Habitats
Palau is a tropical island that is usually hot and humid apart from the rainy season in May to November. The island can be split into 2 distinct geological domains; the weather volcanic region around Babeldab and the more recent, limestone region in the southern island that have been dissolved by karst weathering.The vegetation on the islands is prodominanty tropical broadleaf forest with the exception of Babeldao where some of the forest has been cleared because of agriculture and urbanisation.
These forests can be sub divided into different types of forests;
Upland forest, found only on the volcanic side of the islands this is the most species diverse. This type of forest can be described as a typical example of tropical oceanic island rain forest vegetation. Forming a dense canopy with long woody vines and buttress roots, that are covered carpets of mosses and other shrubs such as, ferns and wild orchids.
Limestone forest, found on the southern part of the islands, they are more open and contain both scrubby and tall tree species growing from the mountain sides, there is a thin layer of soil but the decaying leaves and other organic matter provide enough nurturance to sustain life.
Mangrove forest, they are located on the muddy reef flats on the west coast of the island. They are very important as they collect and store sediment from the inland, preventing mud from washing onto the reef. Tree that live in the mangrove forest are adapted to live in shallow waters having tall buttress roots and air channel to absorb Oâ‚‚ from the air.
Atoll forests, or low coral forests are found on the interior of larger wetter atoll on the coastal areas. Very few remain because of human activity over many generations of use, with plant present being used for food, fibers and construction materials. They are often mixed strand vegetation (narrow strip of vegetation on ocean edges) are difficult to distinguish.
Swamp forests, are found in the low lying area of the island inland of the mangrove forest but are not affected by the tides. These forests are heavily disturbed due to locals growing taro, which is eaten as a starchy corm and a leaf vegetable. In the more natural areas there are tall trees and lots of creeping vines.
There is also the Barrier reef, which is situated on the west side of the island and partly on the east sided. It is believed to have been formed 2 million years ago being mostly corals, and lots of other species such as sponges and reef fish much joined later. It includes various endangered species of plants and animals