Federated States of 0 Cover Photos Olivier L. Wortel Asen Marinov Carlos Cianghini Nathan Fitch Peter JM Konings David Panuelo Report Preparation Researched and drafted by Olivier L. Wortel Editing and assistance provided by Willy Kostka, Mary Rose Nakayama, Roseo Marquez, Lucille Apis Overhoff, Joe Konno and Marion Henry. Special Acknowledgements Expert background information provided by Margie Falanruw, Bill Raynor, Don Buden, Fabian Nimea, Michael Balick, Konrad Englberger and Lois Englberger. Other Acknowledgements Essential support and input provided by Patterson Shed, Katrina Adams, Martin Selch, Eugene Jospeh, Marston Luckymis, Dr. Tholman Alik, Kondios Cornelius, Alissa Takesy, Carlos Cianghini, David Panuelo, Francisca Sohl, Robert Jackson, Mathew Chigiyal, Gary Wiggins, Tim Schiedt, Charles Chieng, Vanessa Fread, Michael Gaan, Tamdad Sulog, Senator John Mooteb, and Senator Ted Rutun. Funding and technical support provided by the United Nations Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme. Dedication This report is dedicated to Sofia Elizabeth Raine Wortel and Kloie Juliana Sunshine Wortel, the future generation of environmental champions. Preface This is the Federated States of Micronesia Fourth National Report on the Convention on Biological Diversity. The report focuses on the impact of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan on national development prerogatives, particularly in relation to the minimization and/or reversal of the rate of biodiversity loss, which is the primary goal of the Convention on Biological Diversity; otherwise known as the 2010 Target. This report does not delve into each of the four State Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans – of which there are four – as these are the localized action plans which were developed out of the NBSAP, and are therefore considered part and parcel of the national aims. The need for biodiversity considerations into overall development processes is more or less widely recognized in FSM, and the Government has prepared a Strategic Development Plan (2003) that integrates an overarching Environmental Policy Strategy through the year 2023. The report was prepared under a grant provided by the United Nations Support to GEF Eligible CBD Parties (GFL/2328-2716-4A82): “Carrying out 2010 Biodiversity Targets National Assessments – Phase III.” The lead author of the report was Olivier Laurens Wortel, National Consultant for the FSM CBD 4 th National Report. Members of the National Coordination Team were: Marion Henry, Acting Secretary of the FSM Department of Resources and Development; Alissa Takesy, FSM Protected Area Network Coordinator; Willy Kostka, Executive Director of the Micronesia Conservation Trust; Mary Rose Nakayama, Project Manager for the FSM Conservation and Environmental Protection Programme; Joe Konno, 2 nd National Communication (on Climate Change) Coordinator; Phillip Joseph, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure; Roseo Marquez, National Integrated Water Resource Manager; Bill Raynor, Asia-Pacific CR Regional Marine Program Director for The Nature Conservancy; Cindy Ehmes, Sustainable Development Unit, Office of Environment and Emergency Management; Ricky Carl, Deputy Director for External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy Micronesia Program; Okean Ehmes, UN Joint Presence in Micronesia Director; and Lucille Apis Overhoff, Micronesia Small Grants Programme Coordinator. i Table of contents Executive Summary ................................................................. 1 I. Introduction ...................................................................................................3 II. Overview of biodiversity status, trends and threats ..................................................5 III. Current status of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans ............................ 12 IV. Sectoral and cross sectoral integration or mainstreaming of biodiversity ..................... 13 V. Conclusions: progress towards the 2010 target ...................................................... 15 Chapter 1 .................................................................................................... 18 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 20 1.2 An overview of FSM’s biodiveristy ........................................................................ 22 1.2.1 FSM’s unique biodiversity........................................................................... 22 1.2.2 Geo-evolutionary history ........................................................................... 24 1.2.3 Ecoregions of FSM .................................................................................... 25 1.2.4 Topography and hydrology ......................................................................... 28 1.2.5 Climate ................................................................................................. 28 1.2.6 Culture ................................................................................................. 29 1.2.7 Biomes and constituent ecosystems of FSM .................................................... 30 1.3 Status and trends of FSM biodiversity ................................................................... 31 1.3.1 Forests and grasslands .............................................................................. 34 • Cloud forests .............................................................................................. 40 • Native upland (primary) forests ...................................................................... 41 • Palm forests ............................................................................................... 42 • Secondary (agro) forests ............................................................................... 43 • Grasslands and fern-sedge savanna .................................................................. 44 1.3.2 Freshwater wetlands ................................................................................ 45 • Freshwater marshes ..................................................................................... 48 • Riparian forests .......................................................................................... 48 • Rivers and streams....................................................................................... 49 • Swamp forests ............................................................................................ 49 • Aquifers and springs ..................................................................................... 50 1.3.3 Coastal and marine .................................................................................. 51 • Reefs........................................................................................................ 54 • Seagrass beds (meadows) ............................................................................. 56 • Estuaries and lagoons ................................................................................... 57 • Mangroves ................................................................................................. 59 ii • Atoll and limestone forests and littoral beach strands .......................................... 60 1.3.4 Species diversity ...................................................................................... 62 • Flora and fauan in terrestrial and freshwater wetlands ......................................... 62 • Flora and fauna in coastal and marine ecosystems ............................................... 69 1.3.5 Agricultural biodiversity ............................................................................ 72 • Farming systems and home gardens ................................................................. 75 1.4 Threats to FSM biodiversity ............................................................................... 77 1.4.1 The main causes of FSM’s biodiversity loss ..................................................... 78 • Overexploitation of biological resources ........................................................... 78 • Habitat loss and degredation .......................................................................... 80 • Climate change ........................................................................................... 80 • Pollution ................................................................................................... 82 • Spread of alien invasive species ...................................................................... 83 • Infrastructure development and urbanization ..................................................... 84 1.4.2 Threats to species .................................................................................... 85 1.4.3 Threats to forests and grasslands ................................................................. 88 1.4.4 Threats to freshwater wetlands ................................................................... 91 1.4.5 Threats to coastal and marine systems .......................................................... 92 1.4.6 Threats to agricultural biodiversity (and its impacts) ........................................ 97 1.5 Implications of biodiversity loss .......................................................................... 98 1.5.1 Impact of changes in forests ....................................................................... 99 1.5.2 Impact of changes in freshwater wetlands ....................................................100