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- Title
Relationship between vegetation characteristics and the presence of lemurs: Varecia variegata, Eulemur rubriventer and Eulemur rufifrons in Kianjavato forest fragments.
- Authors
Rafidimanana, Daniel V.; Holmes, Sheila M.; Johnson, Steig E.; Louis, Edward E.; Rakouth, Bakolimalala
- Abstract
The Kianjavato classified forest in the south east of Madagascar is the refuge of several lemur species, including Varecia variegata, Eulemur rufifrons and Eulemur rubriventer. Due to slash-and-burn shifting cultivation, selective logging and mining, and extensive deforestation and forest fragmentation the habitat of these lemurs is threatened. Knowledge of the preferred habitat characteristics of these lemurs will contribute to their better conservation. We studied the horizontal and vertical structure of three forests fragments at Kianjavato: Tsitola, Vatovavy and Karakandatra. The results showed that density of trees >=10 cm dbh ranged from 552 to 880 individuals/ ha and the vegetation had four strata. Karakandatra, with 64 % degree of openness had a more open canopy than Vatovavy (60 %) and Tsitola (55 %). Lemurs spent most of their time between the superior and the medium strata; E. rufifrons averaged 16.46 m above ground, V. variegata averaged 15.34 m and E. rubriventer averaged 12.5 m. Each species of lemur used distinct groups of tree species, and varied in their use of forested areas based on canopy cover and the basal area and biovolume of trees. This could indicate differences in their abilities to use disturbed forest. Long-term and larger-scale studies are recommended to further investigate these differences.
- Subjects
VARECIA variegata; FRAGMENTED landscapes; DEFORESTATION; LEMUR conservation; VEGETATION dynamics
- Publication
Lemur News, 2017, Vol 20, p15
- ISSN
1608-1439
- Publication type
Article