Atoll Restoration in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati: 7 Survey Results in November–December 2009
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Atolll Restoration in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati: Survey Results November–December 2009 JANUARY 2011 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 7 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES Atoll Restoration in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati: 7 Survey Results in November–December 2009 Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series is published by: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific) PO Box 2035, Apia, Samoa T: + 685 21593 E: [email protected] W: www.conservation.org Conservation International Pacific Islands Program. 2011. Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 7: Atolll Restoration in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati: Survey Results in November– December 2009. Conservation International, Apia, Samoa Authors: Ray Pierce, Nautonga Anterea, Glen Coulston, Clea Gardiner, Louise Shilton, Katareti Taabu, Graham Wragg Design/Production: Joanne Aitken, The Little Design Company, www.thelittledesigncompany.com Series Editors: James Atherton and Leilani Duffy, Conservation International Pacific Islands Program Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ISBN 978-982-9130-07-5 © 2011 Conservation International All rights reserved. OUR MISSION Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity This publication is available electronically from Conservation International’s website: www.conservation.org ABOUT THE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES This document is part of a technical report series on conservation projects funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific). The main purpose of this series is to disseminate project findings and successes to a broader audience of conservation professionals in the Pacific, along with interested members of the public and students. The reports are being prepared on an ad-hoc basis as projects are completed and written up. In most cases the reports are composed of two parts, the first part is a detailed technical report on the project which gives details on the methodology used, the results and any recommendations. The second part is a brief project completion report written for the donor and focused on conservation impacts and lessons learned. The CEPF fund in the Polynesia-Micronesia region was launched in September 2008 and will be active until 2013. It is being managed as a partnership between CI Pacific and CEPF. The purpose of the fund is to engage and build the capacity of non-governmental organizations to achieve terrestrial conservation. The total grant envelope is approximately US$6 million, and focuses on three main elements: the prevention, control and eradication of invasive species in key biodiversity areas (KBAs); strengthening the conservation status and management of a prioritized set of 60 KBAs and building the awareness and participation of local leaders and community members in the implementation of threatened species recovery plans. Since the launch of the fund, a number of calls for proposals have been completed for 14 eligible Pacific Island Countries and Territories (Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Fiji, Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Eastern Island, Pitcairn and Tokelau). By late 2010 more than 35 projects in 9 countries and territories were being funded. The Polynesia-Micronesia Biodiversity Hotspot is one of the most threatened of Earth’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, with only 21 percent of the region’s original vegetation remaining in pristine condition. The Hotspot faces a large number of severe threats including invasive species, alteration or destruction of native habitat and over exploitation of natural resources. The limited land area exacerbates these threats and to date there have been more recorded bird extinctions in this Hotspot than any other. In the future climate change is likely to become a major threat especially for low lying islands and atolls which could disappear completely. For more information on the funding criteria and how to apply for a CEPF grant please visit: www.cepf.net/where_we_work/regions/asia_pacific/polynesia_micronesia/Pages/default.aspx • www.cepf.net • For more information on Conservation International’s work in the Pacific please visit: www.conservation.org/explore/asia-pacific/pacific_islands/pages/overview.aspx • or e-mail us at [email protected] Location of the project in the Polynesia-Micronesia Biodiversity Hotspot The Pacific Islands Region Contents About the Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 3 PART 1 Atolll Restoration in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati: Survey Results in November–December 2009 Executive Summary 7 1 Background 9 2 Timetable 11 3 Mckean Island Rat Eradication Assessment 13 3.1 Searches for rodent sign 13 3.2 Biota responses to Asian rat removal 15 3.3 Miscellaneous 17 4 Rawaki Rabbit Eradication Assessment 19 4.1 Searches for European rabbit sign 19 4.2 Biota responses to European rabbit removal 21 5 Enderbury and Birnie Restoration Planning 25 5.1 Atoll area 25 5.2 Lagoon characteristics 25 5.3 Vegetation 26 5.4 Pest status and abundance 27 5.5 Non-target species 28 5.6 Safe boat landing and flying areas 29 6 Orona Restoration Planning 31 6.1 Atoll area 31 6.2 Invasive species 31 7 Kanton Restoration Planning 43 7.1 Atoll area 43 7.2 Pests 43 7.3 Birds 44 7.4 Comments on potential ecological restoration 45 8 Biosecurity 47 9 Capacity Building 49 9.1 General 49 10 Conclusions and Recommendations 51 References 53 Acknowledgements 54 PART 2 Appendices 55 Location of the project in the Polynesia-Micronesia Biodiversity Hotspot 4 Abbreviations and Acronyms 6 Abbreviations and Acronyms Birnie Birnie Island CEPF Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund CG Clea Gardner CI Conservation International Enderbury Enderbury Island GC Glen Coulston GoK Government Of Kiribati GPS Global Positioning System GW Dr Graham Wragg, Pacific Expeditions Kanton Kanton Island or Abariringa KT Katareti Taabu, WCU, Kiritimati LS Dr Louise Shilton McKean McKean Island MHWS Mean High Water Spring Tide NA Nautonga Anterea, Agriculture, Kiritimati NZAID New Zealand Aid NZDOC New Zealand Department of Conservation Orona A PIPA island previously known as Hull Island PIPA Phoenix Islands Protected Area RP Dr Ray Pierce SVSC Sailing Vessel Southern Cross WCU Wildlife Conservation Unit, Kiritimati PART 1 Executive Summary A survey of selected atolls of the Phoenix Islands Group, Kiribati, was undertaken during 22 November to 13 December 2009. The primary aims were to check on the success of rabbit and rat eradication operations of the previous year and to help plan for the restoration of additional priority islands in the Group. The work was funded by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF administered by Conservation International) and New Zealand Aid (NZAID), the latter facilitated by NZ Department of Conservation. Government of Kiribati staff from Agriculture and Environment sections participated along with ecological specialists from Australia and New Zealand. The survey determined that the pest eradication work of May–June 2008 was successful with no sign of Asian rats on McKean Island or European rabbits on Rawaki. These pests had been causing catastrophic damage to vegetation and animals on the two islands, but now 18 months after the eradications, the biota of both islands are showing signs of recovery. The vegetation response is particularly striking with the islands now supporting more luxuriant and diverse plant growth despite conditions having been fairly dry. Several species of birds are also responding positively with increased breeding success on McKean and more extensive nesting areas on Rawaki due to the improved vegetation cover on these islands. Targeted surveys wre undertaken on Enderbury, Orona and Kanton in order to help in restoration planning for those islands, while Birnie had been surveyed in 2006 and 2008. Enderbury and Birnie are infested with only Pacific rats, but Orona and Kanton both support cats, Pacific rats, with Kanton also supporting a large Rattus species (species to be determined genetically). From these surveys, a draft operational plan is being prepared for the restoration of Enderbury, Birnie and Kanton. Further feasibility work in relation to crabs and cats is required for Orona (and Manra and Nikumaroro) 7 and we recommend that restoration of those islands takes place at a later date. This survey provided capacity building support to Government of Kiribati (GoK) staff and focused on pest surveillance, improved biosecurity, restoration planning and biota monitoring. There are several opportunities for GoK staff to undertake important additional restoration work in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). These include the eradication of Pacific rats from 4 ha Channel Island at Kanton on which seabirds are currently being devastated by the rats, and applying specific improved quarantine measures at Kanton to enhance biosecurity of the PIPA generally. Atolll Restoration in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati: Survey Results in November–December 2009 1 Background The terrestrial habitats of the Phoenix Islands and their globally important bird populations