Papua Conservation Needs Assessment Synopsis Report Conservation Needs Assessment Synopsis Report

by J.F. Swartzendruber

Biodiversity Papua New Guinea Support Program A USAID-funded Consortium of World Wildlife Fund, Government of Papua New Guinea The Nature Conservancy, and Department of Conservation World Resources Institute and Environment Washington, D.C. Boroko, Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Conservation Needs Assessment, Synopsis Report

© 1993 by The Biodiversity Support Program. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without the permission of The Biodiversity Support Program.

Cover map produced by Conservation International, Washington, D.C.

Cover design by Mimi Hutchins, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C. Printed by Corporate Press, Inc., Landover, Maryland.

Printed on recycled paper. CONTENTS

Foreword ...... vii

Executive Summary ...... ix

Background ...... xi

Conservation in Papua New Guinea: Global Anomaly, Global Paradigm...... 1 Cassowaries and Bandicoots: Biological Diversity and Customary Land Tenure...... 3 Melanesian Conservation: 9,000 years of Traditional Knowledge ...... 5 The Conservation Needs Assessment Workshop...... 6

Boxes Social Legend to appear on CNA Consensus Maps of High Biodiversity Areas...... 7 CNA Workshop Findings ...... 8

The CNA Consensus Maps of Biodiversity in Papua New Guinea...... 11 Synthesis Map #1: Major Terrestrial Unknowns ...... 12 Synthesis Map #2: Marine Systems and Critical Watersheds...... 13 Synthesis Map #3: Terrestrial Biodiversity...... 15

The CNA Recommendations ...... 21

Bibliography...... 23

V FOREWORD

he Five Directive Principles of Papua this century, when many of our people want the New Guinea’s Constitution provide the benefits of a modern economy, is an even greater vision and tools to enable our society to challenge. Leaders in PNG have a grave achieve the concept of sustainable develop- responsibility in meeting the needs of our com- ment/sustainable living in the 21st century. munities and taking PNG into a modern life with Many of our village societies continue to the benefits of good health facilities, education, live sustainably as our people have for hundreds and economic opportunities. of years, living a life balanced and in harmony In the desire to progress we endanger the with the environment. very sources of our physical and spiritual exis- The past 17 years since independence have tence. We have been endowed greatly by the been a challenging time for our country. The path Creator with the richness of our islands. Our for economic growth has been to short-term country is indeed bountiful. Yet now our envi- benefits, not long-term sustainable growth. ronment is threatened. Greed has motivated the Short-term economic growth, I believe, chal- exploitation of our resources. Once our environ- lenges much of the fundamental values of ment is gone, there is nothing, absolutely noth- Melanesian society, such as community respon- ing, left for us as a people. We will be scav- sibility and environmental responsibility. engers. I do not want to be responsible for that It is now apparent that Papua New Guinea's loss. Many men and women in PNG do not want (PNG's) major asset is its wealth of to be responsible either. environmental resources. The forests, the man- Therefore, in this time of choice and deci- groves, the reef, and the ocean are abundant with sion, the challenge is to ensure that every effort a richness that is desired by peoples and that is humanly possible is made to direct the corporations for their monetary value. For PNG development of our country on a sustainable these resources are a life source for current and pathway. future generations. Managing our resources in

VII I have read the Constitution often, yet I Throughout the CNA, process was as must now admit that 17 years hence I have important as product. And the CNA itself was the finally come to understand and draw guidance in first step in a process. Now a national discussion my work from the Five Directive Principles. is needed to use the CNA information to 1. Integral Human Development empower people to weigh their choices and to Every person should be dynamically initiate awareness of decisions being made/open involved in the process of freeing himself or to be made. This will enable PNG to develop a herself from every form of domination or national consensus on appropriate conservation oppression so that each man and woman will and development projects as well as to develop have the opportunity to develop as a whole local consensus about land/resource-use options person in relation with others. open to communities. 2. Equality and Participation The CNA maps are "works in progress. All citizens should have an equal opportunity The mapping process does not end with the pub- to participate in and benefit from the lication of these maps; instead, the maps should development of our country. be used as starting points for further research. 3. National Sovereignty and Self-Reliance The maps should also be used, with the Papua New Guinea should be politically and other CNA information, to begin and expand economically independent and our economy participatory approaches to conservation. The should be basically self-reliant. social legend presented on each of the CNA 4. Natural Resources and Environment maps underscores the point that conservation in Papua New Guinea's natural resources and Papua New Guinea cannot be separated from the environment should be conserved and used needs and priorities of the local people. for the collective benefit of all and should be The CNA maps are intended to be dis- replenished for future generations. tributed not only to scientists and government 5. Papua New Guinea Ways planners, but also to NGOs and local resource Papua New Guinea should achieve develop- owner groups ("landowners") through the pro- ment primarily through the use of Papua posed Natural Resources Options Centre and New Guinea forms of social, political, and existing channels. It is hoped that these maps can economic organizations. serve as tools for more participatory decisions It could not be clearer that our Constitution about conservation and development in Papua embodies man/woman, development, equality, New Guinea. nationhood, environment, and our traditional The fact that areas do not fall within the structures for consultation to enhance and give circles on the CNA maps does not mean that they substance to our way of life. do not contain valuable biodiversity. Nor does it As we address the issues that are now criti- mean that environmental impact assessments cal for our future, the future of generations to should not be done on development projects or come, and for the future of our country, we will extractive enterprises proposed in those areas enter into dialogue with each other and friends outside the circles. Local biodiversity is always from other nations to find ways to sustain life for important locally, and local assessment of all peoples. It is an enormous but achievable task. biodiversity importance should have precedence. The Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA) is This document, then, is a tool that will one such task. assist PNG in the critical choices for our future. CNA was implemented through a process that stimulated collaboration between non- -THE HONORABLE MARGARET TAYLOR governmental organizations (NGOs), govern- Ambassador to the United States from ment, landowners, and scientists. Papua New Guinea

V I I I PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

he Conservation Needs Assessment shop participants included representatives of the (CNA) for Papua New Guinea was government of Papua New Guinea, USAID, requested by the government of Papua numerous scientific and research institutions and New Guinea and funded by the U.S. Agency for museums, social scientists and legal scholars, International Development (USAID). The CNA NGOs, and local landowners, groups. was implemented by the Biodiversity Support The workshop developed a process for Program, a USAID-funded consortium of World information sharing and consensus decision- Wildlife Fund, World Resources Institute, and making and resolved that this model should be The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with used in future development planning and con- local and international nongovernmental servation initiatives in Papua New Guinea. The organizations (NGOs), museums, and academic loss of biological resources in Papua New institutions. Guinea, as elsewhere, is driven primarily by non- The assessment compiled an extensive body biological factors, and conservation actions must of the available scientific literature on the bio- take account of social and political realities. The logical diversity (biodiversity) of Papua New CNA process emphasizes such issues as commu- Guinea and assessed the present state of knowl- nication, rights adjudication, modes of conflict edge, conditions, trends, and environmental resolution, and attitudes toward biodiversity. The threats. Special maps were produced identifying process is intended to be a starting point for sites of particularly high endemism, high species participatory approaches to conservation. richness, and unusual ecosystems and habitats. There is an urgent need to begin building A CNA workshop was conducted in stronger relationships between Papua New , Papua New Guinea, in April 1992, to Guinean landowners and others who are involved discuss the findings of the scientific assessments, in natural resource use and management, conser- to finalize the maps of terrestrial and marine vation, and research, including government, biodiversity, and to consider a range of recom- NGOs, the private sector, and scientists. In addi- mendations for conservation initiatives. Work-

