Biological and Socio-Economical Baseline Report
for the Establishment of the
Greater Delaikoro Protected Area, Vanua Levu,
Fiji Islands
2014 Rapid Biodiversity Assessment, Socioeconomic Study and
Archaeological Survey of the Greater Delaikoro Area
FPAM-2014-BIODIVERSITY-01
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do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the Food and
Agricultural Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal and
development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
The FPAM Project encourages the use of this report for study, research, news
reporting, criticism or review. Selected passages, tables or diagrams may be
reproduced for such purposes provided acknowledgement of the source is
included. Major extracts or the entire document may not be reproduced by
any process without written permission.
Photo title page: Greater Delaikoro Area, Vanua Levu, Fiji Islands, courtesy
Mr. Noa Moko
FPAM contract: SAP/LoA/07/13
For bibliographic purposes, please reference this publication as:
FPAM (2014) Biological and Socio-Economical Baseline Report for the
Establishment of the Greater Delaikoro Protected Area, Vanua Levu, Fiji
Islands. A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment, Socioeconomic Study and
Archaeological Survey of the Greater Delaikoro Area, June 2014, Suva, Fiji,
FPAM-2014-BIODIVERSITY-01
A biodiversity assessment,
socioeconomic study and
archaeological survey of the Greater
Delaikoro Area, Vanua Levu.
Editors: Sarah Pene and Marika Tuiwawa
A report compiled by the Institute of Applied Science,
University of the South Pacific for FAO/GEF-PAS Forest and
Protected Area Management, FPAM, Project
June 2014, Suva, Fiji Islands
Table of contents
E
XECUTIVE
S
UMMARY
..................................................................................................................... 1
I
NTRODUCTION
................................................................................................................................ 5
1
F
LORA AND
V
EGETATION
E
COLOGY
........................................................................................ 8
2
T
ERRESTRIAL
I
NSECTS
........................................................................................................... 20
3
A
VIFAUNA
............................................................................................................................. 30
4
H
ERPETOFAUNA
..................................................................................................................... 37
5
F
RESHWATER
F
ISHES
............................................................................................................. 46
6
F
RESHWATER
M
ACROINVERTEBRATES
.................................................................................. 53
7
I
NVASIVE
S
PECIES
.................................................................................................................. 73
8
A
RCHAEOLOGICAL
S
URVEY
................................................................................................... 80
9
S
OCIOECONOMIC
B
ASELINE
S
TUDY
....................................................................................... 97
10
T
RAINING
P
ROGRAM
............................................................................................................ 120
R
ECOMMENDATIONS
.................................................................................................................... 125
R
EFERENCES
................................................................................................................................ 128
List of Appendices
Appendix 1
Flora species checklist ........................................................................................ 134
Appendix 2
Checklist of mosses and liverworts..................................................................... 161
Appendix 3
Summary statistics of vegetation community structure assessment ................... 165
Appendix 4
Checklist of insects recorded within the Great Delaikoro Area ......................... 170
Appendix 5
Location of terrestrial insect sampling sites........................................................ 173
Appendix 6
Avifauna species checklist, status, distribution and abundance ......................... 176
Appendix 7
Location of point count stations, habitat and birds recorded .............................. 178
Appendix 8
Focal avifauna species recorded from the Greater Delaikoro Area .................... 180
Appendix 9
Herpetofauna suvey sites locations and sampling methods ................................ 181
Appendix 10
Herpetofauna species checklist for Vanua Levu and Delaikoro ..................... 182
Appendix 11
Water quality at freshwater fish sampling sites .............................................. 184
Appendix 12
Habitat characteristics at macroinvertebrate survey sites ............................... 185
Appendix 13
Water quality at freshwater macroinvertebrate sampling stations .................. 188
Appendix 14
Freshwater macroinvertebrate abundance categories per sampling station .... 189
Appendix 15
Freshwater macroinvertebrates abundance (Surber sampling) ....................... 192
Appendix 16
Freshwater macroinvertebrate abundance (kick-net and hand-picking) ......... 194
Appendix 17
Freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa of interest ................................................ 197
Appendix 18
List of invasive plant species documented ...................................................... 198
Appendix 19
List of invasive animal species documented ................................................... 199
Appendix 20
Household survey questionnaire ..................................................................... 200
Appendix 21
Focus group discussion and key informant interview questions .................... 208
1
Executive Summary
This report is a compilation of the findings of a biodiversity, socio-economic
and archaeological survey carried out in a proposed protected area in Vanua
Levu, Fiji. The area under consideration for protection is the Greater
Delaikoro Area, an upland region spanning the main mountain range of
Vanua Levu, encompassing Mt Delaikoro, Mt Sorolevu and the Waisali
Reserve. This work was carried out under the Forestry and Protected Area
Management Project, a component of the GEF-PAS program.
Flora and vegetation ecology
A total of 641 vascular plant taxa and 117 bryophyte taxa were recorded.
