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"Biology and Geomorphology of Tropical Islands" (Environmental Sciences and Policy Management 107 and Integrative Biology 158) - Fall 2006.

Download the Paper (359 K, PDF file) - December 1, 2006 Tell a colleague about it. Printing Tips: Select 'print as image' in the Acrobat print dialog if you have trouble printing.

ABSTRACT:
French Polynesia’s indigenous tamanu Tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) is an important natural resource harvested for lumber, resin, and oil. Being a marine-seed dispersed species it self-propagates and can be found growing along the coastline of Moorea. Development and harvest patterns on Moorea may be slowing the natural reproductive rate of the species. Fifty years ago it was recommended as a species to include in management programs as it had been noted to be in decline due to its slow growth and high use rates. Interviews with elders, carvers and healers indicated that the range has indeed diminished. A total island survey was performed and the resulting map of C. Inophyllum’s distribution indicates that the range is healthy- but it will continue to compete with human development for the diminishing resource of coastal terrain.

SUGGESTED CITATION:
Valerie B. Howell, "Is the Tamanu Losing Turf? DIstribution and Propogation of the Economically Important Calophyllum Inophyllum of Moorea" (December 1, 2006). Water Resources Center Archives. Biology and Geomorphology of Tropical Islands (ESPM 107/IB 158). Paper howell.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/wrca/moorea/howell