Biodiversity Assessment of Tropical Island Ecosystems

In tropical countries, upland forests, mid-elevation and lowland agriculture and coastal zones used to provide most if not all of the goods and services that local populations relied on for their livelihood. The forests provided necessary building materials as well as supplies for boat construction, and a host of food products and medicinal plants. The lowland areas provided all agricultural staple goods among others and the coastal areas provided animal protein, coastline protection and a host of other goods and services. Though the dependency on the natural resources for livelihood is less pronounced now than it was a century ago, many people in Pacifi c Islands still rely on the goods and services from natural resources. This is also true for modern economies like Hawaii where the tourism industry is largely nature based.