Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsula (20320)
Fiji, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2026
National site name: Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsula
Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.6085, Longitude: 179.7781
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 832
Area of KBA (km2): 176.59878
Protected area coverage (%): 0.10
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site covers the largest tracts of remaining old-growth forest on Natewa/Tunuloa, a large peninsula on the south east of Vanua Levu. The site is mostly lowland tropical rainforest, extending along the central ridge of the rainforest which includes many steep slopes with stunted or montane forest.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This is a globally important site for Pterocymbium oceanicum (CR), Cyrtandra natewaensis, the Palm Balaka macrocarpa and the mollusc Placosystlus hoyti (all EN). In addition, it is the primary location for the bird Natewa Silktail, Lamprolia klinesmithi and the Natewa Swallowtail butterfly, Papilio natewa (both VU). It is also an important site for a number of range-restricted bird species (n=7)
The site is also the sole location for a plant Elatosterma comptonioides (NR).
Manageability of the site: The land tenure on the site includes parts of 68 Native lands (205km2), 2 freehold lands (3km2) and 2 Crown-scheduled land (2.5km2). Groups of Native lands have combined to form community conservation areas (e.g. Sisi Initiative, Vusaviso). These lay out rules, regulations and plans for the sites, which have been developed in conjunction with NGO and Government's Provincial Conservation Officers (PCOs). Note that there is only one PCO per province.
The CCAs are, to date, informal agreements, with short 10/20 year leases, and not included in the governments Protected Area network.
Other site values: The land tenure includes parts of 68 Native Lands (totaling about 17,033 ha), two Freehold Lands (about 320 ha) and two Crown Scheduled Lands (about 246 ha).
Delineation rationale: The site contains the largest remaining stands of unlogged forest, but also includes some adjacent stands of logged forest. The boundary has been drawn to exclude areas of heavily degraded forest, mostly forest that has been logged heavily in the early 2000s, mahogany plantations and agriculture. It excludes most of the coastline, where development has disturbed the habitats, and follows a path, particularly on the southeast side, that avoids the main areas of forest loss.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This IBA covers the largest tracts of remaining old growth forest on Natewa/Tunuloa, a large peninsula on the south of Vanua Levu. The IBA is mostly lowland tropical rainforest extending along the central ridge of the peninsula, including many steep slopes with stunted or montane forest. It contains the largest remaining stands of unlogged forest but also includes adjacent areas of logged forest making one large contiguous forest. The IBA is bounded by more highly degraded forest, mostly forest which has been logged heavily in recent years, mahogany plantations and agriculture.
Land use: agriculture | forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forestry; Agriculture; Invasive Alien Species
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2004 & 2005) Fiji Programme IBA project field reports Nos 24 and 41. Unpublished Reports.
Contributors: Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Communities and NCG