Andohahela

Andohahela National Park was created in 1998 at the southern tip of Madagascar, in the Anosy region, and protects some 760 km² across three parcels. Its singularity is biogeographical: it is the only protected area on the island that contains both rainforest and spiny forest.

The explanation lies in the Anosy range, which cuts across the south of the island from north to south and acts as a barrier to the moist winds off the Indian Ocean. On its eastern slope the rain falls and dense forest grows; a few kilometres to the west, in the rain shadow, precipitation collapses and spiny forest appears, a formation unique to southern Madagascar dominated by Didiereaceae and succulent euphorbias of almost extraterrestrial appearance. Between the two environments runs a narrow band of transitional forest, very scarce and of great scientific interest.

That juxtaposition explains a very high biodiversity for the park's size, with species of both worlds living together in a small space. Among its flora stands out the triangle palm, endemic to Andohahela and one of the few palms that grow in a semi-arid environment. The fauna includes ring-tailed lemur, sifakas, chameleons and a birdlife that differs on each slope. The surrounding communities depend on a water regime that deforestation has gradually altered, which pushes towards illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture.