Manombo Special Reserve, Category IV
Madagascar National Parks (MNP)
5,320 ha
Province of Fianarantsoa; Region of Atsimo Atsinanana; District of Farafangana
Key Biodiversity Area (KBA)
Vegetation consists mainly of lowland moist evergreen forests. There are 7 species of lemurs, including the Eulemur cinereiceps, which is endemic to this region, up to the Agnalazaha Reserve.
72 birds species have been listed, the most emblematic of which are the Leptosomus discolor and the Madagascar Rail (Rallus madagascariensis). Manombo Reserve is also known for its richness in snail species. There are 52 species of snails, most of which are endemic.
7 species
2 local endemics, one of which critically endangered and the other one vulnerable 2 other species are also critically endangered, 1 species is classified as endangered, namely the nocturnal lemur Aye-aye and 1 vulnerable species
72 species
1 vulnerable (the Madagascar Rail)
16 species
1 chameleon species vulnerable
27 species
2 classified as critically endangered and 3 as vulnerable
4 species
2 vulnerable, namely the fossa and the Madagascan civet
2 species
1 vulnerable, namely the Madagascan flying fox
6 species
404 species
288 endemic to Madagascar (74%): 4 species of palms are classified as critically endangered, 6 other species of flora (including 3 palms) are endangered and 2 vulnerable 11 local endemic (3%), of which 6 species (including 4 palm trees) are classified as critically endangered 1 nonendemic species from Madagascar classified as critically
Lowland moist evergreen forest, littoral forest (one of the last vestiges in Madagascar), herbaceous marshes, swamp forest, moist secondary forests and thickets, bamboo thickets, secondary grasslands.
Uncontrolled fires, collection of secondary forest products for consumption or sale, logging for construction and commercial purposes, hunting, expansion of hamlets and small villages close to the forest, invasive species.
The protected area serves as a water cycle regulator; rivers flowing through the forest feed 300 ha of rice fields. The protected area also provides water supply to the town of Farafangana.
Like with all protected areas managed by MNP, Manombo Special Reserve management is a collaborative co-management type with the participation of local community members in conservation and development activities. They are brought together in CLPs (local park committees) and COSAPs (Protected Areas Guidance and Support Committee).
FAPBM’s support for Manombo Special Reserve started in 2014 for salary costs and some operating costs. Although the conservation status of the Special Reserve in general is still unstable, it has improved over the latest years, since 2017. The most important form of current pressure on the reserve’s natural resources is the colonization of invasive plants within the protected area.
