Ampasindava - Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar

Manager

Famelona Association

Area

166 800 ha

Geographic location

Diégo-Suarez Province; DIANA Region; Ambanja District

International Label

Key Biodiversity Area, Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, Alliance for Zero Extinction site, Important Plant Area

Flagship Species

The Protected Area located in the Ampasindava peninsula contains forest islands that persist amid secondary formations: the sacred Andranomatavy forest massif to the north and the Betsitsika forest massif to the west. In terms of vegetation type, these forest massifs are related to the low-altitude dense evergreen rainforest of the Sambirano phytogeographical domain. The site also features mangroves at the outlets of its main rivers. In terms of flora, Ampasindava is home to species of restricted distribution, some of which are known only from the site, such as Lindernia natans and Prockiopsis grandis. As far as fauna is concerned, the PA is home to a fairly rich biodiversity, with threatened local endemic species such as the amphibian Cophyla berara and the reptile Phelsuma vanheygeni.

Primates

10 species

1 critically endangered (e.g., Crowned sifaka), 3 endangered (e.g., Sambirano mouse lemur), and 3 vulnerable

Birds

84 species

1 critically endangered (Madagascar fish eagle or Ankoay) and 2 endangered (e.g., White-throated rail)

Reptiles

37 species

4 endangered species including one locally endemic species, and 2 vulnerable species

Amphibians

22 species

3 endangered species including one locally endemic species, and 2 vulnerable species

Bats

1 species

Carnivores

5 species

3 vulnerable (e.g., fossa and Malagasy civet)

Other mammals

9 species

Plants

365 species

243 species endemic to Madagascar, including at least 3 critically endangered, 4 endangered, and 5 vulnerable species; 3 locally endemic species, among which 2 are critically endangered.

Landscapes and habitats

low-altitude dense humid evergreen forest of the Sambirano phytogeographical domain, low-altitude dense humid evergreen forest, secondary forest, mangrove, shrub thicket, secondary grasslands and pastures.

Pressures and threats

Clearing and slash-and-burn farming (tetik’ala), selective logging, exploitation of mangrove wood, mainly for charcoal, invasive species

Economic value

The Ampasindava PA plays a key role as a water source, ensuring the supply to surrounding localities. The PA has great ecotourism potential, and due to its geographical location, there is a significant opportunity for the development of this activity. In fact, the PA is situated at the crossroads of tourist attraction hubs in the northern part of Madagascar, including surrounding islands and islets, such as Nosy-Be and Nosy Iranja, which are very popular destinations and have seen considerable growth in their tourism sector.Fishing is one of the main sources of income for the communities along the Ampasindava coastline. The area is also known for cash crops, including coffee, pepper, vanilla, and cocoa. In addition to typical cash crops, the Ampasindava coastal area is also noted for its coconut production.

Contribution of local communities

The governance model adopted for the Ampasindava PA is participatory co-management. Local communities are involved in the basic management structure through village associations and Dina committees, participating in patrols, monitoring, and activities related to ecotourism (site restoration, promotion of local crops, organizing fundraising, etc.).

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