Species composition and forest structure of tree communities in four permanent forest monitoring plots in the Ta’u Unit of the National Park of American Samoa

Abstract

The island systems of American Samoa represent a unique opportunity for forest conservation and ecological research. Forest covers the majority of the five main islands of Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ofu, Olosega and Ta’u. Long-term management of forest ecosystems requires a detailed understanding of both the resources contained in the Park, as well as forest dynamic processes over time. Long-term monitoring is generally viewed as an appropriate way to capture both the static features of natural ecosystems as well as the dynamic processes within those ecosystems. Permanent forest monitoring plots are important for an understanding of the ecological processes that take place in a forest. Establishing a set of plots on the island of Ta’u is an important step in the long-term conservation, management, education and research agenda of the National Park. This document presents the principal activities and results of field work to establish forest plots in the Ta’u unit of the NPSA.