Berenty reserve: Past, present, and future

Abstract

The Berenty Reserve is part of a 400-ha forest fragment bordered by the Mandrare River, sisal plantations and pasture lands. It was founded in 1936 by the de Heaulme family in negotiation with local Tandroy clans, and the forest has been preserved through political changes for over 75 years. Exotic trees have been planted on the western side, and the forest is in filtrated by trails which facilitate assault by invasive plants, particularly sisal and Cissus quadrangularis . Pressure is aggravated by high lemur density, especially introduced hybrid brown lemurs Eulemur ru fifrons × E. collaris , which are displacing native Lemur catta. Alopecia of Lemur catta is directly linked to ingestion of the exotic plant Leucaena leucocephala . Successive forest managers have attempted to resolve these problems. Predicted scenarios of global warming and a lower water table will exacerbate both biological and social stress.