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…
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…
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…
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…
Deep Water
The deep water or open ocean is divided into several layers based on the overall depth. The top layer is called…
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…
Threats to Coral Reefs—Natural Impacts
Coral Reefs are suffering from natural and anthropogenic threats. Anthropogenic means human influence or human impact. Many…
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…
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…
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…
Common Reef Creatures—Invertebrates
Here are some common creatures you will see whilst snorkelling on the reefs around the Mamanucas…
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…
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…
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…
Common Reef Creatures—Reef Fish Continued
Triggerfish are deep bodied, compressed fish with an almost diamond shaped body. Their eyes are…
Endangered Fish
The adult Humphead wrasse develops a prominent hump on the forehead and has thick lips. Like the bumphead…
Endangered Shells
The Triton Trumpet Snail is now a rare find in the Pacific, most often found at…
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…
Humpback Whales
The humpback whale is one of the many whales that pass through Fiji waters and are probably best known for their songs…
Marine Turtles
All marine turtle species are experiencing serious threats to their survival. Marine turtles are recognised internationally as species of…
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…
Green Turtle
The ‘vonu dina’ is the largest of all the hard-shelled sea turtles. While hatchlings are just 2 inches (50mm) long…
Loggerhead Turtle
The ‘tuvonu’ is known for it’s relatively large head (thus the name Loggerhead). The carapace length of the adult averages…
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…
