DOCSLIB.ORG

Soils of the Laloanea Farm, Northwestern Upolu, Western Samoa!

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Soils of the Laloanea Farm, Northwestern Upolu, Western Samoa! Pacific Science (1992), vol. 46, no. 1: 35-45 © 1992 by University of Hawaii Press. All rights reserved Soils of the Laloanea Farm, Northwestern Upolu, Western Samoa! R. J. MORRISON 2 AND M. ASGHAR 3 ABSTRACT: Soils ofthe Laloanea Farm (40 ha), in the uplands ofnorthwestern Vpolu, Western Samoa, were studied by an examination of nine pedons composing two toposequences, one running S-N and the other W-E across extensive portions of the farm. Over short distances considerable variability in the soils has led to their classification into two soil orders of Soil Taxonomy (Entisols and Inceptisols), two suborders, three great groups (Troporthents, Humitropepts, and Dystropepts), four subgroups, and seven families. Major factors contributing to the variability were depth to basaltic boulders or flow rock, presence or absence ofa cambic horizon, amount oforganic carbon in the profile, particle size distribution in the control section, and occurrence in some pedons of andic properties. Soils all had an oxidic mineralogy class and an isohyperthennic soil temperature regime. Relationship of the factors affecting variability to topographic position is discussed, together with an overview ofthe physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the soils. Similar variability might be expected in other humid tropical situations on young basaltic landscapes with steep, rolling, and benched terrain. WESTERN SAMOA CONSISTS OF four volcanic Much ofthe terrain is steep land, and these islands and series of islets lying between 13° areas have a thick vegetative cover ofprimary and 15° S latitude and 171-173° W longitude. or secondary forest, or dense scrub. Some The two main islands, Vpolu and Savai'i, are agricultural development has occurred in the composed of a mass of successive olivine rolling and flat areas with the production of basalt flows, and the landscape is the result of root crops, copra, cocoa, bananas, and more subaerial erosion of two major lava domes. recently passionfruit and pastures on flat ar­ The age of the flows ranges from the Fagaloa eas of Vpolu. flows ofthe early Pleistocene up to the present Early studies of soils of Western Samoa century, with the last major event (on Savai'i) were those of Hamilton and Grange (1938), occurring in 1905-1907 (Kear and Wood Seelye et al. (1938), and Birrell et al. (1939). 1959). The climate is humid tropical with The first comprehensive maps were those rainfall varying from 2000 to 7000 mm annu­ of Wright (1963), published at scales of ally; some areas have a weak dry season 1 : 40,000 (Vpolu) and 1 : 100,000 (Vpolu and during June-October but there is no true Savai'i). Wright did not discuss the variability leeward coast. Temperatures at sea level aver­ within series or mapping units (apart from age 26-27°C, with a drop ofabout 0.65°C for separation into phases). Schroth (1970) at­ each 100-m rise in altitude (Curry 1955). tempted an analysis of the variability of cer­ tain characteristics, but examination was con­ fined to a limited number of pedons and did 1 This work was funded in part by a grant from the University of the South Pacific Research Committee. not include an evaluation ofvariability within Manuscript accepted 2 February 1991. the established mapping units. 2 Institute of Natural Resources, University of the The Laloanea Farm ofthe Vniversity ofthe South Pacific, P. O. Box 1168, Suva, Fiji. South Pacific is located in an area typical of 3 University ofthe South Pacific School ofAgriculture, Private Bag, Apia, Western Samoa. Present address: many in the uplands of northwestern Vpolu Queensland Department ofPrimary Industries, P.O. Box (see Figure 1). This farm thus represents a 201, Biloela, Queensland 4715, Australia. suitable resource for future agricultural re- 35 36 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Volume 46, January 1992 172°W UPOLU, WESTERN SAMOA CJ LALOANEA FARM o 10 20km I I I FIGURE I. Location of Laloanea Farm. search. Because no detailed soil information strated the changes found at the northern end was available, a study of the area was under­ of the study area. taken to provide valuable resource baseline Pits were dug in each of the representative data. At the same time, the survey permitted soils, and the profiles were described accord­ an investigation of the variability of the ba­ ing to the procedure used by Taylor and salt-derived soils located within the single Pohlen (1979), except that the term "nut mapping unit (the Avele stony silty clay and structure" was replaced by subangular blocky related very stony soil) in the 1 : 40,000 map structure. Horizon designations were accord­ of Wright (1963), which characterizes the ingtotheFAOjUNESCOLegend(1974). The