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Collection Island and Ocean Ecosystems
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Conservation and the delivery of ecosystem services : a literature review

Environmental Monitoring and Governance, Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB

Available Online

McAlphine Kate G

Wotton, Debra M.

Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as clean air, fresh water, and the pollination of crops. The aim of this literature review was to find empirical data illustrating the ways in which conservation land and conservation management activities affect ecosystem services. The widely-held belief that natural ecosystemssuch as those found on conservation land in New Zealandprovide a range of ecosystem services is generally supported by the literature. International studies show that natural vegetation can decrease air pollution, regulate local air temperatures, improve water quality, reduce shallow soil erosion, and retain natural nutrient cycles. It can also be beneficial for pest control and pollination on agricultural land. Wetlands can improve water quality and can play a role in drought and flood mitigation. Seagrasses, saltmarsh vegetation, and mangroves can reduce the height and force of waves and play a role in flood protection. In addition, maintaining biodiversity preserves genetic libraries and future options for discoveries of valuable biological compounds. The few studies investigating the effects of conservation management activities on ecosystem services indicate that restoring vegetation can improve water quality and water storage functions, can reverse soil degradation on a local scale, and can restore plant-insect interactions. Additionally, removing some invasive plant species can increase water yield. Unfortunately, very few studies of ecosystem services have been conducted in New Zealand to date, and only some of the international results are likely to be applicable under New Zealand conditions. Accordingly, while conservation is probably beneficial for a range of ecosystem services in New Zealand, the scarcity of local data makes it difficult to ascertain where and when, and to what extent, the majority of those benefits transpire.

Engaging our Pacific neighbours on climate change : Australia's approach

Climate Change Resilience, Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Australian Government

Predicted changes to the climate in the Pacific region over the coming decades are expected to have significant implications for the livelihoods of Pacific island inhabitants. While contributing little to the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change, Pacific island countries are particularly vulnerable to its impacts because of their geographical, social, institutional and economic characteristics. Key impacts include damage to coastal systems, settlements and infrastructure; undermining of recent economic progress; exacerbation of existing water and food security challenges; increasing threats to human health; and degradation of regional biodiversity. Global mitigation efforts are a priority both for Australia and for Pacific island countries. In international climate change negotiations, Australia is advocating an ambitious global effort to stabilise greenhouse gases at 450 parts per million (ppm) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2?e) or lower.

The future is here: climate change in the Pacific

Climate Change Resilience, Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Maclellan, Nic

Developing nations in the Pacifi c are at the frontline of global climate change. Livelihoods and food and water sources that have sustained communities over generations are being threatened. People are losing land and being forced from their homes. Unless wealthy, developed countries like Australia and New Zealand take urgent action to curb emissions, some island nations in the Pacifi c face the very real threat of becoming uninhabitable.

United Nations Climate change scoping study : Opportunities to scale up Climate Change support to Pacific Island Countries

Climate Change Resilience, Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Morrell Dr. Willy John

The purpose of this abbreviated Summary Report is to provide the UN System and external stakeholders with the key results from a broad-based Climate Change Scoping Study to identify options for the UN System to scale up climate change support to Pacific Island Countries. The report contains a series of recommendations proposing potential focal areas for future UN System Climate Change programming work and collaborative opportunities. Specific feedback on the Inter Agency Climate Change Centre (IACCC) concept note and other development support mechanisms is provided. The scoping study was commissioned by the UN system in the Pacific with funding by UNDP.

Sea turtles - our ocean ambassadors = Les tortues marines: ambassadrices des oceans

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

A four-minute video, subtitled in English, gives an overview of the threats to sea turtles, as well as practical measures that can be taken to reduce those threats. It is intended to form audiences who require detailed information about the nature of the problems facing turtles, as well as things that they might do to be part of the solution.

Traditional marine resource management practices used in the Pacific Islands: an agenda for change / Jeoli Veitayaki

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Veitayaki, Joeli.

Sub-regional marine ornamentals trade workshop: policies and management to support wild capture and aquaculture: 2nd - 5th December 2008, New Caledonia

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

National Marine sanctuaries in the Pacific relating to Whales : map

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

Report of the annual meeting of the South Pacific whale research consortium, 9th February - 12th February 2009, Auckland, New Zealand

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

South Pacific Whale Reseach Consortium

Members of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium met at the University of Auckland from 8-12 February, 2009 to discuss (i) the results of fieldwork and analysis conducted during 2008 and, (ii) conservation initiatives in the region. As with previous synoptic surveys dating back to the austral winter of 1999, surveys of humpback whales were conducted to collect genetic samples, individual identification photographs and song recordings in the four primary regions: New Caledonia, Tonga (Vavau), Cook Islands and French Polynesia (Moorea). Other regions surveyed in 2008 included Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Hervey Bay, Peregian Beach and Eden. A total of 218 photo-identified individuals recorded from throughout the Oceania region during 2007 were matched against the quality-controlled Oceania region photo-ID catalogues from the years 1999- 2007. This revealed additional evidence of low levels of interchange among breeding grounds of Oceania. Following the genotype match reported between French Polynesia and Colombia (breeding stocks F and G) reported in the 2008 SPWRC report, a comparison of quality controlled flukes from French Polynesia and the Antarctic Peninsula was undertaken during 2008. This comparison did not produce any confirmed matches between the two regions. Song analysis for the years 2002-2006 showed a pattern of sequential movement of unique song types from eastern Australia, east across the breeding grounds of Oceania. Members once again expressed their opposition to Japan's continued lethal research programme in the Antarctic and their concern that the ongoing or planned hunt of fin and humpback whales could negatively impact small, recovering populations some of which are the subject of long-term, non-lethal research by the Consortium.

Niue National Capacity development strategy and action plan

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Tongatule, Sauni

Niue is the worlds largest single raised coral atoll which rests on a seamount with the surrounding ocean depths reaching up to 4000m. Niue is located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean at latitude 19o south and longitude 169o west. The total land area for Niue is 259km2, with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 39,000km2. Niue is free governing state from New Zealand since 1974 with its own Parliament made of 20 elected members from the 14 village communities and 6 urban seats. These members of parliament deliberate and manage the affairs of the country in a Westminster Parliamentary system. The annual budget over the last 5 years averages just over NZD $14m with the New Zealand Government providing just over a third, while the remainder is financed from the national economy. The economy is largely dependent on overseas aid, with no realistic prospect of economic self-reliance. However, there is a modest export production mainly comprising of taro and coconuts to New Zealand. Agriculture, fisheries and forestry are at subsistence levels with current government policy focusing on ecotourism and private sector development.

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