Pacific Islands FORESTS & TREES

No. 3/95 September 1995

NATURAL FOREST MANAGEMENT & LOGGING WORKSHOP INSIDE

During July 1995, 14 Pacific men and women cally sustainable natural forest management. 2 News /updates foresters were lucky enough to be chosen by This was hosted by the Innoprise Corporation 3 Nutrition of high value timber their country to attend a Natural Forest Man- Sdn Bhd from their Luasong Forestry Camp. agement and Logging Workshop organised by trees the UNDP/FAO South Pacific Forestry Devel- (c) A week of field and classroom sessions 4 Building on past agroforestry opment Program. Twelve represented their examining various aspects of natural forest country's forest authority, and two represented management including post logging forest experiences in Fiji NGOs. The workshop was organised in re- evaluation, development of silvicultural op- sponse to a communique issued by the July tions, eco-tourism and funding through the 5 Promising indigenous tree 1994 Heads of Forestry meeting which ex- use of carbon off -set credits. A highlight was a species for plantations in pressed "profound concern for the ecologically presentation on the findings of the Ministry of unsustainable rate of forest exploitation now oc- Forestry /CIRAD-Foret STREK project (the ac- W. Samoa curring within several island countries" and which ronym for "The development of Silvicultural 6 Review of PNG National Forest accorded high priority to a regional training Techniques for the Regeneration of logged -over workshop on natural forest management and rainforest in East Kalimantan"). This part of the and Conservation Action logging practices. workshop was organised by CIFOR, and held Programme at Innoprise's Danum Valley Field Centre. The workshop consisted of: 8 Tonga Coastal Reforestation and (d) A visit to the Forest Research Institute of (a) An eight day training course in Harvesting Malaysia (FRIM). Protection Project Planning and Management run at the 11 Carbon offsets and forestry: Queensland Forestry Training Centre in All aspects of the workshop were practical, Gympie, Queensland, by Forestman. and participants spent much of their time in an introduction the field on foot, huffing and puffing their way (b) A week visiting logging operations in Sabah, through the forest or up and down skid trails. Malaysia, including conventional logging, re- Participants found the logging planning and duced impact logging (or RIL), and a compari- management course in Gympie a very useful son of the two in terms of achieving ecologi- and practical basis for evaluating logging prac- Quote "Some day, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, weshallharness theenergies of love. Then, for the second time in the history of the world, Man will have discovered fire," Teilhard de Chardin

tices seen in the field, and for evaluating the opportunities for improvement in their own countries.

The opportunity to directly compare the ef- fects of conventional free -style logging and RIL was especially useful. Participants agreed that some of the free -style logging seen in Sabah was more destructive than any of them had ever seen in the Pacific. Post logging evaluations undertaken by the participants showed clearly that the conventional logging had effectively destroyed the forest, whereas the RIL operations enabled logging to be undertaken in such a way that both forest productivity was protected, and environ- mental impact was minimised. The unit cost Participants at Gympie of RIL logging was estimated to be only Cont'd on page 2 September 1995 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees

News/Updates

Agroforestry Development in Tonga - W. Samoa, arrived in Nadi, Fiji for a briefing on FAO Regional Expert Consultation on FAO/TCP/TON/4451 26 August with SPFDP before proceeding to Development and Application of Tonga, Cook Islands, Pohnpei (FSM) and Palau Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Patrick over Mr. Evans, FAO consultant, stopped to conduct the second series of roving water- Management, 03-06 October 1995, to informally brief in Nadi, Fiji on 03 June shed management workshops. They will give Bangkok, Thailand. SPFDP, GTZ Regional Forestry Project and a debriefing on their mission on 27 Sept. at the CIRAD-Foret in Fiji, on the Mr. Ram Swarup, Conservator of Forests, Fiji, representative Heads of Forestry meeting in Nadi, Fiji. The findings of his six-month mission in Tonga. has been nominated by FAO for this meeting. mission is funded by USDA Forest Service and The formal briefing was provided at FAO Rome SPFDP, with the support of the respective Gov- after the Nadi stopover. FORSPA Training Workshop on ernments. Forestry Research Strategy Formulation Forest Sector Study Kiribati Mangrove Assessment and Planning, 19-25 Nov. 1995, and Implications on Forest Policy Chieng Mai, Thailand. Mr. William Metz, USDA Forest Service, arrived Dr. Robert Thistlethwaite, of Integlan Pty., Aus- Mr. Semion Iputu, Senior Research Officer, For- in Suva, Fiji for a debriefing on 21 August with tralia, arrived in Suva, Fiji for a briefing on 26 estry Division, Solomon Islands and Mr. Joseph SPFDP before proceeding to Kiribati to carry June with UNDP and SPFDP before proceed- out an assessment of their mangrove forests. Tungon, Ag. Head of Research, Forestry De- ing to Vanuatu to carry out the above study partment, Vanuatu, have been nominated by Mr. Metz will describe and assess the man- under UNDP/TSS-1 funding. He will provide grove resources present, and make recommen- FAO for this workshop. a briefing on his findings and recommenda- dations for their long term use, management tions at UNDP Suva on 02 October 1995. and development. He will present the results Roving Watershed Management of his mission in Nadi on 30 September, one Workshops day after the Heads of Forestry meeting ends. His mission is funded by the USDA Forest Dr. James McKean, USDA Forest Service, and Service and SPFDP, with the support of the Mr. Pradip Baisyet, CTA UNDP/FAO Water- Government of Kiribati. shed and Conservation Education Project in

Cont'd from page 1 marginally more than for conventional log- framework, and by providing the resources the inspiration for the very popular "Western ging, but the average yield per hectare was required to effect change to their forest au- Samoan Leech Dance." reduced mainly due to the larger unlogged thorities. Without political will the chances of buffer zones along water courses, and the ex- achieving ecologically sustainable forest man- Overall participants considered the workshop clusion of steep areas. agement (except for trial and demonstration to be very successful, and many lessons were areas) are remote. NGOs are considered to learnt with applicability to their own coun- Two key lessons which came out of the work- have a key role to play in convincing Govern- tries. They wish to record their thanks to the shop are that: ments of the value of sustainable forestry man- organisers and contributors, in particular agement practices. SPFDP and the Innoprise Corporation of Sabah. (a) Ecologically sustainable logging is possi- The participant's view is that should others be ble. It requires that logging is treated as an The workshop also provided an opportunity lucky enough to have a similar opportunity, integral part of forest productivity and the for participants to experience and enjoy cul- they should grab it with both hands. environment. This in turn requires appropri- ture and wildlife not seen before. The Kadazan ate scale topographic maps (at minimum people at Luasong Camp put on a much appre- Participants came from Fiji (2), Vanuatu (4) 1:50,000 with a 20m contour interval), and typi- ciated and enjoyed cultural performance. Many Solomon Islands (3) Papua New Guinea (3), cally more field staff for planning, monitoring of the participants had their first attempt at Western Samoa (1) and the Federated States of and control. doing the Hornbill dance, but none could match Micronesia (1) the adept foot stepping required for the stick (b) Effecting change to more forest and envi- dance - the risk of getting feet caught between ronment friendly practices can be a challenge. two fast moving and very solid sticks was just (From Generally change does not happen quickly. too great. The wild life which left the greatest Ben Everts Governments with the will can speed the impression were the wild orangutans and Forest Authority change to ecologically sustainable forest man- monkeys, and the tiger leeches. The leeches PNG agement by creating an effective regulatory will be particularly remembered as they were Accompanying resource person)

Cont'd from page 9

In short, the Forestry Division of the Ministry 1) co -management of the current site by the involve more communities in self-moti of Agriculture and Forestry in the Kingdom of people of Houma and the Forestry Divi vated coastal protection and reforestation Tonga has been able to develop a model for sion; efforts, with appropriate extension assist coastal reforestation and a system for collect- 2) carrying out an inventory and the close ance and the provision of selected planting ing and preparing appropriate salt -tolerant in- monitoring of the reforested area at the materials by the Forestry Division. digenous coastal species for replanting. The Houma; If carried out, such activities could ensure the results should be widely applicable to other 3) the refinement of propagation, planting long-term success of the project and help to coastal sites in Tonga and elsewhere in the and maintenance techniques; spread the benefits and technology through- Pacific Islands. Species that should be consid- 4) selected enrichment planting and experi out Tonga. ered are shown in Table 2. mentation with new species at the Houma (by R.R. Thaman, Prof of Pac. Is. Biogeography, site; USP, Suva. It is strongly recommended that the project be 5) the use of the existing site as a demon A.Smith, Coastal Management Officer, SPREP. continued and funding be sought. However, stration and training site and a source of T.Faka'osi, Head of Forestry, Tonga. the emphasis during the second phase should planting materials for the future; and L. Filiai, Forestry Ext. Officer, focus on: 6) the development of training programs to Forestry Division, Tonga).

