Australian Government i#) Pacific Islands AusAID FOREST and TREES

Incorporating SPRIG, ACIAR-PNG Forest Domestication Project, SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project and Pacific Forestry Updates.

No. 1/05 ISSN: 1605 - 5462

From the Programme Desk Page/s Contents

In this first issue for 2005, we Since this year's mode of operation of 1-6 Country Updates introduce some of the main activities the Land Resources Division is totally that the SPC Forests and Trees new, we expect to encounter some Programme Activities Programme plans to implement teething problems as we move forward Kiribati Pandanus Poster during the year. In line with the in implementing our planned activities. Pacific Coconut Timber Strategic Plan for 2005-2008 which But we are very excited about this new Group was endorsed last year for SPC's new development, and it is our intention RILSIM Training integrated Land Resources Division, to give it our maximum support to which now includes the Forests and ensure its success for the benefit of Trees Programme, our planned all our Pacific Island communities. News activities will fall under the following Optimising spacing regimes two main objectives of the plan: To our donors, collaborators and for whitewood plantations partners, we thank you for your in Sustainable management of continued faith in us, and we request Saving PNG Sandalwood integrated forest and your understanding and support as from extinction agricultural systems we travel together this new path for Improved biosecurity and LRD to provide better and more 11-16 PGRFP Updates trade facilitation effective services to our member countries and territories. Landowners enter the business world In pursuing the better integration of Integrated Land Use agriculture and forestry for the This first issue for 2005 is the first time Planning in the `Drawa effective provision of our services to that we have produced the newsletter Block' our member countries and territories, in colour, reflecting the exciting East Melanesian Islands the Land Resources Division has directions that we are moving in. We identified as a new organised itself into expert teams hope that our readers will continue to biodiversity hotspot under a number of thematic areas find the newsletter useful, with its new targeting the two above objectives. and more interesting look. QUOTE In implementing this strategy our forests and trees activities planned "Command them to do good, to for this year are included under a Main programme activities for be rich in good works, to be which number of thematic groups, 2005 generous and ready to share with include: others. In this way they will store In addition to activities specifically up for themselves a treasure Forests and trees planned for some selected countries which will be a solid foundation Forests and Diversification and territories, the following regional for thefuture. And then they will Genetic resources activities are also going to be to win the life which is Biosecurity and trade be able organised during the year: Crop production true life." Plant health !Timothy 6:8 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees March 2005

Launching of the partnership finance, national planning and importance to many communities agreement between SPC public service ministries of the in the Pacific Island countries and and NFPF target countries. territories. It is for this reason that A request for a partnership conservation of the species is an between SPC and the National Over the years, a main obstacle that important issue. Sandalwood Forest Programme Facility (NFPF) has been reported by PICTs as the deserves added input to ensure its managed by FAO in Rome was reason for the slow sustainable management. recently accepted by the Facility. implementation of activities Sandalwood's high economic Both parties have already endorsed towards SFM has been the lack value, coupled with its amenability the partnership agreement, and a resources allocated to national to cultivation, in agroforestry launching will be held in Suva, agencies responsible for the systems and in plantations, has Islands 26-27 April 2005. countries' forests and trees sectors. the potential to make significant This was despite the high number contributions to rural economies. The main purpose of the launch of awareness workshops and is to give the opportunity to all meetings organised on the subject In 2002, SPC, with the support the main stakeholders to know in the past. of CSIRO/SPRIG, ISSS- more about the partnership and , CIRAD-Foret, CIFOR, the kind of activities that can be Recently it has been observed that and IAC-, supported. Because of the limited perhaps one reason these organised a regional workshop on funding available for the launch, workshops and meetings were not sandalwood which brought only PNG, Solomon Islands and resulting in any increases to the together participants from Vanuatu, in addition to Fiji, are resources being allocated to the sandalwood -growing countries of going to be invited to participate sector was because people who the Pacific and Asia with the main in the launch. This is also made decisions on the allocation of aim of reviewing existing because the main focus of the resources were not participating. sandalwood research and agreement will be sustainable Our target group had been the development activities and to forest management in the larger "converted" - the people already determine future prospects. The island countries. Nevertheless, working in the sector. workshop was presented with a the other PICTs are not going to lot of very useful information on be completely excluded as SPC This regional workshop is going to work being done at the time, and will represent their interests change that: the overall intention is provided an ideal opportunity for during the launch to ensure that to try and enhance this new target participants to discuss these activities agreed to will also group's understanding of the results and to recommend areas include those for these other forests and trees sector's roles in that needed urgent attention. member countries and territories. supporting livelihood strategies, poverty alleviation, and Since the above workshop, The partnership will be for three environmental protection, and the considerable work on years, and the total funding need for adequate resources to be sandalwood has continued, both available for supporting the allocated for the implementation of in research as well as in agreed activities during the period national forest programmes. It is development areas. A regional will be USD300,000. hoped that the enhanced workshop that will provide the understanding of the importance of forum where all these Regional SFM Awareness the forests and trees sector by developments can be reported, Workshop people who are responsible for discussed and shared by the A major regional activity to be allocating government resources countries is being proposed for implemented under the above will result in a more informed early October this year. A proposal NFPF partnership agreement consideration of Forestry on the workshop has been with SPC is the organisation of Department's budget submissions. submitted to a number of potential one regional sustainable forest co-sponsors, and we hope to management (SFM) awareness Regional workshop on finalise it by the end of the current raising workshop targeting sandalwood in the Pacific quarter. senior government non -forestry Sandalwood (Santalum spp.) has by Sairusi Bulai officers, mainly from the considerable cultural and economic Programme Adviser 2 Pacific Islands Forests and -I eCes March 2005 Country Updates

