World Heritage Identification Number: 1257
World Heritage since: 2007
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Natural Landscapes & Geographic Features
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇲🇬 Madagascar
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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The Rainforests of the Atsinanana: A Unique Biodiversity Haven in Eastern Madagascar
The Rainforests of the Atsinanana, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, represent a significant portion of the eastern part of Madagascar. This designation encompasses 13 distinct areas within six national parks, each playing a crucial role in preserving the island's unique biodiversity.
These rainforests are a testament to Madagascar's long geological and evolutionary isolation. The island separated from the African continent about 160-165 million years ago and the Indian subcontinent approximately 88-90 million years ago, leading to the development of an extraordinary range of flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. The site is recognized for its importance in ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as for its exceptional biodiversity and the numerous threatened species it harbors.
The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are of outstanding importance for the study of ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes. Isolated for millions of years, Madagascar’s eastern rainforests function as a living laboratory of evolution, where species diversification continues to occur in response to highly varied microclimates and habitats. This makes the site globally significant for understanding how life evolves in long-isolated tropical ecosystems.
Rather than forming a single continuous forest, the rainforests consist of a series of fragmented protected areas distributed along Madagascar’s eastern escarpment. This fragmented structure reflects both natural variation in topography and the long history of human land use in the region. Despite their separation, these forest blocks collectively preserve key ecological processes and serve as critical refuges for Madagascar’s remaining rainforest species.
The site includes six national parks: Marojejy National Park, Masoala National Park, Zahamena National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Andringitra National Park, and Andohahela National Park.
Marojejy National Park is known for its steep rainforest-covered mountains and exceptional levels of endemism. Among its most notable species is the silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus), one of the world’s rarest primates. Masoala National Park, another key component of the site, supports an exceptionally rich array of wildlife, including the red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) and other highly threatened endemic species.
Zahamena National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Andringitra National Park, and Andohahela National Park each contribute distinct ecological characteristics to the Rainforests of the Atsinanana. Zahamena National Park is notable for its dense lowland rainforest and rich biodiversity, including the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), Madagascar’s largest native predator.
Ranomafana National Park is renowned for its hot springs and diverse lemur populations, including several species discovered relatively recently. Andringitra National Park is characterized by its dramatic granite massifs, high-altitude ecosystems, and montane grasslands, while Andohahela National Park is especially important for containing a sharp ecological transition between humid rainforest and dry spiny forest.
The forests support exceptional plant diversity, with Madagascar as a whole hosting roughly 11,000–13,000 plant species—the vast majority of which are endemic. A large proportion of this botanical diversity is represented within the eastern rainforest ecosystems. The combination of steep altitudinal gradients, high rainfall, and varied microhabitats has produced a wide range of plant communities, from lowland rainforest to montane forest ecosystems. This botanical diversity plays a fundamental role in maintaining the ecological stability and resilience of the region’s rainforest systems.
However, the forests face significant threats, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, mining, and climate change. In 2025, the Rainforests of the Atsinanana were removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger following improvements in conservation measures and a significant reduction in some of the threats that had led to their 2010 listing. Despite this milestone, conservation efforts involving local communities, government authorities, and international organizations remain critical to combatting long-term threats such as illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy).
Altogether, the Rainforests of the Atsinanana stand as one of the world’s most important centers of biodiversity and endemism. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its natural values, these forests are protected for their ecological and evolutionary significance. By supporting conservation efforts and promoting sustainable tourism, we can help ensure the long-term survival of this unique and irreplaceable treasure.
UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Rainforests of the Atsinanana comprise six national parks distributed along the eastern part of the island. These relict forests are critically important for maintaining ongoing ecological processes necessary for the survival of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, which reflects the island’s geological history. Having completed its separation from all other land masses more than 60 million years ago, Madagascar’s plant and animal life evolved in isolation. The rainforests are inscribed for their importance to both ecological and biological processes as well as their biodiversity and the threatened species they support. Many species are rare and threatened especially primates and lemurs.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are relict forests, largely associated with steeper terrain along the eastern escarpment and mountains of Madagascar. The protected areas included in this serial property have become critically important for maintaining ongoing ecological processes necessary for the survival of Madagascar's unique biodiversity. This biodiversity reflects Madagascar's geological history and geographic placement. It is the world's fourth largest island and has been separated from all other land masses for at least 60-80 million years and thus most of its plant and animal life has evolved in isolation. These forests have also offered important refuge for species during past periods of climate change and will be essential for the adaptation and survival of species in the light of future climate change.