2 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees September 1995

Nutrition of High Value Timber Trees The nutrition of high value tropical timber tree an effective medium for the production of They used a slow -release fertiliser (blend of species in the Solomon Islands, Niue and Aus- Gmelina arborea from cuttings. Unfortunately, 'nutricote blue' and 'nutricote black') at rates tralia is being investigated in a project sup- when no fertilisers are applied, growers have of up to 48 grams of fertiliser per litre of coir ported by the Australian Centre for Interna- experienced serious problems in obtaining and tested four species (Gmelina arborea, Tectona tional Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The aim good growth in species such as Tectona grandis, grandis, Cedrela odorata, and Flindersia brayleyana of the research is to improve the establishment Cedrela odorata and Acacia mangium, which are (Queensland maple)). The team found that 8 to and early growth of plantations by addressing raised from seed. For example, growth of 12 grams of slow -release fertiliser per litre of nutritional problems in both the nursery and Cedrela seedlings was very poor (see diagram) coir produced maximum dry weight for three the field. and plants appeared unhealthy. of the species tested. Amazingly, Cedrela odorata had not reached maximum dry weight even at The following is an account of some of the However, even adding soluble fertilisers was 48 grams per litre! research that has been conducted in the Solo- not much better than when no fertiliser was mon Islands in collaboration with research staff added. (The researchers thought that the solu- Thus the team have identified which fertilisers at Kolombangara Forest Products Limited ble fertilisers were probably leached from the are best and how much is required for each (KFPL). The Australian research staff are from coir and were thus ineffective, under the high species when grown in the nursery situation at CSIRO (Division of Soils) and the Queensland frequency watering regime in the nursery). the KFPL nursery. Research is continuing to Forest Research Institute. However, by using slow -release fertilisers, they incorporate this knowledge into operational obtained much healthier and bigger plants (see practices for routine nursery use at KFPL. Nursery Nutrition diagram and photograph). The researchers also The nursery research has focused on improv- found that not all slow -release fertilisers were Field Nutrition ing the quality and growth rate of nursery equally effective. In parallel with the above research, the team stock by optimising fertiliser use. had identified nutritional factors that affect the The next step was to determine how much establishment and early growth of high value The KFPL nursery presently uses locally pro- slow-release fertiliser was required to produce cabinet timbers on plantation soils (fine tex- duced coir (ground coconut husk) as a potting maximum seedling growth so that fertiliser tured, deeply and highly weathered soils of medium Coir is readily available, has good (and money) was not wasted, and that produc- basaltic origin). These experiments were done water holding capacity, and has proven to be tion time in the nursery could be minimised. with both pot trials in the nursery and field

Improved growth of Cedrela odorata through good nutrition in a coir-based potting medium. The centre basket has not received any fertiliser. The outside baskets received small amounts of a slow -release fertiliser.

Cont'd on page 4 3 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees September 1995 Building on Past Agroforestry Experiences in Fiji

A workshop was held in cooperation with 13 participants, when asked "What is agroforestry", approach of including the knowledge of farm- extension officers of MAFF (Ministry of Agri- gave only one answer: Calliandra. ers and extension staff in future activities with culture, Fisheries and Forest/FIJI) from 21-25 RRA and PRA methods was also mentioned. It August 1995 at CATD, Nadave. The workshop So our main task in the future will be to widen was also said that in the near future more addressed former agroforestry experiences by the view of farmers and extension staff. There workshops like this should be conducted for the staff, who were trained in the former three is a wide variety of A/F species in Fiji right the other extension staff, so that their knowl- years in the field of agroforestry (A /F). It was now. Different A/F methods could be prac- edge and practices can also be included. the first step from A/F training courses to- tised here, including traditional A/F-systems. wards a participatory approach together with The very positive result was that we have extension staff in a workshop atmosphere this The former practical work focused more or less started from now on to spread the news, that year. The A/F-unit felt that the work done so on hedgerow cultivation on contour lines with A/F will no longer be restricted to Calliandra far should be evaluated by the trained officers six meter wide alleys for cashcrops like ginger, hedges in Fiji and that we will focus on a wide themselves. taro and cassava. Promising results were men- variety of perennials like shrubs and trees with tioned by the Livestock staff, where a signifi- multipurpose use. Uses can range from fruits, We invited officers from all regions and differ- cant improvement in fodder for dairy -cattle nuts, timber, building material, fuelwood, ent departments (for example Livestock and could be achieved. Also the good fuelwood shade and support, soil improvement, medi- Cashcrop Extension staff). Everybody had to quality of Calliandra was mentioned. A lot of cine, natural pesticides, to protein rich fodder present his past experiences in A/F and the environmental problems were discussed. Soil for livestock and others. To turn at least some A/F-unit prepared an overall review of the erosion on steep slope cashcrop cultivation of these ideas into practice it was suggested, approaches and goals of the former A /F project. was especially mentioned. that we should conduct more training or An outlook into future activities and ap- awareness courses together with the farmers proaches was also done. As a result of the workshop we can say that our and improve cooperation with the Livestock A/F-unit should in future focus more on the unit. The A/F unit will, as a result of the After long, intensive discussions, one of the needs of the farmers and on integration of crop review and the workshop, react and widen the conclusions was that the former project had and livestock by combining different A/F approach towards the farmers' needs. put too much focus on A/F with one single methods with ecological goals and environ- species (Calliandra callothyrsus), which was in- mentally friendly practices in order to con- (by H.W. Raedler, GTZ AF -trainer, troduced from other countries. Most of the serve and sustain our natural resources. A new Nausori, Fiji)

Coned from page 3 trials at sites representative of those used for tion practices. Under different circumstances, (by Dr. Mike Webb (Research Scientist), plantations. simple experiments like those described above Grace. Mazza (Technical Officer), can be conducted to determine the optimum Dr. Paul Reddell (Project Leader), Results from the pot experiments demonstrated fertiliser use for that particular situation. CSIRO-Soils, that phosphorus was the major nutrient limit- Aitkenvale, QLD 4814, Australia. ing growth of Cedrela seedlings on the most The researchers from Australia are currently Douglas Poa (Research Officer), widespread plantation soil in Kolombangara. compiling a Research Methods Manual with Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd, Other results have suggested that other nutri- its focus on the design and interpretation of PO Box 382, Honiara, Solomon Islands. ents, most probably nitrogen and, in some cases tree nutrition experiments. This manual should Alison Hambleton (Research Forester) zinc and iron, are also limiting growth on these be available by the end of 1995. QFRI,P0 Box 210, Atherton, QLD 4883, soils. Australia).

Field trials confirm that phosphorus is the major Coir Fertiliser Trial with Cedrela odorata limiting nutrient in the growth of Gmelina and (age 10 weeks) teak and that the current rates of phosphorus 1.0 fertilisation are probably inadequate for maxi- mum growth. A second field trial has been 0.8 established to more closely determine exactly how much phosphorus needs to be added to this soil to achieve the optimal growth rates. 0.6

The close collaboration between KFPL research 0.4 staff and Australian research staff has enabled the team to suggest appropriate improvements 0.2 in nursery and field nutrition practices that are in line with KFPL's current operational strate- P7771 gies. It has also provided an opportunity to 0.0 demonstrate techniques in designing experi- w ments so that other staff are more confident in =cl) < 7-E establishing their own experiments. o a) C Z LL zci Can these results be useful elsewhere? 0 The researchers consider that these results will CO applicable to other areas with similar soils and climate and to nurseries with similar produc- September 1995 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees Promising Indigenous Tree Species for Plantations in W. Samoa