farm site. Data necessary for classification by soils were sampled and analyzed as described Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff 1975, 1990) by Blakemore et al. (1981) or the Soil Conser­ were obtained so that the Western Samoan vation Service (1972) ofthe U.S. Department soils could be better related to those of other of Agriculture. tropical areas, thus assisting the transfer of Mineralogical studies were made on whole soil-based agrotechnology. soil samples « 200 mesh) and on the clay (< 2 J.lm) fraction using X-ray diffraction analysis. This analysis was carried out us­ ing an X-ray diffractometer system (Philips MATERIALS AND METHODS XRG-3100) employing a long-fine-focus cop­ A preliminary auger survey was made ofthe per tube operated at 40 kV and 40 mAo By use farm area to indicate the general soil pattern ofa "theta compensating" divergence slit, the and variability and to identify dominant soils. same sample area was exposed to the X­ Two toposequences were selected to illustrate radiation over the entire angular range of the soil pattern and range of variability (see the diffractograms (2-66°, 20). The diffrac­ Figures 2, 3, and 4). The S-N sequence tometer employed a wide-optics, curved­ covered the major reliefunits ofthe farm, and graphite monochromator in lieu ofa Ni filter. the W-E toposequence, running from the Sample preparation consisted of bulk air-dry top of a small cone (LNA 1) across a ma­ powder for the < 200 mesh material and of jor portion of gently rolling terrain, demon- water suspensions that were air-dried on Soils of Laloanea Farm-MORRISON AND ASGHAR 37 r ---- I -- ---- ---- I ---- ---- I I BUS H I \ \ o 100m 200m I I 1 CATTLE >N WATER II II ----:A~ ,,,I LNA 2 I II RESEARCH I I AREA BBB II I II BBB I I I I BBB_____ ""J I ,..-- --"" I I LNA8 I BUSH I PTP T PTT TTT PTP TPTTTTT I P 1 P TPTTTTT PTP T PTT TTT I PTP TPTTTTT ~APIA P = Passion fruit )()()< = Fence T = Taro --- Farm Boundary B = Banana ---- Track FIGURE 2. Laloanea Farm: land use (1985). 38 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Volume 46, January 1992 w E I I I 1 I t I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 I I I ..,1< ~30m-¥-35m .... 1" S5m I GOm I LNA 1 LNA2 LNA3 LNA4 LNA5 A A A A o. 0 o D o ~ '" C' C> ~ 0 0 0 C C 0 '0 0 Bw 0 Bw 00(J0 o 0 (J o ° ti DOaO <)0° 0 9 • 0 0 0 1 m a Bw C f) {) " ~ 0 C 0 0 0 olJo R R R DO;:/ FIGURE 3. Laloanea toposequence no. 1. molybdenum slides for the clay fractions. occurred in the Samoa group as recently as Because it is not possible to obtain ac­ 1907, additions of recent ash must also have curate quantitative soil mineralogical data taken place. The farm is at 500 m (1650 ft) from X-ray diffractograms alone, the quanti­ elevation, so the average annual temperature tative estimates are in the form of ranges. is estimated at 23°e with a small variation The soils were classified according to Soil between "winter" and "summer." No rainfall Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff 1975, 1990). data are available, but annual precipitation has been estimated at 4000 mm, with a very weak dry season June-October (Hydrology Section, Apia Observatory, pers. comm.). The RESULTS AND DISCUSSION soils therefore have an udic soil moisture The Laloanea Farm soils were formed from regime and an isohyperthermic soil tempera­ Pleistocene or Holocene olivine basalt flow ture regime. The farm area is generally well rocks or weathered products derived from drained, and no evidence of sustained imper­ them. Because major volcanic events have fect drainage was observed. The present vege- Soils of Laloanea Farm-MoRRISON AND ASGHAR 39 s N I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I : I I I I I IE-~ --~*«--- gOm x 200m--~' ---130 m I I : I I I LNA9 LNA6 LNA 7 LNA8 A 0 A A l?c3° o • 0 0 0 ° Do Bw 0 o °0 a0 Bw <;)~; 0 <;) Qo <0 0 () 0 o 0 .j)0 0[> <) C> &' .lJ,. Bw 0 1 m oCS 0[;, 0 f?o Q 0'6 0 C o <J tJ 0 R 00 c R R FIGURE 4. Laloanea toposequence no. 2. tation pattern is shown in Figure 2, while Toposequence No.1 (W-E) some indication ofthe reliefis given in Figures 3 and 4. Five profiles in this sequence were studied, Although the soils in the two toposequences moving from the summit ofa small secondary showed some similarities, the soil patterns in cone eastward to a relatively flat area close the individual sequences were quite different. to the bottom of sequence no. 2. The whole Profile features and laboratory data are sum­ area had a dense covering of grass (including marized in Tables I and 2.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Archaeology of Lapita Dispersal in Oceania
