Distribution, population structure, and management of a rare sandalwood (Santalum yasi, Santalaceae) in Fiji and Tonga
Ryan D. Huish A E , Tevita Faka’osi B , Heimuli Likiafu B , Joseva Mateboto C and Katherine H. Huish D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Biology Department, Hollins University, PO Box 9615, Roanoke, VA 24020, USA. Present address: Department of Natural Sciences, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, 1 College Avenue Wise, VA 24293, USA.
B Tongan Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Fisheries and Forests, PO Box 14, Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
C Department of Forestry, Government of Fiji, PO Box 2218, Suva, Fiji.
D c/o R. D. Huish, Department of Natural Sciences, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, 1 College Avenue Wise, VA 24293, USA.
E Corresponding author. Email: rhuish@gmail.com
Pacific Conservation Biology 21(1) 27-37 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC14902
Submitted: 14 February 2014 Accepted: 28 July 2014 Published: 1 May 2015
Abstract
The aromatic heartwood of Santalum yasi has been harvested extensively in Fiji and Tonga over the past two centuries for international trade in the medicinal, perfume, and incense industry and other cultural purposes. Field surveys and a review of historic and modern documents reveal a sparse and scattered distribution and indicate that the natural distribution of S. yasi has fluctuated over time, even declining to local extinction in the wild in some areas, while S. album has been introduced and naturalisation of S. yasi × S. album hybrids is evident. Population data collected along transects in three in situ S. yasi populations show discontinuous size-class structures, indicating regenerative stress. The population densities at study sites ranged from 19 to 63 adult trees (≥5 cm dbh) per hectare and less than two heartwood-bearing trees (≥15 cm dbh) per hectare. Though S. yasi trees may attain up to 40 cm dbh, no trees greater than 23 cm dbh were found in any of the studied populations. Low density and small size of adult trees and human-induced bole damage are suggestive of frequent, premature, and defensive harvesting patterns and indicate the need for ongoing adaptive comanagement in recognition of underlying economic and sociocultural pressures.
Additional keywords(or phrases): : adaptive comanagement, resource management, sustainable harvesting.
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