2. BIOGEOGRAPHY AND ETHNOBIOLOGY OF ISLAND AND OCEAN SPECIES
INTRODUCTION
In general terms, biogeography is said to be the study of the distribution of species and
ecosystems in a geographic space through geological time. Within these ecosystems, there are
wide collections of taxonomy, where any group of species with identical background that can
only reproduce normally with its own type. Taxonomy provides basic understanding about the
components of biodiversity which is necessary for effective decision making and sustainable
use. As conservation becomes even more politically important, taxonomic work is relevance not
only to scientists but also to society in general. Because of sustainable usage, it is important
that all human beings should have the diversity of knowledge, use and beliefs on various taxa in
order to conserve these taxa for sustainable uses in the near future. This is termed as
ethnobiodiversity.
Based on the readings and lecture notes provided during the lecture time and tutorial time on
GE301 class, these three terms; biogeography, taxonomy and ethnobiodiversity are
interconnected to one another in a given ecosystem.
This assignment will be discussing the importance of these terms in the likes of environmental,
economic standard, cultural importance or concern to people, economies and environment of
islands and ocean islands. Three species from three different categories of plants, animals and
micro-organisms will be discussed in this assignment. For this assignment, there will one
species from;
1. Cultivated Staple Food Crop - Dalo ( Colocasia esculenta )
2. Medicinal Plan - Kura ( Morinda citrifolia )
3. Plant used in garlands, leis or for perfumes – mokosoi ( Cananga odorata )
These three species will be discussed thoroughly throughout this assignment.
3. CULTIVATED STAPLE FOOD CROP – DALO
(Wright, 1978)
Common Name: Taro
Fijian/vernacular Name: Dalo
Scientific Name: Colocasia esculenta
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Group: Monocot
DESCRIPTION:
Though dalo species differ in names and also have different appearance in terms of colour,
taste and size, these species all have the same background and characteristics. A dalo plant has
heart shape leaves which rise from the corm from the ground and reaches 2 meters in height.
The stem color of every dalo species varies (MareqetiViti, 2008).
Figure 1.0: The photo above shows how a dalo plant looks like.
Source: MareqetiViti
4. DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:
Across the main islands and some outer islands of Fiji, ‘dalo’ is tending to be most important
cultivated staple food crop in all. Although dalo, as many referred to as taro, is said to be
originated from Asia and India on the west, this cultivated Colocasia esculenta is not only an
important food crop in Fiji, but also in many other countries in The South Pacific. According to
NatureFiji MareqetiViti, Fiji have a total of 125 of dalo species, where 70 of these species were
already planted and used up by the indigenous people before the arrival of the other 55 species
of the same genus.
Colocasia esculenta is widely spread throughout the Fiji Islands. Big islands in the Fiji Islands
have a lot of area to plant dalo as compared to the small ones with less space for dalo
cultivation.
The indigenous people want the best in their everyday life and also in their line of work.
Because of this, the best soil for the cultivation of plantae is alluvial soil, and the perfect
location for this cultivation for this staple crop is on the hill slopes. MareqetiViti states that
there are two types of dalo; dalo which grows on wetland and the other one prefers dryland,
both of these types need good drainage system in order to produce good quality of yield.
The pure traditional species takes about nine to ten months fully grow while those dalo species
which are commercialized hybrids and those cross-breed ones take six to seven months to fully
matured (MareqetiViti, 2008).
Figure 1.1: This photo portrays the life cycle of a dalo plant.
Source: www.googleimage.com/taro
5. BIOTIC and ABIOTIC FACTORS TOGETHER with the NEGATIVE and POSITIVE IMPACTS that
HUMAN have on this SPECIES:
Biotic factor can be said to be the living things that have a great influences or impacts on an
ecosystem. For this staple food crop, the main biotic factor that is leaving this crop in danger is
diseases and pests. The main example and also what the farmers in Fiji are very much afraid of
is the DALO BEETLE (Papuana spp). The reason is that these beetles are the main reason for the
decline of dalo production across Fiji. According to Fiji One News, the dalo export industry is
now under threat after a fresh outbreak of dalo beetle. One of Fiji’s biggest dalo producing
area, Gau Island in the Lomaiviti Group is now under a great threat because of this pest (Fiji
One News, 2013).
On the other hand, Abiotic factors are factors that affect living organisms such as; temperatures
and rain and also sunlight and humidity. As for dalo, this species is very much at risk of abiotic
extreme events like storms, floods, fire and so forth. This is because when these events take
place, no one knows when it will happen and when it happens, dalo cultivations are hindered.
Floods may wash away these dalo species, heavy continuous rain may cause erosion of the
cultivation area. Not only that, but fire may also wipe away the entire species and leave the
cultivation area a desert.