Kiribati Pandanus Poster

The new Kiribati pandanus poster Some of the officers involved in this project included: Tianeti loanne, Tokamai is unique. Not only does it feature Tokintekai, Mamarau Kairiete, Tinai Iuta, Teebure Tiroia, and Betarim Rimon. colour photographs of eight varieties of edible Kiribati The other sponsors of this project were the Secretariat of the Pacific Community pandanus fruit; it also presents Forests and Trees Programme, SPRIG, PAPGREN, Centers for Disease Control information on the nutrient and Prevention, United Nations Children's Fund, and Sight and Life. The content and primary identifying carotenoid analysis work was carried out by the laboratories of the Institute of characteristics of the varieties, Applied Sciences/University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands, and the DSM including bunch and key size and Nutritional Products, Switzerland. the colour of the edible flesh. This was the first time that these varieties had been analysed for nutrient content. Pandanus is one of the three most important traditional foods of Kiribati is presently distributing the posters to all ministries and departments, Kiribati, along with coconut and primary and secondary schools, supermarkets, island councils, and churches. It giant swamp taro. For those not is hoped that this poster campaign may lead to more discussion and familiar with pandanus, a bunch is understanding of Kiribati pandanus fruit and to greater production and the large composite fruit, and a key consumption. is one of the small pieces that make up the composite fruit. Thanks are extended again to all supporting agencies and sponsors in this exciting project! The poster is in both English and by Dr Lois Englberger I -Kiribati and presents this simple Email : nutrition at message: Grow and eat deep - coloured pandanus to help protect TE TOU, KANAM NI KAKAKIBOTU AO NI KAMARURUNG NGKOE TE I -KIRIBATI against vitamin A deficiency night blindness, diabetes, heart disease, Uniki ao kang rinanin tou aika a KEY COLOR, SHAPE AND NEE babobo bwa e bati te Vitamin A iai and certain cancers. These are all ao a na buoki totokoan aoraki aikai: Tehauredo Tearaommaai Tear...nem serious health problems in Kiribati. te Mataki n te bong, te Akeanrara, te Tioka, Aorakin te Buro ao te Mka Tearaunarnwaere Teantinakarewa Teannaewas: ke Maneka ake aki mamaoa. The aim of the poster is two -fold: Grow and eat deep -colored pandanus to help 1) to create a greater protect against vitamin A deficiency, night blindness, diabetes, heart disease, anemia understanding of the various (weak blood), and certain cancers.

Te Tuae Pandanus Paste pandanus fruit varieties in regards 390-444 us betaaardene/100 grarra

to beta -carotene content and their 1...11 name. Tekaueedo Also known as, Teraeraett, Teeraddtoro Bp bunch, medlimmsised key great health benefits; and 2) to Flesh color: orange Local name. al 410 pp 100 ...carotene/ parns Bp bond, key increase familiarity with the Flash color orange 20) ps belmaarotene/100 grams different varieties and to help in their promotion.

The Food and Agriculture local name, Teiribubspa Organization of the United Nations Big bunch, blg lame Flask or 129 up bete,carotenei IRO grams e Tearabaikiero (FAO) supported the development Bp bunch, bp key flesh color: yellow and printing of the poster. Dr Lois 233 pg teta.carotene/100 grams Englberger collected the Local name: Tearabukitaba Nediunshed bunch key Local name: Teantinaketewe a. Flesh color: red -orange photographs, samples, and other One type' big bunch, key big Pie ye beta carotene/1011 grams Anot.r type: Dwell bunch, small key Flesh cola: yellow data in a project carried out in 94130 pg betaaarotene/lOS grams

Tarawa in 2003 and 2004 with Local name: Teareurtainwaere Loc name: Teannaewati Mg bunch, big key Big bumnch, ediurnisized key officers of the Kiribati Ministry of Flesh color oraar Flesh color: yellow 103 WI beta earotene/ 100 gram 62 pp Dela-carotene/100 grams Health and Medical Services, Te Kabudi Panslanus Powder sieRyesot as wows Ministry of Environment, Lands, BB,90 pg betaaarotene/100 grams

and Agricultural Development, W.0 11, NixEn AMAK (Kiribati Women's eyst Association), and the Kiribati P National Nutrition Committee.

3 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees March 2005 Country Updates

Join the Pacific Coconut Timber Group

Last year's Regional Workshop on support integrated senile coconut All the workshop participants have Coconut Wood Utilisation in the tree utilisation in the Pacific Island become members and we receive Pacific noted the importance of countries and territories to membership requests from all kinds information sharing to maximise improve rural livelihoods of people interested in the field. benefits to be derived from coconut There are now 31 members, a number wood processing industries. To ensure the sustainability of senile of them from outside the region. At facilitate information sharing about coconut tree utilisation, industry the moment there are some coconut wood, an email discussion and resource supply based on documents from the workshop group was set up following the countries' policies available for download, and workshop. everyone is encouraged to share facilitate standardisation of information by sending emails to the The Pacific Coconut Timber email coconut timber products trading group or uploading documents. group has been set up to: Interested people can join through support a regional Pacific the Internet (http:// share information and regional marketing strategy expertise on coconut wood finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ utilisation- processing, product pacific_coconut_timber/) or send an promote coconut timber products development, marketing including email to: for local and export trade. related research and Markus Streil - developments [email protected].