Criterion (x): The level of endemism within the property is approximately 80 to 90 percent for all groups, and endemic families and genera are common. Madagascar is among the top countries known for their megadiversity and features an extraordinarily high number (circa 12,000) of endemic plant species. The property is also globally significant for fauna, especially primates, with all five families of Malagasy primates, all endemic lemur families, seven endemic genera of Rodentia, six endemic genera of Carnivora, as well as several species of Chiroptera represented. Of the 123 species of non-flying mammals in Madagascar (72 of which are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), 78 occur within the property. The critical importance of the property is underlined by the fact that deforestation has left eastern Madagascar with only 8.5 percent of its original forests and the property protects key areas of this remaining habitat.
Encyclopedia Record: Rainforests of the Atsinanana
The Rainforests of the Atsinanana is a World Heritage Site that was inscribed in 2007 and consists of 13 specific areas in six national parks in the eastern part of Madagascar:Marojejy National Park Masoala National Park Zahamena National Park Ranomafana National Park Andringitra National Park Andohahela National ParkAdditional Site Details
Area: 479,660.7 hectares
Number of Components: 13
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: -14.4597222222 , 49.7025
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Rainforests of the Atsinanana reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Rainforests of the Atsinanana from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Ecological Niche Modeling of Nuxia capitata and Phyllarthron madagascariensis: Delineating Bioclimatic Envelopes for Sustainable Forest Management in Madagascar
Ecological niche modeling reveals critical insights for the conservation of two endemic Malagasy forest resources, Nuxia capitata and Phyllarthron madagascariensis. The study identifies their bioclimatic envelopes with high predictive accuracy (AUC: 0.951 and 0.919, respectively), showing that N. capitata thrives in cooler highland ecosystems, primarily driven by annual temperature (75.6% contribution), while P. madagascariensis is shaped by precipitation seasonality (43.4%), dominating the eastern humid forest biome. Spatial analyses indicate that 31.81% of N. capitata's niche and 36.36% of P. madagascariensis's range overlap with protected areas, but significant gaps persist in central highlands like Analamanga. The research underscores the urgency of strengthening community-based forest management to safeguard fragmented genetic reservoirs and preserve indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge, amid accelerating anthropogenic pressures.
Mihaja Henintsoa Toejanahary, R., Rokiman, L., Vololonome Bodomalala, R., RAHELIVOLOLONIAINA Baholy, R., & Dieudonné, R. (2026). Ecological Niche Modeling of Nuxia capitata and Phyllarthron madagascariensis: Delineating Bioclimatic Envelopes for Sustainable Forest Management in Madagascar. Revue Africaine d’Ethnobiologie & Ethnomédecine, 4(1), 131–149. https://doi.org/10.65857/raee.026.v4.i1.44
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Nature's contributions to human well‐being under climate change: Evidence from Central and Eastern Madagascar
Climate change significantly degrades both material and non-material ecosystem services, disproportionately affecting the well-being of vulnerable communities in Madagascar. A study across four sites in the Rainforests of the Atsinanana revealed that non-material contributions—such as companionship and cultural experiences—are more closely tied to human well-being than tangible resources like food or labor. Impacts include biodiversity loss, drought, and temperature variability, leading to ecological grief and psychological strain. The research combines participatory workshops, mapping, and interviews with local residents to uncover these mechanisms, providing actionable insights for policymakers and conservationists to address climate adaptation holistically.
Petzold, J., Kosanic, A., Rakoto Joseph, F., Rajaonarivelo Andrianina, P., Ranaivosoa‐Toandro, S. M., Andriamihaja, O. R., Voahanginirina, L. M., Thien, L., & Razanajatovo, M. (2024). Nature’s contributions to human well‐being under climate change: Evidence from Central and Eastern Madagascar. People and Nature, 6(2), 749–761. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10595
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Satellite observations of aerosol and precursor gas distribution in Madagascar
Aerosol and precursor gas distributions in Madagascar's Rainforests of the Atsinanana exhibit distinct fire radiative power (FRP) patterns, with savannah/grassland fires showing low FRP (<10 MW) compared to rainforest fires (>100 MW). This study leverages satellite observations to analyze spatio-temporal variations in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), formaldehyde (HCHO), and carbon monoxide (CO), linking them to fire phases and fuel types. The research provides critical insights into the atmospheric impacts of wildfires, which are essential for understanding regional air quality dynamics.
