Marshall Islands - Northern Marshall Islands Atolls

The property is a mixed cultural and natural serial site comprising seven (7) largely uninhabited and unmodified classic low atolls and one low coral island in the northern Marshall Islands. All are known to be important green sea turtle nesting sites (except Bokak) and significant habitats for sea, shore and migratory birds. In the past, all of these atolls were used as important traditional pantry areas for nearby populated atolls due to the presence of birds and/ or turtles and their eggs. The property covers a range of latitudes, demonstrating variation in the typical vegetation and reef systems due to a decreasing rainfall gradient from north to south. Ailinginae, Rongerik, Taka, Erikub and Jemo are the quintessential tropical paradise. Ailinginae has been well studied and has broad support for nomination as a World Heritage site. Jemo is a low reef island (and not an atoll) but otherwise shares many traits in common with the atolls in the series. Jemo is well known for its abundance of green turtles - used by inhabitants of nearby Likiep Atoll for centuries, while Erikub has the favored turtle feeding grounds of sea-grass . In addition to its turtle nesting grounds, Taka possesses a spectacular population of giant clams. Bokak and Bikar, the northernmost of the Marshall Islands, are unique arid atoll ecosystems- rare examples of their type in the world - typified by low rainfall, elevated perimeter reefs and limited terrestrial biodiversity. These are internationally significant sea and migratory shore bird habitats. Bokak has been suggested to be one of the few tropical island ecosystems in the world (that have been studied) with no introduced plant life. Kabin Meto, the region in which Ailinginae and Rongerik are found, is listed as one of the key biodiversity areas in the Conservation International Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot, but no biodiversity information is provided.

Marshall Islands - Mili Atoll Nature Conservancy (and Nadrikdrik)

Mili and Nadrikdrik are paired atolls at the south-eastern perimeter of the Marshall Islands, which may rank amongst the richest and healthiest reef systems in the world. The atolls are home to spectacular and distinctive biota including striking majestic gorgonian sea fans, large patches of soft corals, large populations of sharks, and whales and dolphins. The marine environment of the atoll is high in rare and threatened species. The terrestrial and littoral aspects of the atoll contain a range of habitat types and communities including mangroves, fresh surface water (rare on low-lying atolls) and significant bird rookeries. Mili Atoll is inhabited and is in use by the community as a food source, however, the area proposed is uninhabited. The proposed Mili Atoll Nature Conservation Area is listed as one of the key biodiversity areas in the Conservation International Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot.

Marshall Islands - Likiep Village Historic District

Likiep Village Historic District consists of approximately 15 architecturally and/ or historically significant buildings or remnants of buildings, along with several other structures, built between 1880 and 1937. The proposed property is exemplary of the history and impact of German settlement in the Pacific in the late 19th Century. German colonization began with commercial trading in Hawaii in 1845, Samoa in 1857, and in the Marshall Islands in 1859, with the main product being copra. The Marshall Islands came officially under German Administration in 1885. By the late 1890s Germany controlled about 70% of commerce in the pacific (mainly copra). In 1877 Likiep Atoll- with 65 islands, 163 square miles of lagoon and a total landmass of 4 square miles - was purchased by Anton De Brum, a Portuguese trader and partner in Adolph Capelle’s trading firm-from the traditional chief or “Iroij” Jortoka. This was the first alienation of customary land to European owners, and there are relatively few examples of this change of land tenure in the Marshall Islands, even today. German colonial administration in Micronesia and particularly in the Marshall islands was based on commercial enterprise. The architecture and landscape of the village illustrate the development of the copra trade, the influence on local architecture, socio-economic shift to a cash economy, conversion to a Christian religious life and a change from the traditional land tenure system. During the 24 years from 1877 to 1900 the atoll was transformed physically and socially through rapid expansion of coconut planting.