References

Works Cited

Allen, Julia C., and Douglas F. Barnes. "The Causes of Deforestation in Developing Countries." Annals of the 

     Association of American Geographers 75.2 (1985): 163-84. Print. 

Berg, Linda R., Mary Catherine. Hager, and David M. Hassenzahl. Visualizing Environmental Science. Hoboken, 

     NJ: Wiley, 2011. Print. 

"Fiji, Wallis, and Futuna Islands, in the Pacific Ocean, East of Australia." WWF. World Wildlife Foundation, n.d. 

     Web. 26 Nov. 2012. <http://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/oc0105>. 

Improve Human Impacts with Table

       As stated by many scholars on WWF, "reserves on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu need to be enlarged so that they enclose viable populations of flora and fauna." This may be true, but if one examines the below provided by mongabay.com, a private environmental awareness organization, many myths about the true amount of deforestation in Viti Levu may in fact be proven wrong. 

     From this graph one can truly say that deforestation has been on the decline even further into the century. Many efforts by the natives have included the expansion of the natural reserves and anti-logging campaigns. If others continue these efforts against deforestation at this same rate, Viti Levu and the remaining islands in Fiji will flourish for generations to enjoy. 

Future Prospects

      Though I do not believe the tropical rainforest of Viti Levu is severely harmed by human involvement, I do believe there will be many problems in the near future if something is not done in the meantime. Activists from all around the world are fighting commercial efforts to expand logging territory, especially in preserved regions of the Viti Levu tropical rainforest. While these causes may stop the efforts for now, it would be wise if the Melanesian governments combined forces to place strict caps on how much logging is permitted in the region. The future of the Viti Levu tropical rainforest can be a bright one if more people would take action and stop such destruction.

Human Impacts

            Coming as no shock to most readers, the three most imposing agents of deforestation and inevitably the complete destruction of such tropical rainforests are subsistence agriculture, commercial logging and cattle ranching. According to the WWF (World Wildlife Foundation), "Since the 1960’s about fifteen percent of forest [on Viti Levu] have been completely cleared and selective logging has removed much of the standing diversity in accessible forest by about 2020 leaving approximately 2700 square kilometers of old growth forest in steep and inaccessible areas." Currently only 68 square kilometers are protected in Fiji primarily contained in the Mount Tomaniivi Nature Reserve on Viti Levu (Watling 1986). 

           The WWF also claims that "the principle threat to forests in the ecoregion is logging and subsequent development of logged areas for plantations or agriculture such that in the near future isolated patches of forest may be restricted to isolated ridgelines, mountain tops, and areas unsuitable for human use." This goes without saying the numerous non-native species that have been introduced to the Viti Levu tropical rainforest including mongoose, cats, pigs and rats that are fairly efficient when it comes to preying on native species. This in turn reduces the native populations of birds, reptiles and amphibians to near extinction. 

Historical State of Ecosystem

        To state it bluntly, humans are to blame for the demise of tropical forests all across the world, especially places such as Viti Levu. Due to the fact that this particular ecosystem is located on an island, there is even more reason to believe that humans are the main cause for its destruction because it is a closed system with a finite number of land. On a more geographical note, the island of Viti Levu is known amongst the islands of Melanesia as being one of the largest tropical rain forests with the most biodiversity. As far as tropical rainforests are concerned, Viti Levu is one that has relatively high biodiversity remaining due to the natives activism in trying to stop massive logging projects and rampant subsistence agriculture.

Study Area/ Ecosystem

The studied area consists of the sections in green and yellow on this topographical  map of Viti Levu. Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Tropical Rainforest

Courtesy of Fiji Water.