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Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

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PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN<br />

<strong>Chapter</strong> III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources<br />

Draft 1 March 2007<br />

Low vegetation (grass and herbs) seemed none the worse because of the rabbits (Bryan<br />

1934).<br />

Ellis (1937) reported that Rawaki (Phoenix) was treeless.<br />

Maude (1937) observed te boi (purslane) near the lagoon, te wao, te kaura, kiao, and two<br />

species of grass (not identified). No trees, shrubs, or coconut trees were observed.<br />

In 1939, the decision was made to plant 3,500 coconut trees on Rawaki (Phoenix) (Garnett<br />

1983). Planting was stopped with the outbreak of World War II.<br />

Anon. (1940b) reported that Rawaki (Phoenix) had extensive growths of coconuts.<br />

The bunchgrass Lepturus dominated the northwest point and west side (Bryan 1941 and<br />

1942). Boerhaavia and Portulaca dominated the south and soutwest. Sesuvium bounded the<br />

west side of the lagoon. Sida (ilima) and Triumfetta (beach runner) were on the east side.<br />

Rawaki (Phoenix) was treeless (Hydrographic Office 1940; see also Hydrographer of the<br />

Navy 1969). In the middle of the island sand was sparsely covered with grass.<br />

Factors other than food presumably held the rabbit population down to a level where rabbits<br />

did not seriously affect the vegetation (Watson 1961).<br />

Garnett (1983) listed plant species for Rawaki (Phoenix), including:<br />

1) Lepturus pilgerianus<br />

2) Boerhavia<br />

3) Sesuvium portulacastrum<br />

4) Portulaca lutea<br />

5) Triumfetta procumbens<br />

6) Sida fallax<br />

Fosberg and Stoddart (1994) provided a detail discussion of each species recorded for the<br />

Phoenix Islands. A summary of plant species reported and discussed in Fosberg and Stoddart<br />

(1994) is provided in Table III-3.3 above.<br />

In 2001, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Rural Development initiated the Phoenix Island<br />

Kakai Scheme (PIKS Project Manager 2002). The main activities of the scheme included:<br />

(1) cutting copra, (2) shark fins, (3) sea cucumbers, (4) seaweed, and (5) replanting coconut<br />

trees and cleaning. Copra production was limited due to breakdown of the tractor, rats, and<br />

limited coconuts. Coconut planting was planned for the second year of this project.<br />

In 2002, pigweed, Boerhaavia, bunch grass and Sesuvium were observed on Rarawki<br />

(Phoenix) (Bukaeireiti and Rabaua 2002).<br />

Neilson (2002) reported that the preferred food of rabbits on Rawaki was Portulaca lutea.<br />

This was evident by the low percentage cover of P. lutea on Rawaki.<br />

Neilson (2002) noted the number of plant species present on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie,<br />

Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki, and the plant habitats present for each island (see<br />

Table III-3.4 above).<br />

C. INSECTS<br />

41

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