Important Bird Areas in the Pacific project

BirdLife In 2003, the Long-legged Warbler was sighted on the Fijian island of Viti Levu for the first time since 1894 Zoom In

Sustainable management of sites globally important for biodiversity in the Pacific

(EC project ref ENV/RPA/02/0648/TF)

This four year project, completed in March 2008, is a milestone for conservation on Pacific Islands. The overall purpose of the project was to research areas of international importance for biodiversity on Pacific Islands using birds as biodiversity indicators and then to document and disseminate these Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Birds are particularly useful as bio-indicators as they are sensitive to environmental change but that the same time are relatively easy to monitor, this provide a valuable index of key areas for biodiversity.

The project was implemented by Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie (SCO) in New Caledonia, Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie (SOP Manu) in French Polynesia, Palau Conservation Society (PCS) in Palau and by the Birdlife International Fiji Programme in Fiji. The Partners and the Fiji Programme undertook extensive field research in these four countries and national IBA inventories have been published (or are being published) in all four countries. In addition, experts have undertaken desk-based studies and compiled IBA inventories for a further 13 Pacific Island Countries or Territories (PICTs): the Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands, Guam, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Tonga, Niue, Nauru, Tuvalu and a review of the Pitcairn Island group was undertaken by the RSPB (the BirdLife Partner in the UK). The data will be available on the World Bird Database by Mid 2008.  This represents the most comprehensive set of terrestrial biodiversity priority sites for the Pacific Region, which can be used to guide conservation action.

The success of the project extends beyond the technical aspects identifying and disseminating information on biodiversity priorities.  An important outcome of the project has been to raise awareness and build capacity at a national and regional level for the sustainable management of globally important sites for biodiversity. The Birdlife Partners who have implemented the project have forged strong national partnerships with other NGOs and Government agencies and developed conservation programmes focused on scientifically set priorities.  The vast majority of the IBAs identified are under community ownership, either legally or customary ownership and the establishment of Site Support Groups (SSGs) will be critical to enhancing the impact and sustainability of the project by empowering communities to manage their own natural resources in a sustainable manner. 

Key outputs of the project include:

• High-quality inventories documenting 8 IBAs in Palau, 14 in Fiji, 32 in New Caledonia and 32 French Polynesia
• Desk-based reviews for 13 PICTs to be published on the World Bird Database
• High quality data on endangered bird species which is being used to review the status of critical species
• Strengthened capacity of Birdlife Partners and national partnerships with NGOs and Government Departments to implement site-based conservation
• The establishment of community-based conservation programmes promoting sustainable management of natural resources

For more details, please contact James Millett James@birdlifepacific.org.fj