Island and Ocean Ecosystems
Ninety-six new species of coral in Vava'u in the Kingdom of Tonga were newly recorded during a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment. This and many more exciting findings make up a new Report that was launched earlier this week in the capital of Vava'u, Neiafu by the Honourable Governor of Vava'u, Lord Fulivai.
Also known as a BIORAP, the biological inventory programme was undertaken in terrestrial and marine environments and with the intention of rapidly assessing the biodiversity of highly diverse areas. The Vava'u BIORAP was carried out in selected terrestrial and marine areas across 14 islands in the Vava'u Islands Group, the most northern of the three island groups in Tonga, during February 2014.
It is one of the key activities under the Integrated Island Biodiversity project by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programm (SPREP) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-PAS), of which the Kingdom of Tonga is a participating country.
During the launch, the representative of SPREP, Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut, acknowledged with appreciation the support and assistance provided during the BIORAP survey from government ministries and staff, the Honourable Governor of Vava'u, the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) and all those who took part in the survey.
Tonga Director of Environment, Ms. Lupe Matoto handing the
Full Report of the Vava'u Rapid Biodiversity Assessment to the Hon. Governor of Vava'u Lord Fulivai
"Here in Vava'u we tend to talk about its' beauty but we do not have any knowledge of it and the launching of this report will allow us to understand why Vava'u is beautiful, and what we must do to maintain this beauty in the Vava'u region" said Lord Fulivai.
He expressed his appreciation to SPREP, Vava'u Environment Protection Agency, GEF, UNEP and the Government of Tonga for making the BIORAP a reality.
Vava'u is home to a number of key species and habitats where 8 species of native vascular plants endemic to Tonga were recorded and 12 new species of native vascular plants were recorded to have been found during the survey. Furthermore, the survey found that the Vava'u reefs had a good diversity of hard corals and a high number of bird species was recorded including the Tongan Whistler, which is endemic to Vava'u.
The recommendations of the BIORAP report reinforce the critical importance of the terrestrial and marine biodiversity and the need for their long-term protection and conservation. Implementing the recommendations would require a concerted effort and commitment from all key stakeholders to ensure they are part of long-term conservation efforts for Vava'u.
SPREP has completed and assisted with similar BIORAP surveys for the central upland forests of Savaii, Samoa, and the cloud forest of Rarotonga, Cook Islands and Nauru. Plans are in place for a BIORAP for selected islands of Tuvalu scheduled to take place between October and November, 2015.
Also known as a BIORAP, the biological inventory programme was undertaken in terrestrial and marine environments and with the intention of rapidly assessing the biodiversity of highly diverse areas. The Vava'u BIORAP was carried out in selected terrestrial and marine areas across 14 islands in the Vava'u Islands Group, the most northern of the three island groups in Tonga, during February 2014.
It is one of the key activities under the Integrated Island Biodiversity project by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programm (SPREP) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-PAS), of which the Kingdom of Tonga is a participating country.
During the launch, the representative of SPREP, Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut, acknowledged with appreciation the support and assistance provided during the BIORAP survey from government ministries and staff, the Honourable Governor of Vava'u, the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) and all those who took part in the survey.
Tonga Director of Environment, Ms. Lupe Matoto handing the Full Report of the Vava'u Rapid Biodiversity Assessment to the Hon. Governor of Vava'u Lord Fulivai
He expressed his appreciation to SPREP, Vava'u Environment Protection Agency, GEF, UNEP and the Government of Tonga for making the BIORAP a reality.
Vava'u is home to a number of key species and habitats where 8 species of native vascular plants endemic to Tonga were recorded and 12 new species of native vascular plants were recorded to have been found during the survey. Furthermore, the survey found that the Vava'u reefs had a good diversity of hard corals and a high number of bird species was recorded including the Tongan Whistler, which is endemic to Vava'u.
The recommendations of the BIORAP report reinforce the critical importance of the terrestrial and marine biodiversity and the need for their long-term protection and conservation. Implementing the recommendations would require a concerted effort and commitment from all key stakeholders to ensure they are part of long-term conservation efforts for Vava'u.
SPREP has completed and assisted with similar BIORAP surveys for the central upland forests of Savaii, Samoa, and the cloud forest of Rarotonga, Cook Islands and Nauru. Plans are in place for a BIORAP for selected islands of Tuvalu scheduled to take place between October and November, 2015.