Inventory and Monitoring at National Park of American Samoa

The National Park of American Samoa is a dramatic palette of deep greens and blues. Forested ridges rise sharply from the sea with seabirds and large fruit bats called flying foxes coasting above. Among the most impressive in the world, Samoa's coral reefs teem with over 975 species of colorful fish and more than 250 coral species.

The national park preserves and protects tropical rain forests, coral reefs, fruit bats, and Samoan culture.

What's Monitored Here

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  Benthic Marine Communities

  Four parks within the Pacific Island Network contain rich benthic marine communities that are home to algae, corals, and other invertebrates

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  Climate

  Climate is widely recognized as a major driver for both terrestrial and marine ecosystems

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  Focal Terrestrial Plant Communities

  Long-term vegetation monitoring helps us determine plant community health, ecosystem stability, and the effectiveness of management

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  Invasive Plants

  Nonnative plant species invasions present a serious threat to Pacific island ecosystems

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  Landbirds

  On Pacific islands, birds pollinate the majority of woody plant species and disperse their seeds

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  Marine Fish Communities

  Marine fish are a major component of coral reef ecosystems and serve many ecological functions

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  Stream Communities

  Freshwater ecosystems are considered to be among the world's most vulnerable

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  Water Quality

  The quality of surface waters, marine waters, and groundwater is fundamental to the ecosystems across the Pacific islands