Practices

Land is a central and unifying force in Samoan society. Responsibility for natural forest management lies mainly with the customary landholders who own around 90 percent of the territory¿s land. A high proportion of land is under negligible management due to the steep terrain, on which the risk of severe soil erosion limits any effective utilization. Shifting cultivation is carried out in some forest areas, but commercial agricultural development has been constrained by the scarce supply of level land. Most agricultural production is solely subsistence farming. Very small areas of plantation forest have been established, and include such species as Swietenia macrophylla, Adenanthera pavonina, and Eucalyptus spp. Thinning has been carried out in some stands. A forest inventory and vegetation survey was completed in 1988 by the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USDA Forest Service.

Forest conservation measures

The principal forest conservation area is the National Park of American Samoa, authorized as a national park by the US Congress in 1988. The park covers more than 3 500 hectares and was established through a long-term lease of lands from local Samoan families. The park contains the only paleotropical forests in the US National Parks system. Small areas of littoral forest are also afforded protection in the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

Forest protection measures

American Samoa is susceptible to tropical cyclones and these constitute a primary threat to forests and trees. Selection of windfirm species for plantations is, consequently, a primary consideration. The Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk Programme has produced a report on invasive plant species in American Samoa, including recommendations for control and eradication.

Forest harvesting practices

There is no commercial harvesting of forests in American Samoa. Local timber and plantation-grown species, particularly Calophyllum neo-ebudicum, Flueggea flexuosa and Instia bujiga are used for canoe-making, houses and handcrafts. Wood also provides an important source of domestic fuel. This harvesting is carried out on an ad hoc basis.
last updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009