French title

• Published in: Biotechnologie, agronomie, société et environnement Vol. 16; no. 4; p. 541
• Main Authors: Rakotondrasoa, Olivia Lovanirina, Malaisse, Francois, Rajoelison, Gabrielle Lalanirina, Razafimanantsoa, Tsiresy Maminiaina, Rabearisoa, Misha Ratsimba, Ramamonjisoa, Bruno Salomon, Raminosoa, Noromalala, Verheggen, Francois J, Poncelet, Marc, Haubruge, Eric, Bogaert, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.01.2012
• Subjects: ISW, Indian Ocean, Madagascar
• ISSN: 1370-6233

This article presents an overview of the tapia forest (Uapaca bojeri Baill.) in Madagascar in order to emphasize its importance for the development of the local population through improving household incomes. The tapia forest is a "socionatural" formation, quasi-monospecific with regard to the tree stratum and endemic to Madagascar. It is only located in the highlands of Madagascar. Alongside its ecosystem functions, the tapia forest hosts various resources, including non-timber forest products as well as timber itself, all of which play an important role in the informal local economy. However, the tapia ecosystem is threatened by human destruction through bush fires, production of firewood and charcoal, agriculture expansion, and by invasion of exotic species introduced for the purposes of reforestation. Subsequently, the sustainable management and protection of the tapia forest is essential in order to enable local populations to reap its benefits across several generations.