Research

Tapia Woodland Madagascar 

Isalo National Park: 

Harbours a good portion of the last remaining tapia woodlands. Tapia tree is endemic to Madagascar and is used for wood, and silk moth production which is a valuable source of revenue for people of the region. 

 In general, the Uapaca woodland is very poor in species, both trees and other plants, but due to its rarity and uniqueness it deserves to be intensively protected.

The Isalo National Park protects one of the main remnants of this interesting forest of dry subtropical Madagascar zone (DuPuy and Moat 1996). The tapia forest also occupies other areas in the Central Highland, but only as small isolated patches

Tapia Uapaca bojeri (Euphorbiaceae)

Other plants within Tapia woodland:

Asteropeia rhopaloides

Sarcolaena isaloensis

Area: 81,540 

Climate: Dry tropical forest and savanna 

Average temperature: 17-25°C 

Elevation: 820 to 1240 m 

Precipitation: 85 cm 

Description: Isalo's landscape consists of eroded ruiniform sandstone formations dating to the Jurassic period, deep canyons with riparian forests, palm-lined oases, fire-resistant tapia forests, and open grasslands. 

Fauna present in Isalo National Park:

Not necessarily in Tapia woodland:

Dumerils Boa  (Acrantophis dumerili)

White-lipped bright-eyed frog (Boophis albilabris)

Malagasy rainbow frog (Scaphiophryne gottlebei)

 Benson's rock thrush (Monticola sharpei bensoni)

 Knob-billed duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)

 Madagascar ibis (Lophotibis cristata)

Madame Berthe's mouse lemur