Current Human Impacts

Madagascar began being populated in 1896 by the french during the colonial period. Since than deforestation began in the tropical rainforest. Trees have been cut down for decades and the forest have disappeared. Population grew rapidly after the 1950's  The nation was poor so the deforestation occur due to economic struggles. Citizens prioritize their economic sustainability rather than the biodiversity

Deforestation is mainly related to cash cropping. Madagascar's main export is coffee and it has been for many years. Many of the farming land is use for coffee farming. Burning, grazing, logging, cattle ranching, mining, shifting cultivation and export crop production are a huge factor to deforestation in Madagascar as well.  Many of this were done even before the colonial period. "In addition to crops, the constructions of railroads and most of the operations relied heavily on timber, intensifying the demand for woods." 165,000 ha (100ha=1 km) forest is cut a year since the 1990's. Madagascar is home to 5% of the world species making it one of the most diverse places in the entire world. The deforestation is causing many rare plants and animals species to disappear rapidly.

Agriculture in a Tea Plantation 

Deforestation in Madagascar