Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information The Taveuni Mountains retain extensive unsurveyed forest which may be suitable for Red-throated Lorikeet, but none has been recorded since 11 specimens were taken between 1887 and 1912. The majority of the world populations of eight subspecies of bird endemic to Taveuni breed in this IBA. A1 Globally threatened species * [Red-throated Lorikeet (CR) – historical records (last sighting in 1875); may still occur] * Friendly Ground-dove (VU) – fairly common * Black-faced Shrikebill (VU) – uncommon * Tahiti Petrel (NT) – the largest recorded numbers in Fiji (>150 were seen offshore in 2003) * Silktail (NT) – most of the estimated 5,000–8,000 pairs on Taveuni breed here A2 Restricted-range species 23 species (out of 23 on Taveuni), including all three endemic to Taveuni and Vanua Levu. A4ii Congregatory seabird species * Tahiti Petrel – poorly known but may meet the threshold of >100 pairs]

Site description The Taveuni Highlands IBA supports a good population of Friendly Ground-Doves (VU), the majority of the world’s Silktails (NT), the largest number of Tahiti Petrels (NT) in Fiji and many other endemic birds. The three reserves have been combined into a single IBA which forms a contiguous forest block. This is the largest currently protected area in Fiji and includes a spectacular expanse of primary forest from shore to summit.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Bouma National Park	Heritage Park	15,000	protected area contained by site	15,000
Ravilevu	Nature Reserve	4,020	protected area contained by site	4,020
Taveuni	Reserved Forest	11,295	protected area contained by site	11,295

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity Only partial surveys have been completed for plants but at least seven plant species are identified as endemic to this IBA. Threatened endemic plants include Syzygium phaeophyllum (CR), Alsmithia longipes (EN) and Neuburgia macroloba (EN). Also found commonly at higher altitudes on the island is the well-known Tagimaucia Medinilla waterhousei, which has been suggested as a suitable national flower for Fiji. The Fiji Flying-fox (CR) is only known from a few specimens from the summit forests of Taveuni. Both the Fijian Ground Frog (EN) and Fijian Tree Frog (NT) are found here, alongside several lizards which do not occur on islands with mongoose.

Management considerations Small-scale agriculture - Forestry - Invasive Alien Species

Protection status Taveuni Forest Reserve, Ravilevu Nature Reserve, Bouma National Heritage Park

Conservation response The Taveuni highlands are relatively well-protected. The Ravilevu Nature Reserve and the Taveuni Forest Reserve are managed by the Department of Forestry. The Bouma National Heritage Park is a community-based initiative which accommodates and guides tourists as part of an integrated conservation and development project, owned by the villages of Lavena, Korovou, Vidawa and Waitabu. Like Koroyanitu on Viti Levu, the initiative has benefited from guidance and assistance from the New Zealand government in a project which is led by the NLTB. These protected areas have little active management and are under some threat from expanding small-scale subsistence and cash-crop agriculture, especially kava (yaqona). This encroachment is likely to continue unless local people are more aware of (and benefit more directly from) the links between tourist income and the conservation of Taveuni’s coral reefs and traditional village and rainforest environment. The extensive oldgrowth forests, including significant areas of intact ridge-to-reef ecosystems have lead to the Taveuni Mountains being suggested as a potential World Heritage Site. Designation could be used to promote the island to tourists and to improve conservation and environmental awareness. Although Taveuni has many fewer invasive alien species than most islands, these pose a greater threat than habitat loss. The most important bird conservation action is to ensure that mongoose do not colonise the island from Neighbouring Vanua Levu where they have extirpated all ground-nesting bird species. Black Rats may also be causing problems by predating birds (notably Redthroated Lorikeet) but this has not been demonstrated in Fiji.

References BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2005) Fiji Programme IBA project field reports Nos 39 and 40. FLANNERY, T. F. (1995) Mammals of the South-west Pacific and Moluccan Islands. Sydney: Reed Books.GoF (1998) Botanical Biodiversity in Fiji. Technical Group 3, Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Suva: Department of Environment. Unpublished report. GOF-IUCN (1993) An Integrated Development Plan for Taveuni Island. National Environment Management Project. Suva: Government of Fiji. MORLEY, C. G. (2004) Has the invasive mongoose Herpestes javanicus yet reached the island of Taveuni, Fiji? Oryx 38: 457–460. NLTB AND MINISTRY OF FORESTRY (1994) Bouma Environmental Tourism Project. Suva: Government of Fiji. Unpublished report. NLTB AND MINISTRY OF FORESTRY (1991) A Management Plan for Bouma Forest Park, Taveuni, Fiji Islands. Wellington: New Zealand Ministry of External Relations and Trade. SWINNERTON, K. AND MALJKOVIC, A. (2002) The Red-throated Lorikeet Charmosyna amabilis in the Fiji Islands. Suva: National Trust for Fiji and World Parrot Trust. Unpublished report. WATLING, D. (1986) Notes on the Collared Petrel Pterodroma (leucoptera) brevipes. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club 106: 63–70.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Taveuni Highlands. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013

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