Fellowship: Rocca Dissertation
Fellowship Year: 2025
Project Theme/Title: Investigating rainforest resilience and barriers to regeneration in eastern Madagascar
Abstract: To better target limited resources for ecosystem restoration, it is essential to understand the capacity of ecosystems to recover after disturbance (i.e. “natural resilience). However, scientific knowledge lags far behind both global and local restoration interest and commitment, especially in the well-known biodiversity hotspot of eastern Madagascar. Little is known about forest recovery trajectories in Madagascar’s unique forests. To address this critical knowledge gap, my team is integrating observational and experimental approaches to (1) describe and map regenerating forests across Marojejy National Park and (2) assess barriers to natural regeneration. Our international team of researchers, regional managers, and local communities is also (1) mentoring Malagasy student scientists, (2) enhancing local capacity and preserving traditional knowledge, and (3) integrating and sharing knowledge with local reserve managers and farmers. Through this initiative, we will inform targeted restoration actions across Madagascar’s hyperdiverse rainforests, thus advancing conservation while simultaneously providing co-benefits for local communities.
