Invasive species are recognized as one of the driving factors behind biodiversity loss worldwide. They have significant negative impacts upon many other sectors including: economic development, health, agriculture, tourism and trade. Islands are very vulnerable to biological invasions. Island ecosystems, while highly diverse, are particularly fragile and vulnerable due to their small size, relative isolation, disproportionate susceptibility to the overharvesting of resources, and to natural disasters. Island biodiversity is also under serious threat from another major driver of biodiversity loss – climate change- which will interact with biological invasions and other processes in complex ways. Anticipated impacts from climate change including sea level rise and rainfall pattern-changes, which threaten to damage ecosystem health and may accelerate species loss. By fostering ecosystem health, invasive species management represents an effective form of Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) to climate change.

1. Invasive Species Taskforce of Pohnpei
STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN JULY 2010-JULY 2013

3. Table of Contents
Acknowledgement 2
Acronyms 3
Executive Summary 5
Introduction to Invasive Species 6
Background 6
Vision 8
Mission 8
Target Invasive Species 8
Goal 1 Conserve Biodiversity and Protect Livelihoods from the threat 9
of invasive species.
Goal 2 Policy: National and State Leadership provide supporting 13
Legislation and funding for invasive species management.
Cost Summary by Objectives. 15

4. Acknowledgement
On behalf of the Invasive Species Taskforce Of Pohnpei (iSTOP) I would like to take this opportunity
to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the people and agencies who have been involved
in the development of this Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
Particularly, I would like to give a special thanks to Konrad Englberger for facilitating the SAP work-
shop and providing pictures for our presentations and many publications, Patterson Shed, Executive
Director of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) for coordinating and facilitating the SAP work-
shop. I also wish to convey special thanks to Josh Fuder, Deputy Director of CSP for the instrumental
support in drafting and layout of our strategic action plan and designing of our new iSTOP logo.
I also would like to give my thanks to the following people who were involved and contributed in the
development of this SAP: Paul Lake and Gibson Santos from Natural Resources Conservation Ser-
vice (NRCS), Engly Ioanis and Mark Kostka from the College of Micronesia (COM)-FSM Cooperative
Extension Services (CES), Roseo Marquez and John Wichep from FSM National Government, Sai-
mon Lihpai from Pohnpei Forestry, Mike Helgenberger from the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture
OFA, Karlos Kusto from Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), Dona Scheuring from the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bejay Obispo, Rudi Andreas and Francisca Sohl from CSP.
Through the Conservation Society of Pohnpei I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for funding support to enable the development of iTOP’s future
strategies.
Thanks are also given to the Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs (OEA) and Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) for providing the venue for the workshop.
I sincerely hope that this plan will be successfully implemented and all the goals will be achieved.
Kalahngan,
Kadalino Lorens
Chairman
Invasive Species Taskforce of Pohnpei ( iSTOP)
July 1. 2010

5. Acronyms
AG Attorney General
BSAP Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
CCO Community Conservation Officers
CEPF Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
CES Cooperative Extension Service
COM FSM College of Micronesia, Federated States of Micronesia
CSP Conservation Society of Pohnpei
DFMC Division of Forestry and Marine Conservation
FAO Food and Agricultural Organization
FSM Federated States of Micronesia
FSM-R&D Federated States Of Micronesia - Resource and Development
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
IS Invasive Species
iSTOP Invasive Species Taskforce Of Pohnpei
IST Invasive Species Taskforce
IS Invasive Species
ISSG Invasive Species Specialist Group of Int. Union for the Conservation of Nature
JEMCO Joint Economic Management Committee
MCT Micronesia Conservation Trust
NGO Non-Governmental Organizations
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
OEA Office of Economic Affairs

6. OFA Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture
PILN Pacific Invasives Learning Network
PII Pacific Invasive Initiative
PIP Pacific Invasive Partnership
PIST Pohnpei Invasive Species Taskforce
PRMC Pohnpei Resource Management Committee
RISC Regional Invasive Species Council
SAP Strategic Action Plan
SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community
SPREP Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
TA Technical Assistant
TOR Terms of Reference
TNC The Nature Conservancy
USDA United States Department of Agriculture