Logs from senile coconut stems ready to be processed into high value timber products at the Pacific Green facility in Sigatoka, Fiji

4 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees March 2005 Country Updates

..,00.132111SA

Training Course on Financial Analysis of Logging Systems: an Introduction to RILSIM Nasinu, Fiji Islands 28-29 April 2005

Background Rationale to lower costs while reducing environmental impacts. Since 2000, 1990s, Since the early considerable Initial experiences with the a team of international cooperators interest has developed in reduced application of RIL have been has been developing software for impact logging (RIL), especially in promising. RIL can reduce financial analysis of alternative logging tropical forests where damage environmental impacts by as much systems. The second version of the associated with logging is widely as 50% compared with software, named RILSIM, was considered to be incompatible with conventional logging. When released in October 2004 (it is sustainable forest management. carefully applied, in relatively flat available free of charge). Aside from Several organizations including the terrain, it can also be more efficient allowing operators to compare Food and Agriculture Organization and cost-effective. One study in the logging costs - based on local of the United Nations (FAO), the Brazilian Amazon found that under conditions, wages, equipment, International Tropical Timber RIL the overall cost per cubic meter production rates, prices and other Organization (ITTO), the USDA of wood produced was 12% less factors - RILSIM has also been than Forest Service and the Center for under conventional logging. designed as a teaching tool, with a International Forestry Research However, under different help system that describes the (CIFOR), as well as national conditions RIL can be quite costly. principles of financial analysis and organizations in a In Sabah number of (Malaysia), profits guides users through each stage of a countries, have been assisting in the reportedly fell substantially when a simulation run. application of RIL for the last ten switch was made from years. In the Asia -Pacific region, conventional logging to RIL. Other the Asia -Pacific Forestry studies confirm that log production Objective of the seminar Commission has spearheaded under RIL is often 20 % lower than Under the umbrella of the Asia - several activities since the mid - under conventional logging due Pacific Forestry Commission, with 1990s. This includes the mostly to restrictions on logging in financial support from the USDA formulation of the Code of Practice environmentally sensitive areas. Forest Service and in collaboration for Forest Harvesting in Asia - Unfortunately, an answer to the with the Secretariat of the Pacific Pacific in 1998 and the organization question of whether RIL is Community (SPC) and the Fiji of the International Conference on financially viable as compared to Forestry Department, a two-day the Application of Reduced Impact conventional logging remains training course will be organized Logging in Kuching (Malaysia) in ambiguous, and depends on a from 28-29 April 2005, and will be early 2001. The Training Course on number of location -specific factors held at the new Timber Industry Financial Analysis of Logging including topography, markets for Training Centre facility in Nasinu. Systems: An Introduction to inputs and outputs, scale of RILSIM is the latest activity The main objectives are to: operation and the costing approach. designed to contribute to improved This ambiguity helps to explain the forest harvesting through raising 1)provide a common hesitation of many governments and awareness on the financial aspects understanding of reduced logging operators to commit to the of logging, and through the impact logging; adoption of RIL practices. promotion of and training in the use 2)update participants about the of RILSIM (a software package Enabling timber -harvesting operators economic aspects of forest for financial analysis of alternative to easily calculate their current harvesting; logging systems). This particular logging costs and to compare these 3)raise awareness about course builds on experiences gained costs with the costs of simulated RIL RILSIM as a tool for during a serious of previous courses practices under identical local financial analysis; delivered in 2003 in Sarawak and conditions would help them Sabah (Malaysia). understand how RIL might be able ....continued on page 6 5 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees March 2005 Country Updates

continued from page 5 RILSIM Training

4)familiarize potential users RILSIM, its dissemination to Forestry Department with RILSIM through interested stakeholders and in Ministry of Fisheries and introductory hands-on training potential users. Forests training sessions; and P.O. Box 2218 5)obtain feedback on the Target Group Suva usefulness of RILSIM for Fiji Islands local conditions. Participation is open to both Phone No.: 679 - 3322 380 government and industry personnel Facilitators involved in timber harvesting. 2. Ms. Bale Wilikibau Unfortunately, sponsorship is not Forests and Trees available, and interested Programme The facilitator of the two-day participants will have to pay for Land Resources Division course is Thomas Enters of the their own costs. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Office of the Food and Community Agriculture Organization of the Please contact the following for Private Mail Bag United Nations. Mr. Enters is a further information: Suva member of the RILSIM steering Fiji Islands committee and has been 1. Mr. Ulaiasi Druma Phone No.: 679 - 3300 432 instrumental in the development of Forestry Training Centre E-mail: [email protected]

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Australian Government SPRIG News AusAID

Optimising spacing regimes for whitewood plantations in Vanuatu

Introduction of whitewood in 1994. The site was an and 6 m), which are replicated across Whitewood (Endospermum area of regrowth bush that had been two sites at Lorum-Loro. medullosum L.S Smith) is a tropical degraded and covered by invasive tree that grows to about 40 metres plants. Results tall. The combination of high quality The survival rate is generally good timber with fast growth on good This report summarises a trial that was across all treatments, with a range quality soils makes it a valuable tree set up to ascertain the optimal spacing from 63% to 94% of all trees alive. in Vanuatu. Its distribution ranges for Endospermum medullosum. One of Location appears to be a determining from Indonesia through Papua New the key silvicultural requirements to factor, as we observed a significant Guinea, Solomon and Santa Cruz producing good quality wood is difference between replicates for the Islands to Vanuatu, occurring developing appropriate spacing and same spacing. Although the site has predominantly in lowland, humid thinning regimes. Without the correct not experienced a devastating tropical climates with high rainfall. In plantation spacing, the use of good cyclone in the past 9 years, there have Vanuatu, it occurs from the north to genetic stock will be wasted. been a few occurrences of strong the central part of the archipelago: gales across the sites (including Banks, , Maewo, In Vanuatu, when determining cyclone Zuman which passed 25 km Ambae, Pentecost, Malekula, Paama, spacing, there are two important north in April 1998, in Epi, , and factors that have to be taken into April 2001 and in (Thomson 1998). account. The first is the high March 2001). No detailed information Unsustainable logging in the past has probability that several cyclones of can be collected on the relationship threatened the continued viability of varying intensity will pass close to the between spacing and wind the native forest utilisation on plantation and cause damage in the resistance. Espiritu Santo (the largest island of form of leaf loss and branch breakage, Vanuatu). There is a high demand for broken tops, stem breakage and An assessment at 9 years observed Vanuatu Whitewood in the Asian windthrow. The second factor is the significant difference between market (about 1500m3/annum), and in need to remove smaller and or, poorly spacing (see Table 1). the Vanuatu domestic market for light formed trees, to leave a final crop of construction, furniture, interior well -formed trees of sawlog quality. joinery works. It has potential for veneer and plywood production. The Methods and materials apparent wind -firmness and disease In order to determine the optimal resistance of the species and the high spacing regimes for plantation grown value of its light coloured timber make whitewood, a trial was established in it a promising candidate for wider 1995 at Lorum-Loro plantation, establishment in commercial northeastern Espiritu Santo. Gross plantations and reforestation (Haines plots were 10 rows x 10 trees, with net and Walker 1995). internal measure plots 8 rows x 6 trees. There are 12 spacing treatments, 4 With perspective and foresight, Mr between -row spacing intervals (4, 6, 8 Neil Croucher (Manager of Melcoffee and 10 m), with 3 within -row or Sawmill) established a 300 ha planting between -tree spacing intervals (2, 4

