Threatened biodiversity in Madagascar

Over recent months, SEED has continued to make steady progress across both the Phelsuma and Ala conservation programmes, strengthening post-fire recovery efforts and advancing long-term planning. Post-translocation monitoring remains a central priority following the March trial movement of 11 Phelsuma antanosy individuals from the Sainte Luce littoral forest fragment S7 to S9. Although no translocated individuals have been re-sighted since the previous update, monitoring was significantly expanded in October. This increase in spatial coverage and staff capacity aims to improve reidentification rates during the hotter months, when P. antanosy are typically more active and visible. At the same time, development of the five-year conservation strategy continues, integrating lessons learned from both the translocation trial and subsequent monitoring. In the aftermath of the severe January 2025 fire, long-term transect surveys in S7 are ongoing and are providing essential data to update the post-fire subpopulation estimate. Recent work has also included the production of high-quality visual media showcasing P. antanosy and highlighting the global significance of conserving the littoral forests of southeast Madagascar, which will soon be shared across SEED’s platforms.

Within the Ala programme, efforts between August and October focused on preparing for the upcoming fire season and reinforcing habitat restoration capacity. Last year, the absence of adequately sized firebreaks allowed fires to enter the forest corridors, resulting in the survival of only around 10% of native species. In response, corridor firebreaks were widened in September to 10 metres on both sides, and the S8 forest fragment is now fully enclosed by a 15-metre firebreak. Clearing the S8 firebreak required substantial negotiation and close collaboration to ensure all commitments were fulfilled. Expansion of nursery infrastructure has also progressed, with 18 new beds constructed in recent months, enabling the cultivation of more than 30,000 native seedlings and creating space for an additional 16,000. Soil testing conducted in October will guide upcoming corridor expansions and help ensure that future plantings are ecologically well matched to site conditions. Fire preparedness has also strengthened within partner communities, with fire response teams better equipped and mobilised ahead of the fire season.

None of this progress would be possible without the generous support of our donors, whose commitment continues to drive meaningful conservation outcomes in the Sainte Luce landscape. Thank you for standing with us as we work to protect these threatened species and restore their fragile habitats.

Over the past four years, Project Palms, led by SEED Madagascar, has worked to protect six rare palm species found only in the Sainte Luce region of southeast Madagascar. These palms are under threat from habitat loss, overharvesting, and climate change.

After four years of researching, planting, and community work, SEED is pleased to report that this project has now achieved or exceeded all its key objectives. Our team carried out an in-depth survey of more than 150,000 palm trees across five forest areas, gaining extensive knowledge on these species' population, natural history, and increasing the population of those most threatened. 

We discovered that most of these trees are juvenile, with very few mature adults left. Three of the six species have fewer than 100 adult trees remaining. This shows just how close these species are to extinction. Our team also planted over 2,500 young palms to help boost populations. This included nearly doubling the local population of one species, Beccariophoenix madagascariensis. These plantings were carefully placed in forest areas where the soil, sunlight, and canopy cover matched what the palms need to thrive.

Alongside this fieldwork, the project explored how the palms grow, how they’re pollinated, and how they’re used by local people. One major achievement was identifying the types of insects, mostly bees and ants, that pollinate three of the species, something that had never been studied before.

Crucially, the project also worked closely with over 1,000 community members to raise awareness and gather input on how to protect these trees. This led to the creation of a Conservation Action Plan that outlines practical steps for ongoing protection, from anti-logging signs to local law enforcement.

SEED is committed to protecting threatened biodiversity, and we wouldn’t be able to complete projects like Project Palms without our supporters. While challenges like drought, fire, and future mining remain, Project Palms has laid a strong foundation for saving these unique palms. It’s a hopeful step forward in preserving Madagascar’s incredible biodiversity, and a reminder of what can be achieved when science, conservation, and communities work hand-in-hand.