Practices

Kiribati has developed a very sophisticated and intensive agro-forestry system based on coconut, breadfruit, bananas, pandanus and native figs. The system tends to represent a natural forest rather than plantation since the trees occur spontaneously in a variety of different patterns and ages. Coconut is by far the dominant species. There is virtually no formal forestry activity although a number of species have been tested for windbreaks, coastal protection and fuelwood or timber production. Mangrove forests grow along many of the beaches and lagoons. Mangroves have traditionally provided wood for fuel, posts, poles, boats, houses and a range of other domestic uses. Coastal plants, including mangroves and species with a high tolerance of salt spray and saline soils, are purposely left intact to provide protection to inland agricultural areas, non-coastal vegetation, and water supplies from saltwater spray and storm surge. In Kiribati, stands of Pemphis acidula are left seaward of agricultural areas to provide protection from salt spray and Casuarina equisetifolia has been planted to protect newly planted coconuts.

Forest conservation measures

The current protected areas network comprises wildlife sanctuaries covering the whole of three of the Phoenix Islands and four of the Line Islands. Closed areas have also been established at Cook Islet (Kiritimati Wildlife Sanctuary) and cover all of Malden and Starbuck islands. The sole protected area in the Gilbert Islands is in North Tarawa. Several mangrove areas have been proposed for forest reserves, including Flink Point-Chongs Wharf Mangrove Forest Reserve and Tentongo Mangrove Forest Reserve. Isolated stands of rare Pisonia grandis forest are also being targeted for conservation status.

Forest protection measures

Formal forest protection measures in Kiribati mainly focus on horticultural tree species. The most significant of these is probably a fruit fly survey and quarantine surveillance that was initiated in June 1996. As part of this programme, an emergency response plan for exotic fruit flies was formulated. Kiribati also lies in the tropical cyclone belt. Consequently, selection of windfirm species is an important component of forest management. The role of coastal plants in soil stabilization is critical to the success of land reclamation and other coastal engineering works. In Kiribati, species of particular importance for the stabilization of the extensive areas of reclaimed Temaiku milkfish ponds on Tarawa are Scaevola taccada and Tournefortia argentea.

Forest harvesting practices

Trees and coconut palms are harvested on an ad hoc basis to meet subsistence requirements for buildings, fuelwood and other domestic purposes. Most timber needs are met from imports.
last updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009