Table 1: Mean of DBH and height on spacing treatment established with whitewood at Lorum-Lora plantation, Espiritu Santo Spacing between rows

Spacing between trees 4m 6m 8m 10m DBH(cm)Height(m) DBH(cm)Height(m) DBH(cm)Height(m) DBH(cm)Height(m)

2m 20.0 14.6 22.0 15.4 26.0 15.4 26.3 14.8

4m 24.6 15.5 27.3 15.3 32.0 15.5 30.3 13.6

6m 26.7 15.4 31.6 14.6 34.1 14.6 32.1 13.0 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees March 2005

other between -row intervals the Mean diameter of whitewood in spacing treatments increases ranged from 25% to 31%.

The tallegt trees (15.5 m) were 40 found at spacings 4 m x 4 m and 8 m x 4m, closely followed by trees grown at 6 35 m x 2 m and 8 m x 2 m (both 15.4m). ^30 .- - The shortest trees were found at the E - , - - I u widest spacing 10 m x 6 m (13.0 m). x k .---- m 25 _, - o . . - The plotted individual tree volumes 20 __.---- shown in Graph 3 clearly indicate all of the tree spacings at 8 m between

15 , rows produced the best volumes 4m 6m 8m 10m irrespective of distance between trees. Between -row spadng However, this is also true for 6 m between trees, which produced the

--a-- 2m between trees -- -. - 4m between trees - - * - -. 6m between trees best volumes irrespective of distance between rows.

Graph 1: Mean diameters at breast height at age 9 for whitewood trees grown under Why plant at a closer spacing when various spacing treatments. the widely spaced trees are growing as well? Closer spacing between trees Height and stem diameter spacing. All of these treatments assists with vine control when the The trend for stem diameter at breast producing diameter means well trees are small. It also gives an height (DBH) is that as between -tree opportunity to above 30 cm DBH. The spacing of 8 remove poorly spacing interval increases so does the m x 4 m also grew trees over 30 cm performing individuals when it comes mean diameter, with the largest-mean DBH (Graph 1). time to thin. diameters in the wider 6-m between - tree spacing interval and the smallest For the between -row interval of 6 m At 9 years the closer spacing treatments in the 2-m between -tree spacing we obtained an increase of 44% with produce trees 20% taller than in the interval (Graph 1). increased between -tree spacing, widest spacing. The competition for from 22 cm DBH for 6 m x 2 m to 31.6 light is possibly the main determining This was not the case with mean cm DBH for 6 m x 6 m spacing. For factor in the growth rates observed. heights (Graph 2). The tallest trees in the entire experiment were in the intermediate 4-rn between -tree Graph 2: Mean heights for whitewood trees at age 9 grown under various spacing spacing interval (mean height 15.5 m), treatments. although the mean height for the 6-m between -tree spacing interval was not Mean height of whitewood in spacing treatments much shorter (15.4 m).

16 Volumes Using volume equations developed 15.5 I. - -- - - . _ > ._.4- 7,.-.r------. _ for whitewood (loan Viji MSc thesis), , - . . 15 : - \ - underbark volume estimates (based , . 1 14.5 ' - - A___ -__: '''' Thli, _ ' on overbark measurements) show that . . . \ mean tree volume increases as 14 distance between trees increases and ' . reaches a peak at the 8-m between - 13.5 row interval, after which mean tree 13 A volume begins to decrease (Graph 3). 12.5 Discussion and conclusion 4m 6m 8m 10m The largest stem diameters occurred Between -row spacing - -# - - 2m between trees - - 4m betWeen trees # 6m between trees in the between -row spacing of 6, 8 and 10 metres with 6 metres between -tree Pacific Islands Forests and 17ces March 2005

in spacing treatments However, a limit is reached for the Mean tree volume of whitewood closest spacing, where growth is 1.00 possibly hindered by roots interaction. We also observed in this 0.90 case a larger dispersion of height 0.80 (15.6%), due to a number of trees -...A..... having been prematurely shadowed 0.70 and dwarfed by their neighbours. 0.60 Although closer spaced trees produce -'' 0.50 lower individual tree volumes, the / numbers of stems per hectare mean 0.40 ---. that are higher. Graph E stand volumes 0.30 ... 4 shows individual tree volumes 0 plotted against stand volumes. To 0.20 produce the largest trees with 0.10 maximum volume per hectare, the 0.00 optimal spacing appears to be 8 m x 4 4m 6m 8m 10m m (312 stems/ha). Between -row spacing

