ABSTRACT
Although small by Amazonian standards (approximately 5000 hectares), the Tafua forest on the island of Savaii, Samoa, is precious because of the unique diversity of its life forms. The marine environments surrounding the Tafua Peninsula are also unique. Two species of sea turtles are common to the area. Dolphins, whales, and a stunning diversity of reef fish and corals live within a stone's throw of the rain forest, which extends to the edge of jagged black volcanic cliffs that plunge into the sea. A new and very important branch of ethnobotany might be termed “ethno-conservation biology”—the incorporation of indigenous conservation models into wildlands management. Only when ecologically sound management plans based on scientific studies are developed for resource extraction will the use of those resources be able to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.
