The Cook Islands lie in the South Pacific Ocean, about 2 900 km northeast of New Zealand and about 4500 km south of Hawaii. The Cook Islands group has close cultural ties to Tahiti 1000 km to the east. The 15 islands of the Cook group are spread over 2 200 000 km2 of ocean (1 400 km from north to south, about 700 km east to west), but they only have a total land area of about 230 km2. The main islands are Rarotonga (with an area of 67 km2, the largest), Mangaia, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Mauke.
The northern islands are atolls (ring-shaped coral islands) while the southern islands, except for two small atolls, are of volcanic origin. Te Manga on Rarotonga is the highest peak at 652 m.
The climate is tropical and mild, with constant high humidity and a mean annual temperature of 24° C on Rarotonga. The islands are subject to occasional but destructive cyclones.
The Cook Islands are two widely separated island groups in the moist southeast tradewind belt: the northern Cooks six atolls (Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn (Tongareva), Pukapuka, Rakahanga and Suwarrow) in the south-central Pacific; and the southern Cooks, nine islands (Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Ma‘uke, Miti‘aro, Palmerston, Rarotonga and Takutea) to the south-east, including both high volcanic and low atoll islands. The largest and highest island in the latter group is Rarotonga (64 km2, 652 m high). Natural vegetation ranges from typical coastal scrub and littoral forest to montane rain forest and cloud forest. Islands with makatea (raised limestone) substrates have unique vegetation assemblages. The following description of vegetation types is derived from Merlin (1985) and Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg (1998). Wilder (1931) represents an older account of the flora.
The littoral zone in the Cook Islands, where not pre-empted by human modification, includes coastal forests dominated by some combination of the trees Barringtonia asiatica, Calophyllum inophyllum, Cordia subcordata, Guettarda speciosa, Hernandia nymphaeifolia, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Pandanus tectorius, Pisonia grandis, Sophora tomentosa, Timonius polygamus and Tournefortia argentea, and the shrubs Morinda citrifolia, Pemphis acidula, Pipturus argenteus, Scaevola taccada, Schleinitzia insularum and Suriana maritima.
On Rarotonga, excellent examples of relatively undisturbed rain forest, ranging from a lower limit of 50 to 200 m elevation, can be found above the mostly disturbed lowland vegetation. Two primary types can be distinguished.
• Homalium Forest: On generally steep inland mountain slopes between 30 and 350 m elevation is found a 10 to 15 m tall closed-canopy forest dominated by Homalium acuminatum, but also including Cyclophyllum barbatum, Elaeocarpus tonganus and Ixora bracteata and less frequently Bischofia javanica, Fitchia speciosa, Macaranga harveyana, Pouteria grayana, Terminalia glabrata and Weinmannia rarotongensis.
• Fagraea-Fitchia Forest: Narrow, exposed, windswept ridges below 500 m with shallow, rocky soils are dominated by a dense cover of large shrubs or small trees of Fagraea berteroana and Fitchia speciosa. The extensive, sturdy root system of Fagraea and sturdy prop roots of Fitchia aid in deterring erosion of the narrow ridges. Associated woody species include Alyxia elliptica, Cyclophyllum barbatum, Coprosma laevigata, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Homalium acuminatum, Meryta pauciflora and Metrosideros collina.
On windy, cloud-covered ridges and peaks on Rarotonga, generally above 350 m, exists a gnarled, moss- and fern-covered forest dominated by Metrosideros collina up to 8 m tall. In higher, wetter spots, Ascarina diffusa becomes dominant. Woody associates include Coprosma laevigata, Elaeocarpus tonganus, Fitchia speciosa, Geniostoma rarotongensis, Morinda forsteri, Pittosporum arborescens, Xylosma gracile, Vaccinium cereum and Weinmannia samoensis.
The vegetation on makatea surfaces is generally well preserved because the rough surface is unsuitable for cultivation or human habitation. Examples can be seen on the islands Atiu, Mangaia, Ma‘uke, and Miti‘aro. The vegetation becomes more species-rich with distance inland.