2m between trees 4m between trees A - 6m between trees The results from this trial indicate that -4- - -I - a final spacing of around 6 m x 6 m Graph 3: Individual tree volumes for whitewood trees at age 9 grown under various (278 stems/ha) or 8 m x 4 m (312 stems/ spacing treatments. ha) would be optimal. To obtain these Acknowledgements References final stockings, an initial spacing of 6 Thanks to Mr Neil Croucher, Managing Haines, R.J. and Walker, S.M. 1995. m x 3 m or 8 m x 2 m should be used. Director of Melcoffee Sawmill Ltd, for Whitewood tree improvement and This would give the grower the option Loro Whitewood Trials and for to thin any unsuitable stems. The initiating silviculture. Consultancy project allowing us to access and collect data. Melcoffee Sawmill Ltd., Vanuatu. choice between 6-m or 8-m between - to Mr Steven row spacing will depend on Recognition is given Forest Research Institute, Haines of harvesting equipment used: the 8-m Walker and Russell Gympie, Queensland - Melcoffee Queensland Department of Primary Plantation Project Technical Report No. 1 spacing is more adapted to heavy Industry Forestry, who set up the trials (June 1995). machinery utilised by large logging and conducted a feasibility study on companies while a 6-m spacing will Thanks to Thomson, 1998. accommodate portable sawmill whitewood plantation. L.A.J. Endospermum Smith and operations. Forestry Officers Atchinson medullosum L.S. Smith: notes on taxonomy Tarere Garae for assisting us in collecting and nomenclature. Pacific Islands Forest data. and Trees Newsletter 2/98.

Graph 4: Individual tree volumes plotted against stand volumes. An optimal Viji, I. 2004. Inheritance studies on spacing to produce largest trees with maximum volume per hectare is 8 m x 4 m Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum or 6 m x 6 m. Note that spacing labels for stand volume correspond with the spacing labels for tree volumes. L.S. Smith) characteristics of economic importance in Vanuatu. University of the South Pacific Masters Thesis (in review). 300 Stand volume compared with tree volume -0.8

- 0.7 Submitted by: 250- Rufino Pinede Rodney Aru2 and Ken - 0.6 Robson'

200. Learn Project Manager, Department - 0.5 of Forestry, PMB 004 Luganville, Santo, Vanuatu I 150 - 0.4 Forest Manager, Melcoffee Sawmill, PO Box 224 Luganville, Santo - 0.3 ti 100 Vanuatu

- 0.2 Principal Technical Officer, 4 x 2 Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, 50 - Stand volume - 0.1 Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Walkamin, Queensland, 0 -o Australia 0 200 400 600 " 800 1000 1200 1400 ,tee deeklAir Pacific Islands Forests .d Trees March 2005

liNVP ACIAR/PNG Forest Domestication Project CSIRO PNGPA Saving PNG sandalwood from extinction Sandalwood (Santalum) comprises about seedlings from only five families being producing leaves along the stems. As an 16 species naturally occurring in India, represented. Attempts to strike cuttings outcome of this work, 24 families are now Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and grow on rooted sections proved represented in the nursery, which is very Hawaii and the South Pacific. The natural unsuccessful. The plants were established pleasing. To this can be added the 5 stands of sandalwood in PNG consist of in an ex situ conservation stand families represented in the ex situ a single species, Santalum macgregorii established at the Lae Botanical Gardens conservation stand. By using the grafting (Gunn et al. 2004) It occurs in Gulf and in 2003. Given that the objective of method, these 29 families (clones) can be Central Provinces, from approximately establishing an ex situ conservation stand multiplied up to produce sufficient Malalaua in the northwest (8°10'S, of S. macgregorii had failed for lack of ramets of each family to establish an 146°17' E) to north of Kwikila (9°44' S, seed, an alternative technique to growing effective ex situ conservation stand. The 147°33'E) with an altitudinal range from seedlings was considered based on the stand could also serve as a supply of both sea level to 160 in. Sandalwood has also work carried out by Mr Ponijesi on S.,vasi seed and grafting gennplasm for growers been confirmed in Western Province but in Fiji (Robson and Likiafu 2004). This of sandalwood. At present such a supply the taxonomic identity still requires to be work successfully developed grafting opportunity is not available. confirmed. This material is currently part techniques to vegetatively propagate of an international taxonomic study of sandalwood where other vegetative References sandalwood using DNA techniques. propagation methods had failed. Agiwa, A. 2001. Collections of seed and vegetative material of Santalum Native stands of sandalwood have been Thanks to the financial support of the macgregorii (Sandalwood) in Gulf severely depleted in accessible areas Eco-Forestry Program funded through Province, Papua New Guinea. Pacific associated with road access. Paul (1990) the European Union and managed by the Islands Forest and Trees Newsletter 4/ 01. Suva, Fiji. reported that only remnant populations PNG Forest Authority, additional funds were remaining in the area between lokea were made available to mount a third and Kwikila. In 2004, land owners at germplasm collection. Since no known Gunn, B. and Bewang, I. 2002. Gomore north of Kwikila reported that natural trees of sandalwood were left Follow-up seed collection of Santalum the last natural standing tree that they southeast of Port Moresby, collections macgregorii (PNG sandalwood) for conservation stand. Pacific Islands knew of had been cut down and roots dug concentrated in the area between Bereina Forest and Trees Newsletter 3/02. Suva, up. In a recent email to the author from and Malalaua on the border between Fiji. M. Avosa of WWF (2005), concerned Central and Gulf Provinces. The community leaders reported the ongoing objective here was to collect a indiscriminate harvesting of sandalwood combination of seed, root sections Gunn, B.V., Agiwa, A., Bosimbi, D., Brammall, B., Jarua, L. and following a rumour that people were containing fibrous roots and shoots Uwamariya, A. 2004. Seed Handling and coming to buy sandalwood. This rumour (suckers), and shoot material from tree Propagation of Papua New Guinea's was found to be that and no wood just crowns. Once again, the objective was to Tree Species. CSIRO Forestry and was purchased. However, villagers collect from as many unrelated trees as Forest Products, Canberra. continue to harvest and deplete what is possible. Agiwa made wide range left of the endemic sandalwood. collections of crown shoots and root Paul, J.H. 1990. The status of sections. No seed was located. This may Santalum macgregorii in Papua New As part of the ACIAR supported project have been because of the very dry Guinea. Hamilton, L. and Conrad, C.E. on Domestication of Papua New conditions causing the fruit to abort. (eds). Proceedings of the Symposium on Guinea's Indigenous Forest Species, it Following collection the vegetative Sandalwood in the Pacific, 9-11 April, was proposed to establish an ex situ material was stored in a coolbox Honolulu, Hawaii. USDA For. Service. conservation stand to represent the containing ice. On completion of the Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-122, Forest natural variation within the species. To collection the material was brought to the Service, US Department of Agriculture. achieve this, collections from over 30 PNG Forest Research Institute nursery pp. 76-78. families were planned. Two sandalwood in October 2004. Over 20 grafts were seed collections were mounted across the originally set onto rootstocks. Of these, Robson, K. and Likiafu, H. 2004. species' natural distribution in Gulf and eight have successfully taken with new Collection and vegetative propagation of Central Provinces. These collections were shoot growth developing from above the Santalum yasi populations in Ha'apai reported in Pacific Islands Forest and grafted union. It is anticipated that with (Lifuka and Foa), . An initiative of the South Pacific Regional Initiative on Trees 4/01 and 3/02 (Agiwa 2001; Gunn the use of more suitable rootstocks and Forest Genetic Resources 2. CSIRO and Bewang 2002). The field trips mainly greater care in the nursery the strike rate Internal Project Report Annex 5. revolved round collecting seed from as would improve. In addition, many trees as possible across the species' approximately 45 root suckers were by Brian Gunn natural range. A combination of poor seed established in large pots. Three months CSIRO Forestry and Forest set and nursery recovery resulted in after being set, 22 plants are still alive and Products Email: [email protected] 10 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees \ larch 20(15 gt2I SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project Updates