Range extensions were documented for all the bryophytes and 90 species of
the vascular plants. Ten taxa were recorded that have botanical significant
due to their rarity or protection status. A notable find was a rare moss,
Bescherelli cryphaeiodes, in the cloud forest of Mt Delaikoro, hitherto known
only from a single location in Viti Levu. Lowland and dry forest areas and
associated riparian vegetation were the most heavily impacted by agricultural
activity and invasive species. In the upland and cloud forest areas, despite
some evidence of recent and historical logging, tree species diversity and
density were higher than in the lowland forests.
Terrestrial Insects
A total of eighteen families of beetles (Coleoptera) were recorded within the
study area, as well as a high abundance of ants (Formicidae), and a diverse
macro-moth fauna. These taxa provide critical ecosystem services in forest
systems such as soil processing, decomposition, herbivory, pollination and
seed dispersal. Insects of conservation value recorded during the survey were
Hypolimnas inopinata, Cotylosoma dipneusticum, Phasmatonea inermis, Hypena
rubrescens and Luxiaria sesquilinea.
2
Avifauna
A total of 27 species of land birds and three species of bats were recorded
from 46 point count stations located in different sub-habitat types within both
lowland, upland and cloud forest. All of the 27 bird species recorded were
native, 24 of them endemic to Fiji.
Herpetofauna
Eight species of herpetofauna were recorded during the survey, of which four
were endemic to Fiji, three others native and one was an invasive introduced
species. The Vanua Levu endemic skink, Emoia mokosariniveikau, was not
encountered. Further surveys will very likely reveal the existence of
additional herpetofaunal species.
Freshwater Fishes
A total of eighteen species of fish from six families were recorded in the
tributaries of the Delaikoro range. A notable find was the goby Lentipes kaaea,
this being the first record of it on the island of Vanua Levu. Two gobies
endemic to Vanua Levu, Redigobius leveri and Redigobius lekutu, and two as yet
undescribed gobies from the genus Stiphodon were also documented. Water
quality was well within habitable range in terms of dissolved oxygen,
conductivity, temperature and turbidity across all sampling stations. The
introduced tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) was recorded in mid and lower reach
sites and may account for the low abundance and diversity of native stream
fishes.
Freshwater macroinvertebrates
A total of 70 freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa were identified from the
11,395 specimens collected. Of these 70 taxa, a total of 37 were endemic or
native to Fiji. A total of twelve macroinvertebrate taxa were selected as
potential bioindicators. The high number of endemic and native taxa
recorded, as well as the high abundance of a large number of species is
3
indicative of a healthy stream system. A major finding during the survey was
a new record of prawn species for Fiji, Macrobrachium spinosum.
Invasives
There were 21 invasive plant species and thirteen invasive animal species
recorded throughout the survey area. Invasive plants were readily observed
in all areas surveyed, most abundantly in disturbed habitats such as roads,
tracks, waterways, agricultural areas and near human habitation. The
invasive animals recorded included birds, mammals and amphibians. The
mammalian invasives were generally domesticated animals, such as pigs, cats
and dogs which have become feral, as well as several species of invasive
rodents.
Archaeology
The Greater Delaikoro Area is rich in historical and cultural material remains
many of which were documented for the first time as part of this survey.
Eleven sites were documented including house mounds, burial grounds
(including skeletal remains), and fortification ditches.
Socioeconomic Survey
A socioeconomic assessment of eight villages was carried out using
household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. It
was evident from this survey that the forests of the Greater Delaikoro Area
play a major role in the attainment of sustainable livelihoods in these
communities. The average household monthly income is $719, with the main
income sources being reported as the sale of yaqona. Subsistence agriculture
was also important to these communities, with 91% of households stated that
they eat food grown by household members every day. The forested areas are
also a major food source for communities, in terms of hunting, fishing and
gathering of wild foods. The survey also reported community views on
4
resource utilisation and management, with 85% of respondents in support of
creating a protected area.
Recommendations
Overall the survey findings support a recommendation for protection of the
area. Ongoing community awareness programs are recommended to discuss
the value of and the mechanisms for protecting the area. Demarcating and
managing the protected area should take into account ecological connectivity
of habitats and the threats posed by agriculture and invasive species. Further
flora and fauna survey work is required for a more comprehensive report on
the biodiversity of the area, and a community needs assessment and oral
history documentation are also recommended.
5
Introduction
The Pacific Alliance for Sustainability (PAS) is a program of the Global
Environment Facility (GEF). The overall objective of the GEF-PAS is to
increase the efficiency and effectiveness of GEF support to Pacific Island
countries, thereby enhancing achievement of both global environmental and
national sustainable development goals.
One of the projects funded by GEF-PAS is the Forestry and Protected Area
Management Project, which is being implemented in Fiji, Niue, Vanuatu and
Samoa. This project aims to enhance the sustainable livelihoods of local
communities living in and around protected areas, as well as strengthen
biodiversity conservation and reduce forest and land degradation.
In Fiji, one of the forest areas being considered for protection is the Greater
Delaikoro Area, an upland region spanning the main mountain range of
Vanua Levu, encompassing Mt Delaikoro, Mt Sorolevu and the Waisali
Forest Reserve.
