Covering a total of over 500 000 ha of moist and spiny forests, this REDD+ pilot project aims at reducing greenhouse gases emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) of the Malagasy forests. By February 2012, it will help to achieve the following objectives:

1. Improve knowledge on effective and verifiable measure of the impact of field activities to reduce GHG emissions and to sequester CO2 already present in the atmosphere.
    
2. Improve the living conditions of local communities through the transfer of natural resource management and development of sustainable agricultural practices (irrigated rice cultivation, agroforestry, etc.).
    
3. Fully integrate the conservation of the unique biodiversity of Madagascar.

In order to achieve the highest level of accuracy (Tier III in the IPCC language), we have implemented the following steps:

• Land-use classification via Very High Resolution Images (Spot 2.5m colours).
  In partnership with Planet Action, ITT and the Institute and Observatory of Geophysics of Antananariv.
   
• Production of computer-generated 3D-images via LiDAR technology and field inventories (dendrometric measurements). In partnership with Dr. Greg Asner from the Carnegie Institution for Science (Stanford University).
   
• Development of allometric models adapted to Malagasy forests since it is now critical to use models that include local wood densities. In partnership with the University of Agricultural Sciences of Madagascar and with the Unity « Goods and Services of Forest Ecosystems » of the Cirad.

We also focused on soil organic carbon stocks assessment in partnership with the IRD:

• Stocks measured by infrared spectrometry with the Unity "Eco&Soils".
   
• Innovative methodology for mapping soil carbon stocks via satellite imagery developed with the Unity "Space".

For more than 40 years now, WWF Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean, our local partner, has developed a strong experience in implementing forest conservation projects with local communities. It is especially critical for the creation of new protected areas and the transfer of natural resources management because everyone now agrees that it is illusionary to protect forests without the full collaboration of people who largely depend on it. Thus, representatives of local communities are especially involved in the delineation of those areas and in the development of the related management plans.

It takes time but the impacts can be spectacular, both in terms of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Two examples among many:

• In the moist forests of Fort-Dauphin the deforestation from slash and burn agriculture has been completely stopped since the launching of the project. It is essentially due to the development of credible and sustainable agricultural alternatives.
   
• In Fandriana-Marolambo, the plant nursery of dozens of native species is now completely mastered by many local nurserymen. It allows to reconnect fragmented forests and to restore ecological functions of forest corridors.