Human settlement of Madagascar traces back to the beginning of the first millennium with the arrival of Austronesians from Southeast Asia, followed by migrations from Africa and the Middle East.... Show moreHuman settlement of Madagascar traces back to the beginning of the first millennium with the arrival of Austronesians from Southeast Asia, followed by migrations from Africa and the Middle East. Remains of these different cultural, genetic, and linguistic legacies are still present in Madagascar and other islands of the Indian Ocean. The close relationship between human migration and the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, a well-documented phenomenon, is particularly evident for the causative agent of leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and molecular dating to characterize the genetic background and retrace the origin of the M. leprae strains circulating in Madagascar (n = 30) and the Comoros (n = 3), two islands where leprosy is still considered a public health problem and monitored as part of a drug resistance surveillance program. Most M. leprae strains (97%) from Madagascar and Comoros belonged to a new genotype as part of branch 1, closely related to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) type 1D, named 1D-Malagasy. Other strains belonged to the genotype 1A (3%). We sequenced 39 strains from nine other countries, which, together with previously published genomes, amounted to 242 genomes that were used for molecular dating. Specific SNP markers for the new 1D-Malagasy genotype were used to screen samples from 11 countries and revealed this genotype to be restricted to Madagascar, with the sole exception being a strain from Malawi. The overall analysis thus ruled out a possible introduction of leprosy by the Austronesian settlers and suggests a later origin from East Africa, the Middle East, or South Asia. Show less
Astiella is an herbaceous genus endemic to Madagascar, originally described with a single species A. delicatula Jovet. Molecular and morphological evidence place it in the tribe Spermacoceae s. lat... Show moreAstiella is an herbaceous genus endemic to Madagascar, originally described with a single species A. delicatula Jovet. Molecular and morphological evidence place it in the tribe Spermacoceae s. lat. of Rubiaceae. During herbarium studies and fieldwork in Madagascar, 11 new Astiella species were identified and these are described here: A. antongilensis Groeninckx sp. nov., A. antsalovansis Groeninckx sp. nov., A. confusa Groeninckx sp. nov., A. deblockiae Groeninckx sp. nov., A. desseinii Groeninckx sp. nov., A. homolleae Groeninckx sp. nov., A. latifolia Groeninckx sp. nov., A. longifimbria Groeninckx sp. nov., A. perrieri Groeninckx sp. nov., A. pulla Groeninckx sp. nov., and A. tsaratanensis Groeninckx sp. nov. The genus Astiella now holds 12 species in total that are all endemic to Madagascar. Show less
Abstract: Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, has to deal with cyclones every year. The impact of a cyclone can be devastating, leaving areas with houses damaged, floods and... Show moreAbstract: Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, has to deal with cyclones every year. The impact of a cyclone can be devastating, leaving areas with houses damaged, floods and damaged crops. The aftermath has an even greater impact.The floods increase the number of people affected by water-borne and related diseases. The NGO CARE, the audience for this thesis, is working with their Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program in Madagascar to diminish these effects and to return inhabitants to their original standard of living. In this thesis we note that, within the DRR program of CARE, the landscape-based design approach,a method commonly used in the field of landscape architecture, has not yet been integrated into this program. An integral approach could, however, improve resiliency and the standard of living. The research question relating to this statement is: What measures related to the landscape-based design approach are needed to establish resiliency in a disaster-prone developing region? The measures should relate to CARE’s methods and to physical activities implementable by the inhabitants of Vatomandry, which is the case study for this thesis.To answer this question, different methods have been used and executed, partly in the Netherlands and partly in Madagascar. Landscape analysis was performed and participatory workshops were organised. By means of the landscape analysis, a full understanding of the landscape processes of the study area was generated. The participatory workshops were important as they provided this research with local knowledge; even more relevant was establishing ownership of the project on the part of the inhabitants. The participatory workshops entailed the proven Green Towns workshop of Duchhart and a photomontage workshop.The Green Towns workshop proved insufficient on its own to proceed towards taking active steps for improvement of the environment; therefore, a photomontage workshop was also organised. This then led to an Action Day, in which one of the measures was carried out. Achieving this first measure will hopefully have a positive effect in terms of carrying out the other measures and interventions suggested in this thesis. The data gathered in Madagascar were analysed and ordered in the Netherlands; they were then