The Nature, Value, Conservation Status and Options for the Protection and Restoration of the Biodiversity of Kiritimati Atoll, Republic of Kiribati

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1 The Nature, Value, Conservation Status and Options for the Protection and Restoration of the Biodiversity of Kiritimati Atoll, Republic of Kiribati Ane Ioran and R. R. Thaman The University of the South Pacific Suva, Fiji Islands

2 Overview Kiribati and Kiritimati Atoll: The Setting Nature and Value of Kiritimati Atoll Biodiversity Conservation Status of Biodiversity Major Threats to Kiritimati Atoll s Biodiversity Options for Conserving and Restoring the Biodiversity Conclusions and Closing Remarks

3 Republic of Kiribati. The Line Islands and Kiritimati Atoll Source: Kiritimati Atoll Source:

4 Kiritimati Atoll

5 Kiritimati Atoll: Critical habitats Source: Land management Unit, 2007 Hypersaline Lakes

6 Kiritimati Atoll: Critical habitats

7 Seabird Rookery and Flyway of Global Significance Frigate Bird Red-tailed Tropicbird Sooty Terns Red-footed Booby

8 Te Bokikokiko (Acrocephalus aequinoctialis) Endemic Kiritimati Warbler

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10 Settlement history and Population trends NOW OVER 8,000!!! Colonial Era, permanent settlement was prohibited Early 1980 policy changed and permanent resident was allowed, leading to gradual increase in the atoll s population Early 1990s resettlement scheme began and thus rapid population growth between 2000 and 2005

11 Ecological Benefits Native plants Pisonia grandis, Tournfortia argentea, Scaevola frutescens, grasslands, and scrublands are significant land and seabirds rookeries

12 Ecological Benefits (cont.) islets, central and inland lagoons and ponds are critical habitats white shallow sand flats infested with bonefish

13 Healthy Reefs and Diverse Marine Resources

14 Biological Resources Subsistence food Traditional medicine

15 Biological Resources (Cont.) Carving and weaving Construction materials

16 Social benefits Recreation Research and monitoring Cultural values

17 Economic benefits Ecotourism Handicrafts selling Copra production Fishing Local food selling In Kiritimati a kg of sharks fin worth 90 (AUD)

18 Biodiversity: Economic value cont. Land products Value (AUD) in 2002 Copra 1,029, Marine products Bêche-de-mer 454, Fish 23, Pet Fish 2,500, Lobsters 78, Shark-fins 437, Ecotourism Activities Fishing permits 22, Coral diving revenue

19 Status of marine biodiversity Shark abundance seriously declining Highly commercialized marine species declining in abundance Frame angel (Centropyge loriculus) AQUARIUM FISH TRADE

20 Status of marine biodiversity cont. Large and small finfish species in nearby lagoons declining

21 Status of terrestrial biodiversity Breeding bird populations seriously declining Cardisoma carnifex (te manai) abundance also declining

22 Status of terrestrial biodiversity (cont.) Abundance of exotic plant (food and ornamental) species are increasing Abundance of important wild plant species declining

23 Major threats to biodiversity of Kiritimati Atoll Land clearance Poaching Rats and feral animals (particularly cats)

24 Widespread Poaching of Seabirds for Food

25 Threats to biodiversity of Kiritimati Atoll cont. Over harvesting Increase in commercial fishing Policy change Increase in population Egg of grey-backed tern eaten by rat

26 Options for Conserving and Re-establishing the Biodiversity of Kiritimati Atoll National policies and Kiritimati Atoll council by-laws (legislation and enforcement) Strengthen Reserve Area Network Protection and Planting of Threatened Indigenous and Cultural Plants Education and community awareness programmes

27 Options for Conserving and Re-establishing the Biodiversity of Kiritimati Atoll (cont.) Eradication and control of invasive species programmes Integration and coordination of resources use and conservation actions Become party to the Ramsar Wetland Convention designate Kiritimati Atoll or Critical areas as a Ramsar Site

28 Conclusion The limited terrestrial, but abundant seabird, land crab and fisheries resources have, for generations, been the foundation for socio-economic, health and food security of the atoll people of Kiritimati. The status of living resources and their habitats have, however, been changed and seriously degraded over a time scale.

29 Conclusion (cont.) This has critically threatened the livelihoods and cultural identity of the more than 6,000 inhabitants and sustainable development Increasing awareness of the value of biodiversity, promoting better measures of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, and improving coordination of national, regional and international conservation efforts can promote sustainability for the benefit of future generations

30 Closing Remarks Wisdom of the Elders The older men and women (unimwane and unaine) strongly supported for this study. They revealed and expressed their experiences of how the past was so undisturbed, full of life with rich marine and wildlife resources. They feel that their once peaceful and colorful world that they treasured had been shattered over time through unsustainable activities of the increasing population and technological advances that have been incompatible with nature.

31 Closing Remarks Current conservation measures and capacity of concerned bodies are inadequate or defunct and something must be done. They hope to see the revival of the past and protection of the endangered species that were once their close and wellknown neighbors. They strongly believe that effective strategies with the participation of all key actors and international intervention is their only hope towards restoration of a healthy terrestrial and marine environment of Kiritimati Atoll with diverse biological components functioning in balance and supporting a wide range of sustainable human economic and social activities.