Micronesia is a region consisting of several island groups, including the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru. These islands vary widely in geography, from low-lying atolls to high volcanic islands. The climate is tropical, with warm temperatures year-round and a wet season typically from May to October. The region’s vast oceanic expanse and diverse island geography create a wide range of habitats and ecosystems.

The landscapes of Micronesia are incredibly diverse and picturesque. The high islands, such as Pohnpei and Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, are characterized by rugged mountains, dense rainforests, and cascading waterfalls. These islands offer hiking opportunities and the chance to explore ancient ruins like Nan Madol, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The low-lying atolls, such as those in the Marshall Islands, feature stunning lagoons, white sandy beaches, and clear blue waters. Palau is renowned for its Rock Islands, a collection of limestone islets with hidden marine lakes and rich marine biodiversity.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	43.8	177	N/A
Land Management	34	174	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	0	178	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	38	125	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	29	161	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	0	131	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	36	98	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use
Threats to Biodiversity	48	175	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	81	125	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	71	34	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	0	177	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	0	134	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	26	117	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	58	7	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	83	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	97	72	N/A
Capacity and Governance	49	171	N/A
Total Management Cost
Conservation Culturomics	21	166	N/A
Conservation Legislation	63	15	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	60	46	N/A
Government Effectiveness	58	53	N/A
Future Trends	44	76	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	44	76	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

The region of Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean encompasses multiple island nations and territories, boasting a diverse array of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, many of which are designated as protected areas. In Palau, an island nation within Micronesia, an extensive network of marine protected areas (MPAs) covering over 80% of its exclusive economic zone has been established. Managed by the Palau International Coral Reef Center, these MPAs are dedicated to preserving the country’s abundant marine biodiversity.

Similarly, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has identified several areas as protected areas, such as the Yap Marine Park and the Kosrae Conservation Area, which harbor a wide range of endemic species and contribute significantly to safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage.

Threats to Biodiversity

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces significant threats to its biodiversity due to the extreme fragility of its isolated and unique ecosystems. The predominant threats—overexploitation of biological resources, habitat loss, deforestation, land degradation, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and urbanization—have particularly severe impacts. These issues are driven by increased development, market economy integration, and population growth, compounded by a lack of knowledge on the impacts of these threats and gaps in taxonomic data.

Consequently, 19% of marine fish, 8% of resident birds, 25% of mammals, 22% of evaluated invertebrates, 75% of reptiles, and 75% of evaluated flowering plants are threatened. Additionally, sharks are increasingly at risk of extinction due to their vulnerability to human activities.

Capacity and Governance

The government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is dedicated to preserving its rich biodiversity through various significant efforts. This includes the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for 2018–2023, which outlines the country’s commitment to protecting its islands and working towards a sustainable future. FSM is also a key participant in the Micronesia Challenge, a regional commitment to conserving and effectively managing marine and terrestrial resources across Micronesia.

Furthermore, FSM actively seeks partnerships and collaborations with international organizations and donors to support conservation efforts effectively, while also recognizing the crucial role of indigenous communities in biodiversity conservation and engaging them in the development and implementation of conservation initiatives. These efforts highlight FSM’s dedication to preserving the unique biodiversity of the region and its commitment to environmental stewardship.

Future Trends

Micronesia is making significant strides in biodiversity conservation with its Future Biodiversity Action Plan 2030, which aims to effectively manage 30% of terrestrial resources, such as forests, wetlands, and coastal areas, by 2030. Supported by the Micronesia Challenge, this regional initiative focuses on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Marine conservation efforts are also a top priority, as highlighted in the Yap and Chuuk Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, emphasizing the protection of marine ecosystems, including vulnerable coral reefs threatened by climate change and human activities.

Notably, addressing climate change is a key aspect of the plan, as sea level rise projections pose a significant threat to coastal communities and ecosystems. The plan outlines strategies for adapting to these changes and mitigating their impacts.

Biodiversity

The terrestrial ecosystems in Micronesia are home to various plant and animal species, many of which are endemic. The rainforests, particularly on the larger islands like Pohnpei and Kosrae, are dense with a variety of tree species, ferns, and orchids. These forests provide habitats for endemic bird species such as the Pohnpei lorikeet, the Kosrae fruit dove, and the Chuuk monarch. The islands also support unique reptiles and a variety of bats, including the endemic Pohnpei flying fox.

Micronesia’s marine biodiversity is particularly notable, with its extensive coral reefs being some of the most diverse and pristine in the world. The coral reefs around the islands of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae are teeming with life, including hundreds of species of corals, fish, and invertebrates. Notable marine species include the hawksbill turtle, green turtle, manta rays, and a variety of shark species. The lagoons and reefs also support a wide range of mollusks, crustaceans, and marine plants.

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 Micronesia only):

	Species (World rank)	Threatened	% Threatened	Endemic	% Endemic
Mammals	24 (#193)	5	20.8%	3	12.5%
Birds	127 (#185)	14	11.0%	21	16.5%
Reptiles	40 (#130)	7	17.5%	3	7.5%
Amphibians
Fishes	1,236 (#27)	38	3.1%	6	0.5%
Plants	5,330 (#61)	23	0.4%	3,070	57.6%