I X tion, social scientists should be fully involved in all of these groups work more closely with Papua analyzing, designing, monitoring, and implement- New Guinean resource owners, or "landowners." ing conservation activities in Papua New Guinea. The common theme underlying the set of Key recommendations from the CNA include: CNA recommendations is the urgency of build- § Establish a Natural Resources Option Center; ing stronger relationships between Papua New § Implement the National Environment and Guinean landowners and those who are, in vari- Conservation Plan; ous ways, responsible for changing their natural § Strengthen government capacity for envi- environment and, therefore, their traditional ways ronmental monitoring, impact assessment, of life. The need to work more closely with local and enforcement; groups applies not only to those who extract § Distribute the CNA Biodiversity Maps as natural resources for commercial gain but also to widely as possible to scientists, conservation those who initiate activities intended to protect groups, NGOs, and local landowners' groups; the environment and bring about economic § Reform existing legislation to strengthen development and even to researchers. environmental management and customary Papua New Guinea represents an unusual tenure systems; combination of circumstances making it a § Develop participatory conservation & globally important site for conservation efforts. development models appropriate to Papua As the CNA report makes clear, Papua New New Guinean culture and conditions; Guinea is one of the world's most significant § Support research focused on priority sites centers of biodiversity, with many unique within Papua New Guinea, in collaboration ecosystems and species. Although much of the with local scientists and landowners; landscape has thus far escaped serious § Provide training in environmental planning, degradation, many of the country's terrestrial and monitoring, and management for government marine ecosystems face growing threats, and and NGOs, and local resource users; urgent preventive action is needed. § Strengthen relationships between government, At the same time, Papua New Guinea repre- NGOs, and local landowners in Papua New sents a unique opportunity for supporting conser- Guinea; vation initiatives that build upon a rich base of § Consider establishing an independent envi- indigenous knowledge and participatory models ronmental trust fund to support and fund of decision-making. Melanesian land and conservation activity in Papua New Guinea. resource tenure traditions, which have evolved § A social legend should be placed on the CNA over thousands of years, are explicitly recognized biodiversity map so all potential users by the modern legal framework of the state. This recognize the need to consult landowning situation, which is rare in global terms, provides clans before taking action based on the map's an unusual opportunity for conservation action. information. By building upon this heritage and strengthening The Conservation Needs Assessment points it where appropriate, Papua New Guinea can the way forward for those concerned with environ- begin to retain responsibility for the long-term mental conservation and sustainable development health of the environment and join landowners in in Papua New Guinea. The report's recommenda- a partnership for making economic development tions should be seen as guidelines for designing, more sustainable. funding, and implementing activities that affect The people of Papua New Guinea will ulti- the country’ rich natural resources. Some of these mately decide the outcome of conservation ini- guidelines are directed toward government, others tiatives in their country. Their genuine partici- to NGOs, scientists, the private sector, and foreign pation in the processes that affect them is not donors and investors. In turn, it is important that only desirable but essential to the conservation of one of the world's great remaining centers of biological and cultural diversity. x PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT BACKGROUND

At the request of the government of National Alliance of Nongovernmental Organi- Papua New Guinea, the U. S. Agency for sations of Papua New Guinea. International Development (USAID) has Other institutions that participated in the provided technical assistance to the Department CNA include USAID, Bishop Museum, Royal of Environment and Conservation under the Botanic Gardens at Kew, University of Western National Forestry and Conservation Action Plan. Sydney, Smithsonian Institution, University of This assistance was in the form of a Conservation Papua New Guinea, The Papua New Guinea Needs Assessment (CNA), which has been University of Technology, Christensen Research funded by USAID and implemented by the Institute, Papua New Guinea National Museum, Biodiversity Support Program, a USAID-funded and Wau Ecology Institute. consortium of World Wildlife Fund, World Teams of internationally recognized experts Resources Institute, and The Nature Conservancy. compiled and analyzed the existing base of scien- The support of DEC Secretary Iamo Ila at every tific information on the country's terrestrial and stage of the CNA was critical to its success. marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they sup- The Conservation Needs Assessment was port. In collaboration with Papua New Guinean carried out in collaboration with local and inter- scientists, the international teams prepared draft national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), reports and maps detailing areas of known biodi- museums, and academic institutions. versity concentration, unusual ecosystems and Nongovernmental organizations that participated habitats, and environmental threats, and also in the CNA include World Wildlife Fund, World identified regions for which there is almost no Wide Fund for Nature, World Resources scientific information available. Institute, Wildlife Conservation International, A CNA workshop was then held in April Conservation International, Greenpeace, IIED, 1992 in Madang, Papua New Guinea, to discuss Experiment in International Living, CARE, and the draft reports and biodiversity maps, and to consider recommendations for conservation ini-

xi tiatives. At the CNA workshop, the natural sci- of Papua New Guinea and the full CNA Report entists were joined by teams of social scientists, is available in two volumes from the Papua New legal scholars, information management special- Guinea Department of Environment and Con- ists, and representatives of nongovernmental servation, the National Alliance of NGOs, and organizations and Papua New Guinean from the Biodiversity Support Program in Wash- landowners' groups. In addition, government ington, D.C. The first of these volumes contains representatives from the Department of Envi- reports on conservation issues and opportunities ronment and Conservation, the Department of in Papua New Guinea and includes assessments Forests, the Department of Agriculture and written by legal experts, social scientists, NGOs Lands, the Department of Fisheries and Marine and landowners' groups, as well as an assessment Resources, the Department of the Prime Minister, of information management needs. It also and the Department of Finance participated in the includes a summary of the material presented and CNA workshop. discussed at the CNA workshop in Madang and The CNA workshop produced a set of rec- the maps of biodiversity in Papua New Guinea, ommendations, representing the consensus of the the points of agreement among participants, participants, on strategies and priorities for issues remaining to be resolved, and a detailed sustainable development based on Papua New set of recommendations for action. Guinea’s natural resources and conservation of Volume 2 presents the technical reports of its biological heritage. These recommendations the natural scientists on the biological diversity of reflect a consensus derived from wide array of Papua New Guinea, including taxonomic reviews viewpoints and opinions about development and of the flora, warm-blooded vertebrates, conservation in Papua New Guinea and mark a cold-blooded vertebrates, and analysis of fresh- commitment to participatory modes of planning water wetlands, marine environments, and and decision-making. During the CNA workshop, forests. This volume includes extensive docu- a process was developed for broadly based mentation of the available scientific literature on consultation with all who share a stake in the Papua New Guinea's biota. future of Papua New Guinea’s biological This report presents a synopsis of the mate- resource endowment. This process is perhaps the rial contained in the full two volume publication most important result of the Conservation Needs and presents in reduced scale the CNA consensus Assessment. maps of the high biodiversity areas in Papua A CNA wall map of biodiversity priorities New Guinea.

X I I PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONSERVATION IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Global Anomaly, Global Paradigm

“We are here to state what our a population of about four million people – Papua rights are. People haven’t been teaching New Guinea also is home to one of the few people in the village about these things. remaining tropical forests in which deforestation Maybe it happens in other places, but not and habitat loss remain at comparatively low in Madang.” levels. According to one projection, by the end of “We do not want to hear about gl- this century or shortly after, only four blocs of the obal issues. Forget about global issues if world’s tropical moist forest biome are likely to you are going to forget about the remain more or less intact: western Brazilian landowners.” Amazonia, the Zaire basin, the Guyana shield of “Young people before had some- northern South America, and Papua New Guinea thing. But then outsiders came and gave (Myers 1988a). us nothing. When the meat cannery came Together with neighboring Irian Jaya in, we were given promises, but we have (belonging to ), Papua New Guinea gotten nothing.” supports the largest area of mature tropical moist “Don’t mess up our land. We had forest in the Asia/Pacific region (McNeely et al. good land before. Then other people came 1990). Most of this forest remains relatively and sneaked around and took things from undisturbed, in part due to historically low human us.”1 population density, as well as a rugged topography which impedes access in many places. The nation of Papua New Guinea, which The country’s unusual legal framework became independent in 1975, is unusual in many explicitly recognizes customary Melanesian land respects. Rich in natural resources, and containing and resource tenure systems, thus giving and an unparalleled concentration of ethnolinguistic natural resource exploitation to an extent that may diversity – more than 700 languages are spoken by be globally unique. These customary property indigenous kinship groups control over land use 1 Local landowners’ statements to participants of the Con- rights extend over as much as 97 percent of the servation Needs Assessment Workshop, 6 April 1992

