarzan à la rescousse des fragments de forêt de Madagascar
Tags : Brunswick, Calumma Tarzan, Conservation, Déforestation, Environment, extinction, Forêts, Habitat, IUCN, Madagascar, Megadivesity
Auteur : 28 commentaire(s)
Un caméléon nomméscientifiquement "Tarzan" a étérécemment découvert dans la région d'Anosibe An'Ala, au nord est de Madagascar .
L'espèce a étéétudiédans une petite fragment de forêt prè d'une ville surnomméauparavant " Tarzanville" (maintenant connu sous le nom d'Ambodimeloka) d'ou le nom scientifique de l'animal "Calumma Tarzan".
En choisissant ce nom les scientifiques Allemand espèrent attirer l'attention sur la nécessitéde conserver et de protéger les habitats de ses espèces contre les problèmes courants de massive déforestation à Madagascar. Les auteurs de cette découvertes croient également que cette espèce est une "espèce en danger " et fait partie des "espèces à protéger" sur la liste rouge de l'IUCN.
"Le caméléons Tarzan va utiliser son nom de "Héros" pour favoriser la protection des fragments de forêt de Madagascar qui lui sert de refuge et d'habitat" rajoute Philip-Sebastian Gehring, de L'universitétechnique de Brunswick en Allemagne, un des auteurs chef de fil de cette découverte.
Prè de la moitiédes 150 espèces de caméléon répertoriées dans le monde sont d’origine Malgache. Les genres furcifer et calumma sont arboricoles, plus colorés et plus grands que les brookesia, généralement terrestre.
Les caméléons sont des reptiles ovipares, insectivores, plutà´t diurnes. Leurs deux yeux peuvent se mouvoir indépendamment, ce qui fait dire aux Malgaches qu’ils ont un œil tournévers le passéet l’autre vers le future. Un déplacement lent et saccadécomplète le système de défense de ces champions du mimétisme.
source: http://ow.ly/2xf80
Could Madagascar's biodiversity survive without international assistance?
Tags : Environment, logging, Rosewood, tree
Auteur : 45 commentaire(s)
Madagascar endlessly experiences the result of an environment in pain; it aches too often, declining its chance of survival. Despite the unfortunate political instability that has been occurring, we must not forget that we are also in the midst of a grave environmental crisis.
Since the start of the political turmoil, several international aids and funding have been temporarily suspended. Worse! Madagascar is also the victim of a halt in environmental funding. Meanwhile, illegal logging and trading of precious wood from protected forests have been the headlines of local and international newspapers, deteriorating the already fragile state of the island’s ecosystem. More than 80% of Madagascar’s forests have vanished since the 1950s.
We take pride in proclaiming how unique our biodiversity is, but words do not suffice. Protecting our wildlife seems to be the least of our worries. Dreamwork’s portrayal of Madagascar illustrates an unharmed tropical fairyland where all lemurs thrive in their glorious forests. On our screen, we watch with excitement never-ending canopies of skyscraping trees hosting exceptional fauna. Dreamwork painted a picture of what it used to be, and what is should be, not what it is today.
Over the past 25 years international agencies such as USAID (US Agency for International development) has made invaluable impacts on the island’s environment. Equipped with financial resources that local agencies lack of, they provided irreplaceable protection for Madagascar’s endemic fauna and flora. Local agencies may be eager to help and passionate about their cause, unfortunately funding can be an unwanted obstacle.
Concerned, Dr. Russ Mittermeier, president of Conservation International declared that the [] international community “has the moral and scientific obligation to save what remains [] in Madagascar, that now is not the time to withdrawâ€Â. Without doubt a national effort coupled with international assistance, would be an ideal solution. Until then all actions to heal our ecosystem is vital. Malagasy people and the World must not give up in their effort towards conservation as well as regeneration of Madagascar’s irreplaceable treasure.
Michaella A'solo
photo: Michaella A'solo (dec09)
Tasty lemurs?
Tags : Environment, Fauna
Auteur : 46 commentaire(s)
Following a legal vacuum subsisting after March 2009, days turned into weeks and now months of political crisis. Lacking support and structure from within the country, as well as loosing international community’s financial assistance, ecological slaughter started and persits in the North East of Madagascar.
As soon as we all heard and read about a carnage taking place in Masoala and Marojejy, we wondered how we could have let this happen. In fact, many including Patricia Wright, a scientist devoted to the island agree that before this horrific episode Madagascar was a conservation success story, “the island’s ecological state was improving,†she declares in the guardian (UK).
Except nowadays such glimmer of hope have been exhausted, Conservation International (CI) revealed that along with the shameful illegal logging and trading of rosewood, and ebony, lemurs have also been highly targeted. It seems not only do we find them cute, and delightful we also find them appetizing!
In Daraina, a newly protected area located within the same region, local mafia and poachers illegally massacre lemurs (particularly: Eulemur coronatus and the golden crowned sifaka, Propithecus tattersalli) in order to sell them to restaurants where they are served as delicacies.
These criminals are enjoying the confusion concerning legislations and new found authorities, completely oblivious of the destruction they are causing. These are the animals, tourists travel from thousands of miles away to come and see. They are source of inspiration for passionate, research for science and revenue from ecotourism. Killing lemurs means killing rural communities’ prospect of revenue, erasing irreplaceable scientific resource, and robbing Madagascar of its sumptuous wealth.
Michaella A’solo
Photo : Pavel Hosk, Expedition LEMURIA
Message: Michaella A'solo
P.S: I would show you the pictures released by Conservation International but they are too morbid to look at. Starring at the shots sent chills down my spine, it for you to research on the NET duh!
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