Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar)

Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin; Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana; Romuald Ramanantsoavina; Razakamanana Théodore

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

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Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar)

Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin^*

, Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana, Romuald Ramanantsoavina, Razakamanana Théodore

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 15, Issue 1)

Received: 17 December 2025 Accepted: 26 December 2025 Published: 31 January 2026

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Abstract

The dry Dry deciduous forests in southern Madagascar are among the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems, increasingly threatened by expanding anthropogenic pressures., These forest formations are among the most heavily affected by deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, charcoal production and timber extraction, leading to a continuous decline in forest cover. How have spatio-temporal deforestation dynamics between 2015 and 2025 altered forest cover, fragmentation, and ecological resilience in Belindo-Mahasoa, and what sustainable management responses are required to ensure long-term conservation efforts locally?. In the commune of Belindo-Mahasoa, located in the Bekily district, a spatio-temporal analysis of forest cover between 2015 and 2025 reveals a pronounced deforestation dynamic, marked by substantial reductions in wooded areas and increased landscape fragmentation. This pattern reflects a broader regional trend of rapid ecological degradation in southern Malagasy dry forests under increasing land-use pressures. Although small patches of vegetation recovery have emerged, largely linked to recent local restoration initiatives, their extent remains limited compared to the magnitude of forest loss. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen sustainable management strategies and restoration efforts to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests, whose resilience appears increasingly compromised. Thus, this article aims to provide recommendations to support conservation efforts and strengthen sustainable management strategies in order to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 15, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
Page(s)	30-38
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dry Deciduous Forests, Deforestation, Spatial Dynamics, Ecological Fragmentation, Southern Madagascar, Forest Restoration

References

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[2]	Ministry of Water and Forests (1999). Report on Forest Degradation in Madagascar. Antananarivo, Madagascar.
[3]	Tany Meva (2022). Local forestry statistics and population reports. Toliara, Madagascar.
[4]	DREEFT Androy (2020). Monograph of Water and Forests, Androy Region. Toliara, Madagascar.
[5]	Razafiarison, H., Rakotoarisoa, J., & Ravelomanana, T. (2003). Deforestation definition and impacts in Madagascar. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12: 45–56.
[6]	Tany Meva (2024). Vegetation assessment and land cover change analysis in southern Madagascar. Toliara, Madagascar.
[7]	RGPH3 (2018). General Census of Population and Housing, 3rd edition, Madagascar, Third General Census. Antananarivo, Madagascar.
[8]	Riquier, et al. (1952). Vegetation and landscape of southwestern Madagascar.
[9]	Harper, G. J., Steininger, M. K., Tucker, C. J., Juhn, D., & Hawkins, F. (2007). Fifty years of deforestation and forest fragmentation in Madagascar. Environmental Conservation, 34(4): 325–333. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892907004262
[10]	Asner, G. P., Clark, J. K., Mascaro, J., et al. (2012). Human and environmental controls over aboveground carbon storage in Madagascar. Carbon Balance and Management, 7: 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1750-0680-7-2
[11]	Bidou, E., et al. (2009). Combined farming systems in southern Madagascar. Madagascar Journal of Agricultural Research, 15: 77–89.
[12]	PRD Androy (2005). Regional Development Plan Androy. Toliara, Madagascar.
[13]	IRD (2023). Climatic hazards and drought events in southern Madagascar. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
[14]	Copernicus Global Drought Observatory (GDO) (2021). Historical changes in drought and vegetation cover over Madagascar. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 25: 2939–2961. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2939-2025
[15]	Weather & Climate Extremes (2022). Extreme drought analysis in southern Madagascar. Weather and Climate Extremes, 37: 101–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2022.100495
[16]	Weather & Climate Extremes (2022). Extreme drought analysis in southern Madagascar – continued interpretation. Weather and Climate Extremes, 37: 101–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2022.100495
[17]	Samb, S., et al. (2025). Agricultural practices and fires in Bekily, Madagascar. Journal of Local Ecology, 10: 200–215.
[18]	Buttoud, G. (1995). Land use and forest degradation in semi-arid Madagascar. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 6: 23-40.
[19]	Rakotovao, L. (2025). Species decline in southern Madagascar dry forests. Malagasy Biodiversity Journal, 8(1): 45–57.
[20]	World Bank (2020). Madagascar partnership on deforestation reduction and carbon emissions. World Bank press release. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/02/05/madagascar-signs-landmark-agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-reduce-poverty-deforestation-and-carbon-emissions
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Albertin, T. M., Harempahasoavana, T., Ramanantsoavina, R., Théodore, R. (2026). Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar). American Journal of Environmental Protection, 15(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

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Albertin, T. M.; Harempahasoavana, T.; Ramanantsoavina, R.; Théodore, R. Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar). Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2026, 15(1), 30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