1 These grand tropical forests ous environmental degradation, with minimal are home to a rich and varied country's land area, and Australasian biota that boasts over most of its forest. economic benefit for local people. tree-dwelling kangaroos, the In the past, these Local activism is opening up a wealth of huge flightless birds known customary rights have opportunities for the introduction of new as cassowaries, the world's sometimes been under- approaches to natural resource management, largest pigeons and mined through lack of for it is clear that most Papua New Guineans butterflies, the world's knowledge on the part of are determined to have natural resource-based longest lizard, nearly three local people about their economic growth, but that this growth must thousand species of orchids, options and about the take place on terms acceptable to local people. and as many as 15,000 long-term consequences Along with other island nations of , species of flowering plants. of their actions. In recent Papua New Guinea represents a unique years, however, landown- opportunity for environmentally sustainable - Beehler 1992 er groups have become natural resource development that is based increasingly active in upon empowerment and participation at the asserting their rights to determine what forms of grassroots level. In most developing countries, development will be permitted within their forest areas and other natural resources are ancestral domains-a trend that is exemplified by state property, and the movement toward the landowners' statements cited at the beginning greater local participation in natural resource of this section. management has often been more theoretical In recent years, there has been growing than real. pressure upon the ecosystems of Papua New In Papua New Guinea, in contrast, the Guinea's mainland and its associated islands, and tradition of local control remains unbroken, a on the nation’s vast interspersed marine tradition that is now reflected in government ecosystems. Foreign investment, notably in log- policy and in constitutional law. Landowner ging and mining, has sometimes resulted in seri- groups, local NGOs, and international information and decision-making channels for sus- tainable natural resource use. If successful, these new approaches will help to protect the country's envi- ronment and its biological diversity while bringing last- ing benefits to its people. It is in this respect that Papua New Guinea has the potential to become an impor- tant model for sus- tainable develop- ment.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2 In New Guinea…flora assem- bled from components which had left the Australian main It is important to note, CASSOWARIES AND BANDICOOTS: land 40 million years earlier, however, that there are large or had traveled with it, were BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND gaps in the scientific arranged on a vigorously CUSTOMARY LAND TENURE knowledge of Papua New changed landscape, increas- Guinea’s biodiversity. Birds, ing in height tectonically, sub rhododendrons, mammals, and ject to earthquake and vul- Papua New Guinea, whose mainland occu- birdwing butterflies are canism ... and almost all pies half of the world's largest and highest tropi- relatively well documented, but perennially wet. Here were cal island, is a rugged country of high rainfall, most invertebrates and plant physical conditions which with more than 5,000 lakes, extensive river groups are little known, with offered opportunities particu systems, and more than 34 million hectares of many species still undescribed. -larly appropriate to speciation closed tropical forest (Mittermeier 1988). The Large areas of the country have of the original rain forest species-rich mainland coastline includes over not been systematically studied, stock with which the island 5,000 miles of mangrove swamps, lagoons, wet- and the marine biological was endowed. lands, coral reefs and atolls, plus island resources for subsistence. archipelagos and hundreds of offshore islands. Melanesian societies have -Walker 1982 The country's jurisdiction extends over an developed an extensive expanse of some 800,000 square kilometers of resources are perhaps the least surveyed of all. ocean, including 40,000 km2 of coral reefs. People have depended heavily upon Papua A geologically young region, lying at the New Guinea’s plentiful and diverse biological collision line of the Australian and Pacific resources for subsistence. Melanesian societies tectonic plates, Papua New Guinea is remarkably have developed an extensive and detailed diverse in terms of landscapes, ecosystems, and knowledge of Papua New Guinea's flora and species. An estimated two-thirds to three-fourths fauna, and some 1,035 different plant species are of the land area is undisturbed tropical moist known to be used for various purposes (Powell forest. According to one source, New Guinea's 1982). Wildlife plays an important part in forests contain some 11,000 plant species, of traditional diets, supplying the primary intake of which 90 percent may be endemic (Myers 1988b). proteins and fats in many highland areas and Other estimates place the number of plant species other isolated areas of the country. In coastal in Papua New Guinea much higher, with perhaps areas a wide variety of seafood, including fish, 15,000 to 20,000 species of vascular plants, but mollusks, and turtles, dominate local diets. with the rate of endemism somewhat lower, Subsistence agriculture has also been prac- perhaps closer to 60 percent. ticed in Papua New Guinea for at least 9,000 Lowland forests, montane forests, and alpine years2, and traditional techniques have been able flora are found, and coastal areas contain some of to sustain high levels of food production without the most extensive pristine mangrove areas in the causing environmental degradation (Unisearch world. Endemic animal species include 76 species 1992). Subsistence systems practiced in Papua of birds, 56 species of mammals, and some 365 New Guinea exhibit specific adaptations to the endemic species of freshwater fishes, amphibians, particular environmental, demographic, and cli- and reptiles. In addition, 84 genera of animals are matic characteristics of different parts of the endemic to Papua New Guinea. Of the 10 major country (Powell 1982). forest types in the country, one-the lowland moist The sweet potato is a central component of forest biome-is home to more than 1,200 known the Papua New Guinean diet, and an estimated tree species (Government of Papua New Guinea 5,000 cultivars of this staple are found within the 1992). country (Government of Papua New Guinea It is important to note, however, that there 1992). Numerous other plant species have tradi- are large gaps in the scientific knowledge of 2 Recent archeological evidence suggests taro cultivation began as early as 12,000 years ago (pers. comm., P. Swaddling & C. Ballard, 1991). GLOBAL ANOMALY, GLOBAL PARADIGM 3 …Papua New Guineans draw heavily on the forest tionally been cultivat- understanding traditional patterns of resource use plants for cordage, bark, ed, including more and ownership. Depending on which measures ornaments, fish poisons, than 30 root crops, 21 and definitions are used, estimates of the number magic potions, medicine, legume species, 40 of distinct ethno-linguistic groups within Papua narcotics, food and carrying vessels, tools, leafy green vegetables, New Guinea range from 700 to 850 and higher weapons, art supplies, 60 other vegetables (King and Ranck 1982; Wurm and Hattori 1981). dyes, and for food – and roots, 43 varieties In general, land and resource rights are based insects, fungus, nuts and of nuts, 102 fruits, and upon kinship affiliation, and membership in the seeds, fruit, game, edible 89 other plants used relevant clan or sub-clan groupings is hereditary, roots and greens. Life for food or for although adoption of outsiders may also occur on without these adjuncts seasonings (Unisearch occasion. would be miserable, if not impossible, for the 1992). This traditional Customary patterns of natural resource average forest community. knowledge has already rights, particularly to land and forests, have been tapped by the become formally recognized within the legal - De’ath 1982 outside world: the framework of the modern nation state-a situation winge-bean (Psopho- that is unique to Oceania. The Constitution of carpus tetragonolobus), which is nutritionally Papua New Guinea, which came into effect at similar to the soybean and is an important part of independence in 1975, "vests local people with the diet in Papua New Guinean forest regions, is ownership of these resources, irrespective of any now cultivated in some 50 developing countries documentation or registration. "3 (Spears 1988). In effect, Papua New Guinean law acknowl- Although the commercial potential of edges that land is not a commodity to be bought Melanesian crop germplasm. resources has not and sold; on the contrary, the vast majority (as yet been seriously much as 97 percent) of the nation's terrestrial We declare our fourth goal to studied, these could domain is under customary Melanesian land and be for Papua New Guinea’s represent an important resource tenure systems. These customary natural resources and environ- biological asset, not systems differ in various ways from one group to ment to be conserved and used only for Papua New another (for example, control over use of land for the collective benefit of us Guinea, but for other all, and to be replen-ished for may in one case be decided at the level of a clan, tropical countries as the benefit in another case by a sub-clan, and in a third case of future generations. well. For several food at the lineage level). In general, however, they crops of global impor- have in common the idea that land and resource We declare our fifth goal to be tance, Papua New ownership is vested in groups rather than to achieve development Guinea is a center of individuals and that decisions about the use of through use of Papua New germplasm diversity, Guinean forms of social, land and natural resources should arise through notably sweet potato, political and economic consensus. organisation. yams, taro, and the Traditional ways have increasingly come already-mentioned under pressure in Papua New Guinea, particularly -The Constitution of Papua winged bean. In addi- as the country develops more extensive economic New Guinea National Goals tion, it is the center of linkages and as local people feel the growing need and Directive Principles. origin for such ubiqui- for cash incomes to meet consumer needs. Partic- tous crops as banana ularly in the logging industry, timber sales have and sugar-cane often been made with individual landowners, in (Powell 1982). ways that violated traditional consensus practices. The rich ethnic and linguistic diversity of In many cases, local landowners are ignorant of Papua New Guinea is an important factor in 3 Although the Mining Act of 1972 ostensibly vests the state with ownership of mineral resources, the constitutionality of this legislation is in dispute (Unisearch 1992)

