Biorap survey de-briefing / Presented by Bruce Jefferies (SPREP), James Atherton and Suemalo Talie Foliga (MNRE), August 2, 2012

1. Enhancing Knowledge and
Understanding of the
Biodiversity of Upland Central
Savaii
BIORAP SURVEY DE-BRIEFING
Presented by Bruce Jefferies (SPREP)
James Atherton (consultant) &
Suemalo Talie Foliga (MNRE)
Aug 2, 2012
MNRE Conference Room, Apia

2. 1. Project Introduction: Bruce
2. Project Methods: James
3. Project Results, Recommendations
and Next Steps: Suemalo Talie

3. Project goal: Improve the understanding of the biodiversity of upland
Savaii and threats to it and identify follow up actions needed to conserve
the forest
Project focus: surveys of fauna and flora in particular
birds, plants, reptiles, land snails, arthopods
Donor: Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) via CI Pacific
Partners:
• Savaii Village Communities
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE)
• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Project Dates: From January to December 2012; Survey May 20-31, 2012
Funding Amount: $USD 169,400

4. Project Area
Map of Key Sites for Conservation in Samoa
(CI/SPREP/MNRE 2010)

5.  Conservation Priority: Samoa BSAP and a number of ecological surveys
have identified the upland forests of Savaii as a conservation priority
 Globally unique: Upland Savaii is the largest continuous area of intact
native forest (<65,000 ha) left in Samoa and in tropical Polynesia and
contains the highest levels of biodiversity, density of birds and other
forest species in Samoa
 Poor knowledge: large areas of the forest have not been surveyed and
may contain species new to science or significant populations of
threatened species
 Ecosystem services and values: strong linkages exist between
conservation of the biodiversity of the upland forests and other benefits
and ecosystem services- eg carbon sinks, village ecotourism, provision of
clean water and also clear linkages with related projects (eg GEF-PAS
FPAM, JICS Samoa Forest Conservation and GEF ICCRIFS)

6. Theme 2: Ecosystem Management
 Objective 1: Research and Monitoring
1.2 Undertake biological surveys of key upland sites not visited in the National Upland
Ecological Survey of 1998, e.g. Sili Upland forest, Itu Salega and Gataivai Upland forest.
 Objective 2: Conservation Areas
2.3 Establish large conservation areas which include more than one ecosystem, in high
priority sites identified in lowland and upland ecological surveys such as
Aopo, Sili, Salailua, and Eastern Upolu, utilizing community management approaches.
Theme 3: Species Management
 Objective 2: Research and Monitoring
2.2 Undertake a research programme to complete the collection and identification of
Samoa's fauna and flora.
2.3 Develop a project to search for the Punae.
 Objective 5: Capacity Building
5.1 Develop and implement local capacity building programmes on biological
surveys, monitoring techniques and species management.

7.  Component 1. Design Planning and survey
preparations, in consultations with key
stakeholders, particularly local communities, are
completed.
 Component 2. Survey and Fieldwork completed
by teams composed of MNRE, local
villagers, SPREP staff, and regional experts
 Component 3. Community awareness and
education program is completed that utilizes
participatory video production, a film
screening, and community discussions.

8. Technical reports:
 Status of bird species surveyed particularly the
puna'e, manumea, maomao and others
 Status of endangered plants including possible species new to
Samoa
 Priority habitats/areas, based on the endangered fauna and flora they
support, are identified, mapped, and provided with GPS coordinates.
 Presence, or absence, of Samoan swallowtail butterfly is assessed
 Status of invasive species and other threats is assessed
 Key management issues and conservation options to support
immediate and long term management of the KBA
Conservation advocacy and awareness raising products:
 An educational film in Samoan with English sub-titles is
produced, involving participatory filmmaking
 Technical report produced to document the outcomes of village
seminars and awareness raising activities
 Publicity and promotional materials produced

