Micronesia

Oceanía

132

Documented species

Parks and reserves

Dive sites

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The Federated States of Micronesia bring together more than six hundred islands spread across four states along almost three thousand kilometres of ocean. Pohnpei, mountainous and volcanic, is one of the rainiest places on the planet and keeps cloud forest on its summits, with plant species and birds that exist on no other island. Kosrae holds exceptionally well-preserved mangroves and reefs under little fishing pressure. Chuuk encloses an immense lagoon shut in by a coral barrier, on whose floor rests a fleet sunk during the Second World War that has become an artificial reef colonised by soft corals and fish. Yap, to the west, is famous for its waters and for its enormous stone discs traditionally used as money.

The nature of Micronesia

National animal: No official national animal

Did you know?

The waters of Yap hold a resident population of reef mantas that does not migrate and that comes every day to particular points on the reef known as cleaning stations, where small wrasse take on the job of removing their parasites and dead skin. Researchers have spent decades identifying individuals by the unique pattern of spots on their bellies, which has made it possible to follow the lives of particular animals for more than thirty years.

Biodiversity profile

MicronesiaDato no disponible con precision en fuentes verificadas consultadas

Climate

•Tropical de selva lluviosa (Af), calido y humedo todo el año, con alta pluviosidad en islas altas (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, Yap)

Main biomes

•Bosque tropical humedo en islas altas volcanicas
•Vegetacion de atolon en islas bajas coralinas
•Manglares extensos
•Selva de niebla insular
•Arrecife de coral
•Laguna de barrera
•Manglar costero
•Isla volcánica alta
•Atolón coralino
•Pecio convertido en arrecife

Marine and coastal ecosystems

•Arrecifes de coral y lagunas (parte del Triangulo de Coral en sentido amplio de biodiversidad del Pacifico occidental)
•Atolones biologicamente diversos como And Atoll (Pohnpei), con 13 especies de reptiles, 25 de aves y 7 mamiferos registrados

Flagship wildlife

•Tortuga marina verde y carey
•Aves marinas y terrestres endemicas de cada estado insular
•Murcielagos fructivoros
•Manta de arrecife
•Tortuga verde
•Tortuga carey
•Zorro volador de las Marianas
•Megápodo de Micronesia
•Tiburón de puntas grises
•Pez napoleón
•Cangrejo de los cocoteros
•Delfín girador
•Nautilo

Notable endemic species

•Alto grado de endemismo insular distribuido entre los cuatro estados (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae), cada uno con especies propias de aves y plantas
•Estornino de Pohnpei
•Cárabo de Pohnpei
•Carricero de Nauru y Micronesia
•Salangana de Micronesia

Notable threatened species

•Dato no disponible con precision agregada a nivel nacional en fuentes consultadas; ver fichas de especies individuales

Notable protected areas

•And Atoll Biosphere Reserve (Pohnpei)
•Laguna de Chuuk
•Parque de la Selva de Pohnpei
•Manglares de Kosrae
•Arrecifes de Yap
•Atolón de Ant
•Ruinas de Nan Madol

Main conservation threats

•Invasion de la hormiga de fuego (little red fire ant)
•Especies invasoras en general
•Subida del nivel del mar en atolones bajos
•Perdida de habitat costero

Notable natural phenomena

•Parte del Hotspot de Biodiversidad Polinesia-Micronesia, uno de los mas amenazados del planeta (solo ~21% de vegetacion original en estado prístino)

Conservation

The regional Micronesia Challenge initiative committed the countries and territories of the region to protecting a significant percentage of their marine and terrestrial resources. The mangroves of Kosrae are among the best preserved in the Pacific and shield the coast from storms.

Where and when to watch wildlife

Yap between December and April for mantas at the cleaning stations. Chuuk year-round for wrecks colonised by coral. Pohnpei in the less rainy season for endemic highland birds.

Micronesia (FSM) es una federacion de 4 estados con ecosistemas notablemente distintos entre si; los datos agregados nacionales son limitados en las fuentes consultadas.

Sources: One Earth - Eastern Micronesia Tropical Moist Forests | Wikipedia - And Atoll Biosphere Reserve | CEPF - Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot

Rainforest Ocean

Diving and snorkelling

Reef/Wall

Chuuk Lagoon (Truk Lagoon)

An atoll of 245 islands that was Japan's largest naval base in the Pacific. On 17 and 18 February 1944 the American Task Force 58 launched Operation Hailstone, sinking more than forty ships and destroying more than 250 aircraft. More than sixty wrecks lie on the lagoon floor today, most of them between 30 and 60 m and many practically intact.

View dive site Wreck

Fujikawa Maru (Chuuk)

An armed freighter sunk during Operation Hailstone and the most visited wreck in the lagoon. Her five holds contain the remains of dismantled Zero fighters, ammunition and war materiel. The engine room, amidships, runs over three levels and is the highlight of the dive.

View dive site Cleaning station