The primary objective of the PABITRA (Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect Network) project is to study the ecology of global change and to involve Pacific Islanders and conservation scientists in a mutually agreeable, reciprocal process of capacity building for understanding the dynamics of Island landscapes as life-support systems. In year one of this two-year APN funded project, a joint Analysis Workshop was held in Fiji where a PABITRA Landscape Transect was established. Future activities will target the establishment of a broad PABITRA Landscape Transect on the Island of Samoa.