TUVALU NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN: FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour Government of Tuvalu 2016 TUVALU NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Compiled by Randy Thaman1 with assistance from Faoliu Teakau2, Moe Saitala3, Epu Falega4, Feagaiga Penivao5, Mataio Tekenene6 and Semese Alefaio7 for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour Government of Tuvalu 2016 Cover photo: Aerial view looking west across south Fogafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu (Source: Thaman 2016). 1 Emeritus Professor of Pacific Islands Biogeography, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. [[email protected]] 2 Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Coordinator, Department of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Trade, Environment and Labour (MFATTEL), Government of Tuvalu, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu. [[email protected]] 3 Acting Director of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour Government of Tuvalu, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu [[email protected]] 4 Former Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan coordinator Department of Environment, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu 5 LMMA Officer, Tuvalu Ridge to Reef Project (R2R), Department of Environment Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour Government of Tuvalu, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu. 6 Former Director of Environment and current Coordinator of the Tuvalu Ridge to Reef Project (R2R), Department of Environment Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour Government of Tuvalu, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu. 7 Marine Scientist, Master Fisherman (Tautai), Fisheries Expert and Acting Inshore Fisheries Officer, Tuvalu Fisheries Department [[email protected]] ii DEDICATION To past and current generations of Tuvaluan men and women who have, since the first settlement of Tuvalu, been the custodians responsible for preserving, enriching and passing on to future generations their unique indigenous knowledge of their atoll and ocean environment and biodiversity as their most important, but seriously threatened, foundation for sustainable atoll development and the first line of defense against climate, environmental and global change. iii CONTENTS DEDICATION ......................................................................................................................... iii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................. ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... x Part I: Introduction and Overview of Tuvalu and its Biodiversity ............................................ 1 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 2. TUVALU AND ITS BIODIVERSITY .............................................................................. 1 2.1 Geography and Demography ................................................................................... 1 2.2 Economy ..................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Geomorphology and Topography ............................................................................ 5 2.4 Climate ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.5 Hydrology and Freshwater Resources .................................................................... 7 2.6 Substrates and Soils .................................................................................................. 8 2.7 Flora............................................................................................................................ 9 2.8 Terrestrial Ecosystems and Vegetation ................................................................. 11 2.8.1 Inland Broadleaf Forest and Woodland: .................................................................. 12 2.8.2 Coastal Littoral forest and Scrub: ............................................................................ 12 2.8.3 Mangroves and Wetlands: ....................................................................................... 12 2.8.4 Coconut Woodland and Agroforest ......................................................................... 13 2.8.5 Excavated Taro Pits: ................................................................................................ 13 2.8.6 Village Houseyard and Urban Gardens: .................................................................. 13 2.8.7 Intensive Vegetable and Food Gardens: .................................................................. 14 2.8.8 Disturbed Ruderal Vegetation: ................................................................................ 14 2.9 Terrestrial Fauna .................................................................................................... 15 2.10 Marine Biodiversity................................................................................................. 15 2.10.1 Finfish Resources ............................................................................................... 17 2.10.2 Marine Invertebrates .............................................................................................. 17 Part II: Update on biodiversity status, trends, and threats and implications for human well- being ......................................................................................................................................... 18 3. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (BES) FOR TUVALU ................................................................................................................................. 18 3.1 PROVISIONING SERVICES ................................................................................ 20 3.1.1 Food ................................................................................................................... 20 3.1.2 Raw materials..................................................................................................... 20 iv 3.1.3 Fresh Water ........................................................................................................ 21 3.1.4 Energy ................................................................................................................ 21 3.1.5 Medicines, Poisons and Repellents .................................................................... 21 3.1.6 Ornamental and Fragrant Resources .................................................................. 21 3.1.7 Genetic Resources .............................................................................................. 21 3.2 REGULATING SERVICES .................................................................................. 22 3.2.1 Climate Regulation ............................................................................................ 22 3.2.2 Water Regulation ............................................................................................... 22 3.2.3 Erosion control and Protection from Strong Winds and Salt Spray .................. 22 3.2.4 Waste management, Purification and Detoxification ........................................ 22 3.2.5 Pest and Disease Control ................................................................................... 23 3.3 CULTURAL SERVICES ....................................................................................... 23 3.3.1 Cultural/Aesthetic Value .................................................................................... 23 3.3.2 Spiritual and Historical values ........................................................................... 23 3.3.3 Recreation and Sports ........................................................................................ 24 3.3.4 Tourism and Travel ............................................................................................ 24 3.3.5 Science and Education ....................................................................................... 24 3.4 SUPPORTING SERVICES .................................................................................... 25 3.4.1 Primary production ............................................................................................ 25 3.4.2 Soil, sediment, sand, rubble and substrate provision ......................................... 25 3.4.3 Nutrient recycling .............................................................................................. 25 3.4.4 Habitat Provision ............................................................................................... 25 3.4.5 Pollination .......................................................................................................... 26 3.4.6 Dispersal and Migration Pathways, Connectivity and Spawning Aggregations 26 4. MAJOR TRENDS OR CHANGES IN THE STATUS OF BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ...................................................................................................... 27 4.1 Threatened Ecosystems........................................................................................... 27 4.1.1 Coastal forest and vegetation ................................................................................. 27 4.1.2 Mangroves.........................................................................................................