Update on SFM in the "Drawa Block": landowners enter the business world

Greetings for the new season! completed its first real business Forest Office - North, Fiji Forest dealings. DraFCo managed to Industries and the landowners. The 2004 was a year with many new secure a logging contract to clear training aimed at imparting the skills initiatives supported by the Pacific - roadside logs along the new road and knowledge crucial for a German Regional Forestry Project connecting Lutukina with Drawa chainsaw operator to safely use (PGRFP) taking shape in the village. This one -month exposure to chainsaws and to put into practice "Drawa Block" in Vanua Levu, Fiji the business environment provided a combination of improved technical Islands, established as a model site members of the enterprise with first- guidelines for reduced impact for forestry enterprises based on hand opportunities to learn more of logging and sound principles of participatory land use planning for the licensing procedures, negotiations silviculture. sustainable forest management by of contracts, documentation and the rural community. honouring of agreements, A survey on bird life in the Drawa coordination and control of Block was financed and carried out The year began with the Research operations. by BirdLife International Fiji in 2004. Division of the Forest Department The survey aimed at surveying/ starting the establishment of ten Before any monetary transactions sighting all birds occurring in the area, permanent sample plots (PSPs) to between the buyers and DraFCo, assessing the habitats, threats and be completed this year. PGRFP had sponsored and community attitudes towards the coordinated a three-day training on sites as well as the site's biodiversity, Perhaps the main event of 2004 was basic accounting for DraFCo staff. and educating the resident the beginning ofthe road construction Seven landowners attended the community on bird conservation projects and the completion of training, including the Chairman, the issues,. A total of 28 bird species Phase 1, being the Lutukina-Drawa Secretary and the Treasurer of were sighted, including 11 out of the road connection. Signalling the high DraFCo's Board of Directors. 17 endemic species that can be level of support to the model area, Participants gained hands-on found in Vanua Levu. The two most the construction of this 5.5 km all- experience in how to handle matters common native species found in the weather road (FJD100,000), and an of basic accounting and area were the Fiji white and the Irish crossing (another FJD80,000) administration, and how to run a barking pigeon. was funded by the Government of business effectively and efficiently. Fiji Islands, through the Though the Drawa Block was not Commissioner Northern Division The training focused on the setting - found to be a so-called "important (CND). up of cash and petty cash books, bird area" (IBA), the assessors cash receipts and cash payment recommended that, due to the size Building this first road section and journals, and a debtors and creditors and locality of the project area, an connecting the Drawa Block to the book. A follow-up training is planned additional wild life survey should be road network of Fiji's second largest for later this year. carried out. island is in itself a success story. For the landowners of the area it is a Other technical training on forest The year ended with a significant dream come true: linking the people management was carried out during progress made. We certainly look of Drawa to the outside world, the year. The most recent, two forward to the continued allowing them to play their part in weeks training in November- cooperation with all our the "world of development". December on harvesting trees development partners and to make manually (chainsaw training), 2005 an equally eventful and positive During the last months of the past marked the beginning of a hands- year. year, "real life" was setting in for on training programme for the full the young, community -based forest cycle of harvesting operations. Nine Vinaka! enterprise, as the Drawa participants attended this training Landowners Forest Management jointly provided by the Fiji Forestry For further information, please Co-operative Ltd. (DraFCo) Training Centre, the Divisional contact:

Jalesi Mateboto [email protected]

11 March 200S Pacific Islands Forests and Trees Updates ' ) SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project

Integrated Land Use Planning in the "Drawa Block"

The SPC/GTZ Pacific -German Almost all agricultural areas covered manure is not common practice. Usual Regional Forestry Project (PGRFP) in the participatory land-use plan for fallow periods are said to be 5-15 continues to support landowners of the Drawa Block are of land -use years close to the settlements and up the Drawa Block to manage both their capability class III -V. (Details of the to 50 years on more remote sites. forest and non -forest land in a Fiji land -use capability classes I-VIII Primary aim of most agricultural land sustainable manner. are available in supporting use is to meet subsistence and documents to Leslie & Ratukalou immediate cash needs. There is a small As described in an earlier issue of 2002 and in Fung unpublished 2004; amount of livestock rearing (free Pacific Islands Forest and Trees No. these documents may be obtained range chickens, ducks and pigs), 3/2003, p. 9-11), the PGRFP has used from SPC.) mainly for subsistence needs. a participatory land -use planning process (PLUPP) to assist Present agricultural and agroforestry PGRFP support for integrated landowners to develop a sustainable cropping within the Drawa Block is land -use planning forestry enterprise in the "Drawa small scale. Most of the mixed food Block", about 6350 hectares in central crop gardens/plantings are close to In Fiji, the project is now focused on Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest villages/settlements, with slash and supporting local stakeholders (first of island. The project continues to burn utilisation of the site before all the customary landowners) of the facilitate and support this multi- shifting, mainly short term (1-2 years) Drawa Block model area in managing faceted and complex process in close to medium term (3-7 years). their forests and other land resources cooperation with the landowners of Application of mineral fertilisers or in a sustainable manner, through the block and the national and provincial offices of the Fiji Department of Land Resources, Planning and Development (LRPD), the Department of Forestry (FD) and the Native Land Trust Board (NLTB).

