Biodiversity Hotspots: Madagascar

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.  Not quite the size of Texas, Madagascar, off the coast of southeast Africa, is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.  More than 11,000 endemic plant species, including seven species of baobab tree, share the island with a vast variety of mammal, reptiles, amphibians, and others, including universally loved lemurs and chameleons.

In this lecture-style program, you will hear from beloved Auburn University Biological Sciences professor, Dr. Debbie Folkerts, and University of Antananarivo, Madagascar graduate Fanomezana “Fano” Rajaonarisoa, who is working on modern ideas in ecotourism.  Having recently visited Madagascar, 

Dr. Folkerts will take attendees on a virtual tour of the island, showcasing some of the incredible diversity and talking about what makes this country so special. And attendees will learn about Fano’s innovative new concepts in community-based ecotourism, 

its potential for helping conserve the precious diversity of Madagascar, and how it can drive new conservation initiatives and ideas for the economy of Alabama, the United States’ own biodiversity hotspot!

This program is free to the public, donations are welcomed.

This event is held at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, located at 2222 N. College Street near the AU Fisheries and Hwy 280. For more information, visit auburn.edu/preserve, email preserve@auburn.edu, or call 334-844-8091.