Samoa, an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, is part of the Polynesian region. It consists of two main islands, Upolu and Savai’i, along with several smaller islands, covering a total area of about 2,842 km² (1,097 mi²). Volcanic mountains, lush rainforests, and beautiful coastlines with sandy beaches and coral reefs characterize the country’s landscape.

Samoa’s diverse landscapes support a rich array of biodiversity. The tropical rainforests are home to various plant species, including several endemic species unique to the islands. The forests provide habitats for a range of wildlife, such as the Samoan flying fox and Pacific boa, and numerous bird species, like the Samoan whistler and the rare tooth-billed pigeon. The coastal and marine environments are equally vibrant, with coral reefs teeming with marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	53	120	N/A
Land Management	37	169	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	22	157	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	29	154	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	23	167	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	0	135	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	46	57	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use
Threats to Biodiversity	60	118	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	78	136	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	78	11	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	80	108	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	5	158	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	2	38	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	106	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	96	81	N/A
Capacity and Governance	64	84	N/A
Total Management Cost	93	110	N/A
Conservation Culturomics
Conservation Legislation	39	89	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	62	42	N/A
Government Effectiveness	56	61	N/A
Future Trends	51	40	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	51	40	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

Samoa has established several protected areas to preserve its natural heritage. The O Le Pupu-Puʽe National Park on Upolu is the country’s first national park, protecting rainforests, volcanic craters, and waterfalls. The Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve on Savai’i is another critical conservation area, safeguarding important habitats for native species. Conservation efforts in Samoa are supported by both government initiatives and local communities, focusing on sustainable practices and the preservation of traditional knowledge.

Threats to Biodiversity

Despite its rich biodiversity, Samoa’s ecosystems and species face several significant threats. Forest clearance driven by population growth and the need for agricultural land leads to habitat loss and degradation, impacting species diversity and ecosystem health. Unsustainable practices such as logging and overfishing further contribute to biodiversity decline, as excessive resource extraction strains delicate ecosystems.

Climate change poses a significant threat to Samoa’s coastal areas and coral reefs, with rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and more frequent storms disrupting marine life and causing coral bleaching. Additionally, invasive species, introduced intentionally or accidentally, outcompete native flora and fauna, disrupting the natural balance and causing further biodiversity loss.

Capacity and Governance

The government of Samoa is actively engaged in various initiatives to conserve its biodiversity. Key efforts include conducting the Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Survey 2023 in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to collect data on butterflies, birds, and reptiles for guiding future conservation initiatives. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for 2015-2020 outlined strategic goals to address biodiversity loss, reduce pressures on biodiversity, improve its status, enhance benefits from ecosystem services, and improve implementation through participatory planning and capacity building.

Additionally, Samoa has established protected areas and is creating botanical reserves to safeguard native plant species, working closely with local communities. Efforts are also underway to integrate biodiversity conservation into national and sectoral planning and policies, supported by the Global Environment Facility’s Enabling Activity. These initiatives reflect Samoa’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and ensuring sustainable use of its biodiversity for future generations.

Future Trends

Samoa’s Future Biodiversity Plan 2030 aims to protect and restore the country’s biodiversity by 2030 with several key objectives. These include protecting 30% of Samoa’s waters in ecologically representative and well-connected systems, ensuring the conservation of all plant and animal species, reducing the impact of invasive species, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Samoa’s lush tropical rainforests cover much of its two main islands, Upolu and Savai’i. These forests are home to a variety of plant species, including numerous endemic trees, ferns, and orchids. Unique wildlife in Samoa includes the Samoan flying fox, the Samoan white-eye, and the rare tooth-billed pigeon (manumea), which is the national bird and critically endangered. The forests also provide habitats for various reptiles and insects, as well as the endangered Samoan ground dove.

Samoa’s marine ecosystems are equally impressive, with extensive coral reefs that support a rich diversity of marine life. The coral reefs around the islands are home to various species of fish, corals, and invertebrates. Notable marine species include the green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and various species of reef fish and sharks. The waters around Samoa also support dolphins and whales, which are often seen in the region.

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 Samoa only):