Bio-diversity

Fasitootai is comprised of approximately 1,472 people and is located on the northwestern shore of Upolu island in Samoa. This community depends on fisheries and agriculture for their livelihoods, with some also undertaking paid employment, or receiving remittances from overseas relatives to provide for family needs. The village also relies on its mangroves and coral reefs for food, medicine and materials. The Chiefs of the village are entrusted with the management of all village affairs. It is a traditional structure that dates back hundreds of years. In addition, the Chiefs are supported by the Women s Committee, Untitled Men s group, church groups and the different churches of the village. The Chiefs have successfully implemented a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the past. This protected area has allowed sea cucumbers and other fish to grow. The village have also worked with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in building a school building. This project is successfully completed. Climate Change Risks The mangrove and coral eco-systems of this community are directly facing increased intensity of storm surges, increased intensity of tropical storms and cyclones, sea-level rise, increased water temperatures, changing salinity dynamics in near-shore lagoons, changing coastal geomorphology and higher intensity rains. The weakening of coastal ecosystems through both human induced and climate change effects have lead to substantial coastal erosion, loss of flora and fauna and their habitats. Best estimates of long-term changes in the average climate for Samoa indicate that by 2050 the sea level is likely to have increased by 36 cm, annual average rainfall by 1.2%, extreme wind gusts by 7% and maximum ambient surface temperatures by 0.7`C. Adaptation Approach The objective of the project is to improve the adaptive capacity and reduce climate change vulnerabilities of Fasitootai through management of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems. Strengthening the resilience of the mangroves will buffer the drinking and bathing pools, a source of drinking water, protect productive agricultural land from seawater inundation, preserve habitat for mud crabs, birds (such as the gogosina (Sterna sumatrana) and manumea (Didunculus strigirostris)) and fish, and protect coral from climate change-induced sedimentation. As part of this project, there will be a Climate Change awareness raising and training program which will strengthen community resilience and adaptive capacity to respond to climate change. This will include the church youth groups, women s committee and untitled men s group therefore all segments of the village will be involved. Secondly, the project will address natural resource management planning. Many villagers rely on the mangroves and coral reefs for their livelihood. By putting in place proper climate change resilient management plans and protecting these eco-systems the village will be able to sustainability use these resources for the future generations. Thirdly, the project will reduce coastal erosion with a combination of both hard and soft measures. Lastly, the project is to develop an eco-tourism plan. This will develop a strategy which can be used to create new jobs for this village; additionally the protection of the mangroves and the lagoon will contribute to making the livelihood of the local fishermen more sustainable.

Samoa