Madagascar: The Rainforests of Atsinanana
Morgan L. Richard
Bio 100
The Rainforests of Atsinanana is located on the eastern side of the island of Madagascar. There are six different national parks that are not connected to one another that make up the “Rainforests of Atsinanana”. These rainforests are said to be possibly the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They consist of 2,598 species of animals (from 166 families) and 1,039 plants (from 119 different groups). These national parks also contain more than 1/3 of all mammals found on the island of Madagascar. The biodiversity of this group of forests is what makes the places so unique. A few of the notable animals include: the Madagascar Climbing Frog, Madagascar Pond-heron, Radiated Tortoise, Fossa, Aye-aye, Malagasy Mongoose, Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, and Meller’s Duck. There are 25 species of lemur, including the Golden Bamboo Lemur, which is critically endangered. There are also 258 bird species, 38 of which are endemic, one of which is the Blue Cova; as well as 150 species of chameleon. A few of the plants that are found in these particular forests include: Rosy Periwinkle, which can only be found in the rainforests of Madagascar, and the RoseXXXX, XXXXX, and nine other plant families that can be found nowhere else but Madagascar. The diversity of plants and animals is critically important for the survival of the ecosystem in Madagascar. For example, the Aye-aye lemur feeds on insects that it finds by tapping on a tree with its long middle finger. Most other lemurs feed on either insect or fruit and plants as well. The Fossa is a nocturnal carnivore and feeds on everything from tiny reptiles to small animals, including chickens that come from nearby villages. The Tenrec feeds on insects just as the Aye-aye lemur. My last example is the Pill Millipede insect that eats decaying leaves and other dead plant materials. As you can tell from reading the above examples, the food chain is amazing in Atsinanana. The plants need
Bio 100
The Rainforests of Atsinanana is located on the eastern side of the island of Madagascar. There are six different national parks that are not connected to one another that make up the “Rainforests of Atsinanana”. These rainforests are said to be possibly the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They consist of 2,598 species of animals (from 166 families) and 1,039 plants (from 119 different groups). These national parks also contain more than 1/3 of all mammals found on the island of Madagascar. The biodiversity of this group of forests is what makes the places so unique. A few of the notable animals include: the Madagascar Climbing Frog, Madagascar Pond-heron, Radiated Tortoise, Fossa, Aye-aye, Malagasy Mongoose, Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, and Meller’s Duck. There are 25 species of lemur, including the Golden Bamboo Lemur, which is critically endangered. There are also 258 bird species, 38 of which are endemic, one of which is the Blue Cova; as well as 150 species of chameleon. A few of the plants that are found in these particular forests include: Rosy Periwinkle, which can only be found in the rainforests of Madagascar, and the RoseXXXX, XXXXX, and nine other plant families that can be found nowhere else but Madagascar. The diversity of plants and animals is critically important for the survival of the ecosystem in Madagascar. For example, the Aye-aye lemur feeds on insects that it finds by tapping on a tree with its long middle finger. Most other lemurs feed on either insect or fruit and plants as well. The Fossa is a nocturnal carnivore and feeds on everything from tiny reptiles to small animals, including chickens that come from nearby villages. The Tenrec feeds on insects just as the Aye-aye lemur. My last example is the Pill Millipede insect that eats decaying leaves and other dead plant materials. As you can tell from reading the above examples, the food chain is amazing in Atsinanana. The plants need