Summary through the secondary forest and ringbarking the upper canopy, rather than stem breakage. Information on growth rates of trees of known any trees which overhang the line. Lines were Stems were characteristically fluted and slightly age and end -use was used to evaluate the po- spaced at an interval of 10m and trees were crooked. tential of seven indigenous species for use in planted at 2m intervals along the line. The the reforestation programme currently being source of planting material for this trial was Intsia bijuga was found to be slow growing and conducted in W. Samoa. wildings (seedlings uplifted from native for- of bad form for a timber producing tree but ests) for all species except Flueggia flexuosa and further research on selection and silviculture is Height growth in the first 12 months was rapid Calophyllum neo-ebudicum, which were propa- recommended because of the local importance for three of the indigenous species, namely gated from seed. of the species and its threatened status in the Flueggia flexuosa (145cm), Garuga floribunda wild. (134cm), and Calophyllum neoebudicum (67cm). Trial 2 Table 1. Mean height at 12 months of age Another promising species which is known to In addition to the above, it was possible to and no. (n) of trees assessed. grow well and produce good general purpose locate and remeasure some individual trees sawn timber is Terminalia richii. and older trials of Terminalia richii, (Malili), Species Ht (cm) N Pometia pinnata and Intsia bijuga. Introduction Flueggea flexuosa 145.4 54 - Terminalia richii, planted 1972 at Masamasa, Garuga floribunda 133.6 54 With technical assistance and funding from Savaii. Assessment of this stand involved Calophyllum neo- New Zealand, the Forestry Division of W. Sa- measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH) ebudicum 66.4 191 moa has undertaken a major program of line of all 34 undamaged trees within a 50 by 50m Intsia bijuga 55.7 72 planting of exotic timber species. plot subjectively located within the compart- Pometia pinnata 53.3 63 ment which has a total area of around 2 ha. Top Planchonella torricellensis 49.2 108 At least 17 species, all of them exotic, have been height was measured on three trees. used operationally since the reforestation Syzygium sp. 43.9 176 program began in the mid 1970's. Many species - Pometia pinnata, planted 1974 at Masamasa. were found to be unsuitable for various rea- Seventeen trees were measured for DBH and Conclusions sons, including heart rot, slow growth rate and top height measurements were made on three high susceptibility to wind damage. trees. It was not possible to estimate stocking Planting of Flueggia flexuosa should be main- rates because a number of the original trees tained at around 5% of the annual planting The current research was initiated to evaluate had been felled by farmers encroaching on the program. As well as having rapid initial growth, the potential of the well-known indigenous site. it is also easy to propagate from seed and quickly no tree species for line planting. The objective is to produces poles which require pinpoint several indigenous species which -Intsia bijuga, planted 1985 at Cpt 108.4 (14 ha) processing and are in demand in rural areas for style grow quickly and produce good timber as a at Aopo, Savaii. Several individual trees of traditional house construction. part substitute for exotic species in the plant- known age were assessed as well. ing programme. To date, little research has Based on current information, Terminalia richii been carried out to properly evaluate the suit- Results and Discussion appears to be the most favoured choice of ability of indigenous species under line planting indigenous species to grow in plantations for conditions. In Trial 1, which involved measuring early general purpose timber because of its proven growth trends, good height growth was ob- growth performance, good resistance to cyclone It has also become evident that some indig- served for two species, Flueggia flexuosa and damage and good timber properties'. Research enous species may be more resistant to cyclone Garuga floribunda (Table 1). Height growth of is required on techniques for vegetative propagation of this species because trees in W. damage which has recently caused a major re- around 1.5 to 2m in the first year is considered Samoa have not produced seeds since the two evaluation of exotic species suitability in W. acceptable in W. Samoa for exotic timber spe- Samoa. cies such as Eucalyptus pellita'. Maintenance and cyclones. observation will be carried out to determine Materials and Methods longer term growth trends for all these species. References

' Woods, -P.V. and Aspinall, Q. 1995: Early Trial 1 In Trial 2, involving measurement of older trees, the Terminalia richii, measured at 22 years growth of Eticalyptus pellita on a range of sites in W. Samoa. FAO Forest Genetic Resources Seven indigenous species were planted in a 20 - of age, consisted of 136 unbroken stems per Information (in press). ha compartment at Masamasa in Savaii, W. hectare, with a mean DBH of 38.7cm and a top 2 Wilcox, M.D. 1991: Species review for W. Samoa. The species (with Samoan common height of around 28m. The most common form Samoa plantation forestry programme, New names in brackets) planted were Pometia pinnata of cyclone damage was stem breakage at 6-10m Zealand Ministry of External Relations and (tava), Calophyllum neo-ebudicum (tamanu), from the ground. Two cyclones Val and Ofa in Trade. Intsia bijuga (ifilele), Syzygium sp. (asi), Garuga 1990 and 1991, reduced an overstocked stand floribunda (magaui), Flueggia flexuosa (poumuli) (>300sph, est) to a well stocked stand, assum- (by Tolusina Pouli, and Planchonella torricellensis (mamalava). ing no further loss of stems. The stand suffered significantly less damage than neighboring Etenei Tuilaepa Division of Forestry, Min of Agric, Forests, Standard practices of land preparation and stands of exotic species during the cyclones. Fisheries and Meteorology, W. Samoa tending which have been developed for line and Paul V. Woods planting of exotic species in W. Samoa were The Pometia pinnata stand had a mean DBH of Forestry Devt Project, carried out. This involves clearing a two -metre 37.4cm and a top height of around 17m. Cyclone Groome Poyry, W. Samoa) swath of weeds and understorey in lines damage took the form of broken branches in

5 September 1995 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees Review of PNG National Forest and Conservation Action Programme

PREFACE Manager, NFA kindly allowed us access to ued, in DFP (or the proposed national planning The Review Team of Meg Taylor, Phillip 'their Conference room and facilities. UNDP agency), with appropriate administrative and Siaguru, John Millet, and Lance Hill was tasked generously funded the review and Mr. J. Bisa financial support. with evaluating the success or otherwise of the facilitated our work. Staff of the KGID Project, (Action: DFP) NFCAP over the past five years. The four of us and in particular Mr. T. Vigus, provided in- came together as individuals who have been valuable assistance in West New Britain. We The Technical Support Project (TSP) has involved in different aspects of Papua New appreciated the detailed presentations from been successful in driving NFCAP I. The Guinea's development over the past twenty major donors - World Bank, AIDAB, IIED, and pioposed reorientation of NFCAP II (rec- years; all of us were well aware of the devastat- UNDP. Finally, the unstinting assistance from ommendation 2) will require a continu- ing effects past practice in the forest industry Ms. T. Moseturi who worked with us for the ing TSP, but comprising different exper- had on individuals, people in our communi- duration of the Review, has been highly re- tise. ties, our forests and indeed Papua New Guin- garded. To all we say thank you. ea's international reputation. These had been Recommendation 5: eloquently and painstakingly described in the RECOMMENDATIONS The TSP component will be: twenty volumes of the Barnett Enquiry. NGO advisory NFCAP has been partially successful in - Landowner awareness advisory The Government responded appropriately by achieving its objectives. Environment resource economist advisory hosting a World Bank Mission and embracing (Action: NFCAP Coordinator) a National Forestry and Conservation Action Recommendation 1 (a): Plan. Implementation of its various facets has NFCAP should continue but requires a strong The existing National Forest Policy re been beset with a range of problems: under- and explicit political commitment to lates to the productive wood sector. In the standable suspicion between players, bureau- sustainability and conservation in the forest light of NSDS, there is a need to develop cratic inertia, failures in capacity of our organi- sector. a policy, by a broad consultative process sation, differences in donor agendas, abuse of (Action: Prime Minister and NEC) with landowners, taking into account the process and the pressures of continuing brib- wider service and productive aspects of ery and corruption. Recommendation 1 (b): the forest resource. Effective implementation requires a transpar- Our terms of reference did not call for investi- ent administrative and legal process in forest Recommendation 6: gation or comment on some of these aspects. sector backed by adequate financial and hu- NSDS process define a sustainable forest and However, during the course of our widespread man resources. conservation policy statement by means of a discussions we were presented with verbal (Action: DFP, NFA & DEC) consultative process. accounts and examples of on -going harass- (Action: NSDS Steering Committee) ment including physical abuse to the extent of NFCAP has been successful in institu- threats to the lives of individuals; also with tional strengthening but less successful There is a lack of co-ordination in natural various examples of abuse of procedure and in enhancing resource owner involvement resource use planning, within a frame process. It is sad to note that our forestry sector and the field operations of NFA and work of longer term national planning, is still riddled with many of the unsavoury DEC. linked to local level planning at commu- features revealed by the Barnett Enquiry. nity and provincial levels. Recommendation 2: We would like to record our concern that pro- NFCAP II be orientated to rectifying this im- Recommendation 7: fessional public servants, and indeed some of balance by; Establish a strategic planning function within the machinery of Government e.g. at DFP, PM our politicians, are being subject to this sort of - rationalisation of an accelerated landowner abuse. They are tasked with serving our coun- awareness/mobilisation programme; OR NPO which could integrate the NSDS proc- try and people with integrity and professional- strengthening local level capacity in forest ess. (Action: PM and NEC) ism. It is a tribute to NFCAP that it has achieved management; considerable success. More importantly it is a non -timber forest products, and biodiver- Natural Resource tribute to the resilience, commitment and hon- sity products and services evaluation; Use Database: There is a availability of natu- esty of many of the staff (both national and promoting greater awareness of NFCAP need for the wider expatriate) involved that haven't given up but aims and objectives, programmes, projects, ral resource data and information. The PNGRIS Database project has made a continue to work tirelessly to build a better results and opportunities; tomorrow in the forestry sector. Much more (Action: NFCAP Steering Committee) useful contribution to this need. remains to be done: we hope NFCAP II will 8 (a): achieve what NFCAP I has started. It must The NFCAP Steering Committee - despite Recommendation The membership of the PNGRIS user group empower our communities to take control of some problems, has provided a forum for their own destiny in an increasingly complex discussion and co-ordination of projects. be broadened to include other interested parties such as; provincial governments, world for this is what 'integral human devel- universities, landowner groups and NGOs. opment' and ecological sustainability is about. Recommendation 3: (Action: We further hope that this review of the past The NFCAP Steering committee should be re- PNGRISUserCommittee) five years will contribute to furthering this tained, but its effectiveness must be enhanced process. by the designation of senior (e.g.: FAS level) Recommendation 8 (b): agency representation, with the delegated This database must be made available to institutions in PNG, (such as UPNG and The review process is described in Annex 4. At mandate to make binding decisions. It would UNITECH) who a public seminar towards the end of that proc- also be desirable to include representation from do not have full access to ess the team accepted the suggestion that ac- FIA. it. tion agencies be designated in the recommen- (Action: All affected agencies) (Action: PNGRUserCommittee) dations. How they fulfil these roles is a matter for them and the Steering Committee. The NFCAP Co-ordinator has played a pi- Recommendation 8 (c): votal role in the process. - Training of PNG nationals in the use of PNGRIS We would like to acknowledge the splendid should be undertaken within country. co-operation rendered by everyone. In par- Recommendation 4: ticular, the Managing Director and General The NFCAP Co-ordinator's position be contin- (Action: PNGRISUserCommittee)

