Our Environment

Environment Articles:

Forest Ecosystems

 

The Mamanuca Group of islands is filled with forests that play a vital role to the local communities and the surrounding life…read more

 

Mangrove/Wetland Ecosystems

 

Until recently, mangroves were considered smelly, muddy, mosquito infested swamps and their removal was seen as a sign of progress. Today, many…read more

 

Seagrass/Intertidal Flats

 

Seagrass beds are a major component of tropical marine ecosystems throughout the world, and it is the most diverse in the lagoonal systems that are…read more

 

Coral Reef Ecosystems

 

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and beautiful natural environment on earth. The world’s first coral reefs occurred about 500 million years ago, and the first close relatives of modern…read more

 

Deep Water

 

The deep water or open ocean is divided into several layers based on the overall depth. The top layer is called…read more

 

Protecting Coral Reefs

 

Why are we told not to touch corals? Altough corals look like strong sturdy rocks, they are in fact very fragile creatures…read more

 

Threats to Coral Reefs—Natural Impacts

 

Coral Reefs are suffering from natural and anthropogenic threats. Anthropogenic means human influence or human impact. Many…read more

 

Threats to Coral Reefs—Human Impacts

 

Collection of coral for construction and use in the curio trade. Coral has a multitude of uses as a construction tool…read more

 

Fiji’s Natural Environment

 

The WWF say: The islands of Fiji provide one of the world’s most outstanding tropical marine environments, attracting growing numbers of tourists and marine resource…read more

 

The Mamanuca Islands Group

 

The Mamanuca Islands have been the focus of tourism development in Fiji for many years and receive a substantial visitation of tourists……..read more

 

 

Common Reef Creatures—Invertebrates

 

Here are some common creatures you will see whilst snorkelling on the reefs around the Mamanucas…..read more

 

Common Reef Creatures—Hard Corals

 

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and beautiful natural environments on earth. The world’s first coral reefs…read more

 

Common Reef Creatures—Reef Fish

 

Fish exhibit a diverse array of life styles to cope with living together in the crowded and competitive world of the reef…read more

 

Endangered Species Overview

 

What is an endangered species? An endangered species is a population of any living organism that is at risk of becoming extinct because…read more

 

Common Reef Creatures—Reef Fish Continued

 

Triggerfish are deep bodied, compressed fish with an almost diamond shaped body. Their eyes are…read more

 

Endangered Fish

 

The adult Humphead wrasse develops a prominent hump on the forehead and has thick lips. Like the bumphead…read more

 

Endangered Shells

 

The Triton Trumpet Snail is now a rare find in the Pacific, most often found at…read more

 

Endangered Iguanas

 

The Fijian Crested Iguana, Brachylophus vitiensis, is endemic to the Fiji Islands and is currently listed as Critically Endangered under The International Union…read more

 

Humpback Whales

 

The humpback whale is one of the many whales that pass through Fiji waters and are probably best known for their songs…read more

 

Marine Turtles

 

All marine turtle species are experiencing serious threats to their survival. Marine turtles are recognised internationally as species of…read more

 

Hawksbill Turtle

 

The hawksbill turtle is small to medium sized compared to other sea turtle species. Adults weigh 45 to 65kg on average, but can grow…read more

 

Green Turtle

 

The ‘vonu dina’ is the largest of all the hard-shelled sea turtles. While hatchlings are just 2 inches (50mm) long…read more

 

Loggerhead Turtle

 

The ‘tuvonu’ is known for it’s relatively large head (thus the name Loggerhead). The carapace length of the adult averages…read more

 

Leatherback Turtle

 

The ‘tutuwalu’ or leatherback is the only sea turtle that lacks a hard bony shell. Rather it consists of a leathery, oil saturated…read more