Madagascar is a dying land and needs help Madagascar is one of the most diversified terrestrial areas that has undergone an evolution totally independent of the continents surroundings. The plant and animal species located on the island are all endemic to the island, meaning that they are all native species. The amount of diversity is very high compared to other continents and the species found here cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Currently all organisms present on this island are in danger, including humans. Much damage has already been done, yet each year the earth seems to be dying even more. Many species are dying rapidly and drastic measures will have to be taken to prevent all of these species from becoming extinct. All the problems for this island arose with the introduction of man. According to fossil records, humans arrived about 2000 years ago. With their arrival came destruction, a destruction that will continue to this day. At the time, they were unaware of their actions and how they would forever change Madagascar's ecosystem. The most destructive problem that occurred a hundred years ago and is still practiced today is that of tavy. Tavy is a logging process, also known as slash and burn. The humans living on the island use this system to create agricultural land for harvesting the most valuable crops. What they do is cut down all the trees and/or shrubs and then set fire to the area of ​​land they want to cultivate. They use the burned materials as fertilizer and then plant the crop. Next season the farmer will have to move to another area and continue burning more of the forest. Because of this form of agriculture, humans have transformed vast wetlands into deserts and lush forests into tundra. In... middle of paper... it's in the hands of education. Knowledge is power. Bibliography: Works consulted Glander, Dr. Kenneth. What is a lemur? The PBS website. Godfrey, Dr. Laurie. Isolation and biodiversity. The PBS website. Howes, Oliver. “Environmentally Friendly Healthcare Starts in Madagascar.” The Lancet. February 21, 1998: 577. Middleton, Karen. "Who Killed the 'Malagasy Cactus'? Science, Environment, and Colonialism in Southern Madagascar (1924-1930)." Journal of Southern African Studies; Oxford. June 1999: 215-248.Morell, Virginia. "Restoring Madagascar". National geographic. February 1999: 60-71.Morell Virginia. "Looking for solutions." National geographic. February 1999: 76-84.Kremen, Dr. Claire. Traditions that threaten. The PBS website. Raxworthy, Christopher. A truly bizarre lizard. The PBS website.