ecological and health-related changes in the threatened rainforest of Madagascar (EComada)

Objective and description of the project

Madagascar is a biodiversity 'hot spot' with a high degree of endemism, but this richness is vanishing because human activities alter landscapes and cause species extinctions. One of the last, relatively pristine rainforests in Madagascar is the Ranomafana National Park (RNP, area 43 500 ha). RNP forms an Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP) with the aim to manage natural resources both for biodiversity and for the benefits of local inhabitants.

The aim of this multidisciplinary ECOMADA research project combining ecological, social, and health studies is to assess the feasibility of the ICDP approach and to examine how well nature conservation and improvement of human health conditions have been achieved in RNP. The proposed research approaches the issue from two angles: (1) assessment of biodiversity conservation by using insects (ground-beetles also called carabids) as bioindicators for developing tools for biodiversity assessment and maintenance, and (2) assessment of changes and expected improvements in human health conditions as a result of the establishment of the RNP, and for planning of activities to further improve health conditions.

Research will be done in collaboration between the University of Helsinki (prof. Jari Niemelä and MSc Johanna Rainio (e-mail: kjheinon@mappi.helsinki.fi), Dept. of Ecology and Systematics; Msc Kaisa Korhonen and dr. Ossi Rahkonen, Dept. of Social Policy), State Univ. of New York (prof. Patricia Wright, Dept. of Anthropology), California Academy of Sciences (dr. David Kavanaugh, Dept. of Entomology), and several Malagasy partners (e.g. University of Antananarivo). Prof. Wright is responsible for the overall on-site supervision. The Universities of Helsinki and Antananarivo have an agreement of collaboration which will provide the institutional framework for Finnish-Malagasy cooperation.

RNP hosts a small research station, but research infrastructure will be improved, as a new station will be completed. Part of its funding is provided by the University of Helsinki which will give the Finnish researchers an excellent opportunity to work in RNP.