Prof. Hiroko Kurokawa of Kyoto University, a member of Output 4 of the SATREPS VaryAla Project, traveled to Madagascar in August to conduct field surveys.

During this field survey, research activities were conducted and supervised within a 15-ha long-term forest dynamics plot established in Ankarafantsika National Park to assess forest structure, species composition, and forest dynamics. The survey included recording the survival status and diameter at breast height (DBH) of previously tagged trees, registering newly recruited individuals that had reached the minimum size threshold (DBH ≥ 1 cm), and verifying species identifications. In addition, post-fire forest and savanna sites were visited to compare vegetation responses and soil characteristics following fire disturbance.

Based on these observations, discussions were held with local researchers regarding future research directions. Particular emphasis was placed on integrating information on forest structure, species composition, and functional traits with hydrological observations, including sap flow measurements, in order to quantify the role of upstream forests in supporting the stable productivity of downstream rice paddies.