ecological_restoration

Ecological Restoration

Standard Monitoring Of Forest Restoration At MBG's Conservation Sites

Monitoring the survival and growth of newly planted young plants of native trees.

To improve forest restoration results at MBG’s conservation sites, we monitor the outcomes of our work to plant young plants of native tree species on degraded land. Information on species’ survival and growth under specific conditions can help to improve future endeavours of this type at the site but also elsewhere in Madagascar. In 2018 we conceived a pragmatic, standard monitoring protocol that was trialled at four of the sites where MBG supports conservation projects: The Ankafobe Forest, the Analalava Forest, the Pointe à Larrée Peninsula, and the Oronjia Forest.

This protocol can be summarized as follows :

1. Monitoring is carried out in « restoration units » which are defined as areas with largely similar vegetation + topography + aspect + type of treatment (e.g. removal of competitive ferns).
2. At the time of planting in each « restoration unit », the number of individuals planted of each species are recorded together with the date of plantation.
3. A minimum of 20 randomly-selected seedlings of each species planted in each “restoration unit” are selected and tagged with unique codes. Exceptionally, when the number of individuals for a species in a restoration unit is less than 20, then all the individuals of that species are monitored.
4. The vertical height of each monitored individual is measured at planting time (T0) and, 12 months later (T1), their condition (dead or alive) and the new vertical height is measured again. The vertical height of the young plant is measured from the soil to the plant’s highest growth point.

Top performing plants in restoration at diverse locations in Madagascar

On 10th December 2024 the Consortium FITANTANANA MAHARITRA HOLOVAIN-JAFY (FMH) hosted a workshop of the Malagasy Forest Restoration Practitioners Network that was attended by 70 participants from an array of organisations practicing restoration in Madagascar.  The presentations shared during this work are available through the link below.  During this event we asked those present to name the native woody plants that perform best (in terms of germination in the nursery and survival and growth after out-planting) at the sites where they work.  The list of high performing species is provided below.  Perhaps this list can inform the choice of species in your site?

We are grateful to all those organisations who generously shared their knowledge.  FMH is support by the Biodiverse Landscape Fund from the British Government

Ecological Restoration Madagascar : Presentations From Workshops

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