Madagascar subhumid forests

The Madagascar subhumid forests are home to critically endangered endemic species such as the greater bamboo lemur and various species of tenrecs. Because the ecoregion occupies the central highlands, it serves as a vital sanctuary for wildlife that cannot survive in the arid coastal regions. Severe deforestation for agriculture, however, has heavily fragmented their natural habitat.

This ecoregion faces severe deforestation threats primarily due to slash-and-burn agriculture, known locally as "tavy," for subsistence farming. Additionally, the massive harvesting of firewood and charcoal production heavily degrades the remaining forest patches. Because the forests are located in the highly populated central highlands, human pressure has reduced them to a fraction of their original size.

Situated in the central highlands of Madagascar, this ecoregion features a subhumid climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, unlike the tropical coasts. It experiences cooler temperatures due to the higher elevation, occasionally dropping near freezing in the winter months. This unique climate allows for specific moisture-dependent plant species to thrive alongside savanna-like grasslands.

This ecoregion covers the central high plateau of Madagascar, extending roughly from the northern Tsaratanana Massif down to the central area around the capital city, Antananarivo. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and valleys intersected by vital river systems. It acts as a natural transitional zone between the humid eastern rainforests and the western dry deciduous forests.