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Cause for Concern in Polynesia, Hawaii, Cook Islands, Oceania
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Carolines tropical moist forests
For more than 2,500 years, people have cultivated coconut, breadfruit, taro, bananas, and sugarcane on the Caroline Islands, modifying the native vegetation. Large areas of the islands were devastated during World War II. Homesteading, road construction, hunting of local birds, and tourism are all endangering the biodiversity of the region. And another threat comes from expanding cultivation of a plant called sakau en Pohnpei, the roots of which have a mildly narcotic effect. Introduced rats, cats, snails, birds, snakes, and plants pose a major threat to native wildlife.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Central Polynesian tropical moist forests
Many of these islands have been heavily disturbed. Coconut plantations, phosphate mines, military occupation, nuclear weapons testing, airports, and chemical weapons incinerators are among the disturbances that have altered the islands. At the same time, some of the islands have flourished without long-term human settlement and have been set aside as nature reserves. The major threats to the islands today include human population growth, exotic species introductions such as cats and Norwegian rats, and global warming. Rising sea levels caused by global warming could completely submerge many of the islands and their ecosystems.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Cook Islands tropical moist forests
Native vegetation in the lowland portions of the southern Cook Islands was removed long ago to make way for coconut palm plantations and other crops. But the upper elevation forests of this ecoregion are relatively intact. Their greatest threat comes from introduced species. For example, Rarotonga monarchs numbered only 29 in 1989 because introduced black rats were preying heavily on their eggs and young. Control of rats helped the birds' population bounce back to 100 by 1995. Other introduced species causing problems include common myna birds, cats, and African ants.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Eastern Micronesia tropical moist forests
Coconut, taro, and sugarcane plantations have replaced much of the native vegetation on these islands. The small amount of mixed broadleaf forest that remains was spared because of its value as a windbreak. U.S. military weapons testing and introduced species also threaten parts of the ecoregion.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Fiji tropical moist forests
Logging and land clearing for plantations and agriculture are major threats to this ecoregion. More than 50 percent of the natural forests have been cleared; since the 1960s, about 15 percent of the remaining forest has been completely cleared, and much more is now at risk. Less than one percent of the natural forest is protected. Introduced cats, rats, and mongoose kill many species of native wildlife. The island of Tavemi has no mongooses yet, and the native birds are noticeably more abundant than on other islands.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Hawaii tropical moist forests
Almost all the native plants in the Hawaiian islands occur nowhere else on Earth, and most are defenseless against introduced species such as pigs. Pigs were brought to these islands by humans from Polynesia and Europe and have since escaped and turned wild or "feral." As they have reproduced and spread, the pigs have destroyed native vegetation, caused soil erosion, eaten bird eggs and nestlings, spread weeds and diseases, and polluted water supplies. Other introduced plants and animals are crowding out and destroying Hawaii's native plants and animals, while recreational activities threaten large blocks of montane forest. Hawaii has already lost two-thirds of its original forests to agriculture, clearing, and fire, and half its native birds through habitat loss and introduced disease. Saving the remaining native species and habitats is now a race against time.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Kermadec Islands subtropical moist forests
Human settlement of these islands has been limited, and direct human impacts are few. Unfortunately, each wave of settlers that did come to the islands brought with it animals that have wreaked havoc on local wildlife. In the 1300s, Maoris introduced Polynesian rats, and in the 1800s and 1900s, European farmers and whalers introduced goats and cats. These and other invasive species have caused the Kermadec parakeet, spotless crake, and New Zealand pigeon to go extinct or disappear from the islands, drastically reduced seabird populations, and altered native forests. The introduced Mysore thorn and an aroid (a type of plant) are spreading swiftly and represent serious ecological threats.
Oceania
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Marquesas tropical moist forests
Human habitation and introduced species have influenced Marquesan ecosystems for thousands of years, destroying much of the lowland vegetation and fragile animal populations. Few areas of diverse forest are included in the local reserve system. Reserves may not even be enough to save the Marquesas biodiversity, because non-native species are currently more of a threat than direct habitat loss. But certain uninhabited islands, which are protected from human habitation and mammals, still support large numbers of sea and land birds.
