The climate is tropical and influenced by the marine environment. The temperature of the lagoons differs little from that of the open sea. The climate of the atolls is fairly homogeneous over the immense zone. There is no really marked differentiation between the season. Throughout most of the tropical belt a distinction is drawn between a hot (or rainy) season and a cool (dry) seasons. Here the hot season corresponds to periods of heavy rainfall. The rains begin in November and then often last until June. The cool season that is from July to October is associated with low rainfall.

The distinction between hot and cool seasons is a very relative one, since the mean temperatures are 27° – 28° C and 22° – 26° C respectively, with the difference increasing from North to South. At Papeete, the annual average temperature is 26 ° C ranging from 21° C in the cool and dry season (May – October) to 33° C in the warm season (November – April). Precipitation is abundant varying from 3050 mm near the coast to 4060 mm in the mountains. Relative humidity is always high (80 – 90 percent). Annually between December – February, French Polynesia is subject to typhoons. The atolls are always breezy due to the constant trade winds and they receive a remarkable amount of sunshine. Rainfall distribution is subject to the southeast trade winds.

French Polynesia can be divided into two distinct physiographical groups; the less numerous but larger high volcanic islands (Society, Tubuai, Marquesas and Gambier) and the more numerous low coral islands (e.g. Tuamotu). The volcanic islands are mountainous with rugged peaks, deep and narrow valleys with fast running and flowing rivers, narrow coasts, fertile soil and dense vegetation. The coral islands have no underground water reserves, rainwater is the sole source available to meet domestic needs (Doumenge, et al. 1988; Reboul, 1982). Coral islands also lack soil cover and permanent streams, raising serious supply problems for agriculture and drinking water. The only major vegetation cover on the coral islands are the coconut plantations.

1. Soils are of poor chemical composition and physically unstable. They are deep, dark red and have a distinct tendency to harden into gravel or ferralitic crust. Coral soils are of low fertility and high pH.Therefore the soil is not suitable for any meaningful development into pasturelands.
2. The country in general has little land for producing food on a large scale far less for pasture based livestock systems. Available land is used for the growing of coconuts, cassava, pineapple, water-melon, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, taro and bananas.
3. The rearing of cattle is generally limited because of land ownership restrictions, and
4. There is the lack of arable land on the steep slopes for pasture or crop farming.

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The vegetation of the land areas on the atolls belongs to the flora of the indo-Pacific inter-tropical coral zone, that comprises some 200 vascular plant species, which are explained by the phenomenon of decline in the number of species from west to east (Guerin, 1982). The availability of pasture is mainly under coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). Although French Polynesia is a minor ruminant livestock producing country it has 24,000 ha of pastures under coconuts and 69,000 ha of inter-cropped or coconut-covered land (Macfarlane, 1998). This indicates a potential to develop ruminant grazing. The ruminant livestock population is far less than available pasture resources, therefore available pasture resources are under utilized.

The grass species most common for livestock grazing in French Polynesia are:

Para grass (Brachiaria mutica)

It is commonly used as a pasture grass in rotational grazing and can also be cut for green fodder or used for hay. Para is a perennial grass that is widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics especially in areas with heavy rainfall. It is not a suitable grass species during the dry season because of its high water requirement and is best suited to very wet even waterlogged soils. It can be cut at intervals of 4-6 weeks, and it compares well in quality with most tropical fodder crops.

Carpet grass (Axonopus compressus). This is a low growing, stoloniferous perennial grass. It is well adapted to a wide range of soils. It spreads both by runners and by seeds and is well adapted to wet and shady conditions. It is generally low yielding but grows well together with the legumes.

Creeping guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. Embu). This is a fine stemmed short guinea with prostrate creeping habit and has produced high dry matter in cutting trials under coconuts. It can be propagated by seed or by parts of the vegetative root-stock.

Other grasses are Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), Lepturus repens, Panicum pruriens and Syntherisma pelagica. In general these grass species are well distributed in French Polynesia (Guerin, 1982) where the soil and weather permits.

These include the creeping legumes and leaves of trees and shrubs (Guerin, 1982; Raynor, 1992). The most important creeping legumes whose vines could be fed to grazing animals as supplements are:-

Dolichos lablab: This is a flat bean and it is hardy and grows well in French Polynesia. It is not cultivated but grows wild.

Leaves of shrubs and trees used with the available grass species are Acacia simiplicifolia, Cassia glauca, Gliricidia sepium, Erythrina crista-galli, and Spondias mombin. The leaves of these shrubs and trees are rich sources of protein and could be used to supplement ruminant livestock grazing low quality forage. Based on the available pasture resources found, Macfarlane, (1998) reported that French Polynesia as a country has the potential to develop ruminant grazing; however, as mentioned earlier, French Polynesia is not presently a major ruminant livestock producing country.

Also the leaves and vines of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and Phaseolus vulgaris are used as fodder. Sweet potato grows very well in French Polynesia.

The introduction of several grass and legume species was also accompanied by the introduction of herbaceous plants that are commonly classified as weeds. The weeds of major economic importance in French Polynesia are Euphorbia hirta, Solanum viride, Cenchrus echinatus, Centotheca latifolia, Cyperus polystachus, Eleusine indica and others. These weeds are controlled manually or by the use of herbicides.

Efforts are being made to increase the ruminant livestock number in order to reduce the dependence on the import of meat and meat products, including milk. This is being facilitated by the import of dairy and beef cattle breeds from New Zealand and Australia to upgrade the existing breeds. Efforts are also geared towards the introduction of more adaptable grass and legume species that could survive the conditions that prevail in French Polynesia. This effort is also being facilitated through the revitalisation of indigenous agroforestry systems that represent a tremendous diversity and in many cases, unique and successful adaptations to harsh environments. Finally it has been suggested that Governments of countries, including French Polynesia, with low numbers of ruminant livestock should be involved in supplying inputs and technical support to the few livestock farmers as an incentive (Anon., 1998).