4 The company has taken tim- their options or are not fully informed about the While there is some ber from part of my land, but consequences of the agreements they are entering evidence of land from another part…it has not into. degradation having taken timber. I stopped them An influential Commission of Inquiry into the occurred in prehistoric from taking that part because timber industry in Papua New Guinea, known as times in certain parts they did not pay me enough. I the Barnett Report, documented numerous of the country, use that forest to find greens abuses, and noted that social disruption as well as Melanesian societies to eat, or other things like environmental degradation were often the result: evolved agricultural birds, lizards, bandicoots, techniques that have cuscus, flying fox which we In many cases the timber industry proven to be sustain- can cook with taro and eat. has made life harder for the landowners able. In areas of Papua at A levels. Not only do they have to face New Guinea that still -Wezip Aloloum destruction of their environment, but Jobto Village, Madang District they face the destruction of their society. have levels of popula- -Commission of Inquiry, 1990 tion density as low as eight persons per square kilometer, there appears On the other hand, even relatively well- to be little sign of environmental degradation intentioned investors have sometimes been (Unisearch 1992). confused as to whom they should be negotiating As a result, a large proportion of the natural with, and under what terms. Some of the difficul- environment, especially the lowland forest and ties encountered by mining and oil companies, for marine ecosystems, remains largely unaffected example, include complex procedures for reg- by modern forms of human exploitation. istration of land titles, different inheritance cus- However, population growth, rising economic toms between local groups, and problems in expectations, and expanding linkages with the defining long-term compensation measures that rest of the world are resulting in greater pressures will satisfy different landowner groups. on the environment. In some areas, increased Yet despite such problems, the determination population densi- ty is bringing about changes of local groups to assert their traditional rights, in the traditional cropping and fallow cycles, and now enshrined in constitutional law, affords an cases of soil erosion and deforestation have unusual opportunity to test contemporary begun to be observed (Unisearch 1992). concepts about sustainable development and More importantly, logging, mining, and environmental conservation, by giving more commercial agriculture have begun to transform control over resource allocation to local groups parts of the Papua New Guinea landscape, result- who have the most to gain from appropriate ing in permanent conversion of primary forest modes of development and the most to lose from and other environmental effects such as soil com- inappropriate ones. paction, erosion, watershed disturbance, and loss of species (Unisearch 1992). Urban expansion MELANESIAN CONSERVATION: and commercial fishing are also creating sources of pressure on Papua New Guinea's ecosystems. 9,000 YEARS OF TRADITIONAL Many aspects of Papua New Guinea's bio- KNOWLEDGE logical endowment remain poorly understood. Yet it is rapidly becoming clear that action is Traditional Melanesian modes of subsis- needed to anticipate and redirect current devel- tence living have effectively conserved the natu- opment trends threatening biological diversity. ral environment for millennia-without the need Expansion of the protected area system is one for specially designated conservation zones from option for responding to this situation; among which human use was excluded or limited. other initiatives pending is the designation of

GLOBAL ANOMALY, GLOBAL PARADIGM several potential sites within Papua New Guinea management strategy by landowners. Since as World Heritage conservation sites. publication of the World Conservation Strategy The protected area approach in Papua in 1980, new methods have been developed that New Guinea, as elsewhere, needs to be adapted combine conservation activities with measures to to local circumstances and complemented with bring economic benefits to nearby communities. other strategies. Protected areas that exclude Strengthening local participation in conservation traditional resource owners have not proven to planning and management is another idea gaining be an effective means of conserving intact currency in many countries. Although these ecosystems or of protecting endangered species principles have often proved difficult to put into in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinean practice, in the long run there is probably no legislation provides for development of protected substitute for giving local residents a tangible areas such as Wildlife Management Areas and stake in the management of natural resources Conservation Areas that are based on land (Wells and Brandon 1992; Brown and remaining under customary owner- Wyckoff-Baird 1992). Many opportunities for economic develop- ment in Papua New Guinea are derived from the natural resource base. Extractive industries and other resource-based forms of investment will continue to play a major role in the country’s economy for the foreseeable future. Mining, oil exploration, logging and commercial fishing are the most significant, although agro-industries are also important, particularly oil palm and sugar. Alternative strategies for sustainable use of

Photo: Jack Stein Grove/WWF-I the natural resources are also needed. Papua New Guinea needs to build upon traditional practices proven to be environmentally benign yet flexible enough to accommodate a growing population and need for cash income. This is the great challenge, and the base of traditional knowledge within Melanesian societies may hold clues as to how this can be done.

THE CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP

During the course of the CNA, teams of international and Papua New Guinean experts ship and involving landowners in management. reviewed the known data on Papua New Guineis However, existing protected areas in Papua New biological diversity, identified priority topics for Guinea fall short of adequately protecting fiirther research, and mapped areas known to be biodiversity, and need to be strengthened and especially rich in species diversity. In addition, supported with additional strategies (WWF teams of social scientists, legal experts, informa- 1992). tion management specialists, and local NGOs and Conservation organizations are increasingly landowner groups gathered and analyzed a wide focusing their efforts on developing options that range of information relevant to conservation require not a change of tenure, but a change of action in Papua New Guinea.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT 6 This information was then reviewed and in Papua New Guinea is to become more discussed during a special workshop held in sustainable and if the country’s rich biological Madang, Papua New Guinea, in April 1992. The heritage is to be preserved for the benefit of future CNA workshop brought together a wide range of generations. viewpoints. The purpose of the workshop was to: The maps produced by the CNA workshop 1. Understand the current status of biodiversity, began with a series of technical assessments of policy, and social information available for Papua New Guineas biological diversity, teams of conservation and land-use planning and international and local scientists identified known identify significant information gaps; areas of species richness or otherwise significant 2. Develop dialogue and working relationships sites, and also designated zones for which very among biologists, NGOs, landowners, and little scientific information is currently available. government; Biologically important areas were identified in 3. Develop maps of biodiversity information seven categories: warm-blooded vertebrates, useful for natural resource planning; cold-blooded vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, 4. Identify constraints and opportunities for forests, freshwater habitats, and marine habitats. conservation; This information was transcribed onto maps, 5. Propose culturally appropriate processes and and the specific location of priority areas for options to conserve biodiversity; and conservation and research was thoroughly 6. Propose ways to address remaining issues. discussed by a wide variety of participants in The workshop participants reflected the addition to the scientists who had produced the full spectrum of perspectives on conservation initial maps. The maps were modified to some in Papua New Guinea, yet all shared a extent, in order to take into account sociological, commitment to the future health of the political, and other factors that would be relevant country’s environment and its natural in implementation of conservation activities within resource base. The workshop participants these priority sites. focused on the geographic dimensions of The final maps produced by the CNA biodiversity in Papua New Guinea, as well as workshop represent a consensus of most partici- the social dimensions of conservation. Most pants and a synthesis of different kinds of infor- importantly, the workshop initiated a process mation considered in the course of the proceed- of communication between different ings. The three synthesis maps include: stakeholder groups in order to lay the foun- 1. A map of 16 biologically unknown areas that dations for long-term conservation planning merit immediate survey and study; and implementation that takes into account 2. A map of 30 marine and coastal high the different perceptions, interests, and biodiversity areas and 5 watersheds critical to priorities of different groups. An important the health of those marine and coastal areas; workshop assumption was that commitment to inclusive processes is vital if development

Social Legend to appear on CNA Consensus Maps of High Biodiversity Areas 1. The Constitution of Papua New Guinea promotes equality and participation, the wise use of natural resources, and Papua New Guinean forms of development. 2. Ninety-seven percent of Papua New Guinea is owned according to customary tenure; 3. This map was prepared by biological scientists and, based on available knowledge, identifies areas richest in biodiversity; 4. This map is not intended to, nor should it be used to, exclude any areas of any landowners from conservation programs and initiatives; and 5. When identifying appropriate conservation strategies and areas, local initiative is as important a criterion as biodiversity. 7

GLOBAL ANOMALY, GLOBAL PARADIGM 7 3. A map of 42 terrestrial high biodiversity deposits; in areas not marked these characteristics areas and 13 important wetland habitats. can be presumed not to be present. This, Although the attached maps represent a con- however, is not the case with the CNA maps. sensus of the CNA workshop participants, many The CNA maps identify areas in Papua New were concerned that the maps could be misused by Guinea that are important centers of species people unaware of the complex socio-political richness and endemism, that represent unusual realities existing in Papua New Guinea. Their ecosystems facing serious environmental threats, concern was addressed by the social legend that or for which there is a serious lack of scientific was adopted by consensus at the workshop's final information. The fact that other areas are not plenary session and that is to be printed on the marked on the CNA maps does not mean that they front of the final CNA maps (see box page 7). The are not rich in biodiversity or that they are legend will alert future readers of the CNA maps unimportant. On the contrary, the CNA maps that the information contained in them reflects a present a sample of sites drawn from a much dynamic social context that needs to be kept in larger set of potentially important areas for mind when designing conservation initiatives in biodiversity conservation action. Papua New Guinea. The CNA sampling and selection process Geographically based information is an involved participants from many disciplines and essential tool for monitoring the loss of biodiver- backgrounds, and in their present form the maps sity and for establishing conservation and devel- represent a consensus reached after much opment priorities and policies. The CNA maps are discussion and consideration of alternatives. The intended to help those interested in conservation areas delineated on the maps are, in the final and development planning in Papua New Guinea analysis, human judgments based upon different by bringing together-in many cases for the first sets of information presently available and time-a wide range of information about the suppositions about areas for which there are country's biological resources and about the almost no scientific data. Furthermore, threats to its environment. landowners were not consulted in the process of CNA maps are different in several important selecting areas identified on these maps. In this respects from vegetation maps, for example, or sense the CNA maps are "works in progress." maps showing a country's topography or its The loss of biological resources is driven distribution of population, mineral resources, or primarily by non-biological processes, and the other features. Such maps indicate the location of conservation of biodiversity must take account of forests, major population centers, or mineral

CNA Workshop Findings 1. Papua New Guinea has a unique and rich repository of biodiversity; 2. Papua New Guinea’s biodiversity is under immediate threat from development activities and action is needed; 3. Action must be appropriate to Papua New Guinean ways and systems of resource ownership; 4. Government, scientists, NGOs, landowners, and donors must cooperate if the conservation goals are to be achieved, but such cooperation is only beginning; 5. Information and better means of information dissemination are needed for making decisions and setting priorities at local and national level; 6. There is insufficient funding and government support for conservation action; 7. Landowners and government need better means of communication about conservation and development options; 8. Innovative options that link conservation with local economic benefits are needed; and 9. All landowners should be encouraged to undertake conservation actions for sustainable use of their natural resources.

