A Long-Term Perspective on Biodiversity and Marine Resource Exploitation in Fiji's Lau Group

Abstract

I present research investigating biodiversity and human interaction with the local environment through three perspectives on diverse islands in Fiji's Lau Group. First, I generated long-term data on marine diversity and exploitation through zooarchaeological analyses of fauna from sites spanning the region's prehistoric human occupation. The study areas are representative of regional fauna and local geographic variation in island size and structure. Each island also varies in terms of human occupation and degree of impacts on marine and terrestrial environments. Second, my ethnographic work recorded modern marine exploitation patterns by Lauan communities. Third, marine biological surveys documented living faunas. Together this information is used to explore the marine environment over the three millennia of human occupation. Using data derived from my multipronged study I discuss potential causes of ecological change in this tropical marine setting. My findings include the following: (1) data indicate that relative intensity of human occupation and exploitation determines modern composition and biological diversity of marine communities because human disturbance occurred more extensively on larger islands than on smaller islands in Lau; (2) Lauans appear to have targeted similar suites of marine fauna across their 3,000 years of history on these islands; (3) Lauans have had a selective effect on marine biodiversity because particular species are/were targeted according to local standards of ranking and preference; (4) marine resources existing today have withstood over 3,000 years of human impacts and therefore may have life history traits supporting resilience and making conservation efforts worthwhile.

Evidence for size increase in an exploited mollusc: humped conch (Strombus gibberulus) at Chelechol ra Orrak, Palau from ca. 3000–0 BP

“…In sum, the Chelechol ra Orrak data set presents a clear evidence for an increase in humped conch size over time. This finding is noteworthy as previous studies have documented a decline in humped conch size and/or abundance through time in Pacific archaeological sites (Amesbury, 2007;Jones, 2009;Masse et al, 2006).…”

“…In the Pacific Islands, a number of archaeomalacological studies have identified a decline through time in the size and/or abundance of the humped conch (Strombus gibberulus), a species that is often a constituent of archaeological assemblages in this region (Amesbury, 2007;Jones, 2009;Masse et al, 2006). Humped conch is found in relative abundance at the site of Chelechol ra Orrak in Palau in deposits that date from approximately 3000 BP to the present.…”

Prehistoric Fijian diet and subsistence: integration of faunal, ethnographic, and stable isotopic evidence from the Lau Island Group

“…Detailed chronologies and site descriptions are published elsewhere (Jones, 2009;Jones et al, 2007;O'Day et al, 2003). Excavations were conducted in 5-10 cm levels, following natural stratigraphy whenever possible.…”

“…In the center of the study area is Lakeba (55.8 km 2 ), a large volcanic island that has been the focus of archaeological (Best, 1984(Best, , 2002 and ethnoarchaeological research (Jones, 2009). Jones conducted ethnography on Lakeba, but no archaeological data are included herein.…”

“…Efforts were also made to understand social issues including division of labor, collection strategies, how the catch is divided, and time allocation, among other things. Over fifty fishing expeditions were documented, including individual and group trips to the inshore and offshore areas (see Jones, 2009 for details).…”