Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 7.1
Case study 1: a Fijian community sets priorities for invasive species
management on their island
The Fijian ground frog (
Platymantis vitianus
) has been listed by the World
Conservation Union (IUCN) as endangered since 1996 (IUCN 2004). There
are only two extant endemic amphibians in Fiji, the larger ground frog and the
smaller tree frog (
P
.
vitiensis
) (Pernetta and Watling, 1978; Morrison, 2003).
Fijian ground frogs (FGFs) once lived throughout the country, but now only
survive on four mongoose-free islands, including the island of Viwa. The Viwa
Island population is considered the smallest and the most vulnerable of the four
islands populations.
Viwa Island is a small, 60 ha island situated about 900 m off the east coast of
Fijis largest island, Veti Levu. The island's human population is a small commu-
nity made up of 104 people who are reliant on subsistence living. Large popula-
tions of cane toads (
Bufo marinus
) and Pacifi c rats (
Rattus exulans
) are present
on the island and are considered to be the two main threats to the FGF (Denny
et al
. 2005). Over a number of years, researchers at University of South Pacifi c
(USP) have been studying the ecology of the Fijian ground frog on Viwa. In 2004,
USP partnered with the Pacifi c Invasives Initiative (PII) to undertake a feasibility
study aimed at protecting the FGF by eradicating the cane toad and Pacifi c rats.
Fig. 7.1
Members of the community on Viwa Island (Fiji) practice with
non-toxic baits in preparation for the eradication of Pacifi c rats (
R.exulans
).
Photo: Rob Chappell.
