Ecosystem Profile East Melanesian Islands Biodiversity Hotspot FINAL VERSION DECEMBER 2012 Prepared by: University of the South Pacific in collaboration with: Conservation International University of Papua New Guinea on behalf of: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Drafted by the ecosystem profiling team: Bill Aalbersberg Michael Avosa Roger James Chalapan Kaluwin Paul Lokani Job Opu Suliana Siwatibau Marika Tuiwawa Hilda Waqa-Sakiti Andrew W. Tordoff Assisted by the following experts and contributors: Lawrence Abage Nathos Beach Club, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Michael Aigro University of Papua New Guinea Julia Aimaea Ministry of Forests and Research, Papua New Guinea Cosmos Akong Whiteman Range, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Philemon Ala Forestry Department, Vanuatu Freddie Alei University of Papua New Guinea Lui Allick Tafea Provincial Government, Vanuatu Jason Alonk University of Papua New Guinea Alwin Amat University of Papua New Guinea Jeane Amos Raura Manager, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Lazarus Amos Samna Provincial Government, Vanuatu Philip Anacleti Department of Environment and Conservation, Vanuatu Ramokasa Anisi University of the South Pacific, Solomon Islands Bill Apusae Live and Learn, Solomon Islands Troy Apusae Solomon Islands College of Higher Education Philip Arul University of Papua New Guinea ii Andrew Assman University of Papua New Guinea James Atherton independent consultant, Samoa Gabriel Bata Kilu Locally Managed Marine Area, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Bradley Ben Aua Wuvulu, Manus, Papua New Guinea David Blair James Cook University, Australia Wilco Bosma Natural Resources Development Foundation, Solomon Islands Delvene Boso WorldFish Center, Solomon Islands Souad Boudjelas Pacific Invasives Initiative, New Zealand Gilliane Brodie University of the South Pacific, Fiji Rose Buabua Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Solomon Islands Prosper Buletare Samna Provincial Government, Vanuatu Sam Chanel Forestry Department, Vanuatu Steve Cranwell BirdLife Pacific Seabird Programme, New Zealand John Daniel Keasi Forest Reserve, Vanuatu Presly Devo Department of Environment and Conservation, Vanuatu Chris Filardi American Museum of Natural History, USA Robert Fisher US Geological Survey, USA Charles Gevia Mami Local Level Government, Papua New Guinea Kalkava George community representative, Vanuatu Alois Ginia University of Papua New Guinea Francis Gove Mahonia Na Dari, Papua New Guinea Ronald Gumaira Department of Environment and Conservation, Papua New Guinea Constance Hemmer Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership Rex Horoi Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International, Fiji Chanel Iroi Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Solomon Islands Emmanuel Jack community representative, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Donald James Wan Smolbag Theatre, Vanuatu Abraham John Chief of Napauk village, Vanuatu Kalpeau Joseph community representative, Vanuatu Esau Kabin New Ireland Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea Donna Kalfatak Department of Environment and Conservation, Vanuatu Rossette Kalmet Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources, Vanuatu Selan Kaluwin World Wide Fund for Nature, Manus, Papua New Guinea Bruce Kanawa National Broadcasting Corporation, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Franky Kapin FM 100, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Sanalai Kautil New Ireland Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea Pierro Kawiseli landowner, Mount Tukusmera, Vanuatu Bruna Kemah landowner, Mount Tukusmera, Vanuatu Danny Kennedy Western Provincial Government, Solomon Islands Chris Kiri Solomon Islands College of Higher Education Victor Kohaia Makira Community Conservation Foundation, Solomon Islands iii Janet Konambe Manus Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea Ludwick Koipa University of Papua New Guinea Max Kuduk The Nature Conservancy, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Gabriel Kuluma The Nature Conservancy, Manus, Papua New Guinea Pang Kumin Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Titus Kuno Local Level Government, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Brigette Laboukly Department of Arts and Culture, Vanuatu John Lamaris community representative, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Junior Lawrence Londra Community-based Organization, Papua New Guinea Adolphina Luvonet Mahonia Na Dari, Papua New Guinea Trevor Maeda Department of Environment, Solomon Islands Peter Mahoa Solomon Islands College of Higher Education Alex Makini Solomon Islands College of Higher Education Bruno Manele WWF, Solomon Islands Tia Masolo Department of Environment, Solomon Islands Manuai Matawai The Nature Conservancy, Papua New Guinea Will McClatchey