Deforestation, Erosion, and Fire: Degradation Myths in the Environmental History of Madagascar
Author(s)
Kull, Christian A.
Abstract
Popular descriptions of Madagascar frequently include phrases such as “ecological mayhem” or “barren landscape.” The author compares earlier ideas about the environmental history of Madagascar with the results of recent research by paleoecologists and others. Deforestation and erosion, while very real trends, are exaggerated due to mistaken ideas about presettlement forest extent and the clearly visible red soils and erosion gullies. The role of fire, principal tool of landscape change and pasture maintenance, is unnecessarily emphasized. Blame is placed on the Malagasy people and problems of poverty and population growth, ignoring economic interests, historical political contexts, community politics, and the potential of the people to manage their resources positively. Finally, drawing from the recent school of thought that recognizes the role of narratives, discourses, and representations in the politics of conservation, the article describes the political nature of the history of environmental degradation in Madagascar.
