2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Micronesia, a sub-region of Oceania, comprises approximately 2,100 small islands belonging to five sovereign nations scattered across 2.9 million square miles of the Western Pacific. The majority of the islands are low-lying sandy coral atolls, but high volcanic islands and raised limestone islands are major population centers in the region. Palau, in the west, was first settled by seafaring peoples as early as 4000-4500 BP and the colonization of Marshall Islands at the eastern edge of the region was believed complete by 3000 BP. While the low-lying atolls show little soil development, the high islands show remarkable soil diversity despite a small land area. Prior to European contact, island populations across the region met their food, fiber and fuel needs for many generations through the development of biodiverse agroforest production systems well-suited to the different soils and landscapes. Rapid political, social and economic change, driven by globalization and modernization, threatens the traditional fabric of these fragile island cultures with potentially dire environmental and social ramifications. However, a strategic coupling of traditional practices coupled with innovation and adaptation provides a roadmap to navigate an increasingly uncertain future.