Greater Tomaniivi (20330)
Fiji, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Greater Tomaniivi
Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.6363, Longitude: 178.0620
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1324
Area of KBA (km2): 187.95135
Protected area coverage (%): 18.20
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site covers the upper slopes of Tomaniivi or Mt Victoria, Fiji’s highest mountain 1,324m asl, and extends on to the lower slopes in the north-east.
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: Greater Tomaniivi is perhaps the best hope for Red-throated Lorikeet surviving anywhere in the world but ongoing surveys are still required to confirm its current status. The population of Long-legged Warblers may be much larger than currently known but, again, requires further fieldwork. Non-bird biodiversity: Tomaniivi supports several threatened plants, some of which are endemic to the mountain, e.g. Schefflera costata. Recent PABITRA (IAS/Dept Forestry/ BirdLife/WCS) surveys at Wabu discovered the tree Acmopyle sahniana, Fijian Blossom-bat and an insectivorous bat, probably Polynesian Sheath-tail-bat. Herpetological surveys have found very few reptiles or amphibians (but include the endemic Fijian Tree Frog and Green Tree Skink, perhaps because the site is relatively cold.
Other site values: The nearest village, Navai, is situated on the road at the base of the Tomaniivi trail but other villages also have land-ownership rights over the IBA. These land-owners lease the reserves to the government. The land tenure includes part of one large Native Reserve, 53 Native Lands (totalling about 14,125 ha), two Crown Lands (2,016 ha) and one Freehold (1,282 ha).
Delineation rationale: 2015-10-20 (BL Secretariat): the KBA 'Tomaniivi-Wabu Nature and Forest Reserve complex' (2007 CEPF Ecosystem Profile) has been incorporated into this IBA, through a slight boundary extension.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA combines Tomaniivi Nature Reserve and Wabu Forest Reserve with other contiguous forests to form a single forest block. Tomaniivi contains a significant proportion of the highest-altitude montane forest in Fiji, an important habitat for birds and other biodiversity. The forest on Tomaniivi is classified as lowland to 700 m, upland (montane) forest between 700 m and 850 m, and cloud forest (montane cloud forest) from 850 m to the summit at 1,324 m. In the lower valley of the Wabu creek, dense stands of Dakua form an unbroken canopy in places. The boundaries of the IBA encompass the entirety of these two reserves. To the south are forestry plantations and agriculture. To the west the forest is patchy and mostly logged, extending to the Nausori Highlands, but retains many interesting bird species, notably a high population density of Black-faced Shrikebills. To the east, the forest continues along the central Viti Levu highlands and is patchy and degraded but is currently still contiguous with the next IBA, Rairaimatuku Highlands.
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Invasive alien species. Plants, Mongoose, Black Rat. Logging.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2004&2005) Fiji Programme IBA project field reports Nos 2, 11 and 18. Unpublished report. GOF (1998) Botanical Biodiversity in Fiji. Technical Group 3, Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Suva: Department of Environment. Unpublished report. 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. USP (2003) PABITRA Survey report – Wabu November 2003. Suva: University of the South Pacific. Unpublished report.