Madagascar is a Dying Land In Need of Help

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Recommended: The impact of human activities on the environment

Madagascar is a Dying Land In Need of Help

Madagascar is one of the most diverse areas of land that has undergone evolution totally independent from surrounding continents. The plant and animal species located on the island are all endemic to the island, meaning all are native species. The amount of diversity is very high compared to that of other continents and the species found here cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Currently all organisms located on this island are in danger, even the humans. Much damage has already been done, yet each year the land seems to die even more. Many species are dying off rapidly and drastic measures will have to be taken to stop all of these species from becoming extinct.

All problems for this island arose with the introduction of humans. According to fossil records, humans arrived approximately 2000 years ago. With their arrival came destruction, a destruction that would continue until present day. They were not aware of their actions at the time and how they would forever change the ecosystem of Madagascar.

The most destructive problem that occurred a hundred years ago and is still practiced is that of tavy. Tavy is a process of forest clearing, also known as slash and burn. Humans living on the island use this system to create farmland for harvesting their most precious crops. What they do is they cut down all trees and or shrubs then set fire to the area of land that they want to farm. They use the burnt materials as fertilizers and then plant their crop. Next season the farmer must move to another area and continue to burn more of the forest down. Due to this form of farming, humans have turned vast wetlands into deserts and luscious forests into tundra. In the...

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...lies in the hands of education. Knowledge is Power.

Bibliography:

Works Consulted

Glander, Dr. Kenneth. What's a Lemur? The PBS website.

Godfrey, Dr. Laurie. Isolation and Biodiversity. The PBS website.

Howes, Oliver. "Environmentally friendly health care begins in Madagascar." The Lancet. February 21, 1998: 577.

Middleton, Karen. "Who killed 'Malagasy Cactus'? Science, environment and colonialism in southern Madagascar (1924-1930)." Journal of Southern African Studies; Oxford. June 1999: 215-248.

Morell, Virginia. "Restoring Madagascar." National Geographic. February 1999: 60-71.

Morell Virginia. "In Search of Solutions." National Geographic. February 1999: 76-84.

Kremen, Dr. Claire. Traditions That Threaten. The PBS website.

Raxworthy, Christopher. A Truly Bizarre Lizard. The PBS website.

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