Endemic Birds in Papua New Guinea's Montane Forests: Human Use and Conservation
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ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following work: Supuma, Miriam (2018) Endemic birds in Papua New Guinea's montane forests: human use and conservation. PhD Thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: https://doi.org/10.25903/5d0194ca93995 Copyright © 2018 Miriam Supuma. The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owners of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please email [email protected] Endemic Birds in Papua New Guinea’s Montane Forests: Human Use and Conservation Thesis submitted by Miriam Supuma February 2018 For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville, Queensland 4811 Australia The Raggiana (Paradisae raggiana) and the Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisae minor) sold during the annual Goroka Show (2015) in the Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Photographed by Miriam Supuma Statement of contribution of others Research funding and stipend: Australia Awards Scholarship (primary) Schlumberger Faculty for the Future (field work) Research in-kind support College of Science and Engineering, JCU Papua New Guinea Institute of Biological Research Inc, PNG Karimui Conservation Resource Management Program Initiative, PNG Partners with Melanesians, PNG Research and Conservation Foundation, PNG BirdLife International, UK Advisory Panel Associate Professor David King, College of Science and Engineering, JCU Professor Andrew Krockenberger, Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, JCU Associate Professor Alison Cottrell (Adjunct), College of Science and Engineering, JCU Dr. James Moloney (Adjunct), College of Science and Engineering, JCU Statistical, analytical and modelling support Dr. James Moloney and Dr. Elodie Ledee (GIS) Dr. April Reside (Species Distribution Model, Maxent) Dr. Rie Hagihara (Modelling) Editorial assistance Ms Victoria Lawn i Co-authorship of published manuscripts Co-authors of published manuscripts within this thesis will have participated in one or more in the following ways: discussions of concept and improvement of study design, and advice on methods and manuscripts. Permits Research associated with this thesis complies with current laws of Australia and the necessary for the project (JCU Human Ethics H5610) ii Acknowledgement Back in 2008, Brett Benz and Paige West made their time available to review my research proposal and provided valuable insight. I thought the idea to pursue my studies was quite farfetched considering I had become a mum in 2009. But what journey it has been. This journey has been made possible by many people. I was entrusted with the support of many kind-hearted people who were unselfish with their time. Thank you, Alison Cottrell, David King, James Moloney, Elodee Ledee, Andrew Krockenberger, April Reside, and the JCU International Student Centre Team. Robin Hide and Christopher Healey have been gracious with their time whenever I reached out for advice. You saw the importance of such studies years ago and when you initiated this in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea. Vivienne L. Williams and Anthony B. Cunningham were very helpful and patient when I asked questions regarding their work on birds traded for African traditional medicine. The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) made my studies in Australia possible. I am also indebted to the people of Australia and the Traditional custodians, of Townsville, the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people – Thank you. When I moved to Townville from Papua New Guinea to commence my studies in July 2013, my family and I lived and learnt from your ancestral land. To be allowed that opportunity has been truly a humbling experience. For the coffee, lunch, chats, laughter, advice, and your friendship, thank you Rie Hagihara, Astrid Vachette, Imelda Ambelye, Stephanie Mrozek, Qian Li, Putu Mustika, Janet Gagul, Leontine Baje, and Lucina Tadabe. The Aaron family made the occasional fishing trips, movies, and picnics memorable. iii Debra Wright, Paige West, and Andrew Mack, what beautiful souls you are for your support during my budding career as a conservationist. The Papua New Guinea Institute of Biological Research Inc (PNGIBR) enabled my work in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province to progress smoothly. What privilege it was to be part a member of PNGIBR and to work alongside many likeminded nationals - Banak Gamui, thank you for your support and the experience of working alongside you. Anna Koki, your energy amazes me. To my colleague late Paul Igag, I have learnt humility and a healthy sense of humour from you which has served me well. My field assistants enriched my field work with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Junior