Ecosystem services provided by the freshwater fauna of Madagascar’s tropical rainforest: Case of the eastern coast (Andasibe) and the highlands (Antenina)

Abstract

This study contributes to relevant information on the value of biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems in the rainforest of Madagascar. Freshwater biodiversity provides multiple invaluable benefits to human life through their ecosystem services. This paper is a synthesis of two research studies. The first study took place at Andasibe rain forest in the eastern cost of Madagascar and the second research was in the Antenina forest which is a tropical rainforest located in the Highlands, in the Vakinankaratra region. Forests streams were characterized by the high diversity (Shannon Index: from 12 to 15). 66 taxa were identified in the eastern cost of Madagascar, and 46 taxa in the highlands area. So, freshwater fauna Predators are dominant like Odonata who contribute to the control of the density and dynamics of prey such as malaria mosquitoes. The filter feeders purify the water in the freshwater ecosystem while the collectors eat the organic particles in suspension. Therefore, they recover organic matter from erosion. Shredders and grazers feed on detritus and coarse particles. These feeding groups play important roles in the flow of matter and nutrients cycling and are part of the regulating and support ecosystem services. Aquatic organisms are mostly edible including freshwater fishes, crustaceans, crabs, shrimps and some families of insects such as the Oligoneuriidae of Ephemeroptera. In this sense, they provide procurement services. Both rain forest protected park in the eastern cost and the highlands provide a socio-cultural service as it serves as a recreation area and cultural identity for the local population.