The very diverse littoral forest remain in South East Madagascar are imminently threatened by opencast mining for ilmenite. The core argument presented by the mining company (Rio Tinto) is that with the current rate of deforestation the forest will disappear within 25 years. However, some evidence indicates the forests were always fragmented and restricted to particular soil types.

This research will provide robust evidence on the previous extent of the forests, the current degree of fragmentation and degradation. In turn, this will provide information on which to prioritise the conservation of the forest, to seek mitigation from the mining company and for developing ecological realistic management plans.