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The Republic of Kiribati requested assistance from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, to conduct a survey of invasive plant species of environmental concern. Similar surveys have been conducted in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Palau, Samoa and Tonga. The survey was carried out in August and September 2003. We were requested to survey the islands of Tarawa, Abemama, Bern and Butaritari; however, difficulties with plane connections did not permit us to visit Bern and Maiana was substituted instead.

The Republic of Palau requested assistance from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, to conduct a survey of invasive plant species of environmental concern. A less comprehensive survey was conducted as part of a general survey of the major Micronesian islands in 19982. Similar surveys have been conducted in American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga. The survey was carried out in December 2002 and January 2003. The entire team surveyed the islands of Koror, Ngerkebesang, Malakal, Babeldaob, Angaur, Peleliu and the Rock Islands while Miles and Tiobech surveyed Sonsorol and Hatohobei States. Tiobech, Rengulbai and Terebkul Tellei surveyed Kayangel. Places of present and former habitation and those used by visitors were surveyed in the Rock Islands (Bablomekang, Betikel, Bkul a Chesemiich, Dwight Beach, Ngchelobel, Ngchus, Ngeanges (Neco), Ngercheu (Carp Resort), Ngerchong, Ngeremdiu, Ngermeyaus, Ngidech and Ulong).

The Government of the Cook Islands requested assistance from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, to conduct a survey of invasive plant species of environmental concern, similar to surveys previously conducted in Micronesia, American Samoa, Nine, Samoa and Tonga. The survey was carried out from 11 March through 1 April 2002. The islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, 'Atiu, Mangaia, Ma'uke and Miti'aro were surveyed. Species reported by the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project were used for the other islands (Manuae, Manihiki, Nassau, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Suwarrow and Takutea) as well as for some of the uncommon cultivated species on the surveyed islands.

The Kingdom of Tonga requested assistance from the US Department of Agriculture. Forest Service,Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, to conduct a survey of invasive plant species of environmental concern, similar to surveys previously conducted in Micronesia. American Samoa and Niue. The survey was carried out from 5-20 July 2001. The islands of Tongatapu. ‘Eua, Vava'u, Ha'ano, Lifiika, Foa and ‘Uilia were surveyed. The latter four islands are in the Ha'apai group of islands. The survey of Ha'ano was not as thorough as we would have liked because stormy weather forced us to return to Lifnka. The objectives, as with previous surveys, were to: (1) identify plant species that are presently causing problems to natural and semi-natural ecosystems; (2) identify species that, even though they are not presently a major problem, could spread more widely or are known to be problem species elsewhere: (3) confirm the absence of species that are a problem elsewhere and if introduced to Tonga, could be a threat there: and (4) make appropriate recommendations.

The objectives of the survey were to: (1) identify plant species presently causing problems to natural and semi-natural ecosystems; (2) identify species that, even though they are not presently a major problem, could spread more widely or are known to be problem species elsewhere; (3) confirm the absence of species that are a problem elsewhere and, if introduced to Samoa, could be a threat there; and (4) make appropriate recommendations.