9. Community Consultations (April- May 2012)
• District consultations in Northern Savaii on April
18 (Manase to Aopo)
• District consultation for Southern Savaii on April
19 (Sili to Salailua)
• Ava ceremony at Aopo on April 18 May
Survey (May 21-31 2012)
Taxa: birds, reptiles, land snails, insects and plants
Standard methods employed: 5 min bird counts,
sound recorders, pitfall trapping and light traps,
transects, sticky traps, hand collection
Specimens exported for final identification to a
number of overseas institutions

11.  Logistically complex operation-
military style!
 Large, rugged and remote area to
survey (>100km2), no rivers but
lots of rain…
 30 scientists and MNRE staff
involved, >15 porters
 New foot trails cut and marked
prior to survey 3km to east of
Silisili
 Access to forest via helicopter
transport and on foot
 Tons of gear moved to mountain
camp and then removed
 Mess tent frame and water tanks
left at Mata o Le Afi

12. Area of Expertise/Team (numbers in
survey)
Name
Area of main responsibility
Avifauna David Butler Bird Team Leader
Rebecca Stirnemann
Becky Harris
Fialelei Enoka (DEC)
Mark O’Brian (BL)
Kirsty Swinnerton (IC)
Vilikesa Masibalavu (CI)
Plants Art Whistler Flora and vegetation Team Leader
Suemalo Talie (DEC) Mountain Camp Manager
Martha Suter Plant pressing at Asau
Sue Mulvany Survey logistical support
Terrestrial Fauna Eric Edwards (DOC) Terrestrial Fauna Team Leader
Robert Fisher (USGS) Reptiles lead
Fred Brook Land snails
Warren Chin (DOC) Beetles
Moeumu Uili (DEC) Reptiles assistant
Biodiversity conservation values and sites
of particular significance
Bruce Jefferies Project Coordinator
James Atherton Assistant Project Coordinator
Chef Frank Fidow
SFD participants (MNRE) Elisala Ilaoa
Siaumau Ualesi
Vaetoe Meki Tauai
Penisula Leala
Tanielu Tipa
Finau Masoe
Afano Lologa
Sooalo Tito Alatimu Asau Base camp manager
Vailega Timoteo Moresi
Trail cutters and portersOthers
Film Crew

13. Communications…
Weather…….

14.  Community awareness raised
 Scientific knowledge- new
species found, status of other
species revised, new data on
elevation ranges of many
species obtained
 New trail cut to the correct
summit of Savaii (Mt Silisili)
 Campsite established at Mata o
le Afi for possible ecotourism
development
 Documentary of survey work
 First ava ceremony at 1650m in
Samoa!

15. Some Findings…
• 11 lizards
recorded
• No lizards
above
1325m
• 27 new
landsnails
• No
introduced
land snails
>1000m
• No Punae
• Only 1
observation of
Manumea
•Tahiti petrel
found at
1300m
• 2 new
orchid
species
• Very few
introduced
weeds
>1000m
• No introd.
ants >560m
• Where YCA
very few native
lizards and
fewer land
snails
• No Pepe ae
• >120 moths
sampled,
many new
species
X

16. • Further surveys needed in areas not
visited- eg Lake Mataulano
• Protection of montane & cloud forest
• Awareness raising with local
communities on values of forest
• Managing threats – eg new roads
• Special attention needed for
Manumea (threatened bird recovery
group?)

17. • Debrief Savaii communities on the results of the
survey and next steps as soon as practically
possible (Week of Sept 24 ?)
• Explore ecotourism development options- eg fix
water tanks, trail development, marketing,
partnership with STA?
• Decide on appropriate actions re illegal road to Mata
o le Afi
• Consider installing an automatic weather station at
Mata o le Afi to gather weather data for this area?
• Explore World Heritage/Biosphere reserve Options?
• Finalise Biorap report by end of October?

18. • CEPF
• CI Pacific
• Birdlife Pacific
• USGS
• Island Conservation
• APTC
• NZ Defence Forces/ NZ High Commission
• NZ Department of Conservation
• Samoa Airport Authority
• Bluebird Hardware
• Savaii Communities

19. Questions/Fesili