Practices

Forests in French Polynesia can be differentiated according to whether they occur on high volcanic islands or on coral atolls. Atoll forests, such as those in the Tuomotu archipelago, are largely constrained to broadleaved forest and strand vegetation. Much of the broadleaved forest has been converted to coconut plantations. On the high islands, lowland forests have typically been cleared for plantations or incorporated into homegarden agroforestry systems. Larger farm operations use machinery to clear the vegetation while smaller farms rely on family labor. A variety of crops are typically grown in homegardens, under a canopy of productive coconut palms and fruit trees. For example, home-gardens in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia are characterized by a great diversity of exotic plants. Dominant species include staple food trees such as coconut, breadfruit, mango and kapok (Ceiba pentandra). Common ornamental shade trees include the rain tree (Albizia saman) and the poinciana (Delonix regia). Upland forests on the high islands are often inaccessible and untouched formations (cloud forests) are found in the interior of the highest islands at altitudes above 1 000 metres, whereas at lower altitudes the forest has been seriously degraded by humans and animals, and has been replaced by fern (Dicranopteris) heath and grass (Miscanthus) savannah. In general, little silviculture is carried out in natural forests. French Polynesia presently has around 5 000 hectares of plantation forests, the bulk of which are Pinus caribaea.

Forest conservation measures

French Polynesia has more than a dozen conservation areas, including a number of islets declared as nature reserves, the 750-hectare Te Faaiti Territorial Park, and a UNESCO biosphere reserve at Taiaro Atoll. Management objectives in the protected areas system include protection and preservation of ecosystems and landscapes; educational, recreational and tourist activities; and scientific research. Measures are taken to preserve the natural equilibrium by controlling the introduction of exotic plant and animal species into reserves and implementing eradication programmes where feasible.

Forest protection measures

The main threats to natural forests in French Polynesia are human activities, including deforestation associated with agricultural cultivation, hydroelectric construction, over-grazing, and forest and grassland fires. In Tahiti, the degraded natural forests are threatened by the invasion of a particularly rampant invasive shrub (Miconia calvescens). Fruit flies in French Polynesia have been a focus for forest and tree protection since the discovery of the Oriental fruit fly in 1996. In response to this incursion, training in quarantine surveillance and emergency response planning has been carried out. A large-scale eradication programme has been implemented with aerial drops of coconut husks and papier mache blocks soaked in a mixture of methyl eugenol, Malathion and Fipronil.

Forest harvesting practices

No information available.
last updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009