USP/APN Climate change implications on biodiversity: Youth scenario simulations regional workshop, September 18th - 22nd 2006

Abstract

The Pacific region is made up of 22 small, scattered, isolated, developing island states and territories, many of which are low lying atolls with limited land space and human and financial resources. Its marine and terrestrial ecosystems have some of the most significant biological diversity in the world. These islands e.g. in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have some of the most pristine ecosystems and habitats including coral reefs, sea-grass beds, mangrove forests where one can find an array of coastal and pelagic fishes, marine turtles, dugongs and whales. The islands are characterized by unique upland, montane, alpine and forests, some of which harbor endemic species. The islands' coastal ecosystems host a diversity of reef habitats on the planet, harbour the third longest barrier reef (The Great Sea Reef) and some of the most complex fresh, brackish and saltwater ecosystems. Some of these are found only in the Pacific region.