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ISLAND DIRECTORY
Islands of American Samoa (United States)
Aunuu ('Aunu'u) [1136]
Group: Archipelago: Samoa Islands
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 9
Lat: 14.29º S Long : 170.55º W
Area: 1.6 sq. km Altitude: 61 m
Shoreline: 5.1 km (scale 1:100000) Coastal Index: 3.1875
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 1 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 3900 km Isolation Index: 88
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 5 Marine: 1
Diospyros coastal forest; Pandanus littoral scrub; mangroves; freshwater
marsh; lake; fringing reef Coral reefs
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 3
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
crater lake and mud lake
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 3
Bufo marinus (Cane Toad)
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, 1 village
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: subsistence agriculture
Habitat: one village Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 10% Human Threat Indicator: 0
Gross Domestic Product: $ 3958 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 2
Conservation support: government support, legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 5
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 8 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
Last updated: 06/12/88
Ofu - including Nu'utele Islet [1139]
Group: Manua Islands Archipelago: Samoa Islands
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 9
Lat: 14.19º S Long : 169.65º W
Area: 7.5 sq. km Altitude: 494 m
Shoreline: 14.1 km (scale 1:100000) Coastal Index: 1.8800
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 95 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 3900 km Isolation Index: 97
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Volcanic ridge with rich soil
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 1
Dysoxylum forest on slopes; scrub; fringing reef Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Other invertebrates:
6 land snails, 2 endemics, 1 apparently extinct endodontid
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 3
2 land snails
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
seabird rookery on islet
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: subsistence agriculture
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Coastal areas cultivated
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 10% Human Threat Indicator: 0
Gross Domestic Product: $ 3958 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 2
Conservation support: government support, legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 8 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 06/12/88
Olosega [1138]
Group: Manua Islands Archipelago: Samoa Islands
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 9
Lat: 14.19º S Long : 169.62º W
Area: 5.4 sq. km Altitude: 639 m
Shoreline: 11.0 km (scale 1:100000) Coastal Index: 2.0370
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 1 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 3900 km Isolation Index: 88
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic with pyramidal peak Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 1
Forested slopes; fringing reef Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 3
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, coastal areas cultivated
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: subsistence agriculture
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 10% Human Threat Indicator: 0
Gross Domestic Product: $ 3958 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 2
Conservation support: government support, legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
Last updated: 06/12/88
Rose Atoll [1474]
Group:
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 9
Lat: 14.53º S Long : 175.87º W
Area: 0.1 sq. km Altitude: 3 m
Submerged area <100 m: 0 sq. km Reef area: 1 sq. km Lagoon area: 6 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 150 km group: 700 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 3900 km Isolation Index: 101
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with islet and sand bank Natural Protection Indicator: 2
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Small atoll 2 km in diameter with low coral islet and sand
bank, lagoon 20 m deep with 1 small pass
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 3
Atoll forest of Pisonia grandis; sand strand vegetation with Boerhavia
and
Portulacea (total 7 plant species); coralline algal reef flat with
abundant
corals on vertical surfaces; lagoon with sandy bottom and algae (CRD) Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
7 |
0 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
4 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
7 species
Reptiles/amphibians:
4 species
Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Turtle) nesting
Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle) nesting
Birds:
20 species of birds including seabirds
Marine life:
over 200 species of fish
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 3 Marine: 0
major seabird rookery turtle nesting area
one of the smallest, most isolated, least disturbed atolls
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 0
polynesian rat
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, protected, access controlled
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Landing prohibited without a permit, but evidence of illegal
poaching by foreign fishing boats
Conservation support: government/public support; tenure; legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 7 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 0.1 sq. km Marine: 7 sq. km
Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (8 ha land, 656 ha with reef and
lagoon)
(CRD)
DATA RELIABILITY: good Data Rel. Indicator: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 5 Moderate
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 06/12/88
Swains (Olosenga) [1137]
Group:
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 10
Lat: 11.06º S Long : 171.08º W
Area: 3.6 sq. km Altitude: 6 m
Shoreline: 7.2 km (scale 1:100000) Coastal Index: 2.0000
Land < 5 m elevation: 3.5 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 200 km group: 200 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4000 km Isolation Index: 92