7. Executive Summary
From June 29-July 1st the participating members of Invasive Species Taskforce Of Pohnpei, (iSTOP)
convened to develop a new Strategic Action Plan (SAP) to guide invasive species management work
from July 2010-June 2013. iSTOP has identified a list of invasive species which have a potential for
causing threats to livelyhoods. False sakau, Mile-A-Minute, Chain of Love, Ivy Gourd, Honolulu
Rose, Octopus Tree, Bengal Trumpet vine, Lolo pepper, Tree sparrow, and the Feral Pigeon have
been identified for eradication. The Kerosene Tree, Koster’s curse and Tilapia are currently being as-
sessed.
The iSTOP SAP establishes goals, objectives, activities, collaborators, timeframes, funding sources
and estimated costs for the different activities.
The iSTOP SAP is divided into 2 priority goals that are divided into nine objectives with a total of 34
activities. Funding for most activities has been secured through grants from the Critical Ecosystem
Protection Fund(CEPF) and U.S Forest Service Competitive grant initiative. In kind contributions
were provided by all participating member agencies through their services and support. However,
funding is yet to be secured for key activities, including the Invasives Coordinator position.
Workplans have been developed to address terrestrial, marine, and avian species. These work plans
are linked to the goals and objectives of the iSTOP SAP and carry through to the middle of 2013.
iSTOP committee members during the SAP workshop. Back: Francisca Obispo, Konrad Englberger, Mike Hel-
genberger, Dona Scheuring, Joshua Fuder, Mark Kostka, John Wichep, Patterson Shed. Front: Rudy Andreas,
Paul Lake, Gibson Santos, BJ Obispo, Kadalino Lorens

8. Introduction to Invasive Species
Invasive species are recognized as one of the driving factors behind biodiversity loss worldwide.
They have significant negative impacts upon many other sectors including: economic development,
health, agriculture, tourism and trade. Islands are very vulnerable to biological invasions. Island
ecosystems, while highly diverse, are particularly fragile and vulnerable due to their small size, rela-
tive isolation, disproportionate susceptibility to the overharvesting of resources, and to natural disas-
ters. Island biodiversity is also under serious threat from another major driver of biodiversity loss –
climate change- which will interact with biological invasions and other processes in complex ways.
Anticipated impacts from climate change including sea level rise and rainfall pattern-changes, which
threaten to damage ecosystem health and may accelerate species loss. By fostering ecosystem health,
invasive species management represents an effective form of Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) to
climate change.
Invasive species (IS) have directly or indirectly caused or contributed to the decline and extinction of
many birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. Exotic invasive ants disrupt traditional outdoor lifestyles
and cause harm to people and their crops. Invasive weeds compete with other plants for space, nu-
trients; and some overgrow and kill useful plants. Snakes like the brown tree snake in Guam cause
significant economic losses due to power outages and biodiversity losses as a result of the extinction
of several native bird species.
Islands present unique opportunities to manage invasive species. Three main ways of managing in-
vasive species are: Prevention, Eradication, or Control. Preventing invasions of terrestrial species
should be more achievable on islands than at land-locked sites. Eradication should be considered if
an invasive species is newly introduced and not wide spread.
Many invasive species in neighboring countries are not present in the FSM. Therefore a high priority
must be given to prevent the introduction of such invasive species.

