Vatthe vine control project - Vanuatu : summary of activities and results 2009-2010

Abstract

Looking over Vatthe Conservation Area & Matantas Village. Vatthe’s diverse wildlife includes the globally endangered, Gallicolumba santaecrusis and three vulnerable endemic bird species, Megapodius layardi,, Erythrura trichroa, and Todiramphus farquahari. Vatthe is on the Vanuatu Government’s tentative site list for World Heritage nomination. Vatthe Vine Control Project – Vanuatu – Summary of activities and results 2009-2010 Sue Maturin Forest and Bird [email protected] August 2010 Vatthe Conservation Area Vatthe the largest Conservation Area, and most extensive lowland alluvial forest left in Vanuatu, is under threat from an invasive vine, big leaf (Merremia peltata), which is invading previously un-infested forest, and is causing the death of large numbers of canopy trees. The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (Forest & Bird) has been working with the local landowners of Vatthe Conservation area to investigate options for controlling th