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Mangroves of Madagascar

Posted on 6 July 2022

In 2020, the estimated total area of mangroves in Madagascar is 270 955 hectares (in Mapping ocean health-global mangroves watch).

This surface represents a little more than 1% of the total forest cover of Madagascar with a loss of 3000 to 7000 hectares per year since 1995 until 2018; that is to say nearly 1% per year. However, with the emergence of the concepts of green and blue economy in recent years, then following the recent commitment of Madagascar in 2019 in the framework of the national workshop on governance and sustainable management of mangroves, Madagascar aims to enhance, restore its mangroves to be an emblematic national heritage to ensure the functions of ecosystem services of mitigation and adaptation to climate change, to become a driver of the local economy, and for the sustainable preservation of wildlife species and biodiversity of marine environments.
To achieve this, the central objective of this strategy is to restore degraded sites and maintain forest cover of 390,000 hectares of mangroves over the next ten years.
As we move forward with restoration, it is important to know the composition of the existing species and their characteristics...
Madagascar is home to eight species of mangroves. In the world, there are more than sixty.
Here they are:

Avicennia marina called Afiafy in the Menabe region and known as Mosotry in the Diana region. This first species of mangrove grows on the mouths of rivers, lagoons, rocky beaches and low tide areas. Avicennia species are usually pioneer species in newly formed mangrove forests. It can be recognized by its yellowish bark of about 35 to 57 cm's circumference. The upper surface of the Afiafy's leef is covered with glandular dots, with a single prominent midrib in relief on the lower surface. When mature, these fruits are eaten by livestock and the wood of this mangrove is generally used as lumber or to make fire and charcoal. Its leaves, once dried, are used as medicine against stomach aches and jaundice.

Sonneratia alba : or Songery as our friends from the Menabe region would say. Its flowering period is spread over the whole year and it has the particularity to have different stages of maturity possible on the same foot. To recognize the Songery, it is necessary to observe its root which is pneumatophores, aerial which go out in the vertical of the naked ground. This species can reach a height between 16 and 30 meters. To restore it, it will be necessary to plant its seeds.

The third species of mangrove that we present : Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Locally called Tangapoly or Tangamaity or Tsy tolomigny depending on the region. Mostly, it reaches 14 meters in height and 20 meters maximum, is recognized by its red trunk and its reddish stem. Its opposite leaves, with long stem, are finely fleshy and coriaceous. The blades of its leaves are generally oval, lance-shaped, dark green above and light green below. Tangapoly is found a little set back from the waterfrontDuring the restoration sessions, propagules should be sown.

Ceriops tagal is it of a medium size, from 5 to 20 meters in height at most. It is also called Tangambavy in the Menabe and if you go north, it is called Honko vavy. It grows in a zone with well drained soils, in zones with low submersion time, that is to say within the reach of occasional tides. The Tangambavy is recognized by its fine, branched and ribboned superficial roots.

The Rogno, Roheno scientifically called: Lumnitzera racemosa that we find on rocky, muddy or sandy coasts. Or in the zones of back-mangrove. Its spirally arranged, almost stalkless leaves have fleshy blades that are generally narrowly teardrop-shaped with wedge-shaped bases. Rogno is a shrub only 8 m high.

Rhizophora mucronata : Tangandahy, Honko lahy, Agnabo vahatra - its different names depending on the names according to the regions. It is a species that spreads easily and has a fast growth. It can reach a height of 35 meters. This species can develop more near the influences of the fresh water as near the side of the sea.

Heritiera littoralis is locally called Moromony. Its wood is commonly used in construction and for the manufacture of various tools. It would also be used to cure diarrhea and dysentery. Its seeds are resistant to prolonged stay in sea water but do not lose their power to germinate. The Moromony needs a full light, it is adapted to the very submerged, wet, even waterlogged grounds. It has large leathery dark green leaves on top with green-yellow, bell-shaped flowers.

The last species of mangrove visible in Madagascar is Xylocarpus granatum - also known as Fobo. This species as for it does not resist to a too long duration of submersion. The upper limit of this mangrove is visible on muddy soils of mangrove swamps. It generally grows in a scattered way, but sometimes forms mono specific stands. It can be recognized by its fine, branched, ribboned surface roots. In terms of height, it can go from 15 to 20 meters with a diameter until 90 cm.