Spiny thickets or xerophytic thickets (XTs) are a type of shrubby vegetation found in the far south and southwest of Madagascar, the driest parts of the island. This type of vegetation, which is rich in endemic animal and plant species, is endangered. Extensive local goat breeding (Capra hircus, for meat and milk production) based on XT browsing is an important source of household income. The aim of this paper is to analyse the possibility of using improved goat breeding as an alternative to wood charcoal (WC) production and slash-and-burn agriculture (SBA), which are unsustainable activities. The literature on (i) the impacts of SBA, WC production, and goat browsing on the XT ecosystem and (ii) the income provided by these three activities is reviewed to determine the sustainability level of improved goat husbandry. SBA and WC production reduced XT biomass and XT cover area, while goat browsing alone, at a stocking rate of one head per hectare, did not affect XT leaf biomass production and shrub regeneration. Furthermore, batch breeding and flushing techniques provided the highest annual income, mainly from the sale of surplus animal products. This improved goat husbandry may be a sustainable alternative to WC production. However, increasing the current stocking rate is necessary to surpass the combined income of WC production and SBA. An estimation of the XT carrying capacity would offer a basis to assess whether this ecosystem would support a higher stocking rate.

La production de charbon de bois est l’une des causes de la dégradation des forêts sèches du Sud-Ouest malgache. Cet article analyse les effets de cette pratique sur (i) la diversité biologique représentée par la richesse spécifique, (ii) la structure et (iii) la composition floristique des fourrés xérophiles du plateau de Belomotse, Toliara II. Onze placeaux de 400 m² ont été sélectionnés de manière aléatoire dans des sites de production de charbon de bois et 10 dans des sites témoins. La production de charbon de bois affecte la composition floristique des fourrés xérophiles. De plus, elle réduit leur hauteur, densité et diamètre moyen à hauteur de poitrine (dhp). En revanche, elle n’affecte pas la richesse spécifique ni la régénération naturelle. Les taux de régénération sont cependant faibles, indiquant un mauvais recrutement au sein des peuplements végétaux qui occupent les fourrés xérophiles. Le dépérissement des insectes pollinisateurs, ou des causes exogènes telles que l’aridification croissante et/ou l’accentuation de la variabilité interannuelle des précipitations peuvent expliquer cette mauvaise régénération. La production de charbon de bois en zone semi-aride n’est pas une activité durable. English Abstract Woody charcoal production is the main cause of dry forest degradation in the southwestern Madagascar. This paper analyses the effects of this practice on the diversity, represented by species richness, structure, species composition and regeneration of the xerophytic thickets on the Belomotse Plateau, Toliara II District. Eleven 400 m² plots were randomly sampled in woody charcoal production sites and 10 in control sites. Woody charcoal production has reduced xerophytic thickets mean height, density and mean diameter at breast height. It has also affected species composition while it has not affected xerophytic thicket diversity or its regeneration. However, its regeneration rate is low on both woody charcoal production and control sites. Decline of pollinator insect communities or exogenous causes such as increasing climate aridification or escalation of rainfall variability may explain this low regeneration rate. Woody charcoal production in semi arid region is an unsustainable activity.