The coastal makatea forest changes with distance inland from a combination of Cocos nucifera, Hernandia nymphaeifolia, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and Pandanus tectorius, with occasional Barringtonia asiatica and Casuarina equisetifolia, to a tree assemblage in which Elaeocarpus tonganus, Guettarda speciosa, Pisonia grandis, Schleinitzia insularum and Sophora tomentosa become dominant. Fronting the forest is a shrub layer dominated by Scaevola taccada, with Euphorbia atoto, Timonius polygamus and Wollastonia biflora. Pemphis acidula forms a narrow belt closest to the coast.
The inland makatea includes all of the woody species from the coastal makatea except Pemphis acidula, and includes in addition trees of Aleurites moluccana, Calophyllum inophyllum and Hernandia moerenhoutiana that form a higher canopy. Other woody species include Cyclophyllum barbatum, Ficus prolixa, F. tinctoria, Glochidion sp., Morinda citrifolia and Pipturus argenteus.
The inhabited islands of the Cooks, as elsewhere in the Pacific, include large tracts of modified vegetation dominated by coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). Trees, such as breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), mango (Mangifera indica), Citrus spp., and Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpus fagifer), are cultivated in tree gardens.
Merlin, M. D. 1985. Woody vegetation in the upland region of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Pac. Sci. 39(1):81–99.
Mueller-Dombois, D. and F. R. Fosberg 1998. Vegetation of the tropical Pacific islands. Springer-Verlag, New York. 733 pp.
Wilder, G. P. 1931. Flora of Rarotonga. Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 86, Honolulu. 113 pp.
Country |
Cook Islands |
Title |
Report to 1998 Heads of Forestry meeting |
Author |
Otheniel Tangianau, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Outer Islands and Development |
Year |
1998 |
Source |
Handout at Heads of Forestry Meeting |
Date of consult. |
24/6/00 |
Location (of publication) |
In FRA Pacific Islands box |
Description of source
(including type of source, overall quality assessment and utility for FRA 2000)
Information of forest area and plantations. Information on forest area is of doubtful reliability. |
Information content (check one or more topics as appropriate)
Natural Forest |
X |
Protected areas |
||
Plantations |
X |
Biodiversity |
||
Other wooded land |
X |
Forest ownership |
||
Forest area change |
Wood supply potential |
|||
Total volume |
Non-wood forest products |
|||
Total biomass |
Trees outside forest |
|||
Commercial volume |
Forest fires |
Name of reviewer: Jim Space
No information.
Reference year: Geographic Unit:
Forest and other woody vegetation types (country classification) |
Area (000 ha) |
1.Closed forest – Coastal |
4.900 |
2. Closed forest – Makatea |
5.000 |
3. Closed forest? – Other natural forest |
4.500 |
4.Closed forest? – Others |
7.720 |
Subtotal of country classes corresponding with FRA 2000 forest and other wooded land |
22.120 |
Subtotal other land |
.880 |
Total land area |
23.000* |
Definitions:
Comments: *From geographic description above.
Gross estimated area 1,100 ha Annual planting 60 ha
Species group |
Gross estimated area |
Purpose (%) |
Ownership (%) |
||||
ha |
% |
Public |
Private |
Others | |||
Acacia spp. |
Industrial |
||||||
180 |
16.0 |
Non-Industrial |
100 |
100 |
|||
Pinus spp. |
Industrial |
||||||
920 |
84.0 |
Non-Industrial |
100 |
100 |
|||
Acacia spp. A. mangium, A. crassicarpa
Pinus spp. P. caribaea
Explanatory note on 2000 estimates Oliver (1999) gives the total plantation area of the year 1998 as 859 ha, and says that another 100 ha of plantation was established during the year 1998, this should be added to the total, 859 ha. Oliver (1992) gives the total as 510 ha, the reference year is not mentioned but supposed to be 1992. And the target annual planting is mentioned as 110 ha. From 2 total plantation areas, the actual annual planting rate is estimate to be approximately 60 ha. On the assumption that the annual planting is valid up to the year 2000, and applying this to the total of the year 1998 as a base, the total of the year 2000 is estimated to be approximately. Oliver (1992) gives species planted, they are Pinus caribaea, Acacia mangium, A. crassicarpa and Casuarina equisetifolia. Regarding P. caribaea and Acacia spp. Oliver (1999) gives plantation areas by age-classes, respectively. No data is available for Casuarina equisetifolia. Oliver (1999) says that most land is owned by families, it is supposed that land is owned privately. Regarding purposes, Brown (1997) notes the primary purpose of planting is soil conservation and fern land protection, with timber production a secondary objective. |
Brown, C. 1997. Regional Study – The South Pacific: Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study Working Paper Series, Working Paper No. APFSOS/WP/01, FAO, Rome. 51 pp.
