Protocol “Vegetation”

Analysis of the data from the “Vegetation” has been continuing.  Expeditions to conduct additional collect of voucher specimens have been made for site 4 and 5 (Ranomena and Maharira).  In site review and identification of tree-plot species were conducted.  Confirmation of some species, using the MBG identified voucher specimens was also made.  Some of the unknown plants have been identified.  Many of the plant species names were corrected and modified following their newly identified family, genus, and species belongings.  Due some delays in flowering and fructifying seasons of some species, field expedition for collect of additional voucher specimen collection was delayed (Table 1).

Table 1. Expedition planning for collecting additional voucher specimens

Upon return from expedition, most of the collected voucher specimens have been prepared, annotated, and catalogued before being stored in the Laboratory. 

During this quarter, the student from the University of Fianarantsoa, Rovaniaina Léa, who has been involved in TEAM project, defended her research for her academic degree.  This is part of the requirement for conducting research in Madagascar, and the TEAM Manager, as the advisor, assisted in advising, reviewing reports, and participating in the student redaction defense at the University of Fianarantsoa

the defense.

Protocol “Terrestrial Vertebrates”

            Analysis of the data from the “Terrestrial Vertebrates” has been continuing.  All camera traps were cleaned and tested for their good functioning.  All data were gathered and analysis has been continuing.  A total of 57,024 pictures were taken from all the three arrays of TEAM Ranomafana sites (Table 2).  An average of 338 pictures per camera trap point has been obtained.

Table 2. Camera trapping within the three arrays of Ranomafana TEAM site from 2012

Remarks: In 2012, Array 1 had two camera traps (# 05 and 11) misfired – (total taken photos were respectively 30,098 and 10,004).  Few camera traps also took constantly too many unidentified images (example at point # RNF-CT-2-08 from Array 2).  They were either overexposed or having problem in working under certain habitat conditions, such as the succession of rain and sunlight.  Sometimes, they were just misfired.  Those camera traps took some fuzzy pictures when the flash was not on.

                 By looking at the number of species pictures taken by the camera traps, respectively, there were 19, 14, and 12 animal species found among the taken pictures from the camera traps of the three arrays of Ranomafana TEAM site (Table 3).

Table 3. Species list of captured animal from Camera trapping within the three arrays of Ranomafana TEAM site

Some terrestrial vertebrate species, such as Fossa fossana, Cryptoprocta ferox, Streptopelia picturata, Setifer setosus, Nesomys rufus, and Eliurus tanala were found in all of the Arrays.  Introduced species, like Bos primigenius and Potamochoerus larvatus are more found in some areas than in others.  Some rare bird species, such as Lophotibis cristata are more restricted only to some points.

This quarter, we participated in the “TEAM best camera trap photos” contest, by analyzing and selecting photos from the 2012 Camera Trap data; and annotating, and uploading to https//ci.tandemvault.com

Protocol “Climate”

For the climate monitoring, data collection and station maintenance have been continuing regularly every two weeks for the station maintenance and every month for the data collection.  All the climate station has been maintained: core area cleared.  A significant decrease in the average temperature was found during the last quarter period, while the average relative humidity and the rainfall didn’t show much variation (Table 4).

Table 4. Climate station monitoring and climate data (April – June 2013) at Ranomafana TEAM site