Botanical Research Institute of Texas, USA Bianca Meli New Ireland Tourism, Papua New Guinea Noel Mobhia Prime Minster’s Department, Papua New Guinea Wartut Molisa Chief of Penouaru village, Vanuatu Esrom Molisa Department of Water Resources Management and Mines, Vanuatu Tom Morove Wildlife Conservation Society, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Rose Moveni Western province, Solomon Islands Thomas Mundri community representative, Papua New Guinea Bill Nagle Pacific Invasives Initiative, New Zealand Ellie Naron Londra Community-based Organization, Papua New Guinea John Naron Londra Community-based Organization, Papua New Guinea Simon Naupa Forestry Extension Office, Tafea, Vanuatu Latin N’Drhin Qualican 555, Manus, Papua New Guinea Sylvie Niras Women’s Affairs Officer, Tafea, Vanuatu Alsen Obed Fisheries Department, Santo, Vanuatu Mark O’Brien BirdLife International, Fiji Diarmaid O’Foighil University of Michigan, USA Taman Willie Onesmas community representative, Vanuatu Brian Pake University of Papua New Guinea Jarius Paror New Ireland Youth Advocacy Forum, Papua New Guinea Jean Paul landowner, Mount Tukusmere, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea Paul Peterson community-based organization, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Patrick Pikacha Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership John Pilgrim independent consultant, UK John Pita The Nature Conservancy, Solomon Islands Lemen Polau Bundro ASI Development Trust, Manus, Papua New Guinea Aroen Ponowan community representative, Manus, Papua New Guinea iv Modi Pontio Wildlife Conservation Society, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Valentine Popiu Nakanai Flora and Fauna Protectors, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea David Posile Manus Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea Selan Pranis Palamot ASI Trust, Manus, Papua New Guinea Jenaun Purewa New Ireland Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea Justin Puso Education Dept., Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea Nick Rau Mahonia Na Dari, Papua New Guinea Nick Raui Live and Learn, Tanna, Vanuatu Jeffrey Reuben Live and Learn, Tanna, Vanuatu Lorena Ritsi Tourism Office, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea John Ronneth Department of Environment and Conservation, Vanuatu Caroline Rovo Department of Environment and Conservation, Vanuatu Jorge Rumaropen Post Courier, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Michael Saikio University of Papua New Guinea Ruth Anton Sale Manus Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea Nuprei Sam landowner, Mount Tukusmera, Vanuatu Alan Saunders Pacific Invasives Initiative, New Zealand Smith Savakana Forestry Department, Gizo, Solomon Islands Remo Sela Penauro Conservation Committee, Vanuatu Shannon Seeto World Wide Fund for Nature Western Melanesia Program, Solomon Islands Waraker Ser Live and Learn, Santo, Vanuatu Newell Sinagawi Fisheries Office, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Ross Sinclair Wildlife Conservation Society, Papua New Guinea Myknee Sirikolo University of the South Pacific, Solomon Islands Leo Soli Caritas, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea Steve Suti Natural Resources and Development Foundation, Solomon Islands Mary Taipul University of Papua New Guinea Fidelma Takali Fisheries Office, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Reedly Tavi community representative, Vanuatu Rolenas Tavue Department of Environment and Conservation, Vanuatu Francis Tekatoha Western province, Solomon Islands Ben Thomas community representative, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Janet Tilikewei Open College, Manus, Papua New Guinea Esther Timpa Tourism Office, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea Touasi Tiwok Department of Environment, Vanuatu John Tokia community representative, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea John Tokios community representative, Manus, Papua New Guinea Dick Tomker Forestry Extension Office, Vanuatu Patrick Topital Roots of Change, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea Salome Topo WWF, Solomon Islands David Tovovor Tafea Provincial Government, Vanuatu Christine Trenorden International Union for the Conservation of Nature Reuben Tuka Papua New Guinea Center for Locally Managed Marine Areas v Morgan Wairiu University of the South Pacific, Fiji Barth Waka Pokili Wildlife Management Area, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Joseph Willie Keasi Forest Reserve, Vanuatu vi CONTENTS CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................ IX 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 2. BACKGROUND.................................................................................................... 3 3. BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE HOTSPOT ...........................................