Polynesian BioProvince
This BioProvince (as defined by Armen Takhtajan) includes some of the most spectacular volcanic islands in the Pacific culminating in Cook Island of Tahiti with its magnificent, deeply dissected volcanic landscape. Other island groups include the Line Islands, Marguesas Islands, Mangarera Islands, Society Islands, Tubuai Islands, Tuamotus Islands (such as Pitcairn and Henderson Islands), Ducie Island, Easter Island, Rapa Island and Sala-Y-Gomez. In addition to volcanic geologies there are also limestone islands largely composed of atolls or raised atolls. Polynesia enjoys a warm tropical climate usually with two main seasons – a dryer season and a warm, humid season, but some islands, such as the Cook Islands, are affected by cyclones. The flora includes several endemic genera, such as Cyrtandroidea, Lebronnecia and Pelagodoxa (Marquesas Islands) and Tahitia (Society Islands), and many endemic species. A particularly interesting endemic species is the remarkable Bidens hendersonensis (Asteraceae). This tree growing up to 6 m tall with a woody trunk is in a widely distributed genus but virtually all other members are herbaceous.
The following accounts for this BioProvince have been written or will be written with particular reference to endemic and locally important species. Accounts available are displayed in green or yellow. Those displayed in red are either in the pipeline or awaiting expert contributions.
| Index |
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| Major Ecosystems |
| Endemic Vascular Plant Flora |
| Endemic Flora (Cook Islands) |
| Endemic Flora (Line Islands) |
| Endemic Flora (Marquesas) |
| Endemic Flora (Pitcairn Islands) |
| Bryophyte Flora |
| Fungus Flora |
| Lichen Flora |
| Invertebrate Fauna |
| Amphibian Fauna |
| Reptile Fauna |
| Bird Fauna |
| Mammal Fauna |
| Conservation Status |