New moss records for Vanua Levu, Fiji

Fourteen species of mosses are newly recorded from the Savusa area and the greater Delaikoro area onVanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. The fourteen species belong to ten different families, Cyrtopodaceae,Dicranaceae, Hypnodendraceae, Meteoriaceae, Neckeraceae, Orthotrichaceae, Polytrichaceae, Pterobryaceae,Ptychomniaceae and Sematophyllaceae. Four moss species are new records for Vanua Levu, Pogonatumgraeffeanum (Müll.Hal.) A.Jaeger, Macromitrium angulatum Mitt., Meiothecium hamatum Broth. andPapillaria helictophylla (Mont.) Broth., while the remaining ten species were previously reported from otherlocations. The novel distribution records for these species are provided, with notes on their extended rangeof distribution. Field illustrations of all fourteen taxa are provided, with voucher specimens deposited aspermanent records at the South Pacific Regional Herbarium in Fiji

Species diversity, composition and the regeneration potential of native plants at the Wainiveiota mahogany plantation, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) plantations cover a considerable area on the south-eastern parts of Viti Levu, Fiji. The understorey of these plantations often comprise a diverse, but undocumented, assemblage of native plant species. This study investigates the diversity, composition and regeneration potential of native plant species in the Wainiveiota mahogany plantation 40-50 years after establishment. Ten 10 m x 10 m plots were alternately placed at 10 m intervals perpendicular to a 200 m line transect. A total of 491 individual plants with dbh ≥ 1 cm, comprising 69 species, 51 genera and 34 families, were sampled. In addition to the exotic mahogany, there were 68 native (39 endemic, 24 indigenous and 5 identified to genus only) species recorded. Girronniera celtidifolia Gaud., Dillenia biflora (A.Gray) Martelli ex Dur. & Jacks and Barringtonia edulis Seem. had the highest recruitment and Endospermum macrophyllum (Muell.Arg.) Pax & Hoffm. was the dominant native species. Syzygium Gaertn. (Myrtaceae) was the most diverse genus and Myrtaceae the most diverse family. With 98% of the sapling recruitment consisting of native species, there is potential for re-establishment of a lowland rainforest dominated by native species over time

Landcover change in mangroves of Fiji: implications for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Pacific

Mangrove coverage in Fiji is among the highest of all Pacific island nations. These ecosystems store disproportionate amounts of carbon, provide critically important resources for communities, and protect coastal communities against the impacts of tropical cyclones. They are therefore vital in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. An improved understanding of both the scale and drivers of mangrove loss in Fiji can underpin sustainable management strategies and achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. In this study we assessed mangrove cover, landcover change, and drivers of landcover change for Fiji between 2001 and 2018,as well as the impacts of landcover change on the structural characteristics of mangroves at selected sites on the Fijian island of Viti Levu. Results were then framed within the context of developing management responses, including the potential to develop forest carbon projects. We found Fiji’s mangrove estate to be 65,243 ha, with a loss of 1135 ha between 2001 and 2018 and an annual rate of loss of 0.11%. Tropical cyclones accounted for 77% of loss (~870 ha), with highest losses along the northern coastlines of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Mangrove structural characteristics showed high variability in the level of damage incurred, with taller riverine and hinterland vegetation sustaining greater levels of damage than coastal fringing or scrub mangroves. There was no tropical cyclone damage evident along the southern coastline of Viti Levu, with small-scale harvesting the predominate driver of loss in this region. Because of the large effect of cyclone damage on mangroves in the region, small to medium scale restoration projects may be appropriate interventions to increase mangrove cover and carbon stocks. Where harvesting of mangroves occurs, improved management to avoid deforestation could also provide opportunities to maintain mangrove cover and carbon stocks

Unlocking collections: New records of Lepidoziaceae (Marchantiophyta) for the islands of Fiji

It is clearly evident that the bryophyte flora of the islands of Fiji remains inadequately documented. Here, five liverwort species of Lepidoziaceae are reported as new to the Republic of Fiji: Lepidozia haskarliana, Neolepidozia cuneifolia, N. wallichiana, Telaranea major and Tricholepidozia melanesica

The genus Syzygium (Myrtaceae) in Vanuatu

Twenty species of Syzygium occur in Vanuatu of which eighteen are indigenous (six being endemic and one being an ancient introduction) and two are recently introduced. Three species are newly described: S. chanelii, S. flabellum and S. vanuatuense. The S

Colo-i-Suva Forest Park Wildflife

This book provides a single portfolio of information about a wide range of interesting groups of organisms typically found in a forest system in Fiji. It was written for the general public, students, researchers and visitors to the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. The chapters provide brief descriptions and photos of the plants and animal species found in the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, their distribution, abundance, conservation status and local uses. The book intends to provide a visitor to the park with an enriching experience in better knowing and appreciating its wildlife