Invasive rats are stopping small mammals from returning to Madagascar’s regenerating forests - study
A new study conducted in Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park reveals that invasive black rats are outcompeting native small mammals in regenerating forests. This competition is hindering the recovery of native species like brown mouse lemurs and tenrecs in areas previously cleared for farming.
Why it matters
Understanding the impact of invasive species on forest regeneration is critical for global biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts.
Madagascar’s brown mouse lemurs are struggling to flourish in regenerating forests where black rats have invaded in large numbers. Gail Hampshire/Flickr https://theconversation.com/invasive-rats-are-stopping-small-mammals-from-returning-to-madagascars-regenerating-forests-study-288735 https://theconversation.com/invasive-rats-are-stopping-small-mammals-from-returning-to-madagascars-regenerating-forests-study-288735 Link copied Share article Share article
Copy link Email Bluesky Facebook WhatsApp Messenger LinkedIn X (Twitter) Print article
In south-eastern Madagascar, patches of forest that were once cut down to make way for farms are slowly naturally regenerating after being left to lie fallow. But recovering a native forest needs more than just gaining tree cover. The animals that once lived in these forests also need to make their way back so that the forest can function the way it used to.
When these native animals try to return, however, they often find that the forest has been taken over by invasive species they’ve never encountered before.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in