Abstract
The general objective of this project is to study the effect of global changes on biological and functional diversity of soil engineers in Madagascar, a group of soil fauna that plays a role that is particularly important in the functioning of soil. The study of Madagascar’s soil diversity, of the biodiversity it encloses and the role of the organisms, main actors in the functioning of soil, is of greatest importance for the development of the island. We will in particular study the effect of soil usage and climate changes on the abundance, the diversity and the functions of three major groups of invertebrates: earthworms, termites and Coléoptères Scarabeoidea larva. A sociological study of traditional knowledge linked with diversity and functions of the fauna will also be carried out. This knowledge is a necessary precondition in order to set up projects linked with the function of soils and ecosystems. The results of this project could be of help for policy makers in terms of biodiversity preservation and management of cultivated areas. We also anticipate creating a database on the diversity of Madagascar’s soil macro-fauna and preserving the identified species in a Madagascan preservation unit.
France