8 PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT social and political realities. Yet these realities The social legend printed on each of the CNA cannot be adequately represented on a maps underscores the point that conservation in two-dimensional map. Communication, rights Papua New Guinea cannot be separated from the adjudication, modes of conflict resolution, and needs and priorities of the local people. attitudes toward biodiversity are, like most social The CNA maps are intended to be dis- phenomena, complex and changing; they cannot tributed not only to scientists and government be plotted on maps by technicians for the use of planners, but also to NGOs and local resource planners and policy-makers. These issues can owner groups ("landowners") through the pro- only be addressed on the ground, with local posed Natural Resources Option Center (see people. Recommendations section). It is hoped that these Throughout the CNA, process was as maps, developed by means of consensus, can important as product. The CNA process does not serve as tools for more participatory decisions end with the publication of these maps; instead, about conservation and development in Papua they should be used as starting points for New Guinea.

GLOBAL ANOMALY, GLOBAL PARADIGM 9 9 THE CNA CONSENSUS MAPS OF BIODIVERSITY IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SYNTHESIS MAP #1: MAJOR TERRESTRIAL UNKNOWNS

This map indicates the location of 16 major hills of the western are geographic areas within Papua New Guinea virtually unstudied. for which the present lack of scientific 5. Lakekamu/Chapman. Like the Finisterre information is particularly serious. While this Range, this area is relatively close to popula- does not mean that the rest of the country is tion centers yet is little developed and virtual- adequately surveyed, the sites listed here are ly unknown biologically. The region varies considered important areas for future study. from humid lowland forest to subalpine high- 1. Benwani Mountains. The low coastal land zones in the Chapman Range. range that reaches westward to the Irian 6. Bowuto Ultrabasics. This area of rugged border, and the humid lowlands south of hills and mountains dropping to the coast of this range, are little studied and Morobe Province is botanically unusual and apparently biologically rich. Recent virtually unsurveyed. discoveries include montane endemic 7. Ioma/Mambare Lowlands. An isolated mammals and a lowland bird of paradise lowland area that merits study. formerly known only from Irian Jaya. 8. Musa Basin. Important wetlands and lowland 2. Central Range. The high range that rises swam forest that are unknown. south of the basin is little studied 9. Kemp-Welch River Lowlands. A remnant and largely forested. wetland area representative of the dry low- 3. Southern Scarp Wet Zone. This is lands of Central Province, not yet surveyed. Papua New Guinea’s great wilderness 10. Cloudy Mountains. An isolated range, as yet area – low-lands, low hills, and old unsurveyed, in the southern region of Pleistocene volcanoes, with a high annual mainland Papua New Guinea. rainfall yet sparsely populated and little 11. Fergusson Highlands. Zoologically known. unsurveyed highlands on one of the most 4. Finisterre Range. The highlands and complex high islands in .

11 Synthesis Map #1

12. West New Britain. Little known mountains habitat. Possibly threatened by overfishing and lowlands west of the island’s population and river-borne pollutants. centers. 2. Gulf. Shallow intertidal and soft bottom 13. Central and Eastern New Britain. Unsur- habitats, with mangrove communities that veyed high ranges and southern scarp low- comprise important nursery areas for lands. prawns, barramundi, and other comm- 14. Southern New Ireland. Biologically ercially important species. Possible threats unknown highlands. from overfishing, oil exploration, and 15. Bougainville Bamboo Forests. The only pipeline. known bamboo forests in Melanesia; 3. Galley Reach. A highly productive area of unstudied biologically. mangrove forests, wetlands, and reef, 16. Mt. Takuan/Lake Lorolu. Little surveyed threatened by development and wet highland forests. exploitation based in nearby Port Moresby. 4. Papuan Barrier and Lagoon. Barrier reef, coastal lagoon, and mangrove – habitat for SYNTHESIS MAP #2: MARINE hawksbill turtles, reef fishes, corals, and SYSTEMS AND CRITICAL marine invertebrates. This area of high WATERSHEDS diversity faces threats from dynamiting, overfishing, and eutrophication from This map identifies 30 coastal and marine sewage effluent emanating from ecosystems, and 5 watersheds, which are sites of development near Port Moresby. high biodiversity important for study and con- 5. Dumoulin. A reef in proximity to the servation action. southern drop-off (potential upwelling), which is largely unknown; habitat for giant Marine Areas clams. 6. Rossel Island. Reef systems, lagoons, iso- 1. Maza/Fly Delta. Mangrove and associated lated island areas, and an upwelling area, nursery habitats with seagrass beds, green are largely unknown biologically and face sea turtle foraging habitats, and dugong possible threats from foreign poaching. 7. Pocklington Reef. An extensive reef system, 12. Talasea. Reef and soft bottom marine habi- thought to be relatively pristine, and isolated tats, nesting beaches for leatherback turtles. by deep water from all other reef systems in 13. Rabaul/Duke of York. Mangrove, seagrass, Milne Bay. This reef may show affinities to reef, and offshore deepwater areas with ther- the New Georgia reef system. mal vents. Threats arise from proximity to 8. Morobe Coast. An area of mangroves, sea Rabaul town and from timber operations in walls, leatherback turtle nesting beaches, and watersheds above the coast. fringing reefs, with the potential for 14. Tigak Islands. Mangroves, seagrasses, reef, community-initiated conservation action. An and deepwater mangrove lagoon, which are area of high beta diversity facing threats from highly productive fishery areas. Beta nearby Lae town, especially logging of diversity is very high, and threats arise from coastal hill forests. dynamite fishing. 9. Tufi Coastal Fjords. Coral fjords, fringing 15. Mussau Island. This marine system includes reefs, mangrove, sea walls, thermal vents in reef systems and seagrasses, some parts of an environment unique in Papua New which are relatively pristine due to Guinea, with high potential for nature traditional practices of islanders, but now tourism. threatened by dynamite fishing. 10. Trobriand Reef and Drop. Extensive coral 16. Tanga/Tabar/Feni Islands. Subsea volcanic reefs, habitat for hawksbill. turtle, beche-de- formations, mineral-rich areas, and isolated mer, giant clams, dugongs, green sea turtles, island systems that may be very important coral reef fishes, and invertebrates. Largely for endangered vertebrates such as sea unsurveyed, but thought to be highly pro- turtles. This is an area of diverse habitats and ductive reef systems. unusual geomorphology, possibly threatened 11. Fullerborne. Raised limestone islands, man- by nearshore and offshore overfishing. grove and associated nursery areas, and sea- 17. Southern New Ireland. An area of fringing grass beds, with high habitat and structural reefs.

