Plants
History of the lowalnd rainforests
Madagascars rainforest are known for the dense green lush of trees and plants that grow there, however due to heavy deforestatin many parts of the rainforest do not appear at all how they should. Many rainforest in Madagascar particularly the lowland rainforest suffered from heavy deforestation back in the colonialists time period, the land was used for slash and burn agriculture. Today Madagascar's lowland rainforest are some of the best protected rainforest in the world, mainly because of its 66 percent decrase in size in the past few centuries. It is important to preserve rainforest of this type because of the many species of plants and animals that inhabit them, and the deforestation has a huge impact on the habitat of these organisms. The biodiversity of the life in these rainforest is irreplaceble, adn preservation is key.
flora
Madagascar is home to as many as 12,000 plant species -- 70-80% of which are endemic -- making it one of the most diverse floras on the planet. 10 families and 260 genera of plants are endemic to Madagascar, thats the second most in the entire world after Austrailia with 13. Madagascar has nearly 1000 known species of orchids, of which 85% are endemic. Anti-cancer drugs (vincristine, vinblastine) derived from the Madagascar
rosy periwinkle generated over a billion dollars in revenue for Eli Lilly & Co. Endemic simply means that theeses types of plants are only found on this particular island.
rosy periwinkle generated over a billion dollars in revenue for Eli Lilly & Co. Endemic simply means that theeses types of plants are only found on this particular island.
Baobab Tree
The Baobab tree is the national tree of Madagascar, there are only eight species of this tree and Madagascar has six of them. Its the national tree of Madagascar because of its many uses. It can provide shelter, clothing, food, and water for the animal and human inhabitants of the African savannah regions. The cork-like bark and huge stem are fire resistant and are used for making cloth and rope. The leaves are used as condiments and medicines. The fruit, called "monkey bread", is edible,
and full of Vitamin C. As of 2010 experts estimate the potential international market at a billion dollars($US) a year. This tree can also store hundreds of liters of water, this adaptation stems from amany many years of droughts. Many call it the tree of life. Many other species of trees exist in the lowland forests of madagascar, and they all cover the floors maintaining a good temperature for the organisms that inhabit it.
and full of Vitamin C. As of 2010 experts estimate the potential international market at a billion dollars($US) a year. This tree can also store hundreds of liters of water, this adaptation stems from amany many years of droughts. Many call it the tree of life. Many other species of trees exist in the lowland forests of madagascar, and they all cover the floors maintaining a good temperature for the organisms that inhabit it.