QUARTERLY WEB REPORT
Year: 2015
Month: July – September
Communications:
-
-
Presented presentation of Ranomafana TEAM (Tropical Ecology Assessment and
monitoring) objectives, methodology, activities and rainforest biodiversity to:
o A group of visiting students from different schools in Madagascar (University,
High School, Primary School).
o Lectures and presentation to the “Study Abroad student groups” about TEAM
project in Ranomafana.
o A group of scientific tourists visiting Ranomafana National Park
o Multiple groups of Malagasy tourists.
Participating on the following event:
o CRS/USAID workshop in Toliara, Madagascar
o Presented the TEAM project to other NGO’s and community members in the
Ifanadiana and Mananjary District, Madagascar
o BDEM/CRS/USAID workshop in Kianjavato, Madagascar.
o My Rainforest My World workshop in Ranomafana
Unusual events:
None
New species:
None
Protocol activities:
Vegetation
During this quarter (July – September 2015), the TEAM program head finalized the TEAM
final report. The vegetation team created a collections system for specimen storage. Every month,
team vegetation check the phenology for all unidentified individuals at species level in Ranomena
plot 4 and in Andranofady plot 3. Unfortunately, we did not observe any fertility in plants in this
period (no buds, flowers, seeds…). Plants were not reproductively active during this time period in
plots 3 or plot 4. Plot 1,2,5,6 were not monitored during this time period in accordance with our
protocols.
During this quarter, vegetation team also fixed the fence at TEAM Climate Station and
preformed routine maintenance of the climate station every 15 days. They also assisted the villagers
to reforest using native tree species with a focus on using rare species.
Terrestrial Vertebrates
Terrestrial vertebrate team members took part in a training activity to train other CVB staff
and TEAM staff on camera trapping methods. During this quarter period (July-September, 2015),
they worked closely with Madagascar Dog Initiative (MDI) to trap feral dogs in and around the
park for spay / neutering.
The team also did routine cleaning, repair, and inventory of our camera traps. A few of our
cameras were not functioning properly but we were able to repair them. The Reconix HyperFire
P800HH02203038 did not work and nine RM45 Rapidedfire produce very bad pictures (Table 1).
Table 1. Malfunctioned camera traps
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Serial number
RM13AC 03003241
RM13AC 03003400
RM13AC 03003375
RM13AC 02003114
RM13AC 02003001
RM13AC 05003853
RM13AC 03003388
RM13AC 07003992
RM13AC 07004011
Remarks
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
Very bad
P800HH02203038 Inoperable
Other field equipment and materials were also inventoried and recalibrated. Prior to the
upcoming field monitoring, update of the field sheets and planning scheduler had been discussed.
Climate
Regular Climate data collection and climate station maintenance has continued. Monthly
climate data has been collected regularly and climate station maintenance has been done twice a
month. This report represent only the climate data for July and August 2015. September climate
data has not been completely processed yet. The data from climate station indicates the average
temperature from July 2015 to August 2015 wich increase slightly (Figure 1 and table 2), while
the relative humidity and the rain fall showed a noticeable decrease (Figure 2 and Figure 3).
Table 2. Variation of Average Temperature, Average Relative Humidity, and Rain Fall (with the
minimum and maximum) from July to August 2015 at Ranomafana TEAM Climate station
TEMPERATURE (°C)
RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%)
Min
Avg
Max
RAIN FALL (mm)
Avg
Max
Min
Avg
Max
Min
JULY
14,32
25,06
7,61
91,28
1000
32,85
0,0085 0,76
0
AUGUST
14,87
23,78
7,05
87,42
100
32,65
0,0062 0,50
0
Fig 1. Variation in temperature during this quarter period from TEAM Climate staion.
30
25
20
Avg
15
Max
10
Min
5
0
JULY
AUGUST
Months
Fig 2. Variation in relative humidity during this quarter period from TEAM Climate staion
1200
1000
800
Avg
600
Max
400
Min
200
0
JULY
AUGUST
Fig 3. Variation in rain fall during this quarter period from TEAM Climate station
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
JULY
0.3
AUGUST
0.2
0.1
0
Avg
Max
Min
protocol problems:
In July 2015, an incident of theft and vandalism occurred at the meteorological station. One of the
batteries was stolen and the wires between the solar panel and battery were cut. The damage has been
repaired and a letter of complaint was sent to the Gendarme in Ranomafana on July 22, 2015. We have
since repaired the fence. The thief was found and prosecuted and the battery recovered.
schedule problems:
None
logistical problems:
None
suggestions:
None