6 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees September 1995

The Forest Act is basically sound except Develop pear guidelines (within the logg- HRD (Human Resource Development) for Section 19. The Act provides for the ing code) on follow-up silvicultural prac- Capacity building at the local level is lac- necessary checks and balances and for tices. king in forest resource planning, mana- the participation of landowners and Develop an evaluation system to assess gement and monitoring. NGOs. It does not need change; enforce- implementation of the code of practice. ment is required. However, effective im Certified training of logging and chain saw Recommendation 16: plementation of the Act is hampered by operators should be included in the HRD accelerate training workshops at land- the lack of National and Provincial Forest project. owner level to address the above. Plans, and operational regulations such Ensure the early involvement of landow- provide funding support to enable NGO's as licensing provisions, forms and aspects ners in monitoring and post -harvest regen- in developing pictorial manuals on sustai- of the revenue system. Sustainability has eration activities funded through the reaf- nable management. not yet been demonstrated in current for- forestation levy. (Action: NFCAP Steering Committee) estry operations for this and other reason. (Action: NFA&DEC) Technical Capacity Strengthening: Recommendation 9: Financial implications; because of the NFCAP has involved a considerable Prepare National and Provincial Forest current public finance deficit, the opera- number of technical advisors. Opportu- Plans. tions of the NFA have been obstructed nities have been missed for national tech- Draft Regulations e.g. the border surveillance monitoring nical capacity building. Renegotiate sustainable cut, permit by per programme is currently in jeopardy with mit, within the context of Provincial For- the potential loss of considerable rev- Recommendation 17: est Plans or major watersheds enue for the country. To the maximum extent possible technical ad- Introduce performance bond visors should be drawn from within country; (Action: NFA) Recommendation 13 (a): where overseas recruitment is necessary there It is recommended that a concessional loan be should be mandatory local counterparts. The large scale downstream processing raised by the NFA specifically earmarked for requirement in the guidelines was based the monitoring operations. NGO (Non Government Organisation): on inadequate analysis and is in conflict (Action: DFP&NFA) NFCAP has provided opportunities for with the revenue system; the FIDS is not significant participation by NGOs. meaningful; and there are some actual Recommendation 13 (b): investment proposals awaiting evalua- The World Bank continue to be the lead agency, Recommendation 18: tion. in co-ordinating donor funded programmes Further capacity building is required. for NFCAP II. Recommendation 10 (a): (Action: DFP/OIDA&NFCAP Coordinator) Tasks to be completed include: Department of Finance and Planning to: conduct project preparation workshops Evaluate these investment proposals Recommendation 13 (c): and follow-up training for NGOs. Re-evaluate the large scale processing The AIDAB Trust Fund or a similar mechanism establish a register of people who can and strategy be continued for the support of on -going and are prepared to act as medium term 'change Establish the explicit permissible subsidy new landowner and NGO initiatives. agents' at the community level. for employment generation from process- (Action: DFP/OIDA&NFCAP Coordinator) develop an NGO directory of capacities ing. and needs. (Action: DFP&NFA) Alternative forest use: The NFCAP proc- conduct specific projects in LO/NGO ess has not raised substantial income al- awareness and skills assessment to be of Recommendation 10 (b): ternatives for the use forest resources carried out. National Forest Authority to: by landowners and the State. conduct "team" and skills workshops, focu- Promote small scale processing for domes- sing on resource management andalterna- tic and niche export markets Recommendation 14: fives for landowners. Phase out log export, geared to the dem- investigate marketing significant areas of and from small scale processing. PNG's forests as major global "carbon sink" (Action: NFCAP Steering Committee/TSP- (Action: NFA&DCI) assets, biodiversity prospecting etc. NGO Advisor/TSP-Landowner Awareness accessing GEF and other donor funds for Advisor) Delays in implementing the Revenue Sys- the establishment of a major Trust Fund to tem have cost resource owners money. provide developmental services to com- Sustained yield: Limited scientific data munities that choose not to use the forest means it is not possible to provide a resource for commercial timber produc- Recommendation 11: concise definition of sustained yield by A Revenue system with the following features tion purposes. species or area. be implemented urgently: explore other revenue mechanisms for the Progressive export tax and fixed charges State to rent intact forests for biological Recommendation 19: Not less than 50% of FOB value going to the and cultural uses. a) Precautionary practice and a conservative resource owner and the State prepare detailed project evaluations, for approach to allowable cut is urged until Performance bond the marketing of non -timber forest prod- higher sustainable cuts can be demons Not less than 40% of Resource owners ucts, heritage and eco and community trated. income going to a Development Trust. based tourism. (Action: NFA&DFP) (Action: NFCAP Steering Committee) b) A continued research effort, based on stan- dardised methodologies into sustained Monitoring and control; there is inade- Landownermobilisation: The land groups yield, regeneration and growth is required. quate control and monitoring of logging incorporation process is pivotal to land- This should be based at FRI, but draw on operations, specifically on aspects of silvi- owner empowerment. It is a tool for all - both in -country and overseas expertise. cultural systems. resource development projects. Further (Action: NF,FRI&Universities) capacity building is required. Recommendation 12: 15: - -NFA to develop a logging code of practice Recommendation (From "Review of the (PNG) The land groups incorporation process be and conduct, in consultation with Depart- National Forest and Conservation rationalised and relocated out of sector de- ment of Environment and Conservation, Action Programme", partments, so that it's clients are the land- Water Resources Board, Forest Industry by Meg Taylor, Phillip Siaguru, owners and not the departments. Association, and resource owners. John Millet, and Lance Hill). (Action: NFCAP Steering Committee)

7 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees September1995

Tonga Coastal Reforestation and Protection Project

The Tonga Coastal Protection and Reforesta- tion Project was funded by AusAID through SPREP, at the request of the Tongan Govern- ment. The project was implemented by the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agricul- ture and Forestry (MAF) with technical sup- port from SPREP and University of the South Pacific (USP) to address problems created by years of indiscriminate coastal deforestation.

