The Classification of Natural and Anthropogenic Vegetation in Madagascar
The following paper was presented at the International Symposium entitled "Natural and Human-induced Change in Madagascar" held at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago 2-4 June 1995. The printed version appeared in the symposium volume as follows: Lowry, P. P., II, G. E. Schatz and P. B. Phillipson.
1997. The classification of natural and anthropogenic vegetation in
Madagascar. Pp. 93-123 in: S. M. Goodman and B. D. Patterson (eds.),
Natural change and human impact in Madagascar. Smithsonian Inst. Press,
Washington, D.C.
ABSTRACT
A historical review of vegetation classification in Madagascar
reveals that the classical map and "phytogeographic" territories
of Perrier de la Bâthie and Humbert are largely a subjective
reflection of climatological factors, and do not adequately
reflect fundamental biogeographic patterns. Delimitation of
phytochoria based on the distribution patterns of taxa provides
an objective framework for comparing and mapping vegetation types
using a simple physiognomic classification. The application of
this approach in Madagascar would make it possible to test the
validity of the classical divisions and circumscribe alternative
ones, and to determine the current extent of natural and
anthropogenic formations (principally secondary grasslands, often
called "prairies", "pseudosteppes", etc., which cover about three
quarters of the country). Before the arrival of man, the
original woody vegetation types in the drier west (forest,
woodland, bushland, etc.) were in a fragile equilibrium and could
quickly have been converted to secondary grassland by fires; in
the moister center more active human intervention (clearing) was
likely required to alter the vegetation. Contrary to recent
claims, native grasslands were not widespread immediately prior
to the arrival of humans, but were probably restricted to small
patches. Today, human impacts can be seen in all Malagasy
vegetation types, even supposedly undisturbed "native" forest.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Vegetation Classification and Mapping
Principal Vegetation Types in Madagascar
Principal Vegetation Types in Madagascar (Continued)
Humbert and Cours Darne "Vegetation Map"(1965)
White's 1983 Vegetation Map of Africa: A Contrasting Approach
A New Approach to Vegetation Classification and Mapping in Madagascar
Chorology, Permanent Plots, and Testing the Validity of Phytogeographic Domains
Anthropogenic Vegetation
Evidence from Africa of Forest Degradation by Fire
Conclusion: "Natural" vs. Anthropogenic Vegetation
Literature Cited
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