Cyperus chamaecephalus

Of the sixteen georeferenced collection sites for Cyperus chamaecephalus, six fall within the protective limits of national parks (Montagne d'ambre, Masoloa, Daraina, Marojejy, and Andasibe-Perinet). These subpopulations should theoretically be relatively stable under the current political climate. However, studies have demonstrated that park protection is often only partially effective at limiting forest exploitation by subsistence farmers.

Of the subpopulations which exist outside the protection of national parks; two have been sampled from the fringes of the town Moramanga. Moramanga is currently struggling with low agricultural yields and rapid population growth, and so locals are forced to resort to destructive slash-and-burn practices to clear farmland and increase crop production. Consequently, these subpopulations of C. chamaecephalus are primarily threatened by agricultural expansion, and urban development. There are growing concerns that extended droughts, brought about by a changing climate, will exacerbate the extent of slash-and-burn agriculture in this region, in an effort to boost yields.

Nickel, gold and cobalt mining operations pose secondary threats to this species. A single subpopulation of C. chamaecephalus resides in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena corridor region, one kilometre west from the Ambatovy lateritic nickel mine, one of the largest mines of this kind in the world. This population is therefore highly vulnerable to possible extension of the mine's footprint, despite occurring within a protected area.

In order to develop a strong foundation on which to inform conservation strategies in the future, there is a necessity to conduct studies on the population dynamics, ecology, and life history traits of this species.

As the primary threat to Cyperus chamaecephalus, the clearance of land by tavy agriculture, is a direct result of low agricultural yields, the best approach to conserving this species would involve improving the productivity of the agricultural land which is already established. Slash-and burn agriculture is a cultural farming practice in Madagascar. In the past it was a sustainable one, however, to meet the growing demand for food, farmers today can't leave time adequate time for regrowth of the forest between harvests, which impoverishes the soil. 

Imperative to safeguarding the forests is teaching alternative, sustainable farming techniques. Working together with farmers to improve their land and water use efficiencies, how to improve soil fertility, as well as instilling an understanding of the importance and uniqueness of Madagascar's forest biota, would be promising first-steps in curbing the need to continually clear greater areas of forest for better yield. Another hopeful avenue for improving crop yield could be the breeding and introduction of drought tolerant crop species, to ensure a resilient food supply in the face of a changing global climate.

Moreover, improving the resources available to protected areas, and continuing to train staff in effected protected area management will be essential to safeguarding the diversity that remains within the surviving refuges of Madagascan forests.