Assessment of Ecosystem Services of North Western Dry Forests in Madagascar and Potential for Sustainable Development with REDD+

Principal Investigator (Affiliation)	Prof. KITAJIMA Kaoru Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Kyoto University
Co-investigator	Associate Prof. SATO Hiroki Graduate School of Asia and African Area Studies, Division of African Area Studies (ASAFAS), Kyoto University Specific Prof. EPRON Daniel Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Envirormental Science & Tecnology, Kyoto University
Research Participant	Associate Faculty TAKIMOTO Asako Tropical Research & Education Unit, Kyoto University FUJIMOTO Yutaro Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University YAMADA Tasuku Graduate School of Asia and African Area Studies, Kyoto University PERCIVAL Joseph Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University
International Coordinator	Prof. KITAJIMA Kaoru Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Kyoto University
Research Institutions in Japan	Kyoto University, Graduate School of Agriculture / Graduate School of Asia and African Area Studies / Tropical Research & Education Unit
Cooperating Organization in Japan	Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), REDD Research and Development Center / JIFPRO / JICA / Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.
Partner Country	Republic of Madagascar
Research Institutions in Madagascar	University of Antananarivo
Cooperating organization in Madagascar	Madagascar National Parks / The Malagasy Institute of Applied Research
Support Organization	Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd. / Japan Forest Technology Association / Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Madagascar)
General Description of the Research Project	This project will be conducted in the Republic of Madagascar, where sustainable development is urgently needed in a manner harmonious with the conservation of its uncomparable biological diversity. We will conduct research and preparation necessary for the development of a project to achieve REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation plus forest conservation, etc.), which is widely known as a climate mitigation mechanism that can potentially achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our focal region will be the Northwestern Madagascar, where drought and forest fires are increasingly frequent and severe under the changing climate. Firstly, we will assess forest ecosystem services such as carbon storage, hydrological regulation, and supply of economically useful plants. Then, we will catalyze the networking of local people and institutions, and initiate discussion and negotiations for the development of a bilateral REDD+ project that utilizes private financing from Japan. Through these activities, we will address multiple SDGs, in particular, “Climate Action”, “Life on Land”, and “Partnership for the Goals”.
Links	Tropical Forest Resources and Environment Laboratory Division of African Area Studies (ASAFAS) Faculty / Graduate School of Agriculture Tropical Research & Education Unit (KU-TREE)