Our priority area
Our priority areas are: The COFAV forest corridor (also known as the Ambositra-Vondrozo Forest Corridor, which represents 10% of Madagascar's remaining tropical forests), the COFAM or Fandriana-Marolambo forest corridor, and the adjacent Tapia forest in the Amoron'i Mania region.
These are highly biodiverse habitats, home to many threatened species that are largely unprotected. These areas include the sources of over 25 important rivers, which are essential for the local ecology, biodiversity, and human population.
Tapia Forests
Tapia forests are unique ecosystems found in the central highlands of Madagascar. They are characterised by the dominance of the Tapia tree (Uapaca bojeri), an endemic species with thick, fire-resistant bark.
The Tapia forest plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem, providing a habitat for various plant and animal species, especially the wild silk worm (Borocera cajani), protecting the soil from erosion, and offering valuable resources such as food, medicine, and building materials.
The Tapia tree (Uapaca bojeri) is a plant endemic to Madagascar and is the host for the wild silkworm species, particularly the Landibe (Borocera cajani), which is also endemic. In other words, the survival of the Landibe depends on the Tapia forest.
COFAV and COFAM
Ambositra-Vondrozo Forest Corridor / Fandriana-Marolambo Forest Corridor
The Ambositra-Vondrozo (COFAV) tropical forest corridor
The COFAV is a Protected Area classified as a "Protected Landscape" (equivalent to IUCN Category V). This forest belt extends east and west of the escarpment that separates the highlands from the lower coastal zone.
Covering an area of over 130,000 hectares, it is classified as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) because it meets the thresholds of at least one criterion described in the global standard for identifying biodiversity areas, making it of international importance.
Management of COFAV
Conservation International (CI) is officially the "COFAV Manager" (under contract with the Malagasy Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development) but collaborates with Ny Tanintsika, which is highly active through our permanent staff in the COFAV area, particularly in the Ambalavao, Ifanadiana, and Ikongo districts.
Fandriana-Marolambo corridor
The Fandriana-Marolambo corridor is another crucial link in Madagascar's ecological network. Located in the southeast of the island, this corridor is under immense pressure due to deforestation, primarily caused by shifting slash-and-burn agriculture. Despite these challenges, the corridor remains a biodiversity hotspot, home to a variety of endemic species.