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AMA Style

Albertin TM, Harempahasoavana T, Ramanantsoavina R, Théodore R. Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar). Am J Environ Prot. 2026;15(1):30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14,
  author = {Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin and Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana and Romuald Ramanantsoavina and Razakamanana Théodore},
  title = {Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar)},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {30-38},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20261501.14},
  abstract = {The dry Dry deciduous forests in southern Madagascar are among the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems, increasingly threatened by expanding anthropogenic pressures., These forest formations are among the most heavily affected by deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, charcoal production and timber extraction, leading to a continuous decline in forest cover. How have spatio-temporal deforestation dynamics between 2015 and 2025 altered forest cover, fragmentation, and ecological resilience in Belindo-Mahasoa, and what sustainable management responses are required to ensure long-term conservation efforts locally?. In the commune of Belindo-Mahasoa, located in the Bekily district, a spatio-temporal analysis of forest cover between 2015 and 2025 reveals a pronounced deforestation dynamic, marked by substantial reductions in wooded areas and increased landscape fragmentation. This pattern reflects a broader regional trend of rapid ecological degradation in southern Malagasy dry forests under increasing land-use pressures. Although small patches of vegetation recovery have emerged, largely linked to recent local restoration initiatives, their extent remains limited compared to the magnitude of forest loss. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen sustainable management strategies and restoration efforts to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests, whose resilience appears increasingly compromised. Thus, this article aims to provide recommendations to support conservation efforts and strengthen sustainable management strategies in order to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar)
AU  - Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin
AU  - Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana
AU  - Romuald Ramanantsoavina
AU  - Razakamanana Théodore
Y1  - 2026/01/31
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 30
EP  - 38
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
AB  - The dry Dry deciduous forests in southern Madagascar are among the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems, increasingly threatened by expanding anthropogenic pressures., These forest formations are among the most heavily affected by deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, charcoal production and timber extraction, leading to a continuous decline in forest cover. How have spatio-temporal deforestation dynamics between 2015 and 2025 altered forest cover, fragmentation, and ecological resilience in Belindo-Mahasoa, and what sustainable management responses are required to ensure long-term conservation efforts locally?. In the commune of Belindo-Mahasoa, located in the Bekily district, a spatio-temporal analysis of forest cover between 2015 and 2025 reveals a pronounced deforestation dynamic, marked by substantial reductions in wooded areas and increased landscape fragmentation. This pattern reflects a broader regional trend of rapid ecological degradation in southern Malagasy dry forests under increasing land-use pressures. Although small patches of vegetation recovery have emerged, largely linked to recent local restoration initiatives, their extent remains limited compared to the magnitude of forest loss. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen sustainable management strategies and restoration efforts to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests, whose resilience appears increasingly compromised. Thus, this article aims to provide recommendations to support conservation efforts and strengthen sustainable management strategies in order to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin

Graduate School of Geosciences (GPCEHP), University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-8207-8519
Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana

Graduate School of Geosciences (GPCEHP), University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar
Romuald Ramanantsoavina

Graduate School of Geosciences (GPCEHP), University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar
Razakamanana Théodore

Graduate School of Geosciences (GPCEHP), University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar;Department of Earth Sciences (DST), University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar

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Albertin, T. M., Harempahasoavana, T., Ramanantsoavina, R., Théodore, R. (2026). Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar). American Journal of Environmental Protection, 15(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

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Albertin, T. M.; Harempahasoavana, T.; Ramanantsoavina, R.; Théodore, R. Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar). Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2026, 15(1), 30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

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AMA Style

Albertin TM, Harempahasoavana T, Ramanantsoavina R, Théodore R. Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar). Am J Environ Prot. 2026;15(1):30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14,
  author = {Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin and Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana and Romuald Ramanantsoavina and Razakamanana Théodore},
  title = {Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar)},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {30-38},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20261501.14},
  abstract = {The dry Dry deciduous forests in southern Madagascar are among the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems, increasingly threatened by expanding anthropogenic pressures., These forest formations are among the most heavily affected by deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, charcoal production and timber extraction, leading to a continuous decline in forest cover. How have spatio-temporal deforestation dynamics between 2015 and 2025 altered forest cover, fragmentation, and ecological resilience in Belindo-Mahasoa, and what sustainable management responses are required to ensure long-term conservation efforts locally?. In the commune of Belindo-Mahasoa, located in the Bekily district, a spatio-temporal analysis of forest cover between 2015 and 2025 reveals a pronounced deforestation dynamic, marked by substantial reductions in wooded areas and increased landscape fragmentation. This pattern reflects a broader regional trend of rapid ecological degradation in southern Malagasy dry forests under increasing land-use pressures. Although small patches of vegetation recovery have emerged, largely linked to recent local restoration initiatives, their extent remains limited compared to the magnitude of forest loss. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen sustainable management strategies and restoration efforts to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests, whose resilience appears increasingly compromised. Thus, this article aims to provide recommendations to support conservation efforts and strengthen sustainable management strategies in order to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Deforestation Dynamics and Ecological Consequences in the Dry Dense Deciduous Forests of Belindo-Mahasoa (Bekily, Southern Madagascar)
AU  - Tinahindraza Mampionona Albertin
AU  - Tsiorisoa Harempahasoavana
AU  - Romuald Ramanantsoavina
AU  - Razakamanana Théodore
Y1  - 2026/01/31
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 30
EP  - 38
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20261501.14
AB  - The dry Dry deciduous forests in southern Madagascar are among the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems, increasingly threatened by expanding anthropogenic pressures., These forest formations are among the most heavily affected by deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, charcoal production and timber extraction, leading to a continuous decline in forest cover. How have spatio-temporal deforestation dynamics between 2015 and 2025 altered forest cover, fragmentation, and ecological resilience in Belindo-Mahasoa, and what sustainable management responses are required to ensure long-term conservation efforts locally?. In the commune of Belindo-Mahasoa, located in the Bekily district, a spatio-temporal analysis of forest cover between 2015 and 2025 reveals a pronounced deforestation dynamic, marked by substantial reductions in wooded areas and increased landscape fragmentation. This pattern reflects a broader regional trend of rapid ecological degradation in southern Malagasy dry forests under increasing land-use pressures. Although small patches of vegetation recovery have emerged, largely linked to recent local restoration initiatives, their extent remains limited compared to the magnitude of forest loss. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen sustainable management strategies and restoration efforts to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests, whose resilience appears increasingly compromised. Thus, this article aims to provide recommendations to support conservation efforts and strengthen sustainable management strategies in order to safeguard the essential ecological functions of these dry deciduous forests.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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