Most atoll ecosystems and a wide range of terrestrial and marine organisms, and genetic or cultivars varieties of
traditional food and other multi-purpose plants are declining in abundance and under threat of either “economic extinction” or extirpation and in need of some form of protection. The severity of the situation is greatest on those more urbanized atolls where both the biodiversity and the local knowledge of biodiversity are threatened.
see R Thanman pdf report for more information