Tsaratanàna Strict Nature Reserve, Category I
Madagascar National Parks (MNP)
108,610 ha
Province of Antsiranana; Regions of Diana, Sava and Sofia; Districts of Ambanja, Ambilobe and Bealalana
Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site, Important Bird Area (IBA)
Tsaratanàna Strict Nature Reserve is the only Strict Nature Reserve within FAPBM portfolio to date. It is made up of low and medium altitude rainforests and ericoid scrub in the high mountain areas.
These habitats are rich in biological diversity, especially in herpetofauna in high altitude areas.
There are 9 species of lemurs including the black lemur (Eulemur macaco) and the Lepilemur dorsalis.
The flora accounts for over 1,170 species, 72 of which are locally endemic.
9 species
4 endangered (among which the nocturnal lemur Aye-aye and the black lemur) and 3 vulnerable
99 species
3 endangered (among which the Madagascan Serpent Eagle or Fisarabe and the Madagascan Grebe) and 6 vulnerable (among which the Madagascan Pranticole)
37 species
6 local endemic among which 1 species of chameleon vulnerable 1 species of chameleon (of the genus Brookesia) endangered and 3 other species of reptiles vulnerable
42 species
8 local endemics among which 1 critically endangered, 6 endangered and 1 vulnerable 3 other species are also endangered and 7 vulnerable
3 species
1 vulnerable
25 species
1 vulnerable
1170 species
832 endemic to Madagascar (71%), among which 1 species is classified as critically endangered and 3 others classified as vulnerable, 72 local endemics (6%): among which 1 classified as critically endangered and another 1 as endangered
Lowland moist deciduous forest, mosaic forest, secondary thickets, cultivation landscape, secondary grasslands and pastures, medium altitude moist evergreen forest, montane ericoid thickets, swamps, peat bogs. Particularity:The Protected Area includes several sacred sites related to “joro” oaths and offerings.
Clearing, agricultural production in the undergrowth, hunting, tree felling, fires (often related to cannabis cultivation), human occupation.
Tsaratanàna Strict Nature Reserve is home to the springs of the most important rivers in the region, providing drinking water for the populations of the surrounding rural communities and irrigating more than 300,000 Ha of cultivated fields. The protection of the soil and the downstream watersheds ensures the agricultural activities of the 3 main producing regions: Sambirano, Mahavavy and Sofia.
Like all protected areas managed by MNP, Tsaratanàna Strict Nature Reserve management is a collaborative co-management with the participation of local community members in conservation and development activities. They are brought together in CLPs (Local Park Committees) and the COSAPs (Protected Areas Orientation and Support Committee).
FAPBM’s support regarding salary costs and some operating costs started in 2012. Land clearing is the main form of pressure and threat to Tsaratanàna Strict Nature Reserve. There are also caste fields for cannabis cultivation in this reserve. Because of these pressures, the biological integrity of the protected area is threatened and the overall conservation status remains low.
