FAO Forestry country profiles - forest management

History

Forest management and silviculture

The atolls of Tokelau have a land area of only 12 km², and consequently 'forests' tend to comprise mainly areas of strand vegetation. The early settlers of Tokelau are believed to have originated from Samoa, Rarotonga and Nanumanga in the Tuvalu group. Traditional forest management techniques reflect these Polynesian origins, with forests incorporated in agroforestry systems, producing a full range of goods to support livelihoods. Traditional agroforestry continues to be the principal vehicle of forest management on Tokelau.