Basic data for : Vanuatu

This report examines the effects of land use practices and other human activities on Vanuatu"s biological diversity. Major threats are identified as: (1) severe soil destruction, deforestation, overgrazing, and mining; (2) standardization of garden and agricultural crops, which is probably resulting in the loss of several endemic cultivars; (3) major timber harvesting concessions; and (4) indiscriminant use of pesticides and disposal of pollutants and illegal poisoning of fish, which has caused localized environmental degradation throughout the region. In addition to human activities, natural disasters such as tropical cyclones and frequent droughts and floods have threatened isolated populations of rare species. Earthquakes, landslides, and vulcanism are also common on some islands. The report also provides background information on Vanuatu"s basic geography (including a list of available maps and surveys), political system, biodiversity protection laws, land tenure system, managed area systems, and governmental and nongovernmental conservation agencies. Major taxa and ecosystems are also listed.