Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands (20326)
Fiji, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.6333, Longitude: 179.4000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 90 to 941
Area of KBA (km2): 721.87728
Protected area coverage (%): 0.42
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA contains the only known site for the Vanua Levu subspecies of Long-legged Warbler (EN), and has all the other endemic birds on Vanua Levu except for the Silktail, which is restricted to another peninsula. It consists of the largest remaining important forests in Vanua Levu, and includes six Sites of National Significance as outlined in the BSAP: Delaikoro, Waisali, Tavea, Valili, Drawa and Delainacau.
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 eight of the nine subspecies endemic to Vanua Levu. A1 (globally threatened species) * Friendly Ground-dove (VU) – fairly common in some areas * [Long-legged Warbler (VU) – the only record of the Vanua Levu subspecies T. r. clunei was from here in 1974; probably still occurs] * Black-faced Shrikebill (VU) – rare A2 (restricted-range species) 22 species (out of 24 on Vanua Levu), including two of the three endemic to Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Non-bird biodiversity: Limited surveys have been undertaken in Waisali and Drawa only. Waisali is the only known site for the Fijian Ground Frog (EN) on mainland Fiji (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) despite the presence of mongoose. Waisali also supports the Fijian Tree Frog (NT) and at least four species of reptile including the Turquoise Tree Skink which is known only from one other specimen. The BSAP technical botanical report identified six Vanua Levu sites of high botanical biodiversity, four of which are part of this IBA (Waisali, Mt Dikeva, Mt Delainacau and Mt Kasi). Botanical surveys at Drawa showed that 51% of flora species are native, 47% are endemic to Fiji and 10 species are threatened within Fiji.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands IBA consists of lowland and montane forest along the southern spine of Vanua Levu island. The northern slopes have some dry forest but the central hills and southern slopes are mainly tropical lowland rainforest with an average rainfall of 3,500–4,800 mm/annum. Delaikoro has rugged terrain with lowland rainforest reaching up to montane cloud forest and the highest peak in Vanua Levu at 941 m. Logging roads run from the lowlands (e.g. Sueni and Nadavaci villages) up into the fringes of the ridge, and it has been proposed that some roads could be upgraded into a public road across the hills to Savusavu. Much of Valili (about 14 km2) is still unlogged, especially around the ridges extending east to west towards Delaikoro. Delainacau (about 11 km2) is largely logged but the steep slopes remain as old-growth forest. The Drawa forest (6,346 ha) is the site of a large sustainable forestry project lead by GTZ. A central ridge-top area of protection forest covers 32% of Drawa, 24% is either preserved forest (for conservation) or non-forest, and 44% is multiple-use forest where timber production is allowed. The Waisali forest (120 ha) was established as a nature reserve in 1991 and is administered as such by the National Trust of Fiji. Most of this reserve is tropical lowland rainforest ranging from 350 m to 650 m altitude. Although many of the gentle slopes have been logged, it contains some of the best remaining stands of Dakua trees in Fiji. The IBA contains parts of 172 Native Lands (totalling about 64,137 ha), about 22 Freehold Lands (about 3,631ha) and 9 Crown Scheduled Lands (678 ha).
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Logging - Agricultural Expansion - Invasive Alien Species - Fire - Hunting
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2005) Fiji Programme IBA project field reports Nos 26, 31, 34, 35 and 36. FUNG, C. (2005) Profile of the Drawa Model Area. Appraisal of a Rural Forest Area in Fiji. Suva: Pacific German Regional Forestry Project. Unpublished report. GOF (1998) Botanical Biodiversity in Fiji. Technical Group 3, Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Suva: Department of Environment. Unpublished report: MORRISON, C., NAIKATINI, A., THOMAS, N., ROUNDS, I., THAMAN, B. AND NIUKULA, J. (2004) Importance of Waisali Reserve, Vanua Levu for herpetofauna conservation in Fiji. South Pacific Journal of Natural Science 22: 71–74. SOUTH PACIFIC REGIONAL HERBARIUM (2004) Baseline Floral and Faunal Survey of Waisali Reserve, Cakaudrove, Fiji Island. Biodiversity and Ethnobiodiversity Report. Suva: South Pacific Regional Herbarium. TUIWAWA, M. in litt. (1999, 2000)