    The archaeology of Lapita dispersal in Oceania pers from the Fourth Lapita Conference, June 2000, Canberra, Australia / Terra Australis reports the results of archaeological and related research within the south and east of Asia, though mainly Australia, New Guinea and Island Melanesia — lands that remained terra australis incognita to generations of prehistorians. Its subject is the settlement of the diverse environments in this isolated quarter of the globe by peoples who have maintained their discrete and traditional ways of life into the recent recorded or remembered past and at times into the observable present. Since the beginning of the series, the basic colour on the spine and cover has distinguished the regional distribution of topics, as follows: ochre for Australia, green for New Guinea, red for Southeast Asia and blue for the Pacific islands. From 2001, issues with a gold spine will include conference proceedings, edited papers, and monographs which in topic or desired format do not fit easily within the original arrangements. All volumes are numbered within the same series. List of volumes in Terra Australis Volume 1: Burrill Lake and Currarong: coastal sites in southern New South Wales. R.J. Lampert (1971) Volume 2: Ol Tumbuna: archaeological excavations in the eastern central Highlands, Papua New Guinea. J.P. White (1972) Volume 3: New Guinea Stone Age Trade: the geography and ecology of traffic in the interior. I. Hughes (1977) Volume 4: Recent Prehistory in Southeast Papua. B. Egloff (1979) Volume 5: The Great Kartan Mystery. R. Lampert (1981) Volume 6: Early Man in North Queensland: art and archeaology in the Laura area.
    [Show full text]
  • High-Resolution Bathymetric Survey of Samoa
    EU-SOPAC Project Report 112 Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States SAMOA TECHNICAL REPORT High-Resolution Bathymetric Survey Fieldwork Undertaken from 27 January to 1 March 2004 October 2008 Western Samoa three-dimensional Digital Elevation Model Prepared by: Jens Krüger and Salesh Kumar SOPAC Secretariat May 2008 PACIFIC ISLANDS APPLIED GEOSCIENCE COMMISSION c/o SOPAC Secretariat Private Mail Bag GPO, Suva FIJI ISLANDS http://www.sopac.org Phone: +679 338 1377 Fax: +679 337 0040 www.sopac.org [email protected] Important Notice This report has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Community; however, the views expressed herein must never be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Community. Samoa: High-Resolution Bathymetry EU EDF-SOPAC Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States – iii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Geographic Situation .................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Geological Setting ...................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Previous Bathymetry Compilations............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Samoa Socio-Economic Atlas 2011
    SAMOA SOCIO-ECONOMIC ATLAS 2011 Copyright (c) Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) 2011 CONTACTS Telephone: (685) 62000/21373 Samoa Socio Economic ATLAS 2011 Facsimile: (685) 24675 Email: [email protected] by Website: www.sbs.gov.ws Postal Address: Samoa Bureau of Statistics The Census-Surveys and Demography Division of Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) PO BOX 1151 Apia Samoa National University of Samoa Library CIP entry Samoa socio economic ATLAS 2011 / by The Census-Surveys and Demography Division of Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS). -- Apia, Samoa : Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Government of Samoa, 2011. 76 p. : ill. ; 29 cm. Disclaimer: This publication is a product of the Division of Census-Surveys & Demography, ISBN 978 982 9003 66 9 Samoa Bureau of Statistics. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions 1. Census districts – Samoa – maps. 2. Election districts – Samoa – expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding or census. 3. Election districts – Samoa – statistics. 4. Samoa – census. technical agencies involved in the census. The boundaries and other information I. Census-Surveys and Demography Division of SBS. shown on the maps are only imaginary census boundaries but do not imply any legal status of traditional village and district boundaries. Sam 912.9614 Sam DDC 22. Published by The Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Govt. of Samoa, Apia, Samoa, 2015. Overview Map SAMOA 1 Table of Contents Map 3.4: Tertiary level qualification (Post-secondary certificate, diploma, Overview Map ................................................................................................... 1 degree/higher) by district, 2011 ................................................................... 26 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3 Map 3.5: Population 15 years and over with knowledge in traditional tattooing by district, 2011 ...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Complexity of an Archaeological Site in Samoa the Past in the Present