Table below shows the negative and positive impacts that humans have on this dalo species;
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
- Overgrazing may lead to mineral loss - Good money obtained when sold
- Crossbreeding leads to the loss of the
original species
- Food for social gathering/function
- Overuse of artificial fertilizers on the
species takes away the true taste of
dalo.
- Dalo is said to be crop a man can be
well known of- big area of dalo
cultivation = hardworking person
SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPRTANCE OF DALO:
Being present at a traditional ceremony whether it is a wedding ceremony or funeral ceremony,
one will be devastated on the quality and the quantity of dalo presented during the ceremony.
In Fiji, dalo is considered a prestige crop, a choice of royalty, gift giving and fulfillment of social
commitments (FAO, 1998).
Because of this attachment, dalo is now classified as a totem of cultural identification. This
cultural attachment has sparked a profitable taro export to overseas countries.
6. Figure 1.2: Dalo is being presented during a Fijian traditional ceremony.
Source: Facebook Photo
PROTECT, PROMOTE and EXPORT:
To protect the cultivation area of dalo from pests and diseases, weed control is critical in the
third to the fifth months after planting. Dalo beetles cannot be controlled but the introduction
of artificial fertilizers has helped lessen the problem associated with these beetles. And to
balanced minerals in the soil, dalo is best planted with kava plants (yaqona), not only the
minerals are balanced; it also provides shades to the kava plants.
Fiji is also with other countries exporting dalo overseas for better economic standards of the
countries. So far Fiji has reaches a large amount of twenty million dollars, just from exporting
dalo, hence the dalo export industry is now classified as a $20million industry.
Exporting dalo also help in promoting the product locally and internationally. In Fiji, dalo is very
well known. This is because of its taste and other products are made from it, thus dalo can be
the raw materials for other products like; “qalu”, a Fijian local food.
7. MEDICINAL PLANT: KURA PLANT
Common Name: Moni
Fijian/vernacular Name: Kura, Indian Mulberry
Scientific Name: Morinda Citrifolia
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliopphyta
Class: Magnoliopsida (dicot)
Order: Rubiales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Morinda
Species: M. citrifolia
DESCRIPTION:
Noni are said to be eukaryote with organelles and a nucleus. This plant is autotrophs meaning
that it produces its own food in terms of photosynthesis with the help of chloroplast (Morinda
Citrifolia, 2010). Because of this chloroplast, noni is an old time favorite shrub or small tree. A
noni plant can grows up to a height of 8 meters with pure dark green leaves of approximately
35 centimeters long. The plant has white flowers which appears out of bunch like buds, which
later on turn to a white fruit. The size of the fruit varies a lot, and the color also varies from
green to yellow and white when fully ripe. The fruit has a unusual taste with a very irritating
smell when ripe. The skin of the noni fruit becomes very thin before it falls to the ground. By
them the noni is ready to be harvested.
Figure 1.3: A typical Noni fruit.
8. ORIGINS and DITRIBUTION:
According to Trees Of Life (Randy Thaman, 2012), noni plant is classified as an indigenous plant.
It common throughout Tropical Asia and Australia to the west of Polynesia, however to the east
of Polynesia, it is an aboriginal introduced plant. It stated in the book that the noni plant is a
common understory plant in coastal vegetation and fallow areas and planted and protected in
villages and garden areas throughout the Pacific. Noni plant is said to be common in The Tropics
and also in the Sub Tropical environment.
NONI JUICE EXTRACTION (Fijian Noni Jucie, 2003):
The traditional way of extracting noni juice in the Pacific is to date to let ripe mature noni fruit
in a container which air sealed. Over the past years, various methods of noni juice extraction
have been introduced which includes; de-watering process, even drying. Those fruits that go
through the de-watering process are later on made into fine powder. For Polynesian countries,
they carefully followed the old methods of extracting noni juice used by their ancestors, which
they still uphold as to date. The Polynesian methods are listed below, step by step;
1. Picking up ripe noni fruit
2. Let it mature in a sealed container
3. After several weeks, then press the fruit through a cloth to extract the juice to drink
4. Noni juice is ready to be consumed
The noni juice is not be taken in large quantities, it is rather be kept as a medicine and
administrated in several small sips throughout the day.
NONI as A MEDICINAL PLANT:
In Fiji, herbal medicine is still widely used in every corner of the Fiji Islands. As for noni plant, it
is one of Fiji’s and the Pacific Islands most vital medicinal plant. Noni fruit is eaten for good
health. Various ingredients made from stems, leaves, fruits and roots, often mixed with coconut
oil extraction to treat ringworms, scabies, yaws, body aches, sore throat, coughs, and any other
infections or sicknesses. Noni juice is very famous because of its beneficial properties. Plenty
people use the Kura leaves to cover the sprained joints. Throughout Fiji, the noni plant was a
major method of treatment for nearly every diseases, from the internal to the external part of
the human body.