9. Background
The first Invasive Species Taskforce (IST) group was formed in 2000. At that time, the group decided
to attempt to eradicate False Sakau, Piper auritum, which was reported by a USDA weed survey
group to be in one area in Awak, U. Since this time the IST has met every 4 to 8 weeks to discuss the
progress on invasive management activities.
In 2002, the IST became a sub-committee of the Pohnpei Resource Management Committee (PRMC)
to whom the Chairperson of the IST reports the progress of activities. Also in 2002, other species like
Chain of Love, Ivy Gourd, Mile-A-Minute and Honolulu Rose were included as target species for
eradication.
In 2004, when meetings took place to develop the Pohnpei State, Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan
(BSAP), one of the Goals in the plan was to “Address the invasive species problem in Pohnpei State
by strengthening the quarantine program and controlling and/or eradicating at least five selected
species”.
In late 2005, the IST became one of the founding members of the Pacific Invasives Learning Networks
(PILN), which held its first meeting in early 2006 in Palau. During the PILN meeting the IST decided
to have a more formalized group, which led to the name change to the Pohnpei Invasive Species
Taskforce (PIST) The new group completed its first SAP in October of 2006 to guide activities through
the end of 2008.
Since invasive species management activities began in 2000, the taskforce has been able to keep sev-
eral potentially threatening, invasive weeds under control. Of the targeted species: Ivy Gourd,
Chain-of-Love, Mile-a-Minute, False Sakau, Honolulu Rose, only Ivy Gourd was successfully eradi-
cated. While the other target species are not fully eradicated they have remained under continuous
management and are now reduced to less than 10% of their original coverage area. The major chal-
lenge to complete eradication of all species was the discovery of previously unknown sites.
From June 29-July 1st 2010 the participating members of PIST convened to develop a new SAP to
guide invasive species management work from July 2010-June 2013. A decision made during this
meeting was to rename the group to the Invasive Species Taskforce Of Pohnpei (iSTOP). iSTOP re-
viewed and extended the list from the original five to the following ten species identified for eradica-
tion: False sakau, Mile-A-Minute, Chain of Love, Ivy Gourd, Honolulu Rose, Octopus Tree, Bengal
Trumpet, Lolo pepper, Tree sparrow, and the Feral Pigeon. Further assessment will be done on the
Kerosene Tree, Koster’s curse, Tilapia, and catfish to determine their ecological and economic threat
and possibility for eradication or management.
7

10. The following organizations/agencies are contributing members of iSTOP:
Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP)
College of Micronesia FSM, Cooperative Extension Service (CES),
Pohnpei State Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture (OFA),
Pohnpei State Division of Agriculture (OEA),
FSM Resources and Development (FSM-R&D),
Pacific Invasive Initiative (PII)
Pohnpei State Division of Forestry and Marine Conservation (DFMC), Department of Land and Nat-
ural Resources (DLNR),
Pohnpei State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Pohnpei State Attorney General Office,
The Nature Conservancy (TNC),
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS),
Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT)
Vision
Pohnpei will have sustainable aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems for the environmental, social, cul-
tural, and economic well being of future generations.
Mission
Invasive Species Taskforce Of Pohnpei aims to enhance and preserve the natural biodiversity of
Pohnpei State through collaborative efforts at all levels of our society while cooperating with neigh-
boring states and countries to identify, prevent, eradicate or control invasive species.

11. Target Species
False Sakau (Piper auritum) Chain of love (Antigonon leptopus)
Sakau Likamw Rohsenpoak Suwed
Ivy Gourd, (Coccina grandis) Octopus Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
Aipikohrd Tuhke Kihs
9

12. Mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha) Honolulu Rose (Clerodendrum chinense)
Selmwadang Rohsen Onoluhlu
Bengal Trumpet vine Iolen Pengkal Lolo Pepper (Piper lolat)
(Thunbergia grandiflora) Pepper Lolo
Feral Pigeon (Columba liviavar) Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Mwuroi en wai

