[3][1][4] The ecoregion constitutes a narrow strip of lowland forests between Madagascar's east coast and the mountainous Central Highlands, from sea level to 800 metres (2,600 ft) elevation.

The lowland forests have a rich diversity of Pandanus, palm, bamboo, and epiphytic orchid species.

[2] The brown mesite (Mesitornis unicolor), red-breasted coua (Coua serriana), scaly ground roller (Geobiastes squamiger), nuthatch vanga (Hypositta corallirostris), helmet vanga (Euryceros prevostii), Bernier's vanga (Oriolia bernieri), red-tailed newtonia (Newtonia fanovanae), and dusky tetraka (Xanthomixis tenebrosa) are largely endemic to the lowland forests, ranging occasionally into the lower montane forests.

The Madagascar serpent eagle (Eutriorchis astur), short-legged ground roller (Brachypteracias leptosomus), Madagascar red owl (Tyto soumagnei), Pollen's vanga (Xenopirostris polleni), and brown emu-tail (Bradypterus brunneus) live in both the lowland forests and montane forests.

[2] Madagascar's lowland rainforests have been preserved generally better than the high central plateau, but there has still been substantial loss.

When practiced repeatedly, or without intervening fallow periods, the nutrient-poor soils may be exhausted or eroded to an unproductive state.