GEF-7 Samoa Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Project

GEF-7 Samoa Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Project

    The impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on Samoa’s biodiversity continues to be extensive and costly, financially, ecologically and culturally. It also has impacts to the productivity and economic output of primary industries such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as threatening the integrity and biodiversity of natural ecosystems and their processes. The project objective to equip and empower local communities to safeguard Samoa’s indigenous species, natural ecosystems and food production systems from IAS and unsustainable land use practices is to be achieved through the implementation of three interrelated and mutually complementary Components that are focused on addressing existing barriers. In this regard, IAS encompasses both alien and native species that are, or could be acting as pests. The three Components of the project are:

Component 1:

Enhancing institutional and technical capacity in safeguarding indigenous species, natural ecosystems and production systems from IAS

Component 2:

Demonstrating integrated management of catchments from ridge to reef to safeguard indigenous species, natural ecosystems and food production systems from IAS and unsustainable land use practices

Component 3

: Gender mainstreaming and knowledge management.

Project outcome 

 

  • Strengthened institutional and technical capacity to monitor and address impacts of IAS on biodiversity and food production systems
  • Sustainable management of catchments as holistic, integrated entities established and demonstrated in respect to safeguarding indigenous species, natural ecosystems and food production systems from IAS and unsustainable land use practices
  • Gender mainstreaming, knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation provide lessons and experiences for enhancing solutions for IAS prevention, control and management in Samoa