13. Goals, Objectives and Activities
Goal 1: Conserve Biodiversity and protect Livelihoods from the threat of invasive species.
Objective Activities Time Frame Outputs Partners $$$ Funding Source
2010 2011 2012 2013
1. By mid 2013, at a. Assess distribution 1. Improved knowledge of
least 5 of the 10 of all 10 species and distribution. CEPF-CSP, NRCS-in
targeted species update GIS map. CSP, JICA, CCO,
kind, JICA-in kind,
are eradicated. X X X X DLNR, NRCS, USFS, 30,000
2. GIS map produced and DLNR-in kind, USFS-
CES
updated regularly. cash
b. Respond to newly 1. Updated database of
reported sites. active sites and area under
control. CSP, CCO, Forestry, CEPF-CSP, DLNR-in
X X X X X X X X X X X X X 1,500
CES, NRCS kind, USFS-cash
2. Initial control
achieved.
c. Follow-up visits to 1. Updated database of
known active sites active sites and area under
and apply control control. CSP, CCO, Forestry, CEPF-CSP, USFS-
X X X X X X X X X X X X X 11,000
where necessary. CES, NRCS cash
d. Quarterly monitor- 1. Increased understanding
ing and evaluation of for all stakeholders on the
invasive species status of invasive species
eradication. management.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X CSP, DFMC, iSTOP 2,000 ALL partners
2. Quarterly report pro-
duced.
2. By 2013, 75% of a. Training of CCOs in 1. CCOs are trained in inva-
Pohnpei communi- invasive species sive species identification
ties will have an identification and and weed control tech-
increased aware- basic weed control. niques. CEPF-CSP, State
CSP, CCO, Municipal
ness of invasive X X X 5,000 Govt agencies-
Govts, NRCS
species. venue
b. Continue produc- 1. Awareness materials are
tion and distribution produced and distributed to CEPF-CSP, NRCS-in
CSP, CCO, Municipal
of awareness mate- municipalities. kind, JICA-in kind,
X X X Govts, CES, SPC, RD- 25,000
rials. DLNR-in kind, USFS-
FSM
cash

14. Goal 1: Conserve Biodiversity and protect Livelihoods from the threat of invasive species.
Objective Activities Time Frame Outputs Partners $$$ Funding Source
2010 2011 2012 2013
c. Quarterly public 1. Increased public aware-
awareness an- ness of invasive species and
nouncements are their impact.
PIST members and
released through
X X X X X X X X X X X X X chairman, Radio 2,000 CEPF-CSP, USFS
various media outlets.
stations
d. Produce and 1. Increased public under-
present awareness standing of the impact of
DOE, Municipal
CD to schools, com- invasive species and their CEPF-CSP, USFS-
X Govts, CSP, Fore- 2,000
munities, and TV identification. cash
stry, CES
station.
e. Five community 1. 25 community meetings
meetings will be held conducted.
yearly in each munici-
pality. 2. Increased public un- CES, CSP, Forestry,
X X X X X X X X X X X X X 2,500
derstanding of the im- Municipal Govts
pact of invasive species
and their identification.
f. iSTOP members 1. At least 1 iSTOP member
participate in regional attends regional/national
train- meetings or trainings per CEPF-CSP, USFS,
x x x iSTOP 15,000
ings/conferences. year. Other sources TBD
g. Display invasive 1. Public awareness in-
species exhibit at creased.
public events, eg.
X X X iSTOP IN KIND iSTOP
World Food Day.
h. Guest lectures at 1. Public awareness in-
COM-FSM, Pohnpei creased.
campuses on invasive
X X X iSTOP IN KIND iSTOP
species.
i. Assist quarantine in 1. Awareness materials are
the production and produced and disseminated.
dissemination of
awareness materials
SPC, FSM R&D, iS-
for the prevention of X X 5,000 CEPF, TBD
TOP,
invasive species.

15. Goal 1: Conserve Biodiversity and protect Livelihoods from the threat of invasive species.
Objective Activities Time Frame Outputs Partners $$$ Funding Source
2010 2011 2012 2013
3. Assess and a.Identify funding and 1.Funding and technical
Determine the technical assistance assistance obtained.
level of toxicity sources.
and impact of the
x EPA, iSTOP, CES in KIND
Kerosine Tree
b. Carry 1. Toxicity and environmen-
out study tal impact determined and
of toxicity response plan developed.
and effect
on eco-
systems. EPA, iSTOP, CES,
X 10,000 USFS, NRCS, TNC,
NRCS, UOG, UH
4. Assess and a. Establish communi- 1. Increased community
develop a strategy ty management pro- participation.
for management gram.
Municipal Govts.
of Koster’s curse. X 2. Reduction in the dis- 3,000
iSTOP
persal area of Koster’s
curse.
b. Determine feasibili- 1. Feasibility of bio-control
ty of bio-control. X determined.
c. Introduce biological 1. Bio-control agent re-
control. leased and target species FSM-R&D, SPC, OEA,
X 7,000 GEF, SPC
suppressed. CES, AES
5. Provide assis- a. Identify and deter- 1. Species has been identi-
tance in the event mine level of inva- fied, information on inva-
iSTOP, AG, CSP, FSM
of a newly found siveness of new spe- siveness determined.
R&D, CES, UOG, 1,500 Pohnpei State, TBD
species. cies.
DFMC, PII
b. Determine the 1. Survey conducted and
distribution of new sites identified. iSTOP, AG, CSP, FSM
2,000 TBD
species. R&D, CES, DFMC,
d. Determine appro-
iSTOP, AG, CSP, FSM
priate control me- 1. Control method deter-
R&D, CES, DFMC, 1,000 TBD
thods. mined.
ISSG