9. NONI USAGE:
Preventative Maintenance:
Those people who wants to stay in good health, the amount of noni juice to be taken by
one person is 30ml on an empty stomach together with a glass of water everyday.
However if a person is very stressful, he or she can double the amount until everything
falls back into place.
Long term Health Problems:
This is a scenario where the body is at very low defense and the need for far more extra
help than those people in good health. Thus the suggestion for the noni juice
consumption is 30ml of juice is to be taken with an empty stomach and another 30ml to
be taken before going to sleep.
Life Threatening Conditions:
30ml of noni juice to be taken 4 to 5 times per day and drink a lot of water.
(MOH, 2011)
IMPACTS of NONI PLANT:
Environment:
The best place for noni plant to be planted is the area where there is a lot of sunlight,
water(humid) and is best planted with other plants which share unique relationship with noni
plant so that the nutrients and minerals are in cycle. However, if the environment is not healthy
or polluted, then the noni plant will be affected, just like other plants. Once the plant has taken
in some polluted material, and once its juice is being extracted, humans will not feel the
pollution part, but our body may be affected by such polluted intakes.
Humans:
The herbal medical plant, the noni, is the most important medicinal plant in Fiji and all the
Pacific. It cures almost all the sickness or diseases a person can encounter in everyday life.
According to the Ministry of Health Annual Report (MOH, Annual Report, 2008), Not only the
Pacific Islanders benefit from this medicinal juice, but also those people in any other countries
around the globe have admitted that noni juice is very helpful in curing any type of sickness
they encounter. In their report, they have mentioned that they have received emails from
people in overseas regarding the consumption of noni juice.
10. ECONOMY:
The noni juice is being sold to overseas market for the beneficial of every person around the
globe. The world nowadays is trying its very best to bring healthy life to each person, and the
introduction of the noni plant to the world markets has stamped a life changing product.
Reports shown by the Ministry of Health shows that noni has cured quite a number of diseases
and sickness.
Figure 1.4: Tabulated above is the percentage of helped from the consumption of the noni
juice.
Source: Ministry of Health ANNUAL REPORT.
11. Figure 1.4: A bottled Fijian Noni Juice.
Source: Ministry of Health
PROTECT and PROMOTE and EXPORT:
For noni plant, every single human has the responsibility to protect, especially the Pacific
Islanders since it becomes a commercial product for many of the pacific island countries. Once
we are able to protect the noni plant, then plenty noni products will be produced by many
manufactories and then we can promote these products by exporting it to other countries
because everyone knows the good effects brought in by the noni juice once being taken or
consumed.
PLANT USED IN GARLANDS: FRANGIPANI
Common Name: Frangipani, Hawaiian Lei flower
Fijian/Vernacular Name: Bua, Bua ni vavalagi
Scientific Name: Plumeria rubra
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
12. Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Plumeria
DESCRIPTION:
Nothing beats the smell of true nature fragrance of tropical frangipani. Frangipanis give out a
sweet scent and love to bloom either on the tree or as a cut flower. The unique color of the
frangipanis make them look much more standout from the rest of the flowering plants.
Frangipanis are quite small trees reaching a height of 5 to 6 meters, however frangipanis grow
quite a width. Frangipanis are said to have a well-structured root system which gives them
green light to be best grow on home garden and also in pots. This plants have a wide tolerance
range meaning that they can withstand droughts, heat, neglect insect and pest attack. Because
of the long rough leaves and the white typical flowers, frangipanis are easily and also one of the
most common recognizable trees. The frangipanis branches have a swollen like appearance and
the leaves are mostly dark green on the top while light green underneath, attached to the tip of
the branches. The petals are mostly waxy and varies in color, giving the overall look of the plant
of beautiful in nature.
Figure 1.5: A photo of a frangipani flower
Source: Digital Camera
ORIGINS and DISTRIBUTION:
It is said that frangipanis are native to South and Central America, however, this has not been
proven yet since Caribbean claims frangipanis to be originated from them and later on taken to
America by Spanish priests. According to Steven Prowse (Prowse, 1978), frangipanis arrived in
13. Australia from South America by Polynesian people who came in contact with the Melanesian
people and later on spread these very beautiful sweet smelling frangipanis all over the
Melanesian countries. In Fiji, frangipanis are very much common in every places. Frangipanis
are classified to be an introduced plant from Australia since these plants are found in almost
every corner of Australia with a wide tolerance range which can tolerate any conditions (All
Things Frangipani, 2013).
