Abstract

Madagascar is one of the richest areas of biological diversity on Earth. While this biodiversity is threatened by a number of factors, a major concern is deforestation. Not only does deforestation destroy rare and endangered species and their habitat, but it also threatens the agrarian livelihoods of rural people. A major cause of deforestation is the extension of existing agricultural activities into adjacent forested areas. The objectives of this research are to determine deforestation rates and to identify remaining forested areas that might attract farmers to extend their cultivated areas in the vicinity of Andohahela National Park in the Anosy Region of southeastern Madagascar, and to examine the correlates of deforestation, in particular linkages to agricultural extensification and land use policies. Given that most Malagasy farmers cultivate rice as a primary source of food, there is a need for identifying agroecological zones where rice cultivation and forest conservation may coexist. Satellite imagery, secondary geographic information systems (GIS) layers and georeferenced primary field data collected in the area are used in this analysis. This research seeks to contribute to current national efforts in Madagascar to protect the environment while promoting sustainable development for rural communities.