Synthesis Map #2

CNA CONSENSUS MAPS OF BIODIVERSITY 13 18. Buka. A reef and lagoon complex with soft 27. Laing Island. This is a reef system and bottom communities and coral reef fishes, marine research station, threatened by but otherwise largely unknown. Buka dynamiting and by copra plantation wastes. Channel comprises a unique habitat in Papua 28. Sepik Delta. Mangrove, brackish lake sys- New Guinea but is threatened by overfishing tems. This is a highly productive area with a and poor land-use practices. unique hydrology and habitat for crocodiles. 19. South Coast Bougainville. An area of reefs Threats arise from watershed mismanage- and associated habitats, with swamp forest, ment and introduction of exotic fishes. which differs from that on the mainland. 29. Vokeo and Islands. Small island systems in Fauna are largely unknown, and this area association with deep water. contains reef systems in proximity to deep 30. Northwest Coast. Sandy beaches with open ocean waters. largely unsurveyed fauna. This area contains 20. Borone Bay. A largely unknown area with interesting current regimes and bottom unusual hydrology coupled with steeply topography and productive waters, and is sloped shore fall-off, facing threats from threatened by overfishing and coastal logging and mining in upland areas. 21 Hermit Islands. Extensive, discrete patch Critical Watersheds reefs with sea turtles and a highly productive area of rich fisheries. Reef areas are far from W1.Sepik/Fly Drainages. These comprise the population centers, but threats exist from two largest drainages in Papua New Guinea. poaching and overfishing. Uncontrolled The Fly is of critical importance to the health tourism in the western islands may represent of the Gulf of Papua. a potential threat as well. W2.Morobe/Waria Watershed. Important 22 Manus Complex. Reefs and lagoon upland drainages that affect coastal islands complexes, seagrass beds, and seabird and reef of Morobe. rookery islands, with green tree snails, reef W3.Vanapa/Brown. A river system that drains fishes, pelagics, and sea turtles. This is an into an important mangrove system. area of high beta diversity with highly W4.Musa/Topographers. Another small but diverse reefs that are seriously threatened important watershed that affects the marine from dynamite fishing and by phosphate systems around Tufi. 23. Cape Cretin. An area of ancient reef faces. W5.West New Britain. This watershed is 24. Vitiaz Straits. Reefs, with steep land in important to the marine systems of West proximity, threatened by land-use practices. New Britain. 25. Volcanic Chain: Manam to Long. Volcanic islands, reef walls, and sea mounts, sea turtle SYNTHESIS MAP #3: TERRESTRI- nesting beaches, and upwelling areas. AL BIODIVERSITY Pelagic fishes congregate at the sea walls and This map indicates 42 areas of important sea mounts. Threats arise from overfishing terrestrial biodiversity in Papua New Guinea and overharvesting of sea turtle eggs. and identifies 13 wetland sites. Note that four 26. Madang Lagoon. Coral reefs, lagoon land classification categories are presented on islands, and mangrove patches, with coral this map: very important, important, important and fish species. This is a well-studied area, wetlands not subsumed in other categories, and species-rich, with high habitat diversity, unassigned. Many of the "unassigned" areas may which faces threats from commercial devel- support considerable levels of biodiversity and opment in Madang town, as well as logging in many cases may merit conservation action at and dynamiting.

1 4 PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT CNA Synthesis Map #3

some level. They simply fall outside of the 3. Central Range/Sepik Foothills. A large current criteria for placement in the two wilderness area with low human population highest categories of importance. and remarkable habitat diversity, from low- 1. The North Coastal Hills. Lower montane land to subalpine forest. The area includes and lowland alluvial forests that are relative- extensive stands of Agathis labillardieri, which ly poorly surveyed but known to be rich in support a highly diverse epiphytic flora. The Irianese specialties. The area includes the health of the Sepik hill forests are important endemic fern genus Rheopteris and also to the river and its human cultures. interesting coastal limestone communities. 4. Upper Fly Lowlands. This area of lowland The highlands of the North Coastal Ranges and hill forest is delimited by the Palmer support two endemic species of large River on the east and Irian border on the west mammals (the giant glider and Scott’s tree an the southern scarp of the central cordillera on kangaroo) and a number of isolated and the north. Except for the extensive settlements taxonomically distinct bird populations. related to the Ok Tedi mine (in the west) this 2. The Star Highlands. Pristine alpine and area comprises a large expanse of old growth montane environments descending to mid- wet rainforest that supports a small human montane valleys, foothills, and fringing low- population and is characteristic of the lands. They support a diverse montane and extraordinarily rich biota of the upper Fly high altitude vegetation with many plant platform. species in common with the mountains of 5. Tonda/Bulla Plain. Savanna and riverine Irian Jaya. The subalpine forests are home to gallery forest unique in PNG. The large areas of a significant population of the globally savanna and seasonally flooded grasslands and threatened Macgregor’s bird of paradise. The marshes constitute a globally significant environmental transect from the summit wintering ground for migratory waders and heights northward to the Ai River lowlands waterfowl both from and the has been documented as having the richest Palearctic. known mammal fauna in New Guinea. 6. The Northern Trans-Fly. Unsurveyed sea-

CNA CONSENSUS MAPS OF BIODIVERSITY

15 sonal forest and woodland that is probably a undescribed species and possibly new habitat formation unique in PNG. An generic records. undercollected flora closely related to that 10. Giluwe. The massive Giluwe shield volcano occurring in the Cape York Peninsula. is capped by the largest contiguous expanse 7. Mount Bosavi/Aramia Watershed. An of alpine vegetation in PNG. This is a outlying Pleistocene volcano and vast globally significant montane and alpine alluvial plain. Virtually uninhabited. wilderness threatened by logging of the Proposed for national park status more than a beechpodocarp forests of its middle and decade ago, the forests of the great extinct upper slopes. Very rich biologically. Mount Bosavi volcano have long been Subalpine bogs extensive. recognized to be of importance to 11. Adelbert Mountains. Threatened lower conservation in PNG. The tract comprises montane forests that are home to the endem- the volcanic cone plus lower slopes to the ic fire-maned bowerbird. the rarest bird west and southwest. These forests are species in PNG and the bird species with the faunistically rich and virtually undisturbed. most circumscribed geographic range known 8. Doma Peaks/Leiwaro Highlands. Rich for mainland PNG. The forests are little highlands environments with high scenic and known but probably diverse. biotic value. Doma Peaks (and Teri Gap) 12. Bismark Highlands/ Basin. From have been considered for national park PNG’s highest summit to one of its richest. status. These comprise a large mid-montane and upper montane tract of un-inhabited forest that is exceedingly rich in birds of paradise. Road access to 3000 meters on Tari Pass. Includes volcanic peaks. 9. Kikori Karst/Lake Kutubu.