ISLAND TYPE: atoll Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones (reef devastated 1987)
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 3
Some Hernandia atoll forest and scrub; windward and leeward
atoll reefs and closed brackish lagoon
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 1
brackish lagoon
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 20 (1987) Density: 5.6 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: -5.7%/yr Decreasing
Major Human Activities: coconuts, subsistence agriculture
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 80% Human Threat Indicator: 3
DATA RELIABILITY: old Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 2 Low
CI-Marine: 5 Moderate
Last updated: 06/12/88
Tau (Ta'u) [1140]
Group: Manua Islands Archipelago: Samoa Islands
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 9
Lat: 14.25º S Long : 169.47º W
Area: 45.7 sq. km Altitude: 965 m
Shoreline: 34.0 km (scale 1:100000) Coastal Index: 0.7440
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 120 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 3900 km Isolation Index: 98
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic peak with crater Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 1
Lowland and montane rain forest; montane scrub; cloud forest with
Cyathea;
fringing reef Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
9 |
5 |
4 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Other invertebrates:
9 land snails, including 5 endemic or restricted species, 4 not found
in
1975 and probably extinct: 1 endodontid, 3 charopids
Birds:
(Sooty Rail) endemic subspecies, believed extinct, recently reported
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 2 Group: 3
5 snails, 1 bird
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
shearwaters and petrels
intermittent lake in crater; important bird habitat
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: subsistence agriculture, coconuts
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Habitat: villages Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 10% Human Threat Indicator: 0
Gross Domestic Product: $ 3958 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 2
Conservation support: government and public support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 0.0 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
National Park established 1988
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 14 High
CI-Marine: 2 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 06/12/88
Tutuila [391]
Group: Archipelago: Samoa Islands
Country: United States - American Samoa Region: Oceania 9
Lat: 14.30º S Long : 169.75º W
Area: 142.3 sq. km Altitude: 653 m
Shoreline: 101.3 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.7119
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 60 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 3900 km Isolation Index: 95
ISLAND TYPE: high volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Volcanic island of early pleistocene age (1.54 million years) with
eroded
mountain chain, steep slopes, and a more recent relatively flat volcanic
platform
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 6 Marine: 3
Fragments of lowland rain forest (below 300 m) with Diospyros,
Dysoxylum,
Pometia and Syzygium; montane rain forest (remaining mostly on slopes at
300-
700 m) with Dysoxylum; montane scrub; swamps; streams; mangroves;
mangrove
lagoon; fringing reefs; submerged coral bank Forest Coral reefs, Mangroves
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
19 |
11 |
4 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
Drypetes sp. (Euphorbiaceae) endemic, localized
Elatostema tutuilense (Urticaceae) endemic, collected once
Butterflies:
Hypolimnas thompsoni (butterfly) group endemic
Papilio godeffroyi (butterfly) group endemic, rare/indeterminate
Other invertebrates:
19 land snails, 11 endemic, 4 presumed extinct or nearly extinct,
including:
Diastole matafaoi, endemic, on Mt. Matafao, indeterminate (possibly
extinct)
Samoana abbreviata (Short Samoan Tree Snail, Partulidae) endemic,
indeterminate (possibly extinct)
Marine life:
174 species of hard corals in 48 genera and subgenera
Birds:
Aplonis atrifuscus (Samoan Starling) group endemic, Rare
Gymnomyza samoensis (Black-breasted Honeyeater) group endemic, Rare
Halcyon recurvirostris* (Flat-billed Kingfisher) group endemic
Lalage sharpei (Samoan Triller) group endemic
Myiagra albiventris (White-vented Flycatcher) group endemic
Pachycephala flavifrons (Yellow-fronted Whistler) group endemic
Rhipidura nebulosa (Samoan Fantail)
SPECIES RICHNESS:
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
moderate
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 2 Group: 3
2 plants, 11 snails
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
Mt. Matafao with rare land snails; reefs studied since 1917
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 3
several problem species
Achatina fulica (Giant African Snail) introduced 1975; considerable
damage to
subsistence gardens
Bufo marinus (Cane Toad)
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, government centre
Population: 30000 Density: 210.8 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.8%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: government, tuna canning, subsistence agriculture
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Coastal urban development and center of government, particularly around
Pago
Pago Harbour, fish canneries; subsistence agriculture and other
development
have affected two thirds of the island and many coastal and reef areas
Accessibility: port, airport
Percent population in agr/mining/fishing: 10% Human Threat Indicator: 0
Gross Domestic Product: $ 3958 per capita Economic Pressure Indicator: 2
Conservation support: government and public support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 3 Marine: 0
Number: 2 Area: Terrestrial: 20.0 sq. km Marine: 1 sq. km
National Park on north shore established 1988 (ca. 2000 ha)
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (66 ha) (CRD)
DATA RELIABILITY: good Data Rel. Indicator: 3
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 11
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 13 Moderate
CI-Marine: 3 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 06/12/88
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