16. Goal 1: Conserve Biodiversity and protect Livelihoods from the threat of invasive species.
Objective Activities Time Frame Outputs Partners $$$ Funding Source
2010 2011 2012 2013
c. Follow-up visits 1. Follow up visits conducted
apply control where and control applied where CSP, CCO, DFMC,
1,500 TBD
necessary needed. CES,
d. Identify and request 1. Funding is secured for
funds. invasive species manage- CSP, MCT, TNC, CES,
IN KIND
ment. SPC, RD-FSM, DFMC,
6. At lease one 1. Identify donors or 1. Funding source is identi-
major grant pro- funding sources. fied.
posal to be funded CSP, MCT, TNC, CES,
IN KIND
by 2012 SPC, RD-FSM, DFMC,
2. Draft and submit 1. Proposals drafted and
proposals for funding. submitted. CSP, MCT, TNC, CES,
IN KIND
SPC, RD-FSM, DFMC,
7. By 2011 iSTOP 1. Identify donors or 1. Funding is secured for
will have a full funding sources for iSTOP coordinator
time coordinator position. iSTOP, AG, CSP, FSM
X IN KIND TBD
in place. R&D, CES, DFMC, SPC
2. Recruitment and 1. Coordinator is hired.
hiring of full-time iSTOP, AG, CSP, FSM 20-30000 TBD, USFS, State
X X
ISTOP coordinator. R&D, CES, DFMC, SPC per year Govt, SPC
8. By the end of a. Catfish and tilapia 1. Catfish and Tilapia species OFA, CSP, DFMC,
2012 appropriate specimens are col- are identified and docu- SPC, CES, Communi-
response plan for lected for identifica- mented ties
marine species is tion. X 500 OFA, TNC, SPC, CSP
identified.
b. Determine the 1. Appropriate management OFA, CSP, DFMC,
possible impact on plan developed. SPC, CES, Communi-
X 2,500 OFA, TNC, SPC, CSP
biodiversity. ties
c. Conduct species 1. Documentation of intro- OFA, CSP, DFMC,
distribution survey. duction and distribution of SPC, CES, Communi-
X catfish and tilapia is pro- ties 2,500 OFA, TNC, SPC, CSP
duced.

