Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae

The FSM is an independent nation encompassing over 600 high islands and atolls comprising 270 square miles and spanning 1,600 miles east to west across the western Pacific Ocean.  The islands are politically organized among four states associated with the four main island groups of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae.

Human Habitation and Biodiversity

The region was settled by people several thousand years ago and evidence indicates the islands supported much higher population densities than at present with sophisticated agroforestry and fisheries management systems, many of which are still practiced at smaller scales today.  The region is culturally and linguistically diverse and considered a biodiversity hotspot for its both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Yap, May 2014. Fire Self Extinguished at Forest Edge (Credit: Clay Trauernicht)
Yap, May 2014. Fire Self Extinguished at Forest Edge (Credit: Clay Trauernicht)
Annual rainfall by month for Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei. Data from western regional climate center.
Annual rainfall by month for Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei. Data from western regional climate center.

Human-caused Fire and Ecological Effects

Fire-prone savannas occupy each of the main high islands in the FSM to varying extents and are derived from a long history of intentional burning by people.  These savannas consist largely of native grasses, ferns, and shrubs and are interspersed among tropical forests and agroforests, forming complex, mosaic landscapes.

Seasonal and Climate Variability

Yap, the westernmost high island in the FSM, has the largest expanses of savanna vegetation and fires occur annually during the dry season from January to May.  Savanna extent declines along with rainfall seasonality moving eastward towards Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, but extensive fires have been reported from these moister regions during extreme drought conditions such as occur during El Niño events.

Pohnpei, Kosrai, Chuck Land Cover
Pohnpei, Kosrai, Chuck Land Cover
(2016 - 2022) Julian Dendy

Yap Wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Island Research center's Julian Dendy mapped the extent of wildfires from 2016 - 2022.

Pohnpei, Kosrai, Chuck Land Cover
Rumong, Yap, May 2014. Typical Micronesian Savanna (Credit: Clay Trauernicht)

Recent Resources for the Western Pacific

Maintaining the Many Societal Benefits of Rangelands: The Case of Hawai‘i (Land, 2021)

June 2, 2021

Authors Leah Bremer et al suggest that well managed rangelands as part of a mosaic, contribute to social and ecological health and well-being in Hawai‘i.

Changing Climate and Fire: a Crisis Brewing in the Pacific

April 13, 2021

As the climate crisis rages on, wildfires will become ever more frequent, more intense, and more wide-spreading in Hawai’i and across the Pacific. This fact sheet summarizes the latest climate…

The Raging Flames of Palau (Video): The Value of Palau’s Forests

February 16, 2021

Learn about preventing the threat of fires to Palau’s population and forest, a source of cultural pride and biological diversity.