The Marshall Islands, officially known as the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is a sprawling chain of atolls and islands in the central Pacific Ocean, situated between Hawaii and Australia. Comprising 29 atolls and five isolated islands, the total land area is about 181 km² (70 mi²) spread over 1,942,000 km² (749,810 mi²) of ocean. With a population of approximately 58,000 people, the Marshall Islands is known for its stunning marine environments, cultural heritage, and strategic location.

The islands boast beautiful white sand beaches leading into clear, turquoise lagoons, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Rich with marine life, these lagoons provide essential habitats for fish, corals, and other marine species. Surrounding the atolls are extensive coral reefs, home to abundant marine biodiversity, protecting the islands from ocean swells, supporting local fishing communities, and offering prime destinations for diving and marine research.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	46.6	171	N/A
Land Management	39	163	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	4	172	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	34	141	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	88	2	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	1	114	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	6	167	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use
Threats to Biodiversity	60	116	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	76	146	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	76	19	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	33	168	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	3	162	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	55	10	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	79	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	97	71	N/A
Capacity and Governance	47	175	N/A
Total Management Cost
Conservation Culturomics	11	178	N/A
Conservation Legislation	70	9	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	70	3	N/A
Control of Corruption	58	52	N/A
Government Effectiveness	54	64	N/A
Future Trends	41	98	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	41	98	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

The Marshall Islands, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, has designated several areas for protection, covering both terrestrial and marine environments. To conserve its rich marine biodiversity, the Marshall Islands has established a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) that cover a significant portion of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and protect diverse marine life, including fish, corals, and sea turtles. Additionally, the nation has several terrestrial protected areas that safeguard important habitats for native plants and animals, including forests, wetlands, and coastal areas.

Threats to Biodiversity

The Marshall Islands are facing significant threats to their biodiversity, primarily from invasive species like rats, which disrupt native species and habitats. Inadequate potable water supplies and pollution from household waste, particularly affecting the Majuro lagoon, pose additional challenges. However, the most pressing threat is rising sea levels and climate change, which endanger the islands’ biodiversity and unique habitats. The warming climate jeopardizes the delicate balance of the island ecosystem, with serious implications for both wildlife and human livelihoods.

Capacity and Governance

The government of the Marshall Islands, in collaboration with organizations like Island Conservation and the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Program, has been actively involved in conservation efforts. Their dedication is evident in the successful eradication of invasive rats from Irooj, showcasing their commitment to protecting the islands’ biodiversity.

These initiatives are part of the Regional Predator Free Pacific program, funded by the Global Environment Facility, which aims to develop and implement comprehensive invasive species management frameworks to effectively reduce threats to terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biodiversity in the Pacific.

Future Trends

The Marshall Islands’ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) provides a comprehensive framework for conserving and sustainably managing the country’s rich biodiversity, aiming for significant progress by 2030. Developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, the NBSAP focuses on key objectives such as protecting and restoring critical ecosystems and habitats, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, enhancing knowledge and awareness of biodiversity, and building capacity for biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity

The rich biodiversity of the Marshall Islands is primarily marine-based, with diverse ecosystems supported by coral reefs and lagoons. The terrestrial flora is limited due to the atolls’ small land area and saline conditions, but includes coastal plants such as pandanus, coconut palms, breadfruit trees, and native shrubs, which stabilize sandy soils and provide resources for the local population.

The islands’ fauna includes various bird species like the Micronesian kingfisher, white tern, and great frigatebird, with the islands serving as key breeding grounds for seabirds. Marine life is especially abundant, with coral reefs hosting a number of fish species, numerous corals, and other marine organisms, while the lagoons and reefs are home to sea turtles, dolphins, and occasional sightings of whales and sharks.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Marshall Islands only):