WWF in the New Guinea TransFly

Big Picture Conservation in New Guinea

In south-central New Guinea lays a vast, low-lying coastal region of grasslands, savanna wetlands and monsoon forest. Covering more than 10 million ha, this area straddles the international borders of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Some of the largest and healthiest wetlands in the Asia-Pacific are found here, thriving in an area sparsely settled by humans but actively used by countless species. This is the TransFly ecoregion.



In this remote corner of the world, WWF is engaging with communities in villages and officials in planning offices to design a long-lasting conservation blueprint – a biodiversity vision for the area’s sustainable management.

The TransFly - a vital, living organism

Across the TransFly, millions of birds inhabit the floodplains of slow moving rivers. The surrounding savannas and monsoon forests are home to endemic marsupial cats, flying possums and birds of paradise.

Over 50% of New Guinea’s total bird population is found in the TransFly, including 80 species endemic to the island.

Why the TransFly needs to be protected

Although this exceptional region is isolated, it is not immune to development threats. Large areas of native grasslands have been converted for irrigated rice cultivation and almost the entire monsoon forest area is targeted for logging. Numerous roads and settlements are developing in an ad hoc way, threatening key watersheds.

Less obvious but equally devastating threats include the introduction of alien weed species, exotic fish species that are pushing out populations of native barramundi and saratoga, as well as introduced deer that have brought about large-scale changes to native grassland systems.

The WWF approach in the TransFly

The TransFly is an ecoregion programme managed jointly by WWF in PNG and Papua, Indonesia and is the first example of a cross-border terrestrial ecoregion programme developed in New Guinea.

Throughout 2004 and 2005 various analyses have been completed that have expanded our knowledge of key species, habitats and ecological processes in the TransFly landscapes.

Embracing biodiversity and cultural richness

The TransFly Ecoregion Programme is developing approaches to conservation that embrace both biodiversity and the range of cultures of the TransFly. While our wildlife surveys help us identify conservation priorities, it is the socio-cultural factors that will determine the success or failure of conservation efforts.

The TransFly: A community Vision

There are over 60 cultural groups, whose lives, customs, languages and knowledge are linked inextricably with the landscapes of the TransFly. These cultures are as unique and precious to future generations, as the habitats and species that mark this place as an outstanding feature on the world map.

Getting the priorities right

Recognizing the unique cultural and biological diversity of this region, WWF is pioneering a 'community visioning process' for local landowner groups that spans both sides of the political border. This approach identifies and prioritizes the landscapes, species, and traditions that have particular cultural, social, or livelihood significance.

WWF will then work with community leaders, scientists and partner organizations to integrate the community visions and the biological vision to develop a uniquely vigorous strategy for conservation action across the TransFly.

Setting aside protected areas

48 conservation targets have been identified as needing protection within the protected area network. The current protected area network does not protect all of these – some have no formal protection at all.

WWF, PNG’s Department of Environment and Conservation, and local communities are working together to establish more protected areas in the TransFly to enhance the coverage of more of these conservation targets in the protected area system.

But still more needs to be done to ensure coverage of all targets. The biodiversity vision for the TransFly will guide this work.

The Biodiversity Vision - preparing for Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD)

In August 2005, WWF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) worked together to analyse the coverage of the 48 conservation targets within the existing protected area network and to identify possible scenarios for conservation landscapes across the whole region.

Using the CBD commitments of Indonesia and PNG as the foundation of the analysis, the results of this work will form a scientific basis for establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative protected area system for the TransFly.

During the last half of 2005 and the early part of 2006, WWF consulted widely with communities, government, NGOs and donors to publicise the biodiversity vision approach, seek input on the process and identify additional priorities that need to be considered in the final vision.

Community groups have already indicated that they would like to see their ancestor routes and important cultural places included in the biodiversity vision. These areas are being mapped in a series of community workshops and also locked into the vision.

The TransFly biovision puzzle – almost there

The final step involves working with community leaders, scientists and partner organizations to integrate the community visions and the biological vision to develop a vigorous strategy for conservation action across the TransFly.

This will take place at the biodiversity vision workshop in 2006 and will include Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The final vision will be a blueprint for conservation, development and cultural resilience in the TransFly for the next 50 years.