As a result of these problems, the Prime Minis- ter of Tonga, the Honourable Baron Vaea, who is also the noble of the Houma area, approached Dr. Vili Fuavao, the Director of SPREP, to fund pilot coastal reforestation efforts in the Houma area on the southwest coast of Tonga's main island of Tongatapu. After reconnaissance vis- its to the proposed site, a project proposal was prepared and submitted to SPREP and AusAID by the Forestry Division onbehalf of the Tongan Government. The proposal, for a two-year project, was funded at a level of $US12,000 by AusAID through SPREP.

Project Objectives Loloma'ania Filiai with newly planted coastal species proteced by a Casuarina windbreak The main project objective was to design and on the left. implement a coastal reforestation and protec- tion strategy that could address serious prob- lems caused by coastal deforestation and ex- tion from weeds. The eastern and western These became the species of preference for cessive salt spray and wind damage. A second- boundaries of the project area were fenced to collection and transplanting in the latter stages ary objective was to develop effective commu- demarcate the reforestation area and to mini- of the project. nity -based programs for coastal reforestation mise disturbance to the plantings from both and protection. It was also hoped that lessons people and free ranging animals. Signs were The majority of plants were collected as seed- learned from the project could be used to ad- erected which included information about the lings from natural regeneration in remaining dress similar problems in other Pacific Islands. project. littoral forests on Tongatapu. These seedlings were transplanted into polythene bags and Site Description As indiscriminate burning and wild fires were taken to the Forestry Nursery at Tokomololo The project site is located in a rocky, uplifted a serious threat to the success of the project, a where they were cared for until they were windward coastal area near Houma on the five metre -wide firebreak was cleared along considered strong enough or large enough to windward coast of southwestern Tongatapu. the inland boundary of the entire cleared area. be transplanted to the project site. Table 1 The reforestation efforts have been focused on The firebreak was initially planted with two to summarises information on the names, source a zone between the landward edge of the exist- four rows of cassava (manioke) to assist in of planting material, method of propagation, ing degraded salt-tolerant scrub and vegeta- keeping the area free of grasses and combusti- approximate time required in nursery, and total tion and the seaward edge of the cropping area ble vegetation, and to demarcate the planting numbers propagated and planted and estimated of adjacent inland agricultural allotments. The area so that people would not trample or drive survival rate for the species collected and/or width of the actual reforestation (planting) zone vehicles over the young trees within the refor- planted at the site. Table 2 is a complete list of ranges from about 5 to 25m, and averages estation site. Although two major fires occurred those species that could be considered for about 12m in width, depending on the distance in October 1993 and again in October 1994, the protection or reforestation throughout the Pa- from the sea, the state of existing littoral veg- firebreak proved effective in protecting the cific Islands. etation, and the nature of the soil and terrain, planting from serious damage. At the onset of the project, the existing coastal Planting and Maintenance littoral vegetation was in a very degraded state, Plant Collection and Propagation Almost all seedlings were transplanted to the with most of the original littoral forest trees A key aspect of the project was the collection of Houma site from the Tokomololo Nursery. having been cut down or seriously damaged seeds and the propagation and collection of After the initial plantings, selected enrichment by fire, salt spray or human abuse. seedlings for transplanting and direct planting planting was carried out to improve species to the site. The selection of species was based composition and stock density. Site Preparation on a plant's ability to tolerate salt spray, resist- The clearing and demarcation of the area in- ance to wind, growth characteristics and avail- Maintenance consisted of frequent weeding or volved clearing by manual labour of Guinea ability of planting material. The plants trialled "releasing" of the. planted trees. The impor- grass and the shrubby vegetation in the area. were mostly coastal species, many of which tance of weeding was two-fold, to prevent the The total area cleared was approximately 2.4 have rarely, if ever, been propagated for delib- seedlings and desirable existing plants from ha. The inland side of this clearing functioned erate planting. being overgrown and to reduce the amount of as a firebreak (2-5m wide) and the areas to fuel for fires. This is an on -going activity con- seaward of the firebreak were cleared for As the project progressed it became apparent ducted by the Forestry personnel, with the planting. The larger shrubs and trees were left which species had higher survival rates and assistance of the people of Houma. in place and, if necessary, freed from competi- were more tolerant to conditions at the site. Cont'd on page 9 8 September 1995 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees

Project Results has not been very successful. A number of Although the length of coastal area to be refor- times, when farmers have been convinced to ested in the initial proposal was to be about The two objectives of the Tonga Coastal Pro- invest time, effort and money in new concepts 500m, after two years a strip about 2 km has tection and Reforestation Project were: and procedures, these have failed, leaving the been planted. Given an estimated average 1) to develop and implement an effective model farmers wary of unproven new ideas. The For- width of 12m, this works out to a total re- for coastal reforestation in the area bordering estry Division therefore concentrated on the planted area of about 2.4 ha. As a result, the the Blow Holes at Houma; and technical problems of plant collection and original budget proved to be inadequate for 2) to develop effective community -based propagation, site clearance and planting. It the eventual size of the project. The reasons for coastal protection and reforestation programs. was believed that the most effective way to extending the area were: ensure community involvement was to take a 1) to ensure that the project site was large As coastal reforestation using a mixture of longer term approach by demonstrating that enough to be visible and recognisable; indigenous species, has not (to the best of the coastal reforestation is possible. Indications in 2) to include enough variation of existing authors' knowledge) been attempted before in July this year were that the community is now coastal habitats and vegetative cover types. the Pacific Islands, the project components were being progressively involved in the project, modified as the project progressed. With the now that the potential benefits of mixed -spe- Conclusions and Recommendation appropriate modifications to the project, the cies coastal reforestation are apparent. first objective has been achieved. Two years is a very short time for a reforestation The initial plant selection was by the Forestry project, and especially one that required new However, because of the short (2 -year) time Division staff with the assistance of one of the techniques to be developed. Despite the tech- frame of the project, there was inadequate time advisors (Thaman). Their combined general nical, financial, and time constraints discussed to effectively involve the local community in knowledge of coastal species was invaluable. above, and the limited involvement of the all aspects of the project. A development phase, The propagation of some of these species was Houma community in the reforestation effort, of at least six months, would have been pre- especially difficult due to the Tokomololo the project seems to have been a success. A ferred. This would have permitted more time Nursery staff's minimal experience in working total of almost 25,000 tree seedlings, consisting to refine plant selection and propagation tech- with indigenous coastal species, their primary over 20 different species of indigenous coastal niques, and allow stocks to be built up prior to experience being with timber and commercial trees, have been planted along some 2km of the commencement of planting. A complicat- species. However, their considerable skill and coastline and covering an estimated area of ing factor, in terms of community involve- knowledge of collection and propagation tech- about 2.4 hectares. Of these approximately 80% ment, was that the recent history of agriculture niques allowed them to adjust their techniques (about 19,400) had survived as of the official and forestry projects involving communities to suit most of these new species. end of the project in June 1995 (See Table 1). Table 1. Summary of names, source of planting material, method of propagation, time required in nursery, total propagated (collected or planted from seed and looked after in the nursery), total planted and estimated survival rate (Key: 1) under "Tongan Name = Introduced, non -indigenous species; 2) under "Source", A = Australia E = 'Eua, I = Inland Tongatapu; Ha = Ha' apai, HI = Haveluliku, Ht = Ha' ateiho, Ho =Houma;' S = Sopu, T = Talafo'ou,; 3) under "Method of Propagation", d = direct transplant from source to project site, s=planted from seed in the nursery and then transplanted to project site; t = transplanted from source to nursery and then to project site, v = propagated from vegetative cuttings and then transplanted to site).

