Optimisation of slash and burn cultivation in secondary vegetation of the dry tropical forest (Morondava, Madagascar)
Project
Type: PhD (2007-2011)
Fund:
- KFPE (www.kfpe.ch)
- IFS (www.ifs.se)
- Antoine und Claraz Foundation
- ETHZ
- EPFL-WSL
- UNINE (Subvention Egalité)
Description:
This project aims at gaining accurate information on the use of fire in traditional agriculture and the way fire harms ecosystems in order to develop sound recommendations to optimize slash-andburn cultivation methods and preserve the forest’s biodiversity.
To do so we determine the potential value of the secondary vegetation from an ecological point of view and with a potential land-use perspective (agriculture), considering the various post-fire succession types.
The specific goals are:
- to classify post-fire vegetation in the dry forest of Central Menabe and characterising the soil-vegetation patterns,
- to assess quantitatively and qualitatively the biomass of the secondary vegetation (plots) after fire events,
- to quantify the potential nutrient inputs from burning biomass (contribution of dominant species),
- to carry out tests of inflammability of the various tree species and determining their flammability properties,
- to define the best use (optimization) of secondary vegetation in order to limit incursion in the virgin forest.
Study sites
- Field : Morondava (South western of Madagascar)
- Labs : EPFL and University of Neuchâtel
Keywords:
Secondary succession, fire, slash and burn cultivation, inflammability, biomass, nutrients, cultivation optimization, Central Menabe, Madagascar
Leaders:
Olga Raharimalala (PhD student )
A. Buttler (Supervisor)
J.M. Gobat (Supervisor)
Collaborations:
– Rodolphe Schläepfer
– Jean-Pierre Sorg
– Lalanirina Gabrielle Rajoelison
– Samuel Razanaka
Partnerships:
– GFD- ETHZ
– ESSA, Department of Water and Forestry, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar
– CNFEREF (ex-CFPF) Morondava, Madagascar
Contact
Email : [email protected]
Doctoral Assistant
Office : GR B2 426
Phone :
[+41] 21 693 57 29