Title
Terrestrial and Archaeological Surveys of Kilaka Forest Conservation Area
Author(s)
Kirmani, S. N.; Brehme, C.; Cakacaka, T.; Dulunaqio, S.; Fisher, R.; Hathaway, S.; Koroi, I.; Loganimoce, E.; O’Brien, M.; Masibalavu, V.; Naikatini, A.; Segaidina, M.; Thomas, N.; Tikoca, S.; Tubuitamana, P.; Tuiwawa, M.; Vido, S.; Mangubhai, S.
Published
2018
Abstract
Protected under a 99-year conservation lease between the Wildlife Conservation Society and mataqali Nadicake, the Kilaka Forest Conservation Area in Kubulau District, Vanua Levu, boasts a diversity of native, endemic and endangered flora and fauna. Herpetofauna, birds, bats and invasive mammal surveys were conducted between 12–16 February, 2018 and vegetation, flora and archaeological surveys were done on 28 April, 2018. This report presents the findings of terrestrial and archaeological baseline surveys conducted in the Kilaka Forest Conservation Area by experts from BirdLife International, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, University of the South Pacific and the United States Geological Survey.
A total of 245 taxa of higher vascular plants were recorded during the survey, including 196 angiosperms, 44 ferns and fern allies, and 5 gymnosperm taxa. Endemism was 35% (87 species) for all higher vascular plants. The higher plants comprised of 100 families, 188 genera, and 214 species. The largest family was Rubiaceae (16 taxa), Orchidaceae (15 taxa), Euphorbiaceae (13 taxa). The largest genus was Ficus with 8 species in the Moraceae family, followed by Syzygium with 6 taxa in the Myrtaceae family, Cyathea in the Cyatheaceae family, and Asplenium in the Aspleniaceae family. Lowland rainforest was the principal vegetation or forest type in the Kilaka Forest Conservation Area. Three exotic plant species (1%) were recorded.
A total of 25 species of birds were recorded, of which 15 species are endemic to Fiji including the vulnerable shy ground-dove. The bird community in Kilaka Forest is indicative of a large island native forest community with species composition similar to Natewa on Vanua Levu. The near threatened Samoan flying-fox and the vulnerable Fijian blossom bat were recorded from diurnal surveys. Eleven of the the 21 known herpetofauna species on Vanua Levu were recorded, including 2 species of native frogs, 5 species of native skinks (1 potentially new species undergoing further analysis), 3 species of native geckos and the invasive toad. A combination of three different trapping techniques was used to identify the presence of 5 invasive mammals in or along the boundary of the area. These include rats, mongoose, cats, pigs and cows.
Lepidoptera or moths were the only group of terrestrial invertebrates surveyed and experts found 27 species belonging to 7 families over the 4 nights of sampling. This represents 25% of the known species for Vanua Levu and a high rate (48%) of endemism. Four new moth species were found for Vanua Levu: Adetoneura lentigiginosa (Erebidae), Thalassodes fiona (Geometridae), Aeolopetra palaeanthes (Crambidae) and Locastra ardua (Pyralidae).
In addition to biodiversity surveys, two archaeological sites, an old village and house foundation, were mapped, documented and placed on Fiji’s National Register.
Although short in duration, these surveys revealed a relatively high percentage of endemic or native flora and fauna, providing a baseline for further longterm research. Experts made a number of specific recommendations:
• conducting longer surveys over different seasons to capture and map a greater diversity of species;
• demarcating vegetation plots for longterm monitoring and research;
• investigate interactions between native herpetofauna and introduced mammalian predators to devise conservation and management strategies;
• include more terrestrial invertebrate taxa surveys; and
• conduct proper documentation of archaeological sites, including oral history.
Full Citation
Kirmani SN, Brehme C, Cakacaka T, Dulunaqio S, Fisher R, Hathaway S, Koroi I, Loganimoce E, O’Brien M, Masibalavu V, Naikatini A, Segaidina M, Thomas N, Tikoca S, Tubuitamana P, Tuiwawa M, Vido S, Mangubhai S (2018). Terrestrial and Archaeological Surveys of Kilaka Forest Conservation Area. Report No. 04/18. Suva, Fiji: Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji, 1-57.
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