Scientific name Tongan Source Method of Time in Total Total planted Estimated name propagation nursery (mths) propagated Survival at site % (approx. #)

Casuarina equisetifolia toa S,T s, d 4-6 1176 9510 90 (8559) Tournefortia argentea touhuni S, Ho t 6-8 2253 2167 90 (1950) Calophyllum inophyllum feta'u Ha s 4-5 26 2130 95 (2024) Terminalia catappa telie S, Ht t 6-8 315 1824 80 (1459) Excoecaria agallocha feta' anu S, Ht t, d 4-5 2888 1691 90 (1522) Neisosperma oppositifolium fao Ht t 5-8 429 1191 60 (715) Rhoeo spathacea fainakula S t 2 1000 40(400) Syzygium richii heavula Ho t 6-8 250 970 60 (582) F'andanus tectorius fa/fafa Ho, Ht t 5-8 30 853 90 (768) Scaevola sericea (taccada) ngahu S, Ho, Ht t 6-8 792 747 90 (672) Eucalyptus saligna pulukamu " A s 4-6 511 0 Hernandia nymphaeifolia fotulona Ht, HI t 5-8 241 410 60 (246) Pinus caribaea paini* A s 4-6 400 0 Vitex trifolia lala tahi I t 5-8 42 259 50 (130) Swietenia macrophylla mahokani* A s 4-6 253 n.a. (outside site) Hibiscus tiliaceus fau Ht, S v, t 4-5 82 228 70 (160) Morinda citrifolia nonu I 5-8 66 204 10 (20) Cerbera odollam (manghas) toto Ht, S t 5-8 203 60 (122) Intsia bijuga fehi E t 5-8 77 96 0 Planchonella grayana (costata) kalaka Ht t 8-12 3 88 40 (35) Cocos nucifera niu* Ho, Ha s,t 6-8 42 70 (29) Polyscias guilfoylei, P. filicifolia tanetane* I v 6-8 38 0 Codiaeum variegatum kolotoni I vn 6-8 30 30 0 Myristica hypargyraea kotone Ht t 8-12 27 0 Bixa orellana loa" I v 4-5 15 Heritiera littoralis ifi tahi S t 12 14 8 30 (3) Thespesia populnea milo E t 6-8 5 0 Barringtonia asiatica Tutu Ho t 6-8 1 4 25 (1) Acacia simplex tatangia S t 6-8 21 3 100 (3) Guettarada speciosa puoiva HI t 6-8 2 9 3 0 Terminalia samoensis telie amanu S t 8-12 3 0 Diospyros elliptica (ferrea) kanume Ht t 6-8 1 0 Elattostachys falcata ngatata Ficus benjamma ovava Fisi S t, t,v 4-6 32 0 Gardenia taitensis siale Tonga, I v 8-12 Inocarpus fagifer ifi I t 6-8 n.a. Phaleria disperma huni I t n.a. Pisonis grandis puko HI v 49 n.a. Santualum yasi ahi E t 4-5 n.a. Schleinitzia (Leucaena) feifai S t 4-5 3 n.a. insularum Ximenia americana vi tahi

Total 9a01a ilirannm Cont'd on page 10 9 Pacific Islands Forests & Tree8 September 1995

Cont'd from page 9 (Notes: 1) most Table 2. Indigenous coastal species recommended for replication, planting, rehabilitation and insitu protection in the Pacific Islands some of the smaller of these species are either indigenous to most Pacific Islands, or, in some cases, indigenous to some countries but only recent introductions to not present islands in the eastern pacific, e.g. casuarina and Rhizophora mangroves; 2) species are listed in alphabetical order by the Tongan name; 3)* = species reforestation site; and, in Tonga but present in other coastal areas in the Pacific Islands; 4) H = species successfully planted or naturally present at the Houma drought. 5) A = species that have been recorded present on some Pacific atolls and that have shown high tolerance to salt -spray and physiological Priority Pioneer Species (species that are easy to propagate, fast-growing or very salt and drought tolerant; trees that should be propagated in gr numbers for initial coastal reforestation planting) Benjamin - fa, fafa, pandanus (Pandanus tectorius) richment (Non -dominant, secondary or - 'ovava Fisi, weeping banyan, (A,A) understorey salt -tolerant species that grow natu- (Ficus benjamina) ro fau, beach hibiscus tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus) rally in littoral and coastal primary and second- paini, Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria (H,A) ary vegetation that offer some potential for en- heterophylla) feta'anu, blinding tree (Excoecaria agallocha) richment and/or could be protected) samoa, crinum lily (Crinum asiaticum) (samoa) (A) (H) - ahi vao (Vavaea amicorum) (Calophyllum tanetane, hedge panax (Polyscias guilfoylei, feta'u, Alexandrian laurel - fekika vao (Syzygium clusiifolium) P. fruticisa, P. scutellaria) (A) inophyllum) (H,A) filimoto, fululupe (Xylosma orbiculatum) (Scaevola s- *Indian or Bengal banyan (Ficus benjami ngahu, saltbush or half-flower (H) (H,A) ericea) - fo'ui (Grewia crenata) (H) Understorey or Outpost Zone Species to telie, beach almond ( Terminalia catappa) kanume, coastal ebony (Diospyros ellipti Protected ro Introduced for Site Improvement (H,A) cal/ferrea) or Replacement of Non -Indigenous Weeds and (H,A) telie 'a manu (Terminalia litoralis) huni (Phaleria disperma) Grasses (Note: These species may need to be (Tournefortia touhuni, beach heliotrope - lata, fetu' a tahi? (Sophora tomentosa) controlled if competing with tree seedlings argentea) (H,A) - loupata, macaranga (Macaranga harveyana/ planted or protected as part of reforestation ef- forts). Priority Non -Pioneer Species (Priority non - tanarius) (H) pioneer species commonly found in coastal masi (Ficus scabra) (A) - Ferns: Asplenium nidis (pununga) (A); forest, but which are not normally found in the masi'aukava, masikona (Pittosporum Devallia solida; Nephrolepis spp. (hulufe) (A); very exposed outpost zone) rborescens) Phymatosorus scolopendria ( laufale) (H,A) malolo. masikoka (Glochidion ramiflorum) Herbs: Achyranthes aspera/canescens (H,A) Ilifao (Neisosperma oppositifolium) - nonu, Indian mulberry (Morinda citrifolia) (tamatama) (A); Boerhavia repens (akataha) fotulona, lantern tree (Hernandia (H,A) (A); Chamaesyce atoto (kihikihi tahi?) (H,A;II numphaeifolia) (H,A) olonga (Pipturus argenteus) (A) Hedyotis biflora (A); Portulaca lutea (tamole) (Barringtonia asiatica) futu, fish -poison tree takafalu (Micromelum minutum) (A); Portulaca samoensis (tamole?) (A); (H,A) tanetane, tanetane vao (Polyscias multijuga) Sesuvium portualucastrum (kihikihimaka?) (Vitex trifolia) (H,A) lala tahi, beach vitex (H) (H,A); Tacca leontopetaloides (mahoa'a (A) leva (Cerbera manghas) te'epilo'amaui (Geniostoma spp.) (H) Tonga) (A); Tetragonia tetragonioides; (H,A) niu, coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) vitahi (Ximenia americnaa) (A) Triumfetta procumbens (mo'osipo tahi) (A) palm Pisonia grandis) (A) puko, coconut - volovalo (Premna serratifolia) (A) - Grasses and Sedges: Cyperus javanicus/ puopua (Guettarda speciosa) (A) Mangrove Species (species that could be used in Mariscus javanicus (mahelehele) (H,A); tatangia, beach acacia (Acacia simplex) (H) or low-lying, swampy coastal sites) Cyperus stoloniferus (pako, pako failolo) (H) mangrove toto (Cerbera odollam) (H); Digitaria setigera (H,A); Fimbristylis - fa'onelua (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza var.) (A) 'ority Littoral or Coastal Forest Species for cymosa (pakopako) (H,A); Ischaemum - feta'anu, blinding tree (Excoecaria agallocha) (coastal species that offer murinum (totoa) (H); Lepturus repens (H,A Forest Enrichment (H) (both ecologically and Paspalum conjugatum (H,A); Paspalum potential for enrichment hangale (Lumnitzera littorea) (A) protection forest) distichum (H,A); Sporobolus virginicus; culturally) of the coastal ifi, Tahitian chestnut (Inocatpus fagifer)(A) Stenotaphrum micranthum (H,A); Thuarea - ifi tahi, mamea (Heritiera littoralis) ahi, sandalwood (Santalum yasi) involuta (musie likum kefukefu, lekileki, cannonball tree, puzzlenut fehi, (Intsia bijuga) mohuku'apopoa tahi) (A) granatum and Xylocarpus - feifai (Schleinitzia/Leucaena insularum) (H) Xylocarpus Vines and Lianas: Abrus precatorius (moho); moluccensis) - heavula (Syzygium richii) (H) Canavalia cathartica (fue tahi veveli) (H,A); tongolei (Rhizophora mangle and Rhizophora ifi, Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpusfagifer) (A) Cassytha filiformis (fatai) (A); Derris trifolia stylosa) (A) ifi tahi, mamea (Heritiera littoralis) (H) (kavahaha) (A); Entada phasioloides (valae, tongo ta'ane (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) (A) - kotone, wild nutmeg (Myristica hypargy- sipi, pa'anaga) (A); Hoya australis (lau * Avicennia marina raea) (H) matolu) (H); Ipomoea macrantha (fue hina) * Ceriops tagal kalaka (Planchonella grayana) (H) (H,A); Ipomoea pes-caprae (fue tahi) (A); * Rhizophora apiculata lea tahi (Dendrolobium umbellatum) Mucuna gigantea (valae) (A); Vigna marina * Sonneratia alba (A) - masi (Ficus tinctoria) (H,A) (lautolu tahi) (H,A) milo (Thespesia populnea) (A) OmamentaUUseful Salt -Tolerant Non -Indig- Shrubs: Bikkia tetrandra (sialetafa); ngatae, coral tree or dadap (Erythrina enous Species (species that can be planted on the Caesalpinia bonduc/major (talatala'amoa) variegate var. orientalis) (A) inner margins of coastal forest, bordering agri- (A); Capparis cordifolia/sandwichiana; 'ovava, 'ovava Tonga, banyan (Ficus oblique) cultural areas, along coastal roads or in coastal Clerodendrum inerme (talatala'amoa) (A); 'ovava, 'ovava Tonga, banyan (Ficus prolixa) areas where hedges or ornamental plants are Capparis cordifolia/sandwichiana; (A)? required, e.g., near touristic sites). Clerodendrum inerme (tutu hina) (H,A); puataukanave (Cordia subcordata) (A) Colubrina adiatica (fiho'a) (H); - faina kula, oyster plant, rhoeo (Rhoeo pukovili (Xylocarus americana) (A); Pemphis spathacea) (H) Dodonaeaviscosa siale Tonga, Tahitian gardenia (Gardenia t Solanum lile, spider lily (Hymenocalis litoralis) (A) acidula (ngingie) (H,A); aitensis) (A) amicorum (polo Tonga) (H); Suriana - 'ohai, poinciana, flame tree (Delonix regia) unuoi (Eugenia reinwardtiana) (A); Tephrosia purpurea (A) martitima (ngingie) Other Littoral or Coastal Species for Forest En- (kavahuhu); Wollastonia biflora (ate) (H) 10 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees September1995