Description of Drawa Block Most of the area has a steeply sloping terrain and is sharply cut by creeks and rivers. Rock outcrops and cliffs are common features of the landscape. Until recently, the rugged mountainous topography prevented access by any means of wheeled transport (see other article in this newsletter).

Predominant soils occurring within the Drawa Block are all very acidic and in most cases low in organic matter. Associated with the high acidity (low pH) are low contents of major plant nutrients like phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), but high to sometimes toxic levels of aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mn). Once these soils are cleared of their vegetative cover and exposed to the elements of the humid tropics (heat, sunlight, After generations of isolation, Drawa Village is now accessible by road! rain), their fertility and productivity Fully funded by the Government of Fiji (Commissioner Northern Division), drops rapidly because of leaching of Phase I of the road project (Lutukina to Drawa) was completed during 3rd essential nutrients and degradation quarter of 2004. of the organic matter. 12 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees AOS SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project Updates

facilitating the planning process (PLUPP). An essential part of this planning process is that all groups of stakeholders reach agreement to restrict exploitation to the mutually determined form of land use. For the largely virgin forest of the Drawa Block, this would translate to the forest being protected from uses other than what is required by SFM. It also means that agricultural and agroforestry activities (both for subsistence and for income generation) are restricted to the areas reserved for that purpose and as outlined in the participatory land -use plan (for details see Pacific Islands Forest and Trees No. 3/2003).

Appraisal for agriculture and The integrated land -use taskforce tests the agroforestry soil pH, using a simple rapid field test kit ("Pehameter", Model Hellige)

In December 2004, PGRFP supported a visit by an integrated land -use planning earmarked for agricultural and the restricted amount of land made taskforce to some reserved areas agroforestry use. available for agriculture/agroforestry around Drawa village and Keka village under the land -use plan, maintaining (adjacent to the southeastern With first stage of the road to Drawa soil fertility and the productivity of boundary of the Block). The visit was now built and first income being agricultural land will be the main aimed at further assessing land generated from logging, more challenge in the coming years. The visit capability and crop suitability of sites mataqali-members may move back to by the planning taskforce resulted in belonging to five rnataqali (land- their traditional villages to farm their the following package of owning units: Koroni, Drawa, customary land again. In the face of recommendations. Navunicau, Nadugumoimoi and Vulavuladamu) that had been

1 ' N.: Lutukina

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-: RA LEGEND 1I I I I"1sio P IL- : 1*. Craws ILits4w- 40Ci.. Drawa model area boundary 01a. - .;' -..N.NZ,?:': a MO ' ''''W\ ' %.s,. --; Matagali boundary \,,,;;s, , - ' 'N 4, s' s\. , . .ss . Drawa road , .'.:,4...... '%^.," ' ,i..4te4, 11 ,Ne/044 ' qp,&A i. . AJNISIUAK P717:17:1 Present cultivation sites

. e. ..,..,,,,,,.... a AKI eAk I ;1%;:;;41e4 \NN:s4 iS, N Reserved areas for non-timber activities 4%6,49' Vatuvonu vu L AVU LAD ...... 4. C,V141, Protection forest . \N.'.

. Produced by C. Fang PGRFP, 2005

13 Pacific Islands Pureslsand lie, March 2005 SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project Updates

contour -strip. Give preference to crop (called mulching). Use any crop Measures to address the main permanent crops of leguminous trees residues in that same way. Do NOT challenges that fix nitrogen (e.g. gliricidia, BURN. Deposit all bulky materials or sesbania, leucaena, erythrina; for rocks along and in between the Farming practices/land use: more information see PGRFP-leaflet contour strip which was planted with on "Recommended Tree species in permanent crops. o When clearing the site, pile Agroforestry") or have other/multiple o Consider now or as soon as up organic matter (e.g. leaves, small uses (like for example banana, bele, possible to economically apply branches, weeds) in swathes along plantain, citrus and other small fruit-, additional fertilisers to improve soil contour lines. Do NOT BURN the spice-, medicinal- or firewood -trees, fertility and reduce soil acidity. Give swathe. All other bulky stuff can pandanus, vetiver or, although not

Almost everyone from Drawa Village joined hands to plant vetiver grass to prevent further roadside erosion of the recently built all-weather road link.

ideal for conservation purpose, preference to increase the levels of P, remain (and if necessary be burned) pineapple or Kava). K and calcium/lime (e.g rock - in between the contour -lined swathe. o Refrain from kava/yagona phosphate, NPK or other potash - o Restrict seasonal food/root planting on steep slopes. Always fertilisers, lime). crop cultivation (e.g. taro/dalo, plant along contour lines and in o Right after harvesting/ cassava, yams and sweet potato) to narrow contour strips (see above, clearing your crop (both seasonal or the flattest parts only. of the land seasonal crops), alternating with midterm e.g. like kava), plant a fast Always plant crops along contour permanent tree crops (e.g. fruit trees growing, rapidly spreading cover - lines, preferably as narrow strips like breadfruit, citrus, avocado or crop preferably of the bean-/ (width depending on the gradient of multipurpose/timber trees). leguminosa-family (ask your the slope: The lesser the slope the o Any weeding/maintenance agricultural extension officer for wider the strip!). work must follow along the contour specific advise).Neither you nor your o Introduce one contour - lines. Uproot/cut and dry weeds soil likes getting sun -burned or end strip of a more permanent crop in regularly on site. Prefer leaving the between at least every second dried organic matter in between your to page 15 14 Pacific Islands Forests and Trees March 2005 ...... 91c SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project Updates

