Basic data for : Western Samoa

As a result, lowlands and the steep slopes of the interior mountains are being converted and virtually all arable land is in cultivation or plantation. This report examines the effects of land use practices and other human activities on Western Samoa"s biological diversity. Major threats are identified as: (1) timber harvesting; (2) standardization of garden and agricultural crops, which is probably resulting in the loss of several endemic cultivars; and (3) 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 moderate floods have threatened isolated populations of rare species. The report also provides background information on Western Samoa"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.