Talāsiga Lands in Fiji: Their Potential Expansion through Modern Farming Activities

Abstract

Talāsiga is a term frequently used in the literature to describe Fijian landscapes with a distinct pattern of plants and soils. The specific meaning in Fijian is unclear and there are varying interpretations of the term in the literature, although authors agree that such areas are indicative of low soil fertility. This paper examines the early literature on talāsiga, and attempts to reconcile the differences in use. The possible processes of development of such conditions from forest are discussed and data are presented from recent field studies on the progress from forest to grassland evolution in a 30-year time frame at Seaqaqa, Vanua Levu. The evidence points to the likely change over substantial areas from forest to highly degraded soils and associated grass/ fern/shrub vegetation within a very short (<50>years) time frame. Such changes will have dramatic impacts on farmers using such lands.

Impacts of Tropical Rainforest Conversion on Soil Nutrient Pools in Viti Levu, Fiji

“…Additionally, soil carbon decreased from surface layer to deepest layer. Similar observation has been cited by Chen and Li (2003), Deenik and Yost (2006) and Morrison (2019).…”

“…Soil calcium was higher in overlying than underlying layers. This has also been reported by Deenik and Yost (2006), Yeshaneh (2015) and Morrison (2019).…”

“…Mean soil exchangeable calcium was low in this study (483.83 mg/kg) (Blakemore et al 1987). Similar low soil calcium concentrations have also been reported in soils of Fiji by Curtin et al (1991), Waterloo (1994), Morrison (2019) and Nisha and Prasad (2020). Acid soils are commonly associated with calcium deficiencies (Nisha and Prasad 2020).…”

“…Relatively low pH values may also be attributed to the acidic nature of the parent material (Garrison-Johnston et al 2007, Oshunsanya 2019, Zhang et al 2019. Low soil pH has been reported by several other workers in Fiji (Curtin et al 1991, Waterloo 1994, Goundar et al 2014, Morrison 2019, Nisha and Prasad 2020, Vessel and Simonson (1958) in Palau and Reverchon (2015) in Solomon Islands. Soil pH was highest in plantation followed by primary forest while secondary forest had the lowest soil pH.…”

“…The mean soil CEC in this study was 23.70 me/100 g and is classified as medium (Blakemore et al 1987). Morrison (2019) reported a CEC ranging between 2.4 to 17.75 me/100 g for a secondary forest in Seaqaqa, Vanua Levu. Vessel and Simonson (1958) found CEC ranging between 8.3 to 36.7 me/100 g in the soils of Palau.…”