Island and Ocean Ecosystems
Promising results from a survey of marine and terrestrial biodiversity in Tonga has led to the proposal for five conservation sites in the Vava'u islands now awaiting government approval.
A Rapid Biological Assessment Survey conducted last year covered 14 islands over 16 days resulting in 29 new island species records for reptiles across the Vava'u Island Group.
When it came to birds there was much to celebrate with the finding of the Tongan Whistler (Pachycephala jacquinoti), endemic to the Vava'u Island Group, was widespread in and near to areas of primary forest and is not considered under immediate threat. The Blue-crowned Lory (Vini australis) which had not been recorded on Vava'u for over 100 years was found at two sites. More good news was found with the eradication of rats - at least two of the three islands that underwent rat control programmes in 2002 appeared to be rat-free however a follow-up was recommended.
The positive findings were not only limited to land, there were also news results when it came to surveying marine biodiversity.
Evidence was found of two species of cetacean that were not previously recorded in the waters of Tonga: the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and the rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis). With these findings there are now 14 cetacean species officially listed in Tonga.
"It is timely that we commemorate the most comprehensive biological survey recorded for the Vava'u island group of Tonga, this international biodiversity day," said Ms. Atelaita Matoto, Director of Environment for Tonga.
"We're now translating the recommendations of the findings from the survey to five conservation areas awaiting approval – two of these are to conserve terrestrial biodiversity and three are for marine biodiversity."
The selected sites are the Maninita, Taula and Lualoli islands known as 'Otu Motu Lalo which are proposed to become one Marine Protected Area; Fonualei island reserve which will protect the endemic bird, the Polynesian megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) which has grown to a population of 1,000 after translocating 35 eggs and chicks to the islands in the 1990's; the Vai'utukakau site, an estate of Afu; the Talehele site in the Leimatu'a Village, an estate of Fotu - are now completing the final steps before awaiting approval.
Fonualei has also been identified as an Important Birds Area as a significant site for the Polynesian megapode and many seabirds.
Other important findings include those of endemic plants found on Vava'u such as the Casearia buelowii found only on Mount Talau, the Aractocarpus Crosbyi, and a new record was for Tonga which was found on Maninita Island called the Boerhavia albiflora.
The Vava'u archipelago is located north of Tongatapu, the main island group, and consists of approximately 60 smaller islands formed of karstic limestone with a couple of volcanic origins. The terrestrial survey involved assessments of land and sea birds, flying foxes, plants, reptiles, land snails and insects, while the marine survey included assessments of coral reef fish and commercial fish, corals and other marine invertebrates, sea turtles and cetaceans.
"We're pleased to be able to celebrate this International Biodiversity Day, seeing the work from the Biological Survey in the Vava'u islands forming into conservation actions, which was the aim of this survey," said Ms. Easter Galuvao, the Biodiversity Adviser of SPREP.
"We look forward to more positive news to come from Tonga as our Pacific region works together to save our biodiversity."
For more information on the findings of the Rapid Biological Assessment Survey in the Vava'u Islands in Tonga please visit: https://www.sprep.org/biodiversity-ecosystems-management/exciting-findings-during-survey-in-tonga-shared-at-global-biodiversity-conference
A Rapid Biological Assessment Survey conducted last year covered 14 islands over 16 days resulting in 29 new island species records for reptiles across the Vava'u Island Group.
When it came to birds there was much to celebrate with the finding of the Tongan Whistler (Pachycephala jacquinoti), endemic to the Vava'u Island Group, was widespread in and near to areas of primary forest and is not considered under immediate threat. The Blue-crowned Lory (Vini australis) which had not been recorded on Vava'u for over 100 years was found at two sites. More good news was found with the eradication of rats - at least two of the three islands that underwent rat control programmes in 2002 appeared to be rat-free however a follow-up was recommended.
The positive findings were not only limited to land, there were also news results when it came to surveying marine biodiversity.
Evidence was found of two species of cetacean that were not previously recorded in the waters of Tonga: the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and the rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis). With these findings there are now 14 cetacean species officially listed in Tonga.
"It is timely that we commemorate the most comprehensive biological survey recorded for the Vava'u island group of Tonga, this international biodiversity day," said Ms. Atelaita Matoto, Director of Environment for Tonga.
"We're now translating the recommendations of the findings from the survey to five conservation areas awaiting approval – two of these are to conserve terrestrial biodiversity and three are for marine biodiversity."
The selected sites are the Maninita, Taula and Lualoli islands known as 'Otu Motu Lalo which are proposed to become one Marine Protected Area; Fonualei island reserve which will protect the endemic bird, the Polynesian megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) which has grown to a population of 1,000 after translocating 35 eggs and chicks to the islands in the 1990's; the Vai'utukakau site, an estate of Afu; the Talehele site in the Leimatu'a Village, an estate of Fotu - are now completing the final steps before awaiting approval.
Fonualei has also been identified as an Important Birds Area as a significant site for the Polynesian megapode and many seabirds.
Other important findings include those of endemic plants found on Vava'u such as the Casearia buelowii found only on Mount Talau, the Aractocarpus Crosbyi, and a new record was for Tonga which was found on Maninita Island called the Boerhavia albiflora.
The Vava'u archipelago is located north of Tongatapu, the main island group, and consists of approximately 60 smaller islands formed of karstic limestone with a couple of volcanic origins. The terrestrial survey involved assessments of land and sea birds, flying foxes, plants, reptiles, land snails and insects, while the marine survey included assessments of coral reef fish and commercial fish, corals and other marine invertebrates, sea turtles and cetaceans.
The BioRAP survey involved 17 scientists and 18 staff from the Government of Tonga
and NGO Representatives
"We're pleased to be able to celebrate this International Biodiversity Day, seeing the work from the Biological Survey in the Vava'u islands forming into conservation actions, which was the aim of this survey," said Ms. Easter Galuvao, the Biodiversity Adviser of SPREP.
"We look forward to more positive news to come from Tonga as our Pacific region works together to save our biodiversity."
For more information on the findings of the Rapid Biological Assessment Survey in the Vava'u Islands in Tonga please visit: https://www.sprep.org/biodiversity-ecosystems-management/exciting-findings-during-survey-in-tonga-shared-at-global-biodiversity-conference