Carbon Offsets and Forestry : An Introduction

Introduction emissions as a financially attractive alternative the capacity of the forest to regenerate to more expensive measures for decreasing without intervention. The primary long-term environmental threats emissions at the source. Joint Implementation Enhancing forest regeneration, through to of the islands the South Pacific are ozone is the terminology for carbon offset projects in enrichment planting, to increase depletion and climate change. While the Mon- which the finance support for the activity biomass production in logged and de treal Convention and its associated protocols originates in a different country than where graded forests, thus increasing carbon to promise control and eliminate most produc- the project is actually undertaken. The United sequestration. tion of ozone depleting CFC's, the collective States Initiative on Joint Implementation is a response to global warming has been troubling US-based pilot project review system which There are several further biomass -based strat- from the perspective of Small Island Develop- tries to ensure that proposed programs achieve egies which can positively affect greenhouse ing States (SIDS). In response, island countries the claimed emissions reductions, meet the gas flows and thus be eligible for outside inves- have been among the most aggressive partici- highest standards of environmental tor participation. While they do not apply to all pants in attempts to create a more stringent sustainability and are consistent with host concessions, tropical foresters should also con- greenhouse gas emission control and have countries' development priorities. sider these options in analyzing their own ca- generally been considered among the moral pacity to provide cost-effective carbon offset leaders of the climate change debate through In the future, investors in carbon offsets will opportunities for the marketplace. They are, the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS). represent countries (such as Japan, Australia Providing sustainably produced or the US) or companies within them, exceed- biomass as an alternative to fossil fuel Greenhouse gas policies in the industrial coun- ing emission "quotas" under either the FCCC powered electricity. If a plantation is tries are evolving towards greater acceptance or domestic legislation. During the pilot phase, designated for providing fuel, it is as of responsibility for alleviating greenhouse gas there is no direct crediting between countries. sumed that an equivalent amount of emission. In New Zealand, the government However, some private party transactions may CO2 is released into the atmosphere as has ruled that the implementation of a new 400 be creditable against sub -national goals and is sequestered in the plantation, thus MW power plant must implement a plan to programs and thus have economic value. As providing a renewable energy resource. sequester an equivalent amount of greenhouse such, pilot phase investors/participants will Implementing conservation regimes, gas that the plant is projected to emit over its likely be private sector entities seeking to gain particularly in environmentally sensi operational lifetime, i.e. a total of up to 45 advantage from early entry into this incipient tive areas of high biodiversity under million tonnes of CO2 over the presumed 30 market, primarily from the electric utility in- direct threat from economic conver year lifetime of the plant. This past year, Den- dustry and the financial services community. sion. mark implemented a US$6.50 per/tonne car- Pilot projects are designed to accelerate the Implementing "carbon farm" planta- bon tax, and there is renewed call for such taxes global learning curve about greenhouse gas tions, in which the sole purpose of the at the European Community level. While the reductions. It is generally agreed that the pilot plantation is to receive carbon pay movement towards these actions is not as fast phase of carbon offsets and JI is the first step ments from utilities, completely in lieu as some activists may wish, there are indeed towards a global trading market for CO2 al- of profits from wood production. At signs that pro -active measures are forthcom- lowances and reduction credits. this juncture, the market for nominal ing from the world's major greenhouse gas carbon credits does not appear sophisti- emitters. Forest Management Techniques and Carbon cated enough to support this type of Offset Strategies focused venture, but it remains a pos- Moreover, under the Framework Convention sibility for the future. on Climate Change (FCCC), signed by 153 na- The substantial majority of greenhouse gas tions at the 1992 Rio Conference on Environ- accumulations in the atmosphere derives from Examples of Successful Forestry Carbon ment and Development, countries can volun- the combustion of fossil fuels. Loss and degra- Offsets tarily collaborate in ways to cost-effectively dation of temperate and tropical forests con- reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gas tribute approximately 30 percent of total net The Innoprise-FACE Foundation Rainforest emissions. This concept of "joint implementa- global CO2 emissions. Tropical forests are pre- Rehabilitation Ptoject in Sabah, Malaysia will tion'. has entered an official pilot phase, follow- eminent carbon sinks, in view of their gener- rehabilitate 25,000ha of logged forests over 25 ing the first Conference of the Parties (COP) in ally high volumes of biomass and soil carbon. years through enrichment planting with indig- Berlin in Apri11995. This pilot phase, reporting Preserving these sinks by foregoing logging or enous tree species, fast-growing pioneers and be to the United Nations Technical Office, will agricultural conversion is a direct way to posi- forest fruit trees. The Forests Absorbing CO2 na- likely to spur polluting firms in industrial tively impact carbon flows, but may not be a Emissions (FACE) Foundation was formed by tions to implement trial investments in inter- realistic economic alternative for developing the utility trade association of the Nether- national emission control projects, supple- countries, local landholders or concessionaires. lands, in order to demonstrate the economic menting their own greenhouse gas control ef- As a result, efforts have been made to uncover and environmental efficiency of offsetting car- forts at home. As such, an increased flow of management techniques which enhance a for- bon dioxide emissions through forestry. FACE private sector funds to developing countries est's carbon fixing capacity, while still allow- is committed to planting 150,000ha of forests for environmental improvements, in the for- ing for conventional economic value to be at- globally over the coming decades. This effort is estry and energy sectors, is anticipated to be tained. Two forestry practices which have this calculated to offset the lifetime emissions of forthcoming through "carbon offsets.. Already effect are, one 600 MW, coal-fired power plant. a number of small carbon offset projects have Reducing collateral damage from pri been implemented in Malaysia, Costa Rica, mary forest timber extraction practices. The Rakyat Berjaya-New England Electric Sys- Guatemala and Czechoslovakia. This technique, known as Reduced tems Reduced Impact Logging Project, also in Impact Logging, or RIL, lowers net Sabah, has proven that reducing the corollary A carbon offset is an investment made to decrease greenhouse emissions in comparison damage to surface soil and residual trees emissions of greenhouse gases or increase the se- to standard logging by decreasing as through implementing improved harvesting questration of such gases. Offsets are specifically sociated necromass, lessening soil dis practices has significant positive effects upon undertaken away from the of offending source turbance and subsequently increasing overall CO2 flows. This approach reduces re -