GROWING and HABITAT:
According to (All Things Frangipani, 2013), frangipanis will survive well in any type of soil but
well drained soil id the best soil for the growth of frangipanis. This important plant can grow to
a wide tolerance range, meaning that frangipanis can grow in all climates except on some
extent. Being classified as a typical tropical plant, these plants perfectly survive in a place where
there is a huge amount of sunlight and well-drained soil. To compare two frangipani plants; a
frangipani plant that grows in the shades will grow slowly while the one that grows in the sun
grow fast.
Frangipanis respond excellently to organic fertilizers like NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorous and
Potassium).
Nitrogen – for good green growth
Phosphorous – for large flowers and healthy roots
Potassium – for good plant cell structure and strength and improving disease resistance.
REPRODUCTION:
There are two ways in which frangipanis species can be extended and they are (All Things
Frangipani, 2013);
1. Propagating by seeds – results can be a little unpredictable meaning that it is unlikely to
be an exact duplicate as compared to its parent plant.
2. Propagating by cuttings – results will be quite interesting meaning that the duplicate will
be exactly the same as its parent plant.
14. FRANGIPANI in GARLANDS:
Because of the sweet scent of these sweet and beautiful frangipanis, frangipanis are now the
most wanted plant for the preparation of garland. The things about frangipani that makes it the
most wanted part of garland are as follows;
1. It has a sweet natural scent
2. The petals are beautiful since the color varies a lot
3. It has different other species which are all have sweet smell and beautiful colors
4. The frangipani flowers are much more standout the rest of the flowers
5. It is said to be the sign of perfection
Figure 1.6: A person is making a frangipani garlands.
Source: www.googleimage.com
15. IMPACTS of FRANGIPANI:
Environment - Beautifies the surrounding with its beautiful flowers
- Gives out a sweet smell
Human - In terms of garlands, a person wearing a frangipani garland
makes the person looks good
- Wearing frangipani indicates that a woman is in a
relationship (All Things Frangipani, 2013)
Economy - Fijian stamps are made up frangipani flowers
- Pure Fiji Limited uses frangipani as the main feature logo for
their products
- Frangipani garlands are being sold at very own local market
- Source of income when frangipani flowers are being sold.
Figure 1.7: Fijian Stamps showing frangipani flowers
Source: www.googleimage.com
PROTECT, PROMOTE and EXPORT:
Frangipani plant is an important plant for garlands making. It is everyone’s job to protect it
since one day it will become extinct due to limited space and competitions amongst the other
species will be tend to hinder the growth of this garland plant. More frangipani plants should be
planted as it is becoming a good source of income for who are to sell it to the general public
and to let the public know that frangipani is one of a kind when it comes to garlands making,
decorations and other stuff. Pure Fiji has been doing a great job in promoting the true fragrance
of frangipani in overseas market, and also the Fijian stamps with frangipani flowers on it is also
help in promoting the frangipanis all over the world.
16. CONCLUSION
After doing this assignment, I have learnt that all living species on earth are interlinked to its
environment or surrounding which they lived in. Flora and fauna of a country should be taken
into consideration to prevent any native species from getting extinct as we, humans tend to
take the path of a more digitized world. Also it can be pointed out that humans do have a lot of
impacts of the flora and fauna which may cause to the extinction of some species which are not
mentioned in this assignment, but were used a reference guide till the end of this assignment.
From there, another conclusive statement is that once humans protect the resources, it means
that humans are promoting it so that it can be a commercial products for our country and to all
the Indigenous people out there.
17. Bibliography
All Things Frangipani. (2013). New South Wales, Australia: Pacific Palm Design. Retrieved from
www.allthingsfrangipanis.com
FAO. (1998). Taro Cultivation in Asia and the Pacific. Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Fiji One News (2013). [Motion Picture].
Fijian Noni Jucie. (2003, March). Retrieved from Fremantle Health Foods:
www.fremantlehealthfoods.com.au
MareqetiViti. (2008). Colocasia Esculenta. Retrieved from NatureFiji MareqetiViti: www.naturefiji.org
MOH. (2008). Annual Report. Suva: The Ministry of Health.
MOH. (2011). The Noni Fruit Juice: The GoodNoni. Suva: The Ministry Of Health.
Morinda Citrifolia. (2010, April 16). Retrieved from Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants:
http://keys.trin.org.au:8080/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-
060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Morinda_citrifolia_var._citrifolia.htm
Prowse, S. (1978). Sacred Garden Plumeria.
Randy Thaman, M. G. (2012). Morinda Citrifolia. In Trees Of Life (p. 286). Suva: University of The South
Pacific.
Wright, H. (1978). A List of Fijian Plant Names. Suva: Government Printer.