    8 The complexity of an archaeological site in Samoa The past in the present Helene Martinsson-Wallin Gotland University, Visby, Sweden Introduction This paper discusses post-colonial perspectives on archaeology and studies of materiality in the Pacific. It uses the Pulemelei investigations at Letolo plantation on Savai’i Island in Samoa as a case study, including events and activities that have taken place after the completion of archaeological research (Martinsson-Wallin 2007). These investigations shed light on the entanglement of values and actions in the performance of past and present power relations. Archaeology is a relatively young science in the Pacific, developed mainly in the 20th century. Extensive archaeological excavations were not initiated until the 1940s–1950s (Gifford 1951; Gifford and Shutler 1956; Emory et al. 1959; Heyerdahl and Ferdon 1961; Emory and Sinoto 1965), but initial ethnological, anthropological and linguistic studies were made in the 18th and 19th centuries. Before these approaches, traditional history and mythology provided the primary explanation for the origin, migration and structure of contemporary societies in Oceania. The traditional history of Pacific Islanders does not separate the past from the present, as does much archaeological research, and the ‘past’ is seen as living within contemporary culture. There is therefore a divide between a classical evolutionary and a contextual way of looking at culture and the ‘past’. The post-processual archaeological perspective of the 1980s opined that the ‘past’ does not exist in its own right, but is excavated, related and interpreted in relation to the present, including to many subjective elements of contemporary culture (Hodder 1986; Shanks and Tilley 1987).
    [Show full text]
  • T-PB 56 Upolu Luma Vaai We Are Therefore We Live
    Policy Brief No. 20 APLN/CNND 1 Policy Brief No. 56 October 2019 “We Are Therefore We Live” Pacific Eco-Relational Spirituality and Changing the Climate Change Story Upolu Lumā Vaai We don’t have land, we are the land We don’t have ocean, we are the ocean We don’t have relationship, we are relationship Rooted, connected Fixed yet fluid ―Vaai (2017) Introduction Speaking of this topic of climate change reminds me of the wisdom of my ancestors ole gase a ala lalovao, meaning ‘the path is always visible underneath the high trees.’ Thus, the dominant climate narrative and the promise of sustainable solutions have always been overwhelmed by the controlling shadows of the colonial approaches of the political and economic giants. The world is urged by politicians, scientists, and activists to ‘unite behind the science’ if we are to survive the climate crisis. There is overwhelming physical evidence and warning about climate change and conflict, documented by the international commu- nity especially the International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC). However, it seems we have succumbed to the shadows of a one-sided story, a story that focuses entirely on the secular physical dimension with the spiritual lost beneath a one-dimensional umbra. My belief is that this neglected dimension holds the key to constructive and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis. This paper aligns with Tui Atua’s claim that “if we want to seriously address the critical issues that face our world today we have to come up with something that is bold 2 Policy Brief No.
    [Show full text]
  • An Estimate of the Potential Evolutionary Increase in Species Density in the Polynesian Ant Fauna Author(S): Edward O
    An Estimate of the Potential Evolutionary Increase in Species Density in the Polynesian Ant Fauna Author(s): Edward O. Wilson and Robert W. Taylor Reviewed work(s): Source: Evolution, Vol. 21, No. 1 (Mar., 1967), pp. 1-10 Published by: Society for the Study of Evolution Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2406735 . Accessed: 18/12/2012 14:10 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Society for the Study of Evolution is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Evolution. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:10:24 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions EVOLUTION INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORGANIC EVOLUTION PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF EVOLUTION Vol. 21 March, 1967 No. 1 AN ESTIMATE OF THE POTENTIAL EVOLUTIONARY INCREASE IN SPECIES DENSITY IN THE POLYNESIAN ANT FAUNA' EDWARD 0. WILSON AND ROBERT W. TAYLOR2 Biological Laboratories,Harvard University,Cambridge, Massachusetts Received September20, 1965 An exceptionallyhigh proportion of the to recognizethat the Polynesianants offer ant speciesof Polynesiaare "tramps,"that an unusual researchopportunity; namely is,species carried about the world by human thechance to comparethe synthetic, poorly commerce.A trulynative fauna is present coadapted faunulae of the eastern and as well on theislands of westernPolynesia.
