Training:
Madagascar courses & information
TBA courses in Madagascar: dry forests of the Menabe region
The dry deciduous forests of Madagascar are distinctive ecosystems characterised by high local animal and plant endemism at the species, genus and family level. Experiencing a seasonal wet-dry tropical climate, the flora and fauna show adaptations to hot, dry conditions and the majority of the trees lose their leaves in the prolonged dry season. The TBA course will be held in Kirindy Forest/CFPF during the early part of the wet season. The forest has been the focus of research for many years, and as well as its fascinating flora, is known to support at least 7 species of lemur, and other endemic vertebrates such as Madagascar's largest predator, the fossa. The ecology of much of the flora and invertebrate fauna has yet to be studied. Kirindy was selected for the course because of the logistical support available, its history of research and trail system that is maintained by the German Primate Centre (DPZ). The area also provides a good case study of the effect of human impacts on indigenous biodiversity which include fragmentation, burning and other forms of degradation.
Field camp
The camp is situated in the forest. Accomodation will be basic and participants will share huts or tents. Living conditions and the daily schedule will be dictated largely by climate: dry forests are renowned for being hot and in November, daily maximums of over 33°C are likely. Participants on the course must be tolerant to high temperatures. Meals will based around the Malagasy staple of rice, and like all field stations, the food may be low in diversity but high in quantity. Electricity is provided by a generator at certain times of day. The TBA will have a limited set of field equipment available, but participants should bring their own binoculars and torches (please consider borrowing them if you do not have your own). We will have a covered platform which will be used as a lecture room.
The majority of the teaching on the course will be in English but participants should have some knowledge of French.
Climate and communications
Mean annual rainfall of the Menabe region is around 1000 mm. The climate is hot with mean maximum daily temperatures between 30-33°C and mean minimum daily temperatures between 18-21°C. People should expect to have negligible communication; there are no fax or email facilities (althought the TBA does have 24 hour satellite telephone access for medical emergencies). People should also be prepared to stay in the field camp for the full duration of the course. The first week of the course introduces Menabe's flora and fauna during identification workshops and field exercises. Evening lectures and seminars cover selected topics in tropical ecology, focusing on the expertise of the teaching staff present. . The remainder of the course is devoted to independent research projects carried out in pairs. Projects are written up and presented to the class as short research papers. Evening lectures and research talks continue throughout. We expect you will find the course intensive but since you may not get an opportunity to learn about tropical ecology in such a unique setting again, we think we should make the most of the time you have available.
Project reports
Below are the abstracts of all students projects that were carried out in Madagascar on previous TBA courses. Click on the subject matter to view.
Birds (pdf)
Plant and forest ecology (pdf)
Invertebrates (pdf)
Other animals (pdf)
Draft timetable
The below course timetable for Madagascar is an example taken from a previous course. The structure and contents of each course are different and dependant on the area of expertise of the core teachers and visiting lecturers present. Please use this as an overall guide not as the definite programme.
Madagascar course timetable (pdf)
Course guide
Here is the general introduction course guide
Here is the course guide for Madagascar
Useful information
TBA guide to birds of Kirindy (pdf)
TBA guide to primates and other mammals of Kirindy (pdf)