Sandalwood in Niue - An Overview
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The document outlines the country profile of Niue, highlighting its geography, climate, and forest resources, including a small natural stand of sandalwood. It notes challenges such as lack of financial assistance and professional expertise, while discussing ongoing efforts in sandalwood research and extension. Recommendations include promoting local sandalwood planting, ensuring sustainable management through joint landowner cooperation, and enhancing capacity building for relevant staff.
Sandalwood in Niue - An Overview
- 1. REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON SANDALWOOD RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS AND ASIA 28TH NOVEMBER – 2ND DECEMBER 2005 NADI, SUVA
- 2. COUNTRY PROFILE • Niue is the world largest raised single coral atoll situated in the Southwest Pacific Ocean at latitude 19° south and 169° west • Land area is compromised of 259 km² • Population ~1,700 people • Niue is a multicultural society where bilingual is used frequently
- 3. COUNTRY PROFILE CONTINUES • There are 2 distinctive season, the hot wet season from November to March (coincide with the tropical cyclone season. The cool dry season from April to November. • Average rainfall approx 2,180mm but vary from 810 to 3,330mm/annum. 68% of the total annual rainfall is concentrated in the wet season • Wet season daily maximum temperature is 30°C (January/February) with daily minimum of 23°C. Dry Season daily maximum is 26°C and daily minimum of 19°C
- 4. COUNTRY PROFILE CONTINUES •The soils are of marginal fertility for intensive agriculture. Land is covered with fern growth indicating the poor structure and nutrient contents of the soil •The soil is limited due to minimal depth to base-rock, makatea (limestone – occurs over approximately 50% of the island) outcropping and surface boulders •There are 4 main soil types (and other minor soil types): - Hikutavake Soils - Hakupu Soils - Fonuakula Soils - Palai Soils
- 5. COUNTRY PROFILE CONTINUES Niue is still largely covered by tropical forest, 19,351ha or 74% of the island. It has one of the highest forest areas per inhabitant amongst island countries of the Pacific Region (logging is almost non-existent). Forest Resources according to Land Cover Classes (Landcare 2001) Figures not the latest (1994) and were amended after ground truthing (2001 – 2004) Matured Forest - 6,805ha - 26% Secondary Forest - 11,233ha - 43% Littoral Forest - 1,313ha - 5% TOTAL FOREST - 19,351ha - 74% Managed Land, Bare Land, Littoral Scrubland - 6,792ha - 26% TOTAL LAND - 26,143ha - 100%
- 6. SANDALWOOD AREA Ahi Stand Niue is not part of the SPRIG Phase 1 & 2 but they have offered some assistance in terms of securing seeds for a seed orchard. Very little is known about the small sandalwood natural stand at Hakupu which is: •Less than 1 sq km •Less than 100 small trees •There are some sighting of sandalwood on other areas but not conclusive •Needs to have a complete inventory of the stand, measuring and mapping
- 7. NURSERY DEVELOPMENT Nursery has planted sandalwood seeds in total that was given by Australia and Fiji: YASI – 37 + 14 + 10 + 20 = 81 ALBUM – 18+17+32+80 = 147 A seed orchard where these seedlings will be planted have been planted with citrus (mandarin) as a host plant
- 8. MAJOR CONSTRAINTS • LACK OF • - Financial assistance - Professional technical expertise - The know how to apply - Manpower - Viable seeds from the naturalized sites • FARMERS CAPABILITIES: - Mind set are hard to change NATURAL DISASTERS: - Drought - Cyclones
- 9. PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT • RESEARCH & EXTENSION: - Ongoing research development & extension in developing a Sandalwood seed orchard • AWARENESS: - Ongoing awareness for the landowners to grasp the importance of this valuable tree species •
- 10. STRATEGIES ADOPTED • The Government should continue to be supportive in all Agricultural Policies to promote conservation and sustainable development concepts • The National Forest Policy recognized that agroforestry development and intercropping will be encourage and promoted • Research will focus on data collection of promising species and provenance in support of indigenous forest management with emphasis on Agroforestry Development
- 11. RECOMMENDATIONS • Niue Forestry Division: - promote the planting of Sandalwood using the local provenance - Develop joint management with landowners to ensure sustainable management - Seek Regional assistance for more Sandalwood seeds for the local seed orchard - Capacity building of staff towards these sandalwood species
- 12. CONCLUSION •Fakaue lahi, Oue Tulou with gratitude to the sponsors of this Sandalwood Workshop •Dr Lex Thomson (SPRIG)and Mr Sairusi Bulai (SPC)for the “Management Plan for Ahi on Niue •The Niue Government for allowing me to attend this very important Regional Workshop •