Practices

The atoll soils of the Marshall Islands are generally poor, requiring intensive labor for the production of even the most basic of crops. Coconut, pandanus and breadfruit, however, grow easily and are managed as cash crops along with banana and papaya. Around 60 percent of the Marshall Islands´ land area is covered by coconut palms and breadfruit. Historically, stands of Pisonia grandis up to 30 metres tall were common in the Marshalls, but because these soft-wooded trees are easily cleared, they have largely been replaced by coconut plantations. A limited amount of mixed broadleaf vegetation, including Pandanus tectorius, Pisonia grandis, Cordia subcordata, Thespesia populnea and Tournefortia argentea, is deliberately allowed to grow along windward coasts to create a windbreak to protect coconut plantations from salt spray. Small areas of mangrove forest have been planted on the islands of Jaluit, Ailinglaplap and Mejit for household utilization.

Forest conservation measures

The Marshall Islands currently have no protected areas legislation, although most other environmental issues are covered by existing legislation. Protected areas established prior to independence are no longer recognized. Thus, two reserves, Bokaak (Taongi) and Bikar, set up during the 1950s, are not recognized by the government nor by the Irooj Laplap (paramount chief) of the local area. While a part of the US Trust Territory, the legislation and policy on protected areas remained unclear, becoming a major reason why so few protected areas were actually established during this period. In 1998, a Marine Conservation Area was established at Jaluit Atoll through assistance from the South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme. The conservation project area is planned, managed and owned by the local community with government agencies and other stakeholders playing a supportive role.

Forest protection measures

The Marshall Islands lie in the tropical cyclone belt, consequently, all forestry activities require consideration of cyclones as an integral feature of the environment. Tree planting uses wind-firm species and shelterbelts constitute a part of agroforestry systems.

Forest harvesting practices

Timber harvesting in the Marshall Islands is almost exclusively for household usage and for handicrafts. Harvesting is carried out on an ad hoc basis. More than 20 tree species are harvested for wood. The mangrove jon tree (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), for example, is harvested for variety of traditional purposes, including for structural components of traditional Marshallese houses, such as beams, posts and rafters. It was used also for canoe parts, such as the keel-piece, the outrigger boom and outrigger struts.
last updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009