used as input for the design aimed at enhancing resiliency. The results from the participative workshops were translated from short-term solutions for the benefit of individuals to a long-term landscape plan for the benefit of the community. The design is not a blueprint design. The landscape plan provides recommendations for environmental improvements in Vatomandry, along with design prinxvi ciples generally applicable for similar cities along the east coast. The interventions include a drainage system against floods, shelterbelts, sand fences, and urifying wetlands and vegetation for shelter, health and income. The final result and answer to the research question can be found in several measures – methodological and physical – aimed at improving the resiliency of the landscape against tropical cyclones. The overall methodology is intended to be replicable for similar cities that also suffer from natural disasters.Résumé: Chaque année, Madagascar, un des pays les plus pauvres du monde, doit faire face à des cyclones. L’impact d’un cyclone peut être dévastateur, laissant des régions avec des maisons détruites, des inondations et les cultures endommagés.La suite a un effet encore plus important. Les inondations augmentent le nombre des personnes qui sont touchées par des maladies portées par les eaux et des maladies connexes. L’ONG CARE, assistance de cette thèse, travaille à Madagascar pour réduire ces effets avec leur programme de Réduction des Risques de Catastrophes (DRR) et à redonner aux habitants leur niveau de vie original. Dans cette thèse nous énonçons que, dans ce programme DRR de CARE, l’approche reposant sur l’aménagement paysager (landscape-based design approach), une méthode souvent utilisée dans l’architecture paysagiste, qui n’a pas encore été intégré ici. Cette approche intégrée pourrait améliorer la résilience et le niveau de vie. La question de recherche au coeur de ce rapport cest: Quelles actions liées à l’approche reposant sur l’aménagement paysager sont nécessaires pour établir de la résilience dans une région en voie de développement enclins aux catastrophes? Les actions devraient se rapporter aux méthodes de CARE et aux actions physiques exécutable par les habitants de Vatomandry, le cas d’étude de cette thèse. Pour répondre à cette question, des méthodes différentes sont employées et exécutées, en partie aux Pays-Bas et en partie au Madagascar. L’analyse de paysage a été exécutée et des ateliers participatifs ont été organisés. Au moyen de l’analyse de paysage, une compréhension complète des processus de paysage du secteur d’étude a été produite. Les ateliers participatifs étaient importants car ils ont fourni à cette étude la connaissance locale nécessaire. Et ils ont permis aux locaux de s’approprier les mesures. Les ateliers participatifs comportent l’atelier nommé Green Towns (les villes vertes) de Duchhart, et un atelier de montage de photos. L’atelier Green Towns lui-même ne suffisait pas pour procéder à l’action pour améliorer l’environnement, donc un atelier de montage de photos a été organisé. Ceci a conduit à une Journée d’Action, où une des actions a été exécutée. L’accomplissement devrait avoir un effet positif afin d’exécuter d’autres actions et les interventions suggérées dans cette thèse. Les données recueillies en Madagascar ont été analysées et organisées aux Pays-Bas et ont été utilisées comme données pour concevoir l’augmentation de la résilience. Les résultats des ateliers participatifs ont été transformés à partir de solutions à court terme pour des avantages individuels en un plan paysagiste à long terme pour des avantages pour toute la communauté. La conception des mesures mises en place n’est pas une conception de modèle universel. Le plan d’aménagement paysager fournit des recommandations pour des améliorations environnementales de Vatomandry et des principes applicables pour des villes similaires le long de la côte est. Les interventions impliquent une canalisation contre les inondations, des brise-vent, des barrières de sable, des lagunes d’épuration et l’utilisation de la végétation comme abri, la santé et des revenus. La réponse finale à la question de recherche ce sont plusieurs actions – méthodologiques et physiques – pour atteindre la résilience améliorée du paysage contre les cyclones tropicaux. La méthodologie générale devrait être reproductible pour les villes semblables qui souffrent également des catastrophes naturelles. Show less
Janssens, Steven B.; Groeninckx, Inge; De Block, Petra J.; Verstraete, Brecht; Smets, Erik F.; Dessein, Steven 2016
A rising against French colonial rule in central Madagascar (1895-1898) appeared in the 1970s as a good example of resistance to colonialism, sparked by France's occupation of Madagascar. Like... Show moreA rising against French colonial rule in central Madagascar (1895-1898) appeared in the 1970s as a good example of resistance to colonialism, sparked by France's occupation of Madagascar. Like many similar episodes in other parts of Africa, it was a history that appeared, in the light of later African nationalist movements, to be a precursor to the more sophisticated anticolonial movements that eventually led to independence, in Madagascar and elsewhere. In the light of the later history of nationalism, however, it is instructive to revisit the rising of the 'menalamba' (red shawls) in Madagascar and to reconsider the episode. Notes, ref., sum. [Book abstract] Show less
