Observations on Invasive Plant Species in American Samoa

摘要

This is a continuation of the survey of islands in Micronesia and American Samoa211u001efor invasive plant species requested by the Pacific Islands Committee, Council of 211u001eWestern State Foresters. A survey of selected Micronesian islands was conducted 211u001ein 1998 and was discussed in a previous report. This report is based on 211u001eperceptions gained from a trip to American Samoa from 16 to 23 July 1999, 211u001eincluding the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega and Ta'u. The objectives were 211u001ethree-fold: (1) To identify plant species on the islands that are presently 211u001ecausing problems to natural and semi-natural ecosystems; (2) to identify species 211u001ethat, even though they are not presently a major problem, could spread more 211u001ewidely or spread to other islands where they are not present, potentially causing 211u001eproblems; and (3) to confirm the absence of species that are a problem elsewhere 211u001eand, if introduced to American Samoa, could be a threat there.