Madagascar

Protecting biodiversity against climate change

Madagascar’s rich biodiversity faces a myriad of threats from climate change to the conversion of forests into arable land. In response to these challenges, this project strengthened the capacity to research biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Dr. Randrianjafy Rasoloarisoa spent three months in Quebec, leading seminars on the theme of managing integrated rural development in a tropical environment. She also took part in several courses, including those on tropical diseases and sanitation and challenges pertaining to national parks in biosphere reserves. On his part of the exchange, Dr. Khasa pursued research and delivered graduate-level courses in the management of endangered species.

Using archival climate data from 26 stations, the researchers analyzed the evolution of climate change in six different provinces, each with distinct climate patterns. They reported their findings in a jointly authored paper that explored options for adaptation. They also co-wrote a paper on forest governance in Madagascar and collaborated with others on a study of community management of natural resources in a Malagasy national park.

Finally, during the exchange Dr. Khasa co-organized an international workshop on community forestry in the context of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, as well as understanding the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in this process (REDD +). Since the workshop at Université Laval, he has been directing a publication on REDD + in developing countries.

In light of the project’s goal to enhance partnerships between Canadian and African institutions, Dr. Khasa also met with several other institutions of higher learning and research, both in Madagascar and South Africa. These contacts expressed strong interest in developing a regional project on agrobiodiversity, food security and climate change.

In Madagascar, to earn the coveted “HDR” designation (known as “accreditation to supervise research”), academics require individual research, teaching and publications, as well as experience leading the scientific research of local students. With guidance from Dr. Khasa, and bolstered by the project’s publications, Dr. Randrianjafy Rasoloarisoa was able to complete the ensemble of work necessary for the HDR. Her defence is expected to take place in July 2012, and Dr. Khasa is invited to attend this special event.