In September-October 2013 a team from the South Pacific Regional Herbarium
at the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) and from the Forestry Department
carried out surveys in the Greater Delaikoro Area to produce a baseline
assessment of the biodiversity. This biodiversity survey comprised the
following taxonomic groups: plants, insects, avifauna, freshwater fishes and
macroinvertebrates and herpetofauna. Invasive flora and fauna were also
documented.
As part of this baseline survey, parataxonomic training was also carried out to
build capacity amongst community members who were recruited as field
guides and assistants. Technical personnel from the Forestry Department and
research students from USP were also given training to upscale their
taxonomic skills.
6
Additionally, a team from the Environment Unit of IAS carried out a study of
the socioeconomic status of communities living in and around the proposed
protected area. Cultural landmarks located within the forest were
documented by an archaeological team from the Fiji Museum. This report is a
compilation of the findings of the biodiversity, socio-economic and
archaeology surveys.
7
Figure 1: Location of the proposed protected Greater Delaikoro Area in Vanua Levu
8
1
Flora and Vegetation Ecology
Marika Tuiwawa, Art Whistler, Senilolia H. Tuiwawa, Mereia Katafono and
Hans Wendt
1.1
Introduction
This report documents the results of a survey of vascular and non-vascular
plants of the Greater Delaikoro Area. The objectives of this survey were:
to document the range of vegetation types and botanical communities
within the study area,
to identify the presence (or potential presence) of species or ecosystems
of national or international significance,
to assess the susceptibility of plant communities to the potential
impacts associated with human activities, such as agriculture, hydro-
electricity and habitation development.
1.2
Methods
1.2.1
Reconnaissance
Prior to the fieldwork an initial assessment of the study area was made using
satellite imagery and 1:50,000 topographic maps. It was noted that forested
areas near villages closest to the area of interest (Mt. Sorolevu, Mt. Delaikoro
and the ridge running from Waisali to Mt. Delaikoro) were degraded
secondary forest. Areas closer to the mountain tops appeared to have more
intact forest vegetation types, such as montane or cloud forest.
A five-day reconnaissance trip was carried out in August 2013 to finalise key
biodiversity areas in central Vanua Levu that would form the basis for the
proposed protected area. Local stakeholders were formally approached to
solicit their support for the survey and eventual protection of the area. Some
of the villages included during the consultation were Doguru, Suweni,
Navakuru, Waisali and Biaugunu.
9
Figure 2: The distribution of principal vegetation types within the project area, and the four main sites for the flora survey: Waisali (W), Mt Delaikoro
(D), Mt Sorolevu (SR) and Savusa (S).
10
1.2.2
Floral diversity
The biodiversity assessment was carried out in September 2013. The survey involved
the documentation of vascular and non-vascular plants, with an emphasis on the
presence of rare and threatened endemic species. All the plant species encountered
within the belt transects set up to quantitatively assess plant density, distribution
and diversity within the forest types were documented, as well as those observed
whilst trekking through the study area.The four main sites for the flora survey were
Mt Delaikoro, Mt Sorolevu, Waisali and Savusa.
Specimens were deposited at the South Pacific Regional Herbarium (SPRH).
Verification of specimen identification was carried out with reference to herbarium
vouchers and published floras and checklists, notably Smith (1979; 1981; 1985; 1988;
1991) for the spermatophytes, and Brownlie (1977) and Brownsey and Perrie (2011)
for the pteridophytes.
1.2.3
Vegetation ecology
Habitat characterisation
Habitat characterisation for forested areas relied on a number of sources of
information:
plot data to determine vegetation community structure
principal vegetation types (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg, 1998)
1:50,000 topographic map indicating terrain features
The non-forested areas included open country (rivers, open riparian areas, roads,
villages and settlements) and agricultural land (subsistence plantations, commercial
farms, pastures and fallow land). These non-forested areas were not assessed in
detail but were briefly described and highlighted in the vegetation map (Figure 2).
The assessment of the vegetation was focused more on forested area then on non-
forested areas.
11
For the habitat-typing process the most prominent topographical feature of the
forested area was used:
Slope - forested area found on slopes with a gradient ranging from 10 to 85
degrees.
Ridge top - forested area found on top of or along a ridge or mountain range.
The width of such ridges could range from a few centimetres up to 20 m.
Flat - forested areas with a gradient ranging from 0 to 10 degrees. These areas
also included raised river flats and flood plains.
Quantitative assessment of the communities in different forest types was carried out
using 10 m x 10 m plots along a 100 m transect, a methodology used previously in
other sites in Fiji (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg, 1998; Tuiwawa, 1999).
Plots were used to:
assess the presence and absence of focal species,
characterise associated vegetation communities with each principal
vegetation type,
confirm boundaries between biological communities encountered.
Within each plot, every tree with a diameter at breast height (dbh) greater or equal to
5 cm was measured, identified and recorded. The bole height, crown height and
crown width were estimated for each tree enumerated. Ground cover vegetation was
described, canopy cover estimated and the epiphytic flora recorded.
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