Madagascar lowland forests

The ecoregion constitutes a narrow strip of lowland forests between Madagascar's east coast and the mountainous Central Highlands, from sea level to elevation. It covers an area of approximately . The ecoregion is under the direct influence of the oceanic trade winds, which maintain a warm, humid climate; rainfall is above 2,000 mm per year and can reach up to 6,000 mm on the Masoala peninsula. The lowland forests extend from Marojejy in the north to the southeast corner of the island. At the northern edge of ecoregion around Vohemar, the moist forests transition to the drier Madagascar dry deciduous forests ecoregion. To the east, at approximately elevation, the lowland forests transition gradually to the Madagascar subhumid forests ecoregion. The southern end of the ecoregion lies at the crest of the Anosyennes Mountains, where a narrow belt of dry transitional forest marks the transition to the dry spiny forests ecoregion in the mountains' rain shadow. ==Flora==

The lowland forests are characterized by dense evergreen forests, 82% of which is endemic species, with a canopy exceeding . Typical canopy species include Dalbergia, Diospyros, Ocotea, Symphonia, and Tambourissa; emergents of Canarium, Albizia, and Neobrochoneura acuminata rise above the canopy. The lowland forests have a rich diversity of Pandanus, palm, bamboo, and epiphytic orchid species. At higher elevations the trees become shorter and have a denser undergrowth. ==Fauna==

The lowland forests represent a great reservoir of diversity and endemism. Nearly all of Madagascar's endemic mammal genera are represented there, including all five families of lemurs. A famous extinct species is Delalande's coua (Coua delalandei) which has not been seen since the 19th century. The forests are also home to 50 endemic reptiles and 29 amphibians such as the following chameleons: Calumma gallus, Calumma cucullatum, Furcifer balteatus, Furcifer bifidus, Brookesia superciliaris, and Brookesia therezieni. The freshwater fish population, with more than 100 endemic species, is also unique. ==Threats and preservation==

Madagascar's lowland rainforests have been preserved generally better than the high central plateau, but there has still been substantial loss. Widespread slash-and-burn activity in the lowland rainforests is one of the major reasons. Slash-and-burn is a method sometimes used by shifting cultivators to create short term yields from marginal soils. When practiced repeatedly, or without intervening fallow periods, the nutrient-poor soils may be exhausted or eroded to an unproductive state. Another threat is the selective exploitation of some species, such as palms and tree ferns. 10.79% of the ecoregion is in protected areas, including national parks and reserves. They include: • Ambato Atsinanana • Analamazaotra National Park • Andasibe-Mantadia National Park • Andohahela National Park • Kalambatritra Reserve • Manombo Special Reserve • Marojejy National Park • Ranomafana National Park • Mangerivola Special Reserve • Masoala National Park • Tsitongambarika • Zahamena National Park ==Gallery==

Image:Angraecum sesquipedale cultivated.png|alt=Detail of a star-shaped yellow orchid flower with six tepals|Angraecum sesquipedale, one of over 900 orchids in Madagascar Image:Ravenala_madagascariensis_Maui.jpg|Traveler's tree (Ravenala madagascariensis), Madagascar's national emblem Image:Golden Mantelle (Mantella aurantiaca), Torotorofotsy marshes, Madagascar (13795093335).jpg|alt=An orange-red frog|Golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca), an endangered frog endemic to the eastern rainforests. Image:Indri_indri_001.jpg|alt=A black-white lemur sitting in trees|Indri (Indri indri), the largest living lemur Image:Brookesia_superciliaris_01.jpg|alt=A small, brown chameleon resembling a leaf|Brown leaf chameleon (Brookesia superciliaris) ==See also==