Fieldwork Festivities

Wrapping up fieldwork is bittersweet. 

This summer, a research team I am honored to be a part of celebrated the end of a major phase of data collection. The field team, led by Zico Zandry and Telesy Feno, have been working hard to collect lemur fecal samples and seeds, conduct germination experiments, and monitor plants for growth and survival. Together, we seek to understand how lemur seed dispersal affects plant germination, growth, and survival in human-modified landscapes. This project is part of our larger initiative to study and advance bicultural sustainability in Madagascar. 

In addition to Zico and Telesy, we have also been working closely with members of the local forest management association, the Ambodivoara Vondron’Olona Ifotony (VOI). Year-round VOI project members include Dominique Randrianasolo, Manadina Rasolofo, Jean Tiamanana, Franclin Zerimanana, and George Raveloson. Jean Randrianasy, from the Marojejy Guide Association, is also a key member on the seed dispersal project team. We have also worked with many other people during the summer fieldwork. And many community members not directly related in data collection have been involved in the project through discussions on conservation planning, as porters, and as Duke Lemur Center (DLC) SAVA Conservation workshop participants.

Clearly there are lots of people worth celebrating as this data collection phase comes to an end. The research team therefore organized a massive event, open to the entire community. There were speeches about the research, a short film screening about our work, food, live music, and many discussions about research and conservation. In a beautiful display of community, people came together to share ideas about the research and its implications for environmental and human well-being. 

Our work is not over yet. While the daily seed dispersal data collection has come to an end, the DLC still remains active in research and conservation in the area. Additionally, the team will continue to follow up on the project seedlings as they become saplings throughout the year.