OLUWASEYI AKINSOLA ANJALI SIVENDRA YANIQUE BELL ABIJAH MINTON PD.9/10 5/16/2010 OVERVIEW HOT SPOT LOCATION Series of islands scattered in the western Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa forms the Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands hotspot. Fourth largest island on Earth. HOT SPOT LOCATION Series of islands scattered in the western Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa forms the Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands hotspot. Fourth largest island on Earth. CLIMATE Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April; and a cooler, dry season from May to October. High levels of rainfall up to 6000 millimeters per year on Reunion) CLIMATE Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April; and a cooler, dry season from May to October. High levels of rainfall up to 6000 millimeters per year on Reunion) POPULATION DENSITY TO EXTINCT SPECIES Human Population Density (people/km 2 ) =32 Extinct Species= 45 The population density from humans to number of extinct species is 32/45 POPULATION DENSITY TO EXTINCT SPECIES Human Population Density (people/km 2 ) =32 Extinct Species= 45 The population density from humans to number of extinct species is 32/45 MORE FACTS Madagascar and the continental Seychelles broke off from the Gondwanaland supercontinent About 160 million years ago, making the hotspot a living example of species evolution in isolation. Animal groups have evolved with high levels of genus- and family-level endemism, in only 1.9 percent of the land area of continental Africa. MORE FACTS Madagascar and the continental Seychelles broke off from the Gondwanaland supercontinent About 160 million years ago, making the hotspot a living example of species evolution in isolation. Animal groups have evolved with high levels of genus- and family-level endemism, in only 1.9 percent of the land area of continental Africa. What makes Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands a Hotspot Hotspot Criteria: Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands: - At least 1,500 endemic species of vascular plants - At least 70% of its original habitat is gone At least 13,000 species of vascular plants and 90% (11,700 species) are endemic About 17% of its original habitat remains in Madagascar Islands have lost about 80% of their original habitat The center of Madagascar where there are a few remaining trees from a once flourishing evergreen forest. Unique Biodiversity Plants: 13,000 species; 90% endemic Baobab (aka bottle tree) - 8 species 6 are endemic to Madagascar Vertebrates: Birds : Over 300 species; 60% endemic 55 endemic species are threatened, 32 already extinct Mammals : About 90% endemic Well-known for 72 kinds of lemurs that inhabit trees like the bottle tree Reptiles and Amphibians : 3 epidemic species; popular diversity of chameleons and gorgeous tomato frog Fishes : about 100 endemic species; mostly freshwater Invertebrates: 80% endemic Ex.: terrestrial snails, scorpions, spiders, tiger beetles and giant tenebrionid beetle Seychelles Island is home to the largest millipede and the largest terrestrial invertebrate, the coconut crab Human Impacts Ironically it was the isolation of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands that caused its great biodiversity, that also caused its environmental degradation. Seeing as that Madagascar and the islands split from Africa about 160 million years ago, but humans only reached 1,500-2,000 years ago so the animals were nave to the hunters and easily slaughtered. Harmful Agricultural Methods Timber Production Coconut plantations Cinnamon exploitation. Foreign Animal Species Hunting wildlife Rice CultivationCattle Grazing Slash and Burn Agriculture Other Threats Rapidly Growing Populations Industrial Small Scale Mining Hunting The Effects have been that now only 17% of this Hotspots original vegetation now remains. Already economically disadvantaged, growth rate is rapid. 3% increase every year, double by Slash and Burn Agriculture, leaves infertile land. Conservation Actions Government-Beginning third phase of the 5 year National Environmental Action Plan. 2.7 percent of Madagascar's land area is officially protected. Nature Reserves to protect ecosystems and specific speices groups. Now tripled due to Biodiversity Trust Fund, established in Jan $22 Million. Bird Life International, identified 141 important sites on the Hotspot Better to identify and safeguard these areas as well as others In fact reserves also serve as tourist attractions, bringing up economy. Also breeding in captivity have started, especially for Lemurs, have been very successful. And reintroduction programs all from 1997.