Unknown and unsurveyed, Photo by: Bruce Beehler with a remarkable karst topo- graphy and PNG’s largest highland lake. Lake Kutubu supports a diverse aquatic plant flora, and 11 of the 14 known fish species in the lake are endemic to it. The area also includes an enormous tract of tower limestone, which is botanically unknown. Lime- stone floras in southeast Asia are often very rich, and, if the Great Papuan Plateau reflects this diversity, it is most important that detailed studies be made of its flora. The limestone flora is poorly known from New Guinea, but it will likely include many lowland alluvial forests. The Ramu supports recorded only from Mt. Piora and Mt. extensive areas of lowland rainforest (includ- Amungwiwa. The lower reaches of the Watut ing swamp forest), some of which is River drainage support populations of the developed on ultrabasic parent rock. The endemic root parasite Langsdorfia papuana, only known locality of Lauterbachia a genus otherwise known only from (Monimiaceae). Madagascar and Central and South America. 13. Kubor Highlands. High peaks and unin- 19. Lakekamu Basin/Chapman Range. habited montane forests, much on limestone Includes an entirely uninhabited tract of capped with volcanic ash. A fragile forest that ranges from pristine lowland ecosystem that probably contains local alluvial forest to upper montane forest near endemic plant species. treeline, all within a transect of no more than 14. Crater Mountain. Wet lower montane forest 20 kilometers. The lowland forest supports and Pleistocene volcanoes. The Crater large populations of the southern crowned Mountain ecosystem is a proposed Wildlife pigeon, southern cassowary, and Pesquet's Management Area, chosen because of it large parrot. expanse of original forest and large 20. Central Province Dry Zone. Savanna and populations of a diverse array of birds of monsoon forest complex with wetlands, paradise, including the rare black sicklebill threatened by development. Also includes (Epimachus fastuosus) and blue bird of par- the second largest mangrove area in Central adise (Paradisaea rudolphi). Province. 15. Purari Basin. Wet zone lowlands and hills. 21. Bowutu Mountains/Kuper Range. The Virtually uninhabited and little studied. This Bowutu Mountains comprise an area of includes a very diverse area of mangrove and ultrabasic montane flora plus coastal, man- swamp vegetation with lowland rainforest on grove, and seagrass communities. The Kuper small limestone hills out of the surrounding Range is a high coastal mountain complex swamps. These evidently support many local that is virtually uninhabited and the site of a plant endemics but are virtually uncollected. number of detailed ecological studies on The area includes numerous species of birds and plants. Pandanus and also a rich palm flora, 22. Owen Stanley Highlands. Extensive alpine particularly of Calamus. areas and vast tracts of pristine montane 16. Finisterre Range. PNG's youngest mountain forests, ranging downward in the north to the range, with alpine highlands that remain forested Ioma lowlands. The Mount Albert little surveyed. This large montane forest Edward dome includes the largest alpine tract, with a broad elevational range from uplands in eastern PNG and thus is a critical coastal hill forest to the treeline, supports montane resource. The lowland forests con- species endemics of three birds of paradise, stitute a critically threatened resource in two honeyeaters, and a tree kangaroo. 17. Saruwaged and Cromwell Ranges. Alpine peninsular Papua, and those suggested for highlands and hill tracts threatened by protection here may support populations of development. This and the Finisterre area the globally threatened (and world's largest) support numbers of locally endemic bird and butterfly, Ornithoptera alexandrae. mammal species and the only extensive 23. Musa River. Little known lowland forests Dacrydium forests in the Southern Hemi- and wetlands. sphere that remains unlogged. 24. Safia Dry Zone. A low rainfall interior zone 18. Watut Hills and Watershed. Little-studied with unusual animal and plant communities. hill country east of the central highlands 25. Topographers Range. An isolated volcanic area. The endemic plant genus Piora is cone in association with the coastal fjord- lands of Tufi. CNA CONSENSUS MAPS OF BIODIVERSITY 17 26. Mt. Suckling. A large montane wilderness supports one of the richest waterbird popu- isolated from the main Owen Stanley high- lations in the Bismarck Archipelago. lands. Virtually uninhabited and little dis- 33. West New Britain. Mountain and lowland turbed at this point. The Suckling massif is forests distinct from mainland. Threatened the only significant alpine uplands in the by large scale timber operations. The eastern peninsula, and, in conjunction with Whiteman Range and its foothills support an the adjacent Bonua basin, stands as a important tract of limestone flora, sur- remarkably pristine aggregate of montane rounded by forests developed on sedimenta- and lowland forest in easternmost mainland ry materials. Little is known of the area, but PNG. large tracts of Nothofagus forest occur on the 27. Cloudy Mountains. The most southerly higher plateaus. mountain range in PNG. No collections are 34. Willaumez Peninsula. A remarkable physio- known from the area. Urgently needs study. graphic feature with Lake Dakataua, it 28. Goodenough Highlands. The massive includes a very diverse area of lowland rain- central peaks of Goodenough Island are forest on rich volcanic soils. Threatened by higher than any other mountains on New logging and proposed development for oil Guinea's fringing islands. The mountain palm plantations. forests that cloak these summits are home to 35. Eastern New Britain. Includes the uplifted an endemic species of forest wallaby and a and limestone-capped Nakanai Plateau. Little bat endemic to these eastern islands. Many surveyed but apparently biotically rich. botanical novelties. Lowland rainforest and montane forest, 29. Fergusson/Normanby. Unusual montane including areas of forest dominated by habitats and (on Normanby) ultrabasic dwarf Lithocarpus and Nothofagus developed on forest. Fergusson Island is one of PNG's the limestone substrate. The largest high great biological unknowns, with three altitude area in the Bismarck Archipelago. distinct mountain ranges, geothermal areas, 36. The . The high ranges of and other natural wonders. The triok possum easternmost New Britain, threatened by Dactylopsila tatei, is a species endemic to logging activities. Not adequately surveyed. Fergusson. Goldie's bird of paradise is These mountains, isolated by rivers and confined to the forests of these two islands. lowlands from the Nakanai Mountains to the 30. Woodlark Island. Floristically unusual; the southwest, are certainly as fascinating as the forests of the interior of Woodlark are home latter. They have not been adequately to the endemic Woodlark cuscus. surveyed and are 500 meters higher. These 31. Louisiades. The flora of this archipelago has mountains are surrounded by lowlands with a been recognized as one of extreme botanical growing populace and probably will be interest with high rates of local endemism, degraded unless action is taken soon. particularly at the species level. It includes 37. Southern New Ireland. The Verron and important stands of Diospyros (including an Hans Meyer ranges are little known high undescribed ebony) and several locally ranges that merit study and conservation. endemic species of Hopea. The forests of Important montane and lowland vegetation. Tagula Island are home to an endemic Brief initial surveys have shown this species of honeyeater and butcherbird. montane area to be very rich, with a number 32. Umboi Island. Umboi is the largest and of bird species endemic to New Ireland. richest of PNG's north coastal islands. It is 38. Southern Bougainville Island. Highland wet home to populations of large numbers of forests threatened by logging and devel- species endemic to PNG, as well as a opment. This area includes the central and remarkable array of fruit bats (eight species). 1 8 PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT southern segments of the Crown Prince Botanically, the area includes stands of an Range, from Panguna south to Lake Lorolu, endemic Calophyllum and Sararanga, which and includes Mounts Takuan and Taraka. are threatened by logging activity. Where appropriate, this area extends down- ward toward the coast where good original Wetland Sites forest prevails. Bougainville is home to many species whose affinities lie with the W6. Sissano Lagoon and Wetlands. Comprise to the south and southeast. the largest coastal lagoon on the north coast Among the many interesting vertebrates is of mainland PNG, associated with a large the little known Bougainville honeyeater wetland. (Stresemannia bougainvillei), representing a W7. The Middle Sepik. A huge complex of genus endemic to this island. river meanders, oxbows, tributary lakes, 39. Eastern Bougainville. Supports the largest marshes, and woodland swamps, both of stands of bamboos in Papuasia. A variety of ecological and economic importance. vegetation types occur, including remnant W8. Sepik Delta/Middle Ramu. A coastal wet- stands of Terminalia brassii in swamp land/deltaic complex (Sepik) in association forests. Threatened by logging and possibly with a low alluvial meander belt of the sulfur mining. Ramu River, the latter rich in swamp 40. The Lelet Plateau. Comprises important hill forests. and lowland rainforests, with some lower W9. Middle Fly. The , although only montane elements as well. These probably 1200 km long, is, on volume of water dis- contain many plant endemics with charged, so large that it ranks with the interesting biogeographical relationships with Manus, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. Threatened by selective logging in the lowlands. 41. Mussau Island. The interior of Mussau Island, the largest in the St. Matthias group, comprises a large block of rainforest. It supports seven species of birds endemic to PNG, two of which are endemic to Mussau, the Mussau Rufous fantail (Rhipidura matthiae) and the Mussau pied monarch (Monarcha menckei). 42. Manus Island. The largest of the Admiralty group, isolated both from the great Bismarck islands to the southeast, and from mainland New Guinea far to the south. Not surprisingly, Manus's isolated fauna is rich in PNG endemics (eleven birds, two mammals). Of these, six are endemic to the

CNA CONSENSUS MAPS OF BIODIVERSITY 19 world's great rivers. The middle Fly flood- exploitation and disturbance. They support plain, 15-20 km wide, is a mosaic of lakes, large and diverse populations of waterfowl alluvial forest, swamp grassland, and swamp and other wetland birds. The area is savanna. This, includes PNG’s largest lake particularly important as a dry season refuge (Lake Murray). for migrant waterfowl from Australia and as W10. Lower Fly. A mosaic of swamps, open a staging area for Palearctic shorebirds on water, savanna, and gallery forest. The area their way to and from wintering areas in has abundant wildlife and is an important Australia. tourist destination. It constitutes a very W16. Aria Wetlands. Northern coast of western important wetland both for migrating birds New Britain. and resident waterfowl. In Australian W17. Toriu. Wetlands. On the eastern coast of drought years it becomes an important the Gazelle Peninsula, comprise a large area refuge for Australian wetland birds. of estuarine marshes and flood plains along W11.Sirunki Wetlands. The Sirunki Basin the lower courses of the Toriu, Nesai, and straddles the main montane watershed Pali rivers. Mangrove forests occur in the divide of PNG, with one segment of the north, and there are extensive areas of wetlands draining northward into the Sepik, herbaceous swamps. the other segment draining southward into W18. Bougainville South Coastal Wetlands. the Fly system. An important highland Important insular wetlands on the western headwaters. coast of Bougainville island, dominated by W12.Lake Tebera. One of PNG's few lower Campnosperma brevipetiolata, Terminalia montane lakes. Supports at least one brassii, and Metroxylon solomonensis. endemic fish plus other rare fish species. W19. Lakes Onim. and Bune. Small lakes sur- W13. East Gulf Coastal Wetlands. The greater rounded by herbaceous wetland. (Not shown Purari delta comprises a large complex of on map #3.) mangroves, deltaic swamps, and tidal envi- W20. Ramu River at Brahman Mission. Low- ronments. land swamp forest dominated by Camp- W14. Mambare Wetlands. Woodland swamps nosperma brevipetiolata. (Not shown on and mangroves. map #3.) W15. Central Province Wetlands. A series of W21. Biges River. A short coastal stream with a wetlands lie northwest of Port Moresby; tidal estuary. The stream supports a diverse because of proximity to the capital these fish fauna (28 species recorded). (Not shown wetlands are under varying levels of on map #3.)

