WS003
Uafato-Tiavea Forest


Site description (2010 baseline):

Site location and context
This site covers a high priority forest conservation site on the north west of Upolu island. The lowland forest was identified in the Samoa NBSAP as a high priority for forest conservation due to its pristine lowland forest and the high density and richness of plants and avifauna.

Key biodiversity
The site has been extensively surveyed since 1991 when it was recognised as a priority site for the conservation of lowland forests in Samoa. Globally threatened species such as Tooth- billed Pigeon, Mao, Samoan Triller and Samoan Flycatcher are present in the low elevations. It is the only site where the first three of these species are all found along the coastal ridges - although population densities are not as high as other identified sites.

Non-bird biodiversity: The site is home to good populations of other threatened species such as Pteropus samoensis and Intisa bijuga



Protected areas
The Uafato Community Conservation area covers the western half of the site and is currently managed by the village of Uafato. A management plan, to maintain sustainable long-term harvesting of Intisa bijuga, has been designed.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Uafato-Tiavea Forest (Samoa). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/uafato-tiavea-forest-iba-samoa on 22/11/2024.