    [Show full text]
  • Vegetation and Flora of the Aleipata Islands, Western Samoa1
    Pacific Science(1983), vol. 37, no. 3 © 1984 by the University of Hawaii Press. All rights reserved Vegetation and Flora of the Aleipata Islands, Western Samoa 1 W. ARTH UR WHISTLER 2 ABSTRACT: The botany offour small, relatively undisturbed tuff cone islands offthe east coast ofUpolu, Western Samoa, is examined. During a series ofvisits to the islands, the vegetation was studied in nine sample plots, and a checklist of the 260 species comprising the flora was compiled. Six types ofnative vegetation are recognized, one of which (Diospyros coastal forest) appears to be unique to tuff cone islands. Casual observations were made on the avifauna and turtle species, and the ecological significance of the islands is discussed. LYINGJU ST OFF TH EEAST coast ofthe Aleipata mind. The results ofthese visits culminated in district ofthe island ofUpolu, Western Samoa a checklist ofthe flora ofthe islands (Table 5). (Figure 1), is a chain of four small islands Dur ing the visits, voucher specimens were col­ (totaling about 1.7 krn") , which is known as lected and vegetation surveys carried out. The the Aleipata Islands. Although the coastal voucher specimens are in the author's personal and lowland area of the Aleipata coast adja­ collection at the Uni versity of Hawaii, with cent to the islands is almost entirely covered duplicates at the Smithsonian (us), Bishop with coconut plantations and villages, the Mu seum (BISH), Kew (K), Berlin (B), and islands are uninhabited and their plant com­ elsewhere. munities are relatively undisturbed. Because To determine species composition of the of the extensive disturbance to the vegetation forests, nine vegeta tion plots were sampled­ of the Aleipata coast, these islands serve as a six on Nu 'utele, two on Nu 'ulua, and one refuge for native plant communities as well on Namu 'a, No vegetation was sampled on as native plant and animal species (Whistler Fanuatapu due to the limited extent of that 1981).
    [Show full text]
  • Climate of Samoa
    DaDatata CCoollecllectiotionn aanndd mmodeodellillinnggffoor ar adadaptaptationtion Nusipepa Lepale Samoa Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline Background info Geography Climate of Samoa Impacts of Climate Change (CC) in Samoa CC Adaptation in Samoa Data Observation Network (Data collection) Modeling used in Samoa Responses to Climate Change in Samoa Samoa Climate Early Warning System (CLEWS) Background InformationBackground Information Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa and German Samoa), is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in Polynesia Savai'i. The capital city Apia and Faleolo International Airport are situated on the island of Upolu. The 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with independence from New Zealand in 1962, is based on the British pattern of parliamentary democracy, modified to take account of Samoan customs The unicameral legislature (Fono) consists of 49 members serving 5-year terms. Forty-seven are elected from territorial districts by ethnic Samoans; the other two are chosen by non-Samoans with no chiefly affiliation on separate electoral rolls GeographyGeography The country is located east of the international date line and south of the equator, about halfway between Hawai‘i and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 2934 km²
    [Show full text]
  • Archaeological Investigations at the Pulemelei Mound, Savai'i, Samoa Helene Martinsson-Wallin the Kon-Tiki Museum, Oslo, Norway
    Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation Volume 17 Article 2 Issue 2 October 2003 Archaeological Investigations at the Pulemelei Mound, Savai'i, Samoa Helene Martinsson-Wallin The Kon-Tiki Museum, Oslo, Norway Geoffrey Clark Paul Wallin Follow this and additional works at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj Part of the History of the Pacific slI ands Commons, and the Pacific slI ands Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation Martinsson-Wallin, Helene; Clark, Geoffrey; and Wallin, Paul (2003) "Archaeological Investigations at the Pulemelei Mound, Savai'i, Samoa," Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation: Vol. 17 : Iss. 2 , Article 2. Available at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj/vol17/iss2/2 This Research Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Hawai`i Press at Kahualike. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation by an authorized editor of Kahualike. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Martinsson-Wallin et al.: Archaeological Investigations at the Pulemelei Mound ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE PULEMELEI MOUND, SAVAI'I, SAMOA HeLene Martinsson-Wallin, Geoffrey CLark and PauL Wallin Kon-Tiki Museum and AustraLian NationaL University BACKGROUND The i lands of the Samoan group (Figure 1) were formed by volcanic activity and are es entially mountains and ridge of rchaeological investigations began in Samoa in 1957 erupted rock itting on the Pacific Plate. Eruptions have been A when Jack Gol on excavated some ettlements and ongoing and the south and north coa t of Savai'i are now cov­ mound on 'Upolu (Green and David on 1969:3).