17. Goal 1: Conserve Biodiversity and protect Livelihoods from the threat of invasive species.
Objective Activities Time Frame Outputs Partners $$$ Funding Source
2010 2011 2012 2013
9. By the end of a. Update distribution 1. Distribution list is pro- CSP, iSTOP, CES,
2013, feral pig- survey for two known duced and made available CCO, OFA, DFMC,
eons and/or Tree invasive avian spe- Municipal Govt
X 500 In Kind
Sparrows is era- cies.
dicated.
b. Determine the most 1. Permission is granted CSP, iSTOP, CES,
appropriate approach allowing the eradication of CCO, OFA, DFMC,
to eradicate feral feral pigeons. Municipal Govt
X 200 In Kind
pigeons
c. Develop and imple- 1. Control methods identified CSP, iSTOP, CES,
ment appropriate and implemented CCO, OFA, DFMC,
control plan for Tree X Municipal Govt 5,000 TBD
Sparrow.
Goal 2 Policy:National and State leadership provide supporting legislation and funding for invasive species management.
Objective Activities Time Frame Outputs Partners $$$ Funding Source
2010 2011 2012 2013
1. Increase iSTOP a. Review existing laws X 1. Existing laws relat-
ability to eradicate relating to iSTOP and ing to ISTOP on inva- iSTOP, AG office,
species in Pohnpei invasives management. sives are reviewed. TNC, CSP, FSM- in kind
State. R&D,
b. Draft legislation X 1.Appropriate govern-
and/or executive ment agency will have
order to allow eradica- legal authority to iSTOP, AG office,
tion efforts on private enter private lands. TNC, CSP, FSM- in kind
land. R&D,
c. Facilitate the enact- X 1.Proposed legislation
ment of legislation will be approved in-
and/or executive creasing iSTOP ability iSTOP, AG office,
orders. to eradicate invasives. TNC, CSP, FSM- in kind
R&D,
d. Coordinate with X 1.iSTOP members will
appropriate law en- be able to safely and
forcement to ensure effectively eradicate iSTOP, AG office,
compliance when invasives on both TNC, CSP, public
in kind
necessary. public and private safety, municipal
lands. governments,

18. Goal 2 Policy:National and State leadership provide supporting legislation and funding for invasive species management.
2. Increase leader- a. Conduct a yearly 1. Increased level of
ship support for invasive awareness awareness increases
invasive manage- seminar to share leaders ability to
ment. progress and new make decisions re-
materials for policy garding invasives
X X X iSTOP 1500 CEPF-CSP, USFS
makers and relevant management.
partners.
b. Encourage and 1. Increased funding
promote invasive for more resources
species management and activities is allo-
to be included into X X X cated. iSTOP in kind
State budgets.
c. Engage the PRMC 1. iSTOP will report at
through quarterly quarterly PRMC meet-
updates on invasive ings. Chairman of
X X X X X X X X X X X X X in kind
species management. iSTOP
d. Distribute newly X 1. The new SAP is CEPF-CSP, USFS
developed iSTOP SAP presented to all levels
to all channels of State of Pohnpei State govt
and National Govts. and all National and
and interested parties. interested parties. iSTOP 500

19. Cost Summary by Objective
Summary of Project Costs by Objective
Objective/Year 2010 2011 2012 2013
Unsecured Funding Secured Funding Total Cost
Goal 1: Conserve Biodiversity and protect Livelihoods from the threat of invasive species.
1. By mid 2013, at
least 5 of the 10 tar-
geted species are $7,750 $15,500 $15,500 $7,750 $46,500 $46,500
eradicated.
2. By 2013 75% of
Pohnpei will have an
increased awareness
of invasive species. $7,750 $15,500 $15,500 $7,750 $46,500 $46,500
3. Assess and Deter-
mine the level of
toxicity and impact of
$10,000 $10,000 $0.00 $10,000
the Kerosine Tree
4. Assess and develop
strategies for man-
agement of non-
target species, ie. $10,000 $10,000 $0.00 $10,000
Koster’s curse
5. Provide assistance
in the event of a new-
ly found species. $6,000 $0.00 $6,000
6. At least one major
grant proposal to be
funded by 2012
7. By 2011
iSTOP will have a full
time coordinator in $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $75,000 $0.00 $75,000
place.

20. Summary of Project Costs by Objective
8. By the end of 2012
appropriate response
plan for marine spe-
cies is identified? $5,500 $5,500 $0.00 $5,500
9. By the end of 2013
at least one of the
two invasive avian
$700 $5,000 $5,700 $0 $5,700
species will be eradi-
cated.
Goal 2: National and State leadership provide supporting legislation and funding for invasive species management.
1. Increase ISTOP
ability to eradicate
species around the
island
2. Enhance aware- $1,000 $500 $500 $0.00 $2,000 $2,000
ness of the impact of
invasive species to
increase leadership
support for invasive
management to a
become priority.
$ 16,500 $ 77,200 $ 67,000 $ 40,500 $ 112,200 $ 95,000 $ 207,200
Note: In-kind contributions from partner agencies are not included in the totals.