In the 1990s, Madagascar's unique spiny forests suffered significant habitat degradation from charcoal production, slash-and-burn farming, and overexploitation. These dry ecosystems harbor exceptional endemic biodiversity found nowhere else. The losses underscored conservation challenges in developing regions and motivated environmental poetry reflecting on biodiversity and human impact.

The degradation of Madagascar's spiny forest habitat in 1990 has been featured in Malagasy poetry, emphasizing ancestral connections to the land. Poets have used their verses to express the loss of biodiversity and the cultural significance of these habitats, reflecting on the interplay between nature and identity.