    [Show full text]
  • Faleapuna, a Samoan Village Upolu
    FALEAPUNA, A SAMOAN VILLAGE GLENN CuNNINGHAM Los Angeles City College Social anthropologists have done much reporting on the. aspects of primitive village life that are of concern to them. Geographers have done little. The following paper is offered as a study in village geography-:­ micro-geography, necessarily-revealing the patterns of communal and individual use of land and of water within the village area. Faleapuna is a small agricultural village on the north coast of Upolu Island, the principal island of Western Samoa.1 It lies about fourteen miles due east of Apia, Samoa's. capital and largest town, and occupies the east­ ern half of a short straight stretch of coast between two broad bays, Salua­ fata Harbor on the west and Falefa Harbor on the east (Figs. l and 2). UPOLU <L._,_._J MILES Fig. 1. Upolu Island, Faleapuna Village and its relation to Apia and the island road system. A coral reef, one mile wide, fringes this part of the island's coast. Much of it shows dry patches at low water (tidal range is about three feet), but immediately along the shore a slightly deeper stretch, one hundred yards in width, provides passage for small boats from one bay to the other. From the shore a belt of coral debris extends inland for two hundred to four hundred yards to the low bluff marking the edge of the island's volcanic interior. On this coral lowland shallow lagoons with adjoining areas of marsh drain into the sea through narrow outlets. The lagoons, lake­ like in appearance, are tidal and brackish.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rare Plants of Samoa JANUARY 2011
    The Rare Plants of Samoa JANUARY 2011 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 2 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 2 The Rare Plants of Samoa Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series is published by: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific) PO Box 2035, Apia, Samoa T: + 685 21593 E: [email protected] W: www.conservation.org Conservation International Pacific Islands Program. 2011. Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 2: The Rare Plants of Samoa. Conservation International, Apia, Samoa Author: Art Whistler, Isle Botanica, Honolulu, Hawai’i Design/Production: Joanne Aitken, The Little Design Company, www.thelittledesigncompany.com Series Editors: James Atherton and Leilani Duffy, Conservation International Pacific Islands Program Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ISBN 978-982-9130-02-0 © 2011 Conservation International All rights reserved. OUR MISSION Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity This publication is available electronically from Conservation International’s website: www.conservation.org ABOUT THE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES This document is part of a technical report series on conservation projects funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific). The main purpose of this series is to disseminate project findings and successes to a broader audience of conservation professionals in the Pacific, along with interested members of the public and students.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case of Samoa
    GeoHazards Article Multiscale Quantification of Tsunami Hazard Exposure in a Pacific Small Island Developing State: The Case of Samoa Shaun Williams 1,* , Ryan Paulik 1 , Rebecca Weaving 2,3, Cyprien Bosserelle 1 , Josephina Chan Ting 4, Kieron Wall 1 , Titimanu Simi 5 and Finn Scheele 6 1 National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Christchurch 8011, New Zealand; [email protected] (R.P.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (K.W.) 2 School of Geography, Environment and Geosciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2UP, UK; [email protected] 3 Ascot Underwriting Ltd., London EC3M 3BY, UK 4 Disaster Management Office, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Apia WS1339, Western Samoa; [email protected] 5 Project Unit, Samoa Green Climate Fund Project, Ministry of Finance, Apia WS1339, Western Samoa; [email protected] 6 GNS Science, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: This study presents a scenario-based approach for identifying and comparing tsunami exposure across different sociopolitical scales. In Samoa, a country with a high threat to local tsunamis, we apply scenarios for the 2009 South Pacific tsunami inundation at different grid resolutions (50 and 10 m) to quantify building and road exposure at the national, district and village levels. We Citation: Williams, S.; Paulik, R.; show that while the coarser 50 m model is adequate for use in the rapid identification of exposure Weaving, R.; Bosserelle, C.; Chan at the national and district levels, it can overestimate exposure by up to three times more at the Ting, J.; Wall, K.; Simi, T.; Scheele, F.
    [Show full text]