Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsula (20320)
Fiji, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsula
Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.6000, Longitude: 179.8167
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
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot (2007). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2003 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: This IBA supports seven of the nine subspecies endemic to Vanua Levu. The peninsula is also ornithologically unusual in having no Giant Forest Honeyeaters or Blue-crested Broadbills which are otherwise widespread across Vanua Levu and Taveuni. A1 Globally threatened species * Friendly Ground-dove (VU) – often seen * Silktail (NT) – a high proportion of the Natewa/Tunuloa subspecies L. v. kleinschmidti A2 Restricted-range species 21 species (out of 21 on Natewa peninsula and 24 on Vanua Levu), including all three endemic to Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Non-bird biodiversity: There have been no systematic surveys of any biodiversity groups except for birds in the IBA.
Other site values: The land tenure includes parts of 68 Native Lands (totalling about 20,506 ha), two Freehold Lands (about 320 ha) and two Crown Scheduled Lands (about 246 ha).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | 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 |
| 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 | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | 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.