2 0 PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT THE CNA RECOMMENDATIONS

he Conservation Needs Assessment Center should be established to increase developed a consensus on a range of public awareness of environmental and recommendations, which are grouped development issues, and to provide into seven categories for future action and are landowners' groups with balanced and summarized below. Please see the full CNA detailed information about their legal rights, Report for detailed recommendations. about natural resource development options detailed recommendations. and the consequences and impacts of these, National Environment and Conservation Plan and the experiences of other communities. § The CNA Maps of High Biodiversity Areas § The proposed National Environment and should be distributed widely through the Conservation Plan should be fully NRCIC to landowners' groups, NGOs, and developed and implemented by the other decision-makers. government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). This plan should Environmental Legislation and Regulations ensure that effective mechanisms are established for the future involvement of § The existing legislative and regulatory NGOs and landowners in environmental framework relating to environmental pro- monitoring and project implementation, tection needs to be reviewed, as some laws and for communication with landowners. presently on the books have not been § Governmental capacity for gazetted and others are not enforced. environmental impact assessment, • The National Conservation Council should monitoring, and enforcement should be be constituted, and the Conservation Areas strengthened. Special measures need to Act of 1978 should be fully implemented. be introduced to control the loss of • The Land Groups Incorporation Act of 1974 biodiversity in Papua New Guinea and should be amended to make it more to control traffic in Wildlife. culturally appropriate and to make defini- Natural Resources Option Center (NROC) tions of customary landowners' groups more accurate. § An autonomous Natural Resources Option

2 1 natural resource use. § The Land Disputes Settlement Act of 1975 § All researchers must be aware of the need to should be amended to strengthen decisions keep local landowners informed and of local and district land courts. involved, and in general should seek out the § The Land Tenure Conversion Act of 1964 participation of Papua New Guinean scien- should be amended to enable reconversion tists and students. of individual freehold rights to customary § Social scientists should be fully involved in tenure where appropriate. analyzing, designing, monitoring, and § Laws and regulations covering marine con- evaluating conservation activities in Papua servation need to be developed. New Guinea. § The current moratorium on new forestry projects should be continued, and existing Training projects should be reassessed. § The provision for exemptions in the new § Training is needed in several important Forest Act should be replaced and exemp- areas, including participatory rural appraisal, tions granted since 1989 should be rapid rural appraisal, social feasibility reviewed. assessment for NGOs and government, and Environmental and Conservation Management courses in parataxonomy. § Training should take several forms, includ- § Greater emphasis should be placed on local ing in-service training and formal courses of participation and grassroots conservation in- study, including professional degrees in itiatives. Local resource owner requests to social and biological sciences. participate in government-sponsored conser- § Particular stress should be placed upon pro- vation initiatives should be accorded high viding local resource owners with training in priority. environmental monitoring skills through the § The introduction of conservation models proposed NROC and/or by NGOs. from other countries to Papua New Guinea should be treated with caution, as local con- Institutions ditions, knowledge, and practices may make foreign approaches inappropriate. Instead, § The relationship between NGOs and gov- approaches more appropriate to conditions ernment needs to be strengthened, begin- in Papua New Guinea should be emphasized. ning with the appointment of an NGO rep- § A social legend (see box, page 7) should be resentative to the National Environment and placed on the front of the CNA biodiversity Conservation Working Group and to the map so all potential users recognize the need National Conservation Council. to consult landowning clans before taking § The Department of Forests and the Depart- action based on the map’s information. ment of Environment and Conservation Conservation Research should improve their working relationships with NGOs, particularly with regard to coor- § Papua New Guinea offers numerous opport- dination of activities and sharing of unities for research by biologists and social sc- information. ientists. A few of the priority areas identified § The government may want to consider estab- in the course of the CAN workshop include lishing an independent environmental trust surveys of unknown biotas, studies of fund, to support local and national conserva- threatened species, marine systems, lowland tion activity in Papua New Guinea. This rainforests, and crop genetic resources, and could be financed by a levy on extractive collection of traditional knowledge about industries such as logging and mining, as well as by support from international donor agencies.

22 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Most of the material in this report is derived from Pernetta, and W. Heady. (eds.) Traditional the 2-volume Papua Conservation in Papua New Guinea: New Guinea Conservation Needs Implications for Today. Monograph 16, Assessment Report available from the Institute of Applied Social and Economic Biodiversity Support Program. Research, Boroko, Papua New Guinea. Department of Environment and Conservation. Aloloum, W 1982. Problems with Jant Clear- 1991. Strategic Plan: First Draft, December Felling in Madang. In Morauta, L., J. Per- 1991. netta, and W, Heaney. (eds.) Traditional Government of Papua New Guinea. 1992. Report Conservation in Papua New Guinea: Impli- on Papua New Guinea for UNCED. cations for Today. Monograph 16, Institute King, D., and S. Ranck (eds.) 1982. Papua New of Applied Social and Economic Research, Guinea Atlas. A Nation in Transition. Robert Boroko, Papua New Guinea. Brown and Associates (Australia) Pry Ltd., Beehler, B.M. 1992. Background Data on Papua Bathurst, in association with the University New Guinea. Unpublished. of Papua New Guinea, Boroko. Brown, M., and B. Wyckoff-Baird. 1992. McNeely, J.A., K.R. Miller, WV. Reid, R.A. Designing Integrated Conservation and Mittermeier, and T.B. Werner. 11990. Con- Development Projects. Biodiversity Support serving the World's Biological Diversity. Program, Washington, D.C. IUCN, WRI, Cl, WWF-US, the World Bank. Commission of Inquiry into Aspects of the Mittermeier, R.A. 1988. Primate Diversity and Timber Industry in Papua New Guinea. the Tropical Forest: Case Studies from 1990. The Barnett Report. The Asia-Pacific Brazil and Madagascar and the Importance Action Group, Hobart, Australia. of the Megadiversity Countries. In Wilson, De'ath, C. 1982. Forest Conservation Practices in E.O. (ed.) 1988. Biodiversity. National Papua New Guinea. In Morauta, L., J.

23 BIBLIOGRAPHY Academy Press, Washington D.C. Academy Press, Washington D.C. Morauta, L., J. Pernetta, and W. Heaney. (eds.) Unisearch PNG. 1992. United Nations Confer- Traditional Conservation in Papua New ence on Environment and Development: Guinea: Implications for Today. Monograph Papua New Guinea National Report. Uni- 16, Institute of Applied Social and Eco- versity of Papua New Guinea, Boroko. nomic Research, Boroko, Papua New Walker, D. 1982. Speculations on the Origin and Guinea. Evolution of Sunda-Sahul Rain Forests. In Myers, N. 1988a. Tropical Forests and their Prance, G.T. (ed.) 1982. Biological Diver- Species: Going, Going ... ? In Wilson, E.O. sification in the Tropics. Columbia Universi- (ed.) Biodiversity. National Academy Press, ty Press, New York. Washington D.C. Wells, M., K. Brandon, and L. Hannah. 1992. Myers, N. 1988b. Threatened Biotas: 'Hot Spots' People and Parks: Linking Protected Area in Tropical Forests. The Environmentalist, Management with Local Communities. vol. 8, no. 3. National Academy Press, World Bank, World Wildlife Fund, United Washington D.C. States Agency for International Develop- Powell, J.M. 1982. Traditional Management and ment, Washington D.C. Conservation of Vegetation in Papua New Wilson, E.O. (ed.) 1988. Biodiversity. National Guinea. In Morauta, L., J. Pernetta, and W Academy Press, Washington D.C. Heaney. (eds.) Traditional Conservation in World Wide Fund for Nature. 1992. Protected Papua New Guinea: Implications for Today. Areas Review for the Government of Papua Monograph 16, Institute of Applied Social New Guinea. WWF, Gland, Switzerland. and Economic Research, Boroko, Papua Wurm, S. A., and S. Hattori (general editors). 19 New Guinea. 8 1. Language Atlas of the Pacific Area Part Prance, G.T. (ed.) 1982. Biological Diversifica- 1. New Guinea Area, Oceania, Australia. tion in the Tropics. Columbia University Pacific Linguistics, Series C, No. 60. Pub- Press, New York. lished by the Australian Academy of the Spears, J. 1988. Preserving Biological Diversity Humanities in collaboration with the Japan in the Tropical Forests of the Asian Region. Academy, Canberra, Australia. In Wilson, E.O. (ed.) Biodiversity. National

2 4 PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSERVATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT