Mette Wilkie
FAO
Forestry Department
Mangroves are found along many of the coastlines in the tropics and sub-tropics. However, the total area of mangroves in the world is not well known. Recent estimates range from 16.5 million ha (FAO 1994, based on figures from the early and mid- 1980s) to 16.9 million ha (IUCN 1983), 18.1 million ha (Spalding et al. 1997) and 19.9 million ha (Fisher and Spalding 1993, cited in Spalding et al. 1997). For many of these studies, countries with small areas of mangroves have been excluded.
A new study launched by FAO seeks to provide updated, reliable and comprehensive information on the worldwide distribution of mangroves.
As part of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000), spearheaded by FAO in collaboration with member countries, donors and other partners, all countries have been asked to provide a breakdown of their forest area into forest types, using their own classification system. Since mangroves are a distinct and relatively easily defined forest type, specific information on mangroves from most countries in which they exist has been received as part of the FRA 2000 reporting.
FAO will extract and analyse this information and prepare a special study on the status of mangrove forests world wide as part of the FRA 2000 reporting. Countries that have not provided information on their mangrove resources, but where mangroves are known to exist, will be re-contacted to ensure a comprehensive coverage.
In addition to providing information on the current status, the aim is to compare this data with information from previous assessments/sources and to analyse recent trends in area losses and gains (through planting efforts).
Readers are encouraged to provide inputs to this study in terms of additional information relating to current and/or past assessments of mangrove areas, preferably on a national scale, but also sub-national where available. Information should be sent to: Mette Løyche Wilkie, Forest Resources Development Service, FAO Forestry Department, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome 00100, Italy or to [email protected].
A database and specific country information will be placed on the FAO web site as soon as it is available. The database will be updated regularly and the longer-term plan is to further develop this web site to provide links to maps and other databases dealing with different aspects of mangroves. The aim is to concentrate on providing information on aspects not covered by other organizations and to fill important information gaps that fall under the FAO mandate.
References:
FAO 1994. Mangrove forest management guidelines. FAO Forestry Paper 117, Rome. 319 pp.
Fisher, P. and Spalding, M.D. 1993. Protected Areas with Mangrove Habitat. Draft Report. World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK. 60 pp.
IUCN 1983. Global Status of Mangrove Ecosystems. Commission on Ecology Papers No. 3. Saenger, P., Hegerl, E.J. and Davie, J.D.S (Eds.). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Gland, Switzerland. 88 pp.
Spalding, M.D., Blasco, F. and Field, C.D. (Eds.) 1997. World Mangrove Atlas. The International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Okinawa, Japan. 178 pp.
Presented by
Laura
Laumatia
Research Assistant
American Samoa Community College
According to the 1988 forest survey, there are approximately 122 acres of mangroves in American Samoa, eight of which are located on the island of Aunu’u, and the remainder on the island of Tutuila. It is likely that this amount has been considerably reduced due to development in the largest mangrove area, Pala Lagoon, found in Nuuuli, Tutuila. There are three species of mangroves found in American Samoa: Brugiera gymnorrhiza (oriental mangrove), Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) and Xylocarpus moluccensis (the puzzlenut tree).
The research headed by Mr. Colin Steele, our ASCC forest researcher, is funded by a McIntire-Stennis grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. Mr. Steele is attempting to determine whether mangroves spread through the Pacific by flotation or whether they were brought across the southwest Pacific as people migrated eastward. As one moves eastward across the Pacific, there is a decrease in species varieties through the islands. American Samoa is the most eastward country where mangroves are found as an indigenous species. The intriguing thing about this is that two of the species are Old World species (Brugiera and Xylocarpus) whereas one species, Rhizophora mangle, is thought to be a geographic outlier of a New World species.
There are three main objectives of Mr. Steele’s research. The first is to collect samples of mangrove leaves of the three species found in American Samoa from trees in neighboring countries, i.e., Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji. He will perform DNA analysis on these leaves and compare them with samples from American Samoan trees. He also will obtain samples from Central American Rhizophora mangle trees and compare them to these samples.
The second component of Mr. Steele’s research is a flotation experiment. He has collected seed samples of all species found in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa that are not found in American Samoa and has them in seawater flotation tanks in our greenhouse. The length of flotation is six months for each sample. Seeds are randomly taken from each sample every two weeks and planted in our greenhouse to determine their viability. He is also performing this experiment with the three local mangrove species. From the results of this, and by determining the wave and wind currents of the southwest Pacific, he hopes to determine whether the different species could have floated all the way to the Samoan archipelago or whether the Polynesians might have brought them.
The third component of the research is ethnobotanical information collected by Mr. Steele. In each of the four countries involved, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa, Mr. Steele is conducting interviews with local healers and village elders to determine what cultural significance the various mangrove species have. He has collected a great deal of information about traditional uses, including medicinal, cultural and practical uses.
Mr. Steele has hopes to expand this experiment to include the Melanesian islands as well. He hopes that by documenting the traditional importance of mangroves to the region he may contribute to their conservation. Mangroves are extremely threatened in the Samoan archipelago, and their cultural significance is fading. If, in fact, his research determines that the Polynesians brought mangroves across the Pacific, perhaps it will support local conservation efforts by linking these essential resources to people’s history.
The flotation experiment is also being replicated at the USP Suva campus.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Forests & Trees Programme
(Strategies and Activities for the Future and Linkages with FAO FRA 2000)
By Sairusi Bulai
Introduction
Forestry formally became a core activity of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) from the first of January this year (i.e. 2000). This change fulfilled the wishes of the Pacific Islands Heads of Forestry (HoFs), who, following their meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu in 1996, had expressed their desire for the then UNDP/FAO funded South Pacific Forestry Development Project (SPFDP) be regionalized after the project ended in December 1996. SPC offered to host the regional forestry programme provided that donors supported the programme for another three years. UNDP, AusAID and FAO agreed to support the programme from 1997 to 1999. The SPC Forests & Trees Programme has now taken over the role previously played by the SPC/AusAID/UNDP/FAO Pacific Islands Forests & Trees Support Programme (PIF&TSP).
The institutionalisation of the regional forestry programme within SPC as a separate set-up from the Agriculture Programme was also in line with the wishes of the HoF 1996 Meeting.
The purpose of this paper is to briefly introduce the new SPC Forests and Trees Programme (SPC-F&TP) to the workshop participants and also to share some of our planned activities that, we think, might fall within the area of FAO FRA 2000 for which this workshop has been organized. Given the limited resources and capacity at both national and regional levels, the opportunity for reliable forest data to be captured can be improved and enhanced by working together in a collaborative and co-operative approach.
Programme Administration
The programme is based in Suva, Fiji, and its office is located at the Forum Secretariat Complex. It is headed by a Forests & Trees Adviser who is assisted by a Regional Forests Officer and a Programme Secretary. The role of the Adviser, who is supported through the SPC core budget, is to manage and execute the assigned activities of the Programme and to oversee the operations of any other regional forestry initiatives that are being, or going to be, implemented under the SPC framework. He is directly responsible to the Deputy Director General through the Land Resources Division under which both the agriculture and the forestry programmes operate.
SPC Programme and Project
There are two regional forestry projects that are presently being executed and implemented by SPC. These are the SPC/GTZ- Pacific German Regional Forestry Project (SPC/GTZ-PGRFP) and the SPC Forests and Trees Programme (SPC-F&TP).
The SPC/GTZ-PGRFP operates more or less independently with a separate Project Team Leader. The Project currently covers 5 countries (i.e. Fiji, Vanuatu, Niue, Cook Islands and Samoa). Their main activities include sustainable indigenous forest management, landowner awareness, training and agroforestry. Because of the smaller number of Project countries involved, the SPC/GTZ-PGRFP targets its activities at both the national and community levels with lesser emphasis on regional activities.
The SPC-F&TP on the other hand, with a 22-country membership, from Papua New Guinea, the biggest, to Tokelau, the smallest, targets its activities (which are similar to that of the SPC/GTZ-PGRFP) at the regional and sub-regional levels. However, it has become apparent in recent times that, subject to resource availability, it must take steps to provide in-country support to enable regional activities to have an impact at the national level.
The Programme also serves as, and provides a focal point for, other regional initiatives and collaborators in the region’s forestry sector.
Donors who are presently providing financial support to the two programmes are AusAID, GTZ, the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNDP. Technical support is sought from collaborating agencies such as the USDA Forest Service, Queensland Forest Research Institute, CSIRO and other technical agencies in the region.
Heads of Forestry Meeting
Early this year, one of the activities that the SPC-F&TP had to organise quickly was the convening of the Pacific Islands Heads of Forestry (HoFs) meeting. The main aim of the meeting was to review, revise and approve two important documents that would set the future direction, goal, purpose and activities of the new SPC-F&TP.
These documents were:
• The draft policy working paper on a SPC Regional Forestry Strategic Plan for 2000-2003, and;
• The draft operational working paper on SPC-F&TP project logframe for 2001-2003.
Both documents were reviewed and found to be consistent with national priorities and were subsequently endorsed as the basis and framework for the SPC-F&TP activities for the next three years.
Regional Forestry Strategic Plan – 2000-2003
The regional forestry strategic plan, which was approved at this year’s HoF meeting, states that the plan “embodies the operationalisation of the SPC Corporate Plan within the forestry programme of the Land Resources Division. It provides the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the programme, with some specific activities to be implemented during the planned period. This strategic plan is based on the regional priorities that have been identified and agreed to in the forestry sector by the Heads of the region’s Forest Services. As priorities change over time, this plan is designed to be a “dynamic rolling plan” that can accommodate other emerging priorities or gaps in the region’s forest sector.
The stated goal of the regional forestry strategic plan is to “strengthen national capacity of PIC/Ts to manage forest, tree and plant resources to enhance sustainable income generation opportunities and livelihoods without diminishing the environmental functions and values of the forest, tree and plant resources for future generations.”
The strategic plan also identifies three key component areas of forestry within which the SPC-F&TP will undertake its activities in the next three years. These three key areas are sustainable forest management, sustainable utilisation of forest products and agroforestry.
The strategic plan can also serve as a guide for donors, NGOs and collaborators who may wish to work with and within the SPC framework. The specific objectives (for their projects) they may select, which must be consistent with those of the strategic plan, and the approach taken to achieve the objectives, can be expressed in the logical framework of each project.
With implementation of regional and national activities, both SPC programmes (SPC/GTZ-PGRFP and SPC-F&TP) have developed their separate logframes, which determine specific activities to be undertaken consistent with the three key component areas of the strategic plan.
Planned Programme Activities
These were determined by the HoFs at their May meeting and are specified in the SPC-F&TP logframe. The programme activities are grouped under the three main components of sustainable forest management, sustainable utilisation of forest products and agroforestry
Some SPC-F&TP planned activities for 2001-2003 that are considered to have some relevance and relationship with the FAO FRA 2000 activity include:
• Verification of timber resource inventory data in project countries;
• Conduct a survey on the economic potential and social significance of non-timber forest products in three or more selected countries;
• Conduct a survey of lesser-known species in three or more selected countries;
• Design and establish a regional Forests and Trees database to capture the information on resource inventory, non-timber forest products, lesser known species, plantation forestry and traditional knowledge;
• Provide in-country support for preparation of strategies and plans for sustainable utilisation of major timber species and non-timber forest products;
• Conduct a monitoring and evaluation training workshop on the information management system of the database for national contact persons.
In view of the above, the potential for FAO and SPC to work together in these areas is an opportunity, especially when donor funding is said to be on a declining mode in times ahead and national capacity is limited in most project countries.
Conclusion
In conclusion we would like to thank FAO Rome and Samoa for sponsoring and inviting us to this meeting to share with you our plans for the next three years. SPC is committed to carry on the good work that FAO has done in driving the former regional forestry projects (i.e. SPFDP and PIF&TSP). However, in this day and age, we recognise the constraints facing all of us and the “many high priority listing of needs” required globally, regionally or at the national/country level. With scarce resources and limited capacity at our disposal; coupled with the wide geographical dispersal of Pacific Island countries and territories causing relatively high cost of transportation and information dissemination, there can be no better way forward than for regional organisation and agencies to work together. The SPC-F&TP look forward to a continued and closer working relationship with FAO on regional issues and activities that are of mutual interests to both organisations. The FRA 2000 is one of the many examples of collaboration and we hope that this workshop will establish the basis for which forest resource information can be collected, used and preserved.
Mette Wilkie
FAO
Forestry Department
Forests and forestry in Small Island States
Definition of Small Island Developing State
There is no internationally accepted definition of a small island developing state (SIDS). However, small island states were given an international political identity with the establishment in 1991 of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). AOSIS comprises 37 members and 5 observers of which four are low-lying coastal states. The FAO SIDS comprise those AOSIS members that are also member of FAO plus three additional states that are members of FAO but not of AOSIS. In total: 37 States.
The FAO SIDS in the Pacific Region comprise the following 11 countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Forest characteristics
As a group, SIDS are well endowed with forests. However, due to the considerable variation in land area3, population density and climatic, geological and topographic conditions, the extent of forest cover varies greatly among island states. In 1995, forests covered from 74 to 85 percent of the total land area in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, under 10 percent in many of the smaller island states and less than one percent in Haiti.
Island states with a land area of less than 50 000 km2 had a combined forest cover estimated at 35.4 percent of total land area in 1995, as compared to the world average of 26.5 percent. On the other hand, the annual deforestation rate from 1990 to 1995 in these island states (0.9 percent per annum) is three times the world average. The highest rates of annual deforestation, ranging from 2.6 to 7.2 percent, were found in Caribbean islands (notably Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Haiti and the Bahamas) and in the Comoros. The main causes of deforestation include conversion of forested land for agricultural use and infrastructure development.
The Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga are among countries with high rates of forest degradation, mainly due to heavy exploitation of timber resources. Forest degradation due to natural causes (e.g. cyclones and forest fires) is also common in some SIDS.
The role of forests and trees in the Pacific Region
Wood and non-wood products
In some of the larger Pacific Islands, forests play a major role in the economy. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu report wood processing as one of their main industries.
Papua New Guinea is the world’s second largest exporter of tropical hardwood logs and, in spite of its limited size, the Solomon Islands is the world’s sixth largest exporter of tropical hardwood logs and forestry contributed 64 percent of the total export value for 1996. Other major producers of industrial roundwood include Fiji and Samoa. Some concern has, however, been expressed that the current level of wood production in Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tonga may not be sustainable. Conversely, many of the smaller states and territories in the South Pacific are net importers of sawnwood and wood-based panels and paper.
In SIDS with limited forest cover, trees outside forests (such as on agricultural land) often play a very important role for local livelihoods. It is an unquantified, undervalued resource that, nevertheless, is often of very significant local value. Many small island nations, for instance, have abundant coconut tree sources that serve as a source of building materials, coconuts, copra and coconut oil for local populations.
Food security
Forests and trees contribute directly to food security through the provision of the following forest products:
• Edible plant products: fruits, nuts and berries, leaves, shoots, roots and mushrooms. As a recent FAO report on the uses of trees and forests in the Pacific notes: “Food from trees are of immense value, whether as staples, supplementary foods, occasional snacks or famine foods. The nutritional importance of dominant staple tree crops such as coconut, breadfruit and bananas and plantains, fruit and nut trees, spices and sauces, and wild foods is critical to the nutritional well-being of Pacific island peoples.” Edible forest plants provide essential vitamins and trace elements to local populations, which may be of particular importance to children and women.
• Edible animals and animal products: Not only large mammals but also other animals (e.g. insects, fish and birds) are consumed as bushmeat. Edible animal products include honey, eggs and birds' nests.
• Animal fodder. Browse and fodder from forests and woodlands are important, not least in periods of drought.
• Wood fuel. Most staple foods are unpalatable if not cooked or boiled. Forests and trees provide the necessary fuelwood and charcoal for local and national needs (more than 80 percent of energy in developing countries comes from wood).
• Implements and tools. Agricultural implements, food containers, boats and canoes, and hunting and fishing gear, are made from wood and non-wood fibre resources.
Income and employment provided by forestry activities increase the opportunity of people in rural communities to purchase food and other basic necessities. The specialised economies of many small island countries also depend, in a wider sense, on the protective, ecological, amenity and aesthetic functions of their forests and trees (refer to the roles of trees and forests and their links with agriculture, fisheries and tourism below).
Soil and water conservation and soil improvement
The relatively limited size of watersheds makes soil and water conservation a priority in SIDS. The soil improvement role of these trees is also important to the success of plant growth in coral-based soils, which are among the least fertile in the world and where shifting cultivation and agro-forestry are the main forms of agriculture. Windbreaks and shelterbelts provide shade and shelter for agricultural crops and animals.
Coastal protection
Cyclones and strong winds combined with high rainfall levels and storm surges are common occurrences in many islands and forests act as buffers against the impacts of these. They also protect agricultural land from the effects of salt spray.
Links with the marine food web
Coastal forests, such as mangroves and tidal forests, produce leaf litter and detrital matter, which enters the marine food web. Mangroves serve as feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish and shellfish, including most commercial tropical shrimp. In addition, mangrove forests act as a sediment trap for upland run-off, thereby reducing water turbidity and protecting sea grass beds, near-shore coral reefs and shipping lanes from siltation.
Reservoir of biological diversity
Small islands generally have lower plant and animal species diversity, but a higher percentage of endemism than continental masses4. Many of these endemic plant and animal species are found in forests. The small size of individual plant and animal populations renders them more susceptible to extinction brought on by deforestation, unsustainable forestry and agricultural practices, unmanaged tourism and the introduction of exotic species. The conservation of biological diversity – both directly (in the forest) and indirectly (by protecting associated ecosystems such as coral reefs) – is therefore one of the most important environmental roles played by forests in small islands.
Eco-tourism opportunities
Tourism is one of the most important income-earning industries in many SIDS, and interest in eco- or nature-based tourism is increasing. Although forests on these islands are rarely the primary attraction for visitors, they have a great potential to complement dive sites and other primary attractions. By maintaining the health of coral reefs that, in turn, protect beaches from sand erosion, coastal forests play an indirect but critical role in the tourism industry in some island nations.
Constraints to SFM
Small-Island Developing States vary enormously according to distinct geographic, biological, social, cultural and economic characteristics, but face similar constraints to the sustainable use of forest resources. These include:
Limited land area and natural resources
This intensifies competition among alternative land use options. The relatively limited size of watersheds makes soil and water conservation a priority.
Vulnerability to environmental disasters
With few exceptions, SIDS are susceptible to cyclones, storm surges, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, forest fires, landslides, extended droughts and extensive floods5. Since damage often occurs on a national scale, a single disaster can cripple an island’s infrastructure and economy. SIDS also face the long-term threat of rising sea levels associated with global climate change.
High species endemism, but low occurrence, potential high risk of extinction
The small land area of many SIDS makes it difficult to set aside large areas for strict protection purposes. There is a particular need to develop suitable strategies for conservation of biological diversity, including the conservation of genetic resources of a number of socio-economically important tree species that are endangered in part or all of their natural range in the South Pacific.
Economic constraints (small scale)
This results in high costs for public administration and infrastructure; small internal markets; limited export volumes (sometimes from remote locations) which lead to high freight costs, reduced competitiveness and difficulties in establishing competitive forest processing industries.
Institutional constraints
National forest agencies have limited material, financial and human resources; forest policies are in need of updating; reliable information is unavailable on forest resources and the value of their productive and protective functions. In some countries, tenure systems result in fragmentation of ownership rights; and high levels of migration, particularly of skilled human resources.
Lack of integrated land use planning
Only few SIDS have well-defined and executed land use plans.
Unsustainable management practices
Overexploitation of commercial timber resources, inappropriate harvesting practices, forest industries running below capacity and the use of inferior planting material due to lack of access to seed of high genetic and physiological quality.
Opportunities
• Wood production intensity in natural forests:
– Short term: Limited.
– Long term: Depending on current and future practices.
• Plantations (only on larger islands).
• Value added processing (only on larger islands).
• Non-wood forest products.
• Agroforestry with coconuts (especially on smaller islands).
• Eco-tourism.
Prerequisites
• Logging codes and other sustainable forest management practices.
• Rehabilitation of degraded watersheds.
• Enhanced coastal protection.
• Adequate measures for biodiversity conservation.
FAO’s Plan of Action for Agriculture in SIDS
Background:
• 1991: AOSIS founded.
• 1992:UNCED.
• 1994: Barbados Conference.
• 1996: Technical Consultation Samoa.
• 1997:FAO Conference.
• 1999: FAO Ministerial Conference Rome.
• 1999: UNGA Special Session on SIDS.
Framework:
• Barbados Programme on Action (1994).
• World Food Summit Plan of Action (1996).
Overall objective:
To provide the basis for activities in support of sustainable agricultural, forestry and fisheries development in Small Island Developing States
Chapters:
The Plan is divided into the following Chapters:
1. Adjusting to changes in the global trade environment.
2. Towards a more intensified, diversified and sustainable agriculture.
3. Meeting fisheries needs.
4. Ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection.
5. Capacity building and institutional strengthening.
Forestry-related objectives and actions
4.1 To promote the conservation and sustainable use of land and water resources and manage sustainably the forest resources
(a) Promote the adoption and implementation of an integrated land and water use planning approach, which takes into consideration the linkages and interactions between the various ecosystems and economic sectors.
(b) Pursue a holistic and integrated approach to the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources taking into account the multiple roles of forests and trees.
(c) Promote rehabilitation and conservation of forestlands and watersheds and, where necessary and sustainable, upgrade the productive capacity of these resources and ensure sustainable forest management and sound harvesting practices.
(d) Combat land degradation and enhance coastal protection through, inter alia, intensified soil conservation, afforestation and reforestation activities.
(e) Promote agroforestry systems and the development of multipurpose tree species that are resistant to pest, diseases and cyclones.
(f) Pursue integrated planning of both terrestrial and marine environments to prevent their degradation and to soundly utilize the full potential of the natural resource base, particularly for eco-tourism.
4.2 To enhance the environmental protection
(a) Strengthen the information basis for environmental monitoring and integrate environmental values and concerns into the development process.
(b) Develop new or amend existing national legislation, as appropriate, to ensure that a comprehensive, updated and coordinated legal framework on natural resource management and environmental protection is in place.
(c) Enforce, ratify or conclude, as appropriate, international conventions, such as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol; if required, adopt national legislation to implement these conventions and promote collaboration mechanisms for their implementation.
4.3 Improve disaster preparedness
(a) Minimize vulnerability to and impacts of natural hazards, climate fluctuations, forest fires, pests and diseases through the formulation of disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies.
(c) Undertake efforts to protect mangrove areas that provide protection against tidal surges and storm damage.
5.1 Develop and/or strengthen national capacities in the context of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture
(b) Build up national policy formulation capacity in agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors and adequate analytical capacity to assess the impact of policy changes being proposed at WTO.
5.2 Strengthen the supporting services to agriculture, forestry and fisheries
(b) Improve the availability and accessibility of credit critical to promoting non-traditional commodities.
(e) Strengthen national forest agencies and improve coordination among national forestry and related agencies.
5.3 Provide a coherent framework for sustainable natural resource management and environmental protection
(a) Provide, strengthen and ensure implementation of appropriate legislation on environmental protection and natural resources management, including land, water and forest resources, plant protection and animal health, climate change, desertification, biodiversity, wildlife and genetic resources, protected areas and critical habitats, integrated coastal area management ...
(b) Promote integrated approaches to natural resources management, in order to mitigate adverse inter-sectoral impacts...
(c) Integrate national forest policies into a larger natural resources management framework at the national level.
(d) Discourage unsustainable agricultural practices, uncontrolled deforestation, ...
(e) Elaborate measures to mitigate biodiversity losses, making full use of local knowledge very often retained by women.
(f) Establish, as appropriate, relevant databases, information systems and support regional collaboration, including inter-island information and technology sharing.
Implementing the Plan of Action
Implementing agents:
Governments in partnership with actors of civil society and with the support of international institutions.
Funding:
• Mostly domestic private and public funding.
• Technical and financial assistance by international community (NGOs, Donors, development banks, GEF).
Proposed priority projects in forestry
• Integrated land use planning, soil conservation and watershed management.
• Rehabilitation and conservation of forest lands.
• Strengthen databases for environmental monitoring.
• Early warning systems.
• Capacity building.
How can FAO assist?
• Awareness raising and networking.
• Technical advice, publications etc.
• TCP.
• TCDC/South-South collaboration.
• Project formulation and contact with donors.
The FAO SIDS web site: http://www.fao.org/sids
3 Ranging from 20 km2 (Nauru) to more than 450 000 km2 (Papua New Guinea).
4 In Fiji, more than 30 percent of the higher plant species, 20 percent of bird species and 25 percent of mammals are reported as endemic. In the Solomon Islands an estimated 24 percent of the total number of bird species and 36 percent of mammals are endemic.
5 The 1990 UN Disaster Relief Organization review of the economic impact of disasters over the past 20 years reports that of the 25 most disaster-prone countries, 13 are SIDS.