Oliver, W. 1992. Plantation forestry in the South Pacific: A compilation and assessment of practices: Project RAS/86/036: UNDP-FAO. 121 pp.
Oliver, W. 1999. An Update of Plantation Forestry in the South Pacific, RAS/97/330 Working Paper No.7, Pacific Islands Forests & Trees Support Programme
Natural forests in the Cook Islands occur only in the Southern Group. The area under forest has not been formally assessed or inventoried but it contains a wide variety (estimated at 650) of species. Vegetative cover is both lush and extensive on the Southern Group although anecdotal observation suggests a shortage of accessible, millable timber. The main purposes of the natural forests are presently for conservation and watershed protection. Sawn lumber is produced, however, from trees felled in site clearing for agricultural purposes. The Northern Group has a similar geography to neighbouring Tokelau and similarly its wood resources are mainly limited to coconut palms although some other species are present and are utilised for construction.
Brown, C. 1997. Regional study — the South Pacific. Asia-pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study, Working Paper No. APFSOS/WP/01. FAO, Rome.
The Cook Islands began systematic plantation development in 1985. To date, the majority of plantings have been on Mangaia, Rarotonga and Atui islands and comprise Pinus caribaea (90 percent), Acacia spp., and Casuarina equisetifolia. The plantation resource is presently approximately 660 hectares in size. Soil conservation and fernland protection is the primary purpose of plantation establishment with timber production a secondary objective. A Forestry Division annual planting target of 125 hectares appears to have been discontinued with the downsizing of general Government activities.
Plantation forests are primarily established on the Cook Islands for soil and watershed conservation. Around 1700 hectares of fernland has been identified as requiring protection and a planting rate in excess of 100 hectares per annum has been targeted. The planted forests will, however, also yield a valuable timber source when mature. Presently planting is of Pinus caribaea, Acacia mangium, and Casuarina equisetifolia.
Brown, C. 1997. Regional study — the South Pacific. Asia-pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study, Working Paper No. APFSOS/WP/01. FAO, Rome.
Area Name |
Subclass |
Type of area |
IUCN Cat. |
Size (ha) |
Suwarrow Atoll |
NATIONAL |
National Park |
IV |
160 |
Takitumu Conservation Area |
NATIONAL |
Other area |
VI |
155 |
Turner (1990) lists 8 sawmills in the Cook Islands. Five were Government owned and three were privately owned. All were portable mills and none were operating on a full-time basis. Several of the mills were not in an operational condition. Regardless, these mills are able to supply only a small fraction of the Cook Islands' timber needs.
Brown, C. 1997. Regional study — the South Pacific. Asia-pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study, Working Paper No. APFSOS/WP/01. FAO, Rome.
No information.
Import |
Export |
Production |
Consumption | ||||
Units |
Quantity |
$US |
Quantity |
$US |
Quantity |
Quantity | |
Sawnwood |
Cum |
2940 |
1015 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2940 |
Sawnwood (C) |
Cum |
2892 |
991 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2892 |
Sawnwood (NC) |
Cum |
48 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
Wood-Based Panels |
Cum |
655 |
257 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
655 |
Veneer Sheets |
Cum |
8 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
Plywood |
Cum |
591 |
225 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
591 |
Particle Board |
Cum |
42 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
42 |
Fibreboard |
Cum |
14 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
Wood Pulp |
Mt |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Dissolving Wood Pulp |
Mt |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Paper+Paperboard |
Mt |
139 |
184 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
139 |
Newsprint |
Mt |
45 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
Printing+Writing Paper |
Mt |
52 |
70 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Other Paper+Paperboard |
Mt |
42 |
92 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
42 |
Roundwood |
Cum |
4 |
1 |
4343 |
726 |
5000 |
661 |
Industrial Roundwood |
Cum |
4 |
1 |
4343 |
726 |
5000 |
661 |
Sawlogs+Veneer Logs |
Cum |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5000 |
5000 |
Wood Residues |
Cum |
155 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
155 |
