A Practitioner-Led Transdisciplinary Process for Adaptive Fire Management in Madagascar’s Protected Areas

Elliot Convery-Fisher, Leanne N. Phelps, Adam Devenish, Navashni Govender, Haja Andrianavalona, Nokukhanya J. Mpanza, Tianjanahary Randriamboavonjy, Marius P.H. Rakotondratsima, Jaovola Dily, Ellarissa Andrianjafy, Benjamin D. Andrianirina, Andoniaina H. Randria, Dorian Andrindrainy, Rado Razafiherison, Laura Rafanomezantsoa, Caroline Lehmann

ABSTRACT
Fire management in protected areas is constrained by gaps between scientific knowledge, practitioner experience, and institutional frameworks. Such constraints restrict how existing expertise is mobilised, formalised, and translated into alternative fire management practice, meaning fire management plans frequently fail to reflect the diverse socio-ecological contexts in which practitioners operate.

We present a practitioner-led, transdisciplinary process designed to initiate addressing this challenge across six protected areas in Madagascar, here fire is both ecologically significant and politically sensitive, and where persistent divides remain between research, policy, and on-the-ground implementation. Our approach integrates five sequential activities: (1) peer exchange and experiential learning; (2) prioritisation of fire management objectives; (3) analysis of stakeholder roles, influence, and constraints; (4) development of spatially grounded, context-specific fire management plans; and (5) dialogue with senior institutional actors to situate priorities within existing governance frameworks.

This Perspective provides a structured and inclusive process for how peer exchange, shared analytical tools, and protected spaces for reflection supported practitioners to reframe fire as a governable management tool and to articulate actionable, context-specific planning. We reflect on emergent lessons relevant to researchers and practitioners seeking to design transdisciplinary fire management initiatives in resource-constrained and politically complex tropical ecosystems.