KOROR, Palau – Palau is relaunching its “War on Weeds” program to combat invasive plant species that threaten the island nation’s ecosystems and resilience to climate change.
The initiative, a collaboration between Palau’s government and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), targets five high-priority weeds: Praxelis (Praxelis clematidea), African tulip (Spathodea campanulata), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), chain of love (Antogonon leptopus), and giant reed (Arundo donax). These invasive plants pose a significant risk to Palau’s natural areas, potentially transforming ecosystems over large areas.
SPREP’s Pacific Regional Invasive Species Support Management Service (PRISMSS) is providing technical and financial assistance to revive Palau’s weed management efforts, which had been discontinued since 2019.
A recent stakeholder workshop identified the Ngerderar Watershed Conservation Area in Aimeliik as the pilot site for the program. This pristine 380-hectare forest area serves as a critical water source during droughts and is home to a variety of native trees, cultural sites, and historical relics. The site-specific project will target invasive species like rattan palm (Calamus pseudotenuis), Kostear’s curse (Miconia crenata), and Albizia spp.
“This combined approach of weed-specific and site-specific management programs is crucial for reviving Palau’s weed control efforts,” said Josef Pisi, PRISMSS Programmatic Coordinator. The initiative aims to address technical and management gaps in invasive species control, while raising awareness of its importance for climate adaptation.
Training sessions were held to equip rangers, conservation officers, and biosecurity personnel with the safe use of tools and herbicides for weed control.
A key outcome of the project planning is the need for additional human resources, equipment, and nationwide public awareness campaigns on the importance of invasive species management for climate resilience. These findings will guide the development of activities under the New Zealand-funded PRISMSS-Restoring Island Resilience project, which is implemented by SPREP.
Palau’s Invasive Species Coordinator, Lei Uriik Rengulbai, expressed appreciation for SPREP’s support. “We are excited to get things rolling again with PRISMSS’s technical expertise,” she said. “One major gap is our need for staff. This project will hopefully allow us to build capacity within the Bureau of Environment.”
The project will provide technical support and resources to local weed control personnel, ultimately improving Pacific Island livelihoods and climate resilience by reducing the impact of invasive species on natural and agricultural ecosystems.
The initiative builds upon Palau’s original “War on Weeds” program from over two decades ago. SPREP Invasive Species Adviser, David Moverley, who began his Pacific work in Palau, emphasized the importance of sustained support. “These projects can take many years, and ongoing assistance is essential for success,” he said.
The addition of the “War on Weeds” and Resilient Ecosystems, Resilient Communities (RERC) programs expands PRISMSS’s presence in Palau, which already collaborates with the Koror State Government on Predator Free Pacific and Protect Our Islands initiatives. (Source: SPREP)