Search the SPREP Catalogue

While invasive species eradications are at the forefront of biodiversity conservation, ant eradication failures are common. We reviewed ant eradications worldwide to assess the practice and identify knowledge gaps and challenges. We documented 316 eradication campaigns targeting 11 species, with most occurring in Australia covering small areas (b10 ha). Yellow crazy ant was targeted most frequently, while the bigheaded ant has been eradicated most often. Of the eradications with known outcomes, 144 campaigns were successful, totaling approximately 9500 ha, of which 8300 ha were from a single campaign that has since been partially re-invaded. Three active ingredients, often in combination, are most commonly used: fipronil, hydramethylnon, and juvenile hormone mimics. Active ingredient, bait, and method varied considerablywith respect to species targeted,which made assessing factors of eradication success challenging. We did, however, detect effects by active ingredient, number of treatments, and method on eradication success. Implementation costs increased with treatment area, and median costs were high compared to invasive mammal eradications. Ant eradications are in a phase of increased research and development, and a logical next step for practitioners is to develop best practices. A number of research themes that seek to integrate natural history with eradication strategies and methodologies would improve the ability to eradicate ants: increasing natural history and taxonomic knowledge, increasing the efficacy of active ingredients and baits, minimizing and mitigating non-target risks, developing better tools to declare eradication success, and developing alternative eradication methodologies. Invasive ant eradications are rapidly increasing in both size and frequency, and we envisage that eradicating invasive ants will increase in focus in coming decades given the increasing dispersal and subsequent impacts.

This report, the Mangrove Management Plan 2013 (MMP2013), has been prepared by Dr Dick Watling, Environment Consultants Fiji (ECF) for the Department of the Environment (DoEnv) as the focal point for the Mangrove Eco Systems for Climate Change Adaptation and Livelihood project Project (MESCAL).

This document is part of a technical report series on conservation projects funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific). The main purpose of this series is to disseminate project findings and successes to a broader audience of conservation professionals in the Pacific, along with interested members of the public and students. The reports are being prepared on an ad-hoc basis as projects are completed and written up. In most cases the reports are composed of two parts, the first part is a detailed technical report on the project which gives details on the methodology used, the results and any recommendations. The second part is a brief project completion report written for the donor and focused on conservation impacts and lessons learned.

The coconut and the Fiji fan palm are by far the best known of Fiji's palms, but both may actually be old introductions to Fiji. This new book, the first ever published on the subject, describes the 31 species of palm that may be found growing wild in Fiji today; 25 of these are considered native and six are introduced. It is 25 little-known indigenous palms that are the core subject of this book as they form a distinctive and unique component of the natural heritage of the Fiji Islands. Fiji's palms are poorly known; indeed, two 'species' are not even scientifically described. They vary in size and form from the delicate 3-4 metre Balaka seemammii to the recently described Hydriastele boumae which is as tall as a coconut emerges from the forest canopy. What we know about these palms should give rise to serious concern. Indeed over half of Fiji's endemic palms are on hte world Red List of endangered plants and are officially categorized by the World Conservation Union as threatened with extinction. The plight of Fiji's palms is a micrcosm of the plight of Fiji's forests which are being butchered and burned, year in and year out, with hardly a mumur of public concern. Palms are a very appropriate conservation flagship for the Fiji islands and also provide a wonderful opportunity for some of the more academic interests of the vunerability of island floras and extinction processes. It is the author's hope that this book will contribute to a greater knowledge and awareness of Fiji's palms and Fiji's pressing forest and biodiversity conservation issues.

Government has considered the management and institutional arrangements for the Naboro Landfill since the site was first identified and there have been several initiatives, recommendations and two related Cabinet Decisions. However, establishing a working arrangement has fallen seriously behind schedule if one is to be established prior to the planned opening of the landfill in mid 2014. This document (Briefing Paper 1) examines the first of four key issues which require Cabinet endorsement to enable the necessary arrangements to be in place prior to the planned opening of the landfill in mid 2004.

This guide has detailed species accounts for the 173 species eith confirmed records in the region and notes on a further 22 species with unconfirmed records. Every breeding bird and regular migrant is illustrated on 16 full colour plates. The species accounts are separated into three sections for the convenience of regional users and non-specialists, who will find the groupings more natural than the standard taxonomic classification. They are Land (and Freshwater) Birds, Sea Birds and shore birds and waders.