Mbolanjara H., A., Anzelà M., R., & Richard, R. (2024). Satellite observations of aerosol and precursor gas distribution in Madagascar. International Journal of Engineering, Sciences and Technologies, 2(Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.70961/ikdy7329
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Biodiversity and ecosystem services in a tropical smallholder landscape in Madagascar
In Madagascar's Atsinanana rainforests, land-use changes driven by smallholder agriculture differentially impact biodiversity and ecosystem services. Research reveals that while endemism among plants and ants declines with increased land-use intensity—particularly on previously burned land—vanilla agroforestry systems can enhance biodiversity compared to fallow lands. Notably, primary forests remain irreplaceable for harboring unique species assemblages of ants, butterflies, and plants, while woody fallows provide critical provisioning services for rural communities. The study also highlights that hand-pollination in vanilla cultivation, necessitated by the scarcity of natural pollinators, offers economic potential but poses risks such as labor exploitation and ecological neglect if not managed sustainably. By integrating biodiversity data with yield metrics, the research demonstrates that increased vanilla production does not inherently deplete biodiversity, provided landscape-level forest cover is maintained. These findings underscore the need for diversified land-use strategies to balance agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem service delivery in Madagascar's smallholder landscapes.
Wurz, A. Biodiversity and ecosystem services in a tropical smallholder landscape in Madagascar. https://doi.org/10.53846/goediss-9650
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A habitat stronghold on the precipice: A call‐to‐action for supporting lemur conservation in northeast Madagascar
Northeast Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot with six protected areas and at least 22 lemur species, faces severe threats from unsustainable resource use despite formal conservation efforts. This study highlights the region's precarious balance between biodiversity protection and human livelihoods, advocating for eight key conservation strategies to mitigate these threats. These include empowering local conservation actors, expanding reforestation, long-term research and monitoring, reducing food insecurity, promoting environmental education, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and community health initiatives. The authors emphasize the urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard this critical habitat for lemurs and other wildlife.
Eppley, T. M., Borgerson, C., Patel, E. R., Herrera, J. P., Kirkby, A. E., Golden, C. D., Andriamahaihavana, M., Andrianandrasana, L., Bóveda, A., Gibson, D., Jaofeno, L. J., Rakotondrasoa, F., Ramahaleo, T. A., Rasamisoa, D. C., Ratelolahy, F., Razafindramanana, J., Spira, C., Welch, C., & Vasey, N. (2023). A habitat stronghold on the precipice: A call‐to‐action for supporting lemur conservation in northeast Madagascar. American Journal of Primatology, 86(3). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23483
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Economic activities and their impacts on the ecosystem and biodiversity in Madagascar (Case of the Eastern region)
Unregulated economic activities, particularly wood extraction for charcoal and construction, significantly threaten the ecosystems and biodiversity of Madagascar's Atsinanana rainforests. These pressures are exacerbated by high unemployment rates, leading to disproportionate forest degradation despite restoration efforts. The study highlights that fast-growing native species used in restoration may not fully mitigate these impacts. Socio-economic surveys and econometric modeling were employed to analyze data on logging practices, tree species exploited, and their ecological consequences. Findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable alternatives, such as promoting efficient cook stoves like 'fatana mitsitsy,' to reduce reliance on wood extraction and alleviate forest degradation.
Dorient RAVELOJAONA, Botovao Auguste RAMIANDRISOA, Tovo Hanitra RATOVOHAJA, ZARAMODY, A., RAKOTONANDRASANA, A. T., RAHARINIRINA, E. F., RARIVOMANANA Lolo, & Hery Lisy Tiana RANARIJAONA. (2023). Economic activities and their impacts on the ecosystem and biodiversity in Madagascar (Case of the Eastern region). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.7821866
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Checklist and distribution of the liverworts of the Andasibe (Périnet) region (Madagascar)
A comprehensive checklist of liverworts (Marchantiophyta) from the Andasibe (Périnet) region, Madagascar, identifies 222 species, including five newly reported for the country. These discoveries—Cheilolejeunea ngongensis, Cheilolejeunea unciloba, Heteroscyphus grandistipus, Lejeunea angulifolia, and Kymatocalyx africanus—expand Madagascar's known liverwort diversity. The study synthesizes literature, herbarium records, and recent collections to map species occurrences, providing critical data for future research on distribution patterns and conservation efforts in this UNESCO-listed rainforest region.
Sass-Gyarmati, A., Hodgetts, N. G., Brinda, J. C., Abalo-Loko, G.-A., Lavocat-Bernard, E., Vanderpoorten, A., Boucheron-Dubuisson, E., Allard, A., Kervran, L., Andriamiarisoa, R. L., & Reeb, C. (2023). Checklist and distribution of the liverworts of the Andasibe (Périnet) region (Madagascar). Acta Biologica Plantarum Agriensis, 11(1), 333–395. https://doi.org/10.21406/abpa.2023.11.1.333
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