Spiny Forest, Madagascar

The spiny forests of Madagascar are likely nothing else on Earth.  They stretch across the dry south and southwest of the island, where rain is scarce, and the heat is intense.  Everything here has had to get creative to survive.

The plants in this region are some of the wildest on the planet.  Many are spiny, thorny and almost cactus-like, though they’re not true cacti.  The octopus tree (Didiereaceae) has twisting, spiky branches that seem to reach toward the sky, while spiny euphorbias dot the landscape.  The massive boababs, with their thick, water-storing trunks, rise above it all.  Then there’s Alluaudia procera, a striking succulent with long, slender branches covered in thorns, adding another layer of toughness to the mix.  Most plants here are either covered in spines or packed with moisture, designed to survive through long dry spells.

Two parks are especially known for their spiny forests:  Ifaty and Tsimanampetsotsa National Park.  Both are hotspots for biodiversity, home to a wide range of endemic species, such as the critically endangered radiated and spider tortoises, mouse lemurs (the smallest lemur species), the endangered Verreaux’s sifaka and Lafreshnaye’s Vanga, a black-and-white bird endemic to the southwest.

The spiny forests are facing significant threats from farming and logging, though protected areas like Ifaty and Tsimanampetsotsa are working to save what’s left.  Still, it’s an uphill battle.