Five scientific perspectives to understand Madagascar

All three of our expeditions take an interdisciplinary approach. Geosciences are the main common thread; four complementary fields help understand the role of water, substrates, living things and societies in shaping territories.

Red laterite cliffs carved by erosion — Red Tsingy of Irodo. Photo: Chirocca77, CC0

Lead field

Geoscience, mineralogy and palaeontology

Explore the history of rocks, landforms, sedimentary basins and mineralisation. Palaeontology may remain document-based.

Examples

Black-and-white indri clinging to a branch in the rainforest — Indri, Andasibe. Photo: Heinonlein, CC BY-SA 4.0

Biodiversity, evolution and forest ecology

Observe adaptations, endemic species, rainforests and dry forests, and conservation.

Examples

Sailing outriggers moored on the turquoise lagoon of the Emerald Sea — Emerald Sea lagoon. Photo: krishna naudin, CC BY-SA 2.0

Marine science, oceanography and reefs

Read lagoons, tides, reefs, beaches, mangroves and coastal environments.

Examples

Outrigger canoes pulled up on a south-western beach — Canoes at Itampolo. Photo: Andry Petignat, CC BY-SA 4.0

Human sciences, anthropology and territorial economics

Understand local knowledge, trades, resource use and value chains.

Examples

Wide river between green hills — The Mahavavy at Ambilobe. Photo: Zain MG, CC0

Agronomy and local produce

Explore the links between water, soils, crops, agricultural supply chains and climate.

Examples

Each field is explored along all three expeditions: none is a separate tour.

Choose an expedition by scientific interest