IUCN Management Category I (Strict Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 3.9.4 (Malagasy Woodland/savanna)

Geographical Location On the south-eastern side of the island of Nosy-Bé with the coast forming the southern and eastern borders of the reserve. 13°23'-13°25'S, 48°18'-48°20'E.

Date and History of Establishment 31 December 1927, though the Forêt de Lokobe was constituted as a reserve in 1913

Area 740ha

Land Tenure Government

Altitude 0-430m (the highest point on the island)

Physical Features The island of Nosy-Bé is formed of a neogenous basaltic block and marine sediments of the upper Lias. The relief is steep and rugged in places. The reserve is an important water catchment area for the island. There is a 'sambirano' type climate, similar to eastern Madagascar (moist sub-equatorial) but with a lower rainfall and more marked dry season.

Climate No information

Vegetation The reserve contains most of the island's remaining forest, a dense humid forest with species of the family Chlaenaceae (endemic to Madagascar) and numerous species of the genus Anthostema. Biologically and physionomically, it resembles the eastern rain forest, but is distinguished by the presence of numerous endemics.

Fauna The fauna is reportedly less rich than that on adjacent mainland areas, but it is still diverse, with a number of species apparently endemic to the island. Seven species of amphibian and 34 species of reptile have been recorded from the island; most or all of these can been expected to occur in the reserve. One amphibian, Platypelis milloti, is only known from the reserve and seven reptiles have been recorded only from Nosy Bé, namely Lygodactylus heterurus, Brookesia legendrei, B. minima, Chamaeleo boettgeri, C. parsonii, Amphiglossus stumpffi, Typhlops madagascariensis, and T. reuteri. Thirty-six non-marine molluscs endemic to Madagascar have also been recorded from Nosy Bé, including four which are apparently endemic to the island, Tropidophora felicis, Sitala brancsiki, S. filomarginata and Ampelita stumpffi. Of the lemurs, an important colony of black lemur Lemur macaco occurs in the reserve, as well as Lepilemur dorsalis, brown lemur Lemur fulvus, russet mouse-lemur Microcebus rufus, and lesser mouse-lemur M. murinus. There is little information on bird species.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities No information

Scientific Research and Facilities Prospecting and inventory work has been carried out (IUCN/WWF Project 1952). Much work has been done on the island of Nosy Bé generally and the sea area around it by scientists at the O.R.S.T.O.M. research station (ORSTOM, 1975).

The Centre National de Recherches Océanegraphiques owns a laboratory close to the reserve, but the work has always been marine-orientated.

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management Total

No information

There are proposals to increase the effectiveness of the reserve both by increasing its size, and by providing vehicles for the staff. Use of surrounding areas for tourism could be a valuable source of income. Support under IUCN/WWF Project 1952 will help to buy motorcycles and assist in the protection of a 150-200ha buffer zone planned in the north-east.

Management Constraints The reserve is very vulnerable because of its small size. The proposed buffer zone, which is not yet formally protected, is being cut down for cultivation of rice and manioc.

Staff One agent

Budget Salaries are paid by the government. WWF Funding (1982) - US$22,000 over two years

Local Addresses

Headquarters are at Hell-ville on the island of Nosy-Bé.

References

IUCN/WWF Project 1952. Support and equipment for reserves and national parks.

ORSTOM (1975). Publications de la mission ORSTOM de Nosy-Bé du 1.1.1972 au 31.12.1974. ORSTOM, Paris.

Date 1986