As an ecologist native to Madagascar, I am always drawn toward reading materials about the island's fascinating biological diversity. This book taught me more than I expected, in an informative yet entertaining way. It recounts the tantara (stories) of Madagascar, its people, ecosystems and wildlife, from the deep past to the present, and also provides a glimpse of what their future may look like in the face of environmental changes. The topics covered span a broad spectrum, including Madagascar's origins, ecology, evolution, culture, geology and more. Organized by events and reflecting on what the author has learnt and witnessed, the book guides the reader through changes that occurred over millions of years: the formation of the island, the arrival of the ancestral species of present-day wildlife, the arrival and establishment of the human population, habitat transformations—both natural and human-driven—and species extinctions.
The stories are told from the perspective of a non-Malagasy, foreign, person—albeit an expert with a lifelong devotion to unravelling the intricate mysteries of the island. Despite this, the book highlights the vital contributions that Malagasy scientists and scholars, as well as local villagers, have made to the important discoveries and the piecing together of the puzzles that have deepened our understanding of this marvellous natural laboratory. The author vividly recounts their stories, knowledge and vision, reflecting on her personal interactions with each of these groups over many decades.
Another aspect I love about this book is its take on environmental issues in Madagascar. The Malagasy ancestors and current populations, specifically those living near critical ecosystems, are often depicted as the villains in accounts of environmental degradation and conservation. But this book paints a different picture, opening the reader's eyes to the complexities of conservation and urging us to look deeper to find the true villains who benefit off the back of poor farmers. The author also points out that environmental degradation may not always be a result of human activities. Take, for example, the case of erosional gullies (locally called lavaka) or the tapestry of grassland systems in Madagascar's highlands that have been long attributed to the destructive effects of human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing by cattle and burning for agricultural practices. This narrative has been perpetuated in many reports, the scientific literature and discussions of land use and conservation in Madagascar. However, as this book points out with a look at the science behind these geological formations and land-cover types, presenting these phenomena as purely a result of human activities is incorrect as ‘natural processes are also at work’ (p. 42). In many instances, this book debunks, with evidence-based support, similar widespread and one-sided narratives that tend to blame Malagasy people for the environmental problems that the island's fragile ecosystems are facing.
I highly recommend this wonderful book, not only to the curious ecologist like me, the Malagasy fellow looking to reconnect with their roots, the scientist or scholar working on any aspect of Madagascar, or the conservationist trying to better understand Malagasy ecosystems, but to everyone. It is beautifully written, and its colourful penmanship makes the reader wish for the stories never to end.
Open access