Novera, Dzarina Susuke, Ben Ruli, John Par Kagl, Diatpain Warakai, Tania Areori, and Gahuno family of Nagamizah, the community of Hogave (Lufa) and Pr. David Kima, John Anuabe, and the Muma family of Toromabuno. My extended and close family helped in immeasurable ways. Especially, Anna and William, my wonderful parents. To Jephat, my husband, and our son Liam, we make a great team. Your endless support, patience, and love made this journey possible. iv Table of Contents Thesis Abstract 1 Chapter 1: Introduction 4 Chapter 2: Literature Review 20 Chapter 3: Changes in the Trade of Birds in Central Highlands, PNG 69 Chapter 4: Case Study: Patterns of Hunting Intensity in Montane Forest 97 Chapter 5: Potential Risks Associated with use of Endemic Birds in Central Highlands 132 Chapter 6: Species Distribution of the Blue Bird of Paradise 154 Chapter 7: Discussion and Conclusion 170 References 236 List of Figures Figure 1.1 Map of main study sites 15 Figure 1.2 Main markets in Port Moresby, National Capital District (NCD) 18 Figure 1.3 Schematic diagram, thesis structure 19 Figure 2.1 Synergistic feedback 51 Figure 3.1 Historical exchange rates 76 Figure 3.2 Bird source localities 79 Figure 3.3 Comparison of trends 50 years 85 Figure 3.4 Birds sold in 1974/5 compare to 2015 (NCD) 86 Figure 4.1 Schematic diagram of data analysis (GIS) 107 Figure 4.2 Old hunting sites (1980) 110 Figure 4.3 Taboo sites 112 Figure 4.4 Preferred hunting times 115 Figure 4.5 Proportions of birds hunted 117 Figure 4.6 Old and new hunting sites and hotspot analysis 121 v Figure 5.1 Proportion of birds used in subsistence livelihood 142 Figure 5.2 Guilds of avian species in subsistence use 145 Figure 5:3 Distribution of Total Importance Score – K -Means cluster analysis 147 Figure 6.2 Species distribution model of Blue Bird of Paradise 162 Figure 6.3 Contemporary suitable habitat of the Blue Bird of Paradise at Karimui 166 List of Tables Table 1.1 Population density of case study site (smaller constituencies) 16 Table 2.1 Bird species sold in NCD 1974 – 1975 43 Table 2.2 Cost of birds 1965 – 1985 45 Table 2.3 Informal sector 47 Table 2.4 CITES and Solomon Islands (Shephards et al 2012) 49 Table 2.5 Main hypothesis that explain bird species loss 54 Table 2.6 Summary of difference in TEK and SEK 60 Table 3.1 Timeframe summary of study by sites 74 Table 3.2 Cost of species by main bird group 83 Table 3.3 Bird species sold in Port Moresby (NCD) 88 Table 3.4 Participants and the years of feathers (plumes) in their possession 89 Table 4.1 Karimui population densities of constituencies 100 Table 4.2 Sites and numbers of participating hunters 106 Table 4.3 Hunters response to taboo sites 112 Table 4.4 Birds of Paradise hunted over study period 116 Table 4.5 Summary statistics of elevation and distance covered by hunters 119 Table 5.1 Rabinowitz’s forms of rarity based on range, abundance, and habitat specificity 139 Table 5.2 Mean rarity by Order/family 141 Table 5.3 Species often hunted, traded, and used as headdress 143 Table 5.4 Species and rarity categories and population trends as observed by IUCN 144 Table 5.5 Mean mass of species within each Rabinowitz rarity category 145 vi Table 6.1 19 Bioclimatic variables used in Species Distribution 158 Table 6.2 AIC and BIC values for ENM for contemporary and future scenarios 163 List of Plates Plate 2.1 Simbai man & headdress (Photographer M. Dozier) 31 Plate 2.2 Ubaigubi family 1960s (Photographer D. Gillison) 35 Plate 3.1 Typical Chimbu Headdress (2012) PNGIBR 73 Plate 3.2 Birds traded during the study 87 Plate 4.1 Karamui (Pawaiian) headdress - Chimbu Province 102 Plate 4.2 Bena Bena headdress - Eastern Highlands Province 103 Plate 6.1 Secondary regrowth cleared with aid of fire for planting typical vegetables 164 Plate 6.2 View at Yuro village looking southwards past Pinero airstrip 167 List of Appendices Appendix 3.1 Trade data collection sheet 184 Appendix 3.2 Cultural Festival sheet 187 Appendix 3.3 Species by source site 188 Appendix 3.4 Interviewees and species traded 189 Appendix 3.5 Cultural groups interviewees 195 Appendix 4.1 Hunter survey questionnaire 199 Appendix 4.2 Datasheet sites outside Karimui 204 Appendix 4.3 Hunted wildlife and months 205 Appendix 4.4 Hunted and traded wildlife 218 Appendix 5.1 Full priority species list 221 Appendix 6.1 Point count data sheet 226 Appendix 6.2 Species list point count survey 228 Appendix 6.3 Contemporary and projected scenarios for 2050 and 2070 234 vii Thesis Abstract Escalating anthropogenic impacts on tropical biodiversity have amplified the vulnerability of endemic species. Selective harvesting of species is one of the major threats to birds and mammal species in the tropics. Many indigenous cultures, however, have long established cultural associations with certain species. The hunting and trade of species have been mainly for subsistence and socio-cultural ties within their communities.