11 Pacific Islands Forests & Trees September 1995

Cont'd from page 11 lated emissions of CO2 and methane by de- threatened by logging or conversion, would be less Joint Implementation in the South Pacific creasing necromass and soil disturbance, and also likely to receive creditable recognition for their ac- increases the regeneration capacity and carbon se- tions in the form of an offset. Although there has yet to be any implemented JI questration of the remaining vegetation. The com- programs in the South Pacific, the work of a few bination of immediate effects and additional regen- A carbon offset programme is considered legitimate individuals and organizations (notably SPFDP or eration has been calculated to equal 344 tonnes of if it its implementors and investors can demonstrate RAS/92/361) has put the region into a position of CO2 equivalent per ha over a projected period of the intent to improve greenhouse gas flows from a prominence in project development and there are forty years. The pilot project of 1400ha has been specific intervention. Generally, a programme must growing expectations for the potential of the region deemed successful enough to warrant a recent rene- incur costs which would not otherwise have been as an implementor of forestry -based offsets. For ex- gotiated contract, the intent of which is to increase spent under standard rate -of -return analysis. It is ample, SPFDP has co -submitted four projects to Un- the implementation of RIL on up to 9,000ha over the these additional payments which form the basis for tied States Initiative on Joint Implementations in the rorninv three years The ICSR-NFFS initiative is of carbon offsets and joint implementation. first year of the Programme. At least one project is in particular interest, as it pioneered the use of various investment negotiations with outside lfinanciers, business mechanisms, such as contracts, arbitration, Regulatory bodies, such as the USIJI, are already while further inquiries have come from concession- auditing and credit re -sale clauses. under development at national and international aries and governments in the region. It can be ex- levels to monitor carbon offset projects. One of their pected that a small cadre of professionals will arise to In Belize, the Nature Conservancy and the Program duties will be to ensure that the dynamic of intent develop finance and implement such projects to for Belize have solicited funding from Wisconsin and additionality occurs. This does not mean that a regulatory specifications. Electric Power Company to implement a combination carbon offset project is precluded from being eco- of improved forest management and conservation in nomically profitable, rather a project's design and The South Pacific's high ratio of forests to population the Rio Bravo region. In Costa Rica, the Foundation intent must specifically acknowledge positive and industrialization, mean that the primary point of for the Central Volcanic Range (FUNDECOR) has greenhouse gas components from the beginning in entry of JI investment in this region will be in for- developed a successful carbon offset program which order to be registerable as an offset. As such, a vital estry, rather than energy or transportation. Decisions includes increased management of distributed tree component of a carbon offset project is in the plan- such as Australia's to develop a pilot programme for farms throughout that remote region. The AES Cor- ning process, and in working with regulatory au- joint implementation and New Zealand's utilization poration, an independent power producer, financed thorities in the development phase to the greatest of forestry offsets to negate the greenhouse gas im- three individual carbon offset projects; a community extent possible. pacts of a proposed power plant, indicate that regional forestry management programme encompassing four forestry offset programs can look to these countries, countries in the Western Amazon. Tenaska Corpo- As an example, consider that tree plantations rep- as well as the United States and Japan, as potential ration, another independent power producer, has resent investments which have positive greenhouse sources for investment. invested in an afforestation campaign in the Russian gas flows, but are not necessarily registerable as Republic. In the Northwest of the United States, carbon offsets. This is because, usually, a plantation However, greater familiarity with JI, garnered Pacificorp (a large utility holding company) has in- has not demonstrably "changed" carbon flows, since through forestry sector initiatives, may eventually vested in a wide range of afforestation work with the the basic economics of global fiber demand make it translate into better capacity to attract financing for Pacific Forest Trust, while the American Electric likely to occur somewhere. Nonetheless, it appears greenhouse friendly energy technologies to assist in Power Corporation of Ohio has announced a plan to there are, theoretically, ways of modifying planta- small island state development. Beyond primary plant 14 million trees on its own lands. In two unique tion design, management and investment structure harvest, community forestry and plantation indus- projects, Trans -Alta Corporation of Alberta, Canada in ways which pass the additionality test and achieve tries, regional forestry professionals should increas- has financed projects to lower soil erosion in Canada simultaneous economic return from both fiber and ingly consider the role of biomass as an energy source. and cattle -based methane emissions in India. Outside greenhouse gas sequestration. This type of re -cast- Renewable biomass energy is attractive to carbon of the forestry/agriculture sector, utilities have in- ing represents an example of the need to demon- offset financiers from the electric utility industry, as vested in fuel switching projects (Czechoslovakia strate "intent" of a programme, through pro -active there is generally greater familiarity in power issues and Poland) as well as renewable energy projects project design which incorporates the needs of car- than in forestry regimes. It may be that in ten years, (Costa Rica and Honduras) with carbon dioxide re- bon investors as well as standard timber economics some Pacific Island Heads of Forestry will also be duction benefits. from the outset. involved in policy decisions for biomass generation facilities and fuel supply contracts. In the meantime, An important development for the field is the crea- In general, successful forestry -based carbon offset there are ample opportunities to begin examining tion of an US -based investment pool for forestry projects should be, resources for applicability for joint implementation based projects. The pool is managed by the Edison investment. Electric Institute, the United States electric utility Credible and reliable, in being able to modify trade organization. Called the Utility Forest Carbon carbon flows over time, judged by experience Getting involved in developing carbon offset pro- Management Program, the pool is designed as an with similar projects else where; grams is along term process. While there have been investment vehicle for greenhouse gas offset projects Able to measure and verify their claimed great strides in policy and programmes over the past in the forestry sector. Applicants develop projects for greenhouse gas ability; two years, the concept remains in its infancy. Unlike submittal to the UFCMP and, if successful, become Cost-effective compared to alternative some early prognostications, carbon offsets are not investments for the pool. At press time, it was reported mechanisms; and an immediate bounty for all foresters everywhere. that the original applicant pool of thirty one projects Expandable and replicable elsewhere. However, considering the carbon implications of had been reduced to six and that a solicitation letter management decisions, it can help foresters ascer- of the investment prospectus was being circulated Carbon offset projects have been implemented by tain their options in this evolving world and provide among over 200 US utilities government groups, NGO's, private sector concerns a potential low-cost path towards practicing more and different combinations of the three. Generally, sustainable practices. Worldwide, well-considered Designing Carbon Offset Projects NGO's are included in the process as they add a programs are already reaping the rewards of this Within any carbon offset concept, forestry -based or degree of internalized monitoring as well as advice innovative source of investment and the South Pa- otherwise, the related elements of additionality and for parties not necessarily conversant with each cific island states are in an excellent position to intent are crucial. The additionality principal recog- others ways. A small number of consulting and follow suit. nizes that not all actions which reduce greenhouse brokerage firms have emerged, for assisting in project gases can be classified as legitimate carbon offset development according to the evolving guidelines (by Marc Stuart projects or JI. For example, a company or country as well as sourcing investment for project imple- and Don J. Jones, electing to officially preserve a remote area, not mentation. COPEC, USA)

TO: Pacific Islands FORESTS & TREES

The views expressed in the articles in this newsletter are those of the respective authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Project, FAO or UNDP.

This newsletter is published quarterly by the South Pacific Forestry Development Programme, RAS/92/361. We welcome any news or articles on forests, trees and related activities. Please send your contributions to the Project Coordinator, South Pacific Forestry Development Programme (RAS/92/361), UNDP Private Mail Bag, Suva, FIJI, or fax to (679) 305212 (Direct) or 301718 (UNDP). Our office is located at 29 Pender St.,Suva, FIJI. Phone No. 300432 or 305244.

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