Ethnopedological knowledge and soil classification in SW Madagascar

Based on the World Reference Base for Soil Resources most of the studied soils were Lixisols and Arenosols. Malagasy farmers classified the soils mainly according to color and texture of the topsoil. Soils with a darker color were determined to be more productive and “Mainty” (black soil) and “Mena” (red soil) were considered as of highest fertility. Although many of the soil names coincided, there was a striking difference between villages, which probably reflects differences in environmental conditions, but also differences in ethnic origin and traditional livelihoods and belief systems. Overall, the local perception of farmers on low soil fertility corresponded to the scientific soil assessment. Given that currently local strategies for soil productivity enhancement are weak which reflects lacking long-term experience in crop management of the agro-pastoralist communities, the results of this study may help to develop recommendations for such strategies that fit traditional belief systems.