East Melanesian islands identified continued from page 14 Integrated Land Use Planning in as a new "biodiversity hotspot" the "Draws Block"

A new look at global biodiversity For a new book, Hotspots. Revisited up with a heatstroke. hotspots has found a number of new (published by CEMEX, 2004), nearly o Use all steep to very steep ones, including one in the Pacific, the 400 specialists contributed to a four- slopes, hill crest and areas of shallow East Melanesian Islands, which joins year-long hotspots reappraisal. Their soil as well as immediate riverbanks Southwest Australia, New Caledonia, analysis has resulted in an increase of the agriculture lot land for planting and Polynesia - in the number of hotspots from 25 trees only (fruit trees, spice trees like Micronesia (including Hawaii) on the to 34 regions worldwide, where 75% clove or nutmeg, multi -purpose trees, Oceania list. of the planet's most threatened timber -species). mammals, birds, and amphibians o Re -plant any area prone to survive within habitat covering just heavy erosion (e.g. road- sides or The hotspots concept was pioneered 2.3% of the Earth's surface. The riverbanks) as quickly as possible in 1988 by British ecologist Norman new analysis shows that an estimated with grass (e.g.vetiver), multi- Myers, who identified ecosystem 50% of all vascular plant species and purpose/fodder trees or shrubs or hotspots (most often in tropical forest 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species cover -crops (see above) which areas!) as locations that comprise a exist in these 34 hotspots. develop an intensive root system small total land area yet account for (e.g. bamboo, mucuna- or winged - a very high percentage of global bean). biodiversity. The concept was Looking beyond species to identify o Start rearing animals, subsequently refined by Myers and genera and families that are unique preferably ruminants like goats. CI (Conservation International), to the hotspots, hotspots also hold a most recently in 2000. Two factors disproportionately high degree of to feed the animals or keep the determine which areas qualify as unique evolutionary history. By animals at least over night in one hotspots: (1) uniqueness of their plant concentrating on the hotspots, we are place (e.g. stable). Collect as much communities, with at least 0.5% of not only protecting species, but also as possible of any manure and use the total diversity of vascular plants lineages of evolutionary history. for nursery/raising planting materials. endemics (those found nowhere o Use every opportunity to else), and (2) degree of threat, add organic matter to the cropping defined as the area having lost at least Unfortunately, the new "East area (mulching, see above). Start as 70% of its original natural habitat Melanesian Islands Hotspot" has been many compost heaps as possible, (some hotspots actually have less than added mainly because it has degraded both close to the cropping area as 10%!). dramatically over the last five years. well as next to your home (consult Generally, the threats to the hotspots extension officers for advice). Feed include: habitat destruction; invasive all organic matter (e.g. kitchen scrap, Biodiversity hotspots are a widely species; direct human exploitation of leafs) or ashes from your fire place used prioritisation strategy for species for food, medicine, and the to the compost instead of burning it/ allocating conservation funds to areas pet trade; and climate change. throwing it away. But please where they can have the greatest remember,' the compost heap is to possible impact. The hotspots are the produce compost fertilisers; it is not "environmental emergency rooms" The book can be purchased from the village rubbish dump (e.g. for of our planet. http://www.conservation.org. dumping plastic bags, foil wrappings, tins, bottles)!

Gathering know-how and information: (Source: PGR News; summarised and o Be pro -active, form edited by Christoph Muziol, Teamleader PGRFP) to page 16

15 Pacific Islands Forests and FI,C, March 2005 Other News

continued from page 15 Integrated Land Use Planning in the "Drawa Block" interest -groups and approach the your area). Suva, Fiji Islands: Ministry of extension officers in charge of your Agriculture, Sugar and Land area. Make them prioritise your area 0 Observe the weather and its Resettlement (MASLR) and and invite them to regularly visit your effect on various crops. It will assist Secretariat of the Pacific land, provide you with information you in making informed farming Community, SPC/GTZ Pacific materials, seeds or planting materials decisions and it's fun! German Regional Roferstry Project or assist your group to visit Demo- (PGRFP). farms/research plots or other References extension facilities. Fung, C. Unpublished 2004. Profile MAFFA and PGRFP 1999. of the Drawa model area: appraisal Recommended tree species. o Request community of a rural forest area in Fiji. SPC/GTZ Pamphlet 5. Leaves. Suva, Fiji members travelling to markets/urban Pacific German Regional Roferstry Islands: Ministry of Agriculture, centres and other villages to gather Project (PGRFP). Draft July 2004. Fisheries, Forestrs & ALTA new information (e.g. on prices of (MAFFA) in collaboration with GTZ produce, farming -inputs, successful Leslie, D. and Ratukalou, I. 2002. Pacific German Regional Forestry cropping practices, names of Review of rural land use in Fiji: Project (PGRFP). innovative/successful farmers in opportunities for a new millennium.

For more information contact R.J. Blank [email protected]

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Forests and Trees Programme The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view and policies of the programme, SPC, AusAID. This newsletter is published quarterly by the Forests and Trees Programme We welcome any news or articles on forests, trees and related activities. Please send your contributions to the: Programme Adviser, SPC Forests and Trees Programme, Private Mail Bag, Suva, FIJI or fax (679) 3305 212 or (679) 3370 021. Our office is located at Forum Secretariat Complex, Ratu Sukuna Road, Suva, FIJI Tel No.: (679) 3300 432/3305 244; email: [email protected]

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