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Definition ot the region Special characteristics of Oceania Reviewing the protected areas system Methods Factors not considered in this regional synthesis

Assessments of the general condition, stocking, composition, and growth of mangroves on the islands of Pohnpei and Yap and at one area on Kosrae were undertaken at the request of these states. Methods used included: reconnaissance on foot, by air and by boat; use of 1976 aerial photographs; remeasurement of forest inventory plots installed by the US Forest Service in 1983; and installation of new inventory plots, examination of public records, and reviews of published data (Pohnpei). Average annual increment of mangroves on all islands was 6.9 m3 per hectare per year; increments on individual plots ranged from 0.9-16.7 m3 per hectare per year. The wide variation in growth rates suggests that management could do much to boost productivity. Production appears adequate to meet present consumption except for a few specific locations and products. Problems affecting mangroves on these islands include uncontrolled exploitation, excessive sedimentation, and alteration of natural drainage. Actions to conserve mangroves are recommended.

The main objective of the expedition was to compare as large a series of islands of different climatic conditions, ages and geological origins as possible. This necessitated short visits to each selected island. The structure and components of the ecosystem under study were the focus of attention, while their functioning was considered to be of secondary importance.

The Government of Papua New Guinea has developed this National Marine Spill Contingency Plan (NATPLAN) as part of its commitment to protecting its and our valuable coastal and marine resources from the threat of marine pollution incidents. NATPLAN has been developed to reflect the essential steps necessary to initiate, conduct and terminate an emergency spill response on, or into the navigable waters of Papua New Guinea, on the adjoining shorelines, the waters of the contiguous zone or into waters of the exclusive economic zone.

The Government of Niue has developed this Spill Contingency Plan as part of its commitment to protecting its valuable coastal and marine resources from the threat of pollution from spill incidents. The Plan has been developed to reflect the essential steps necessary to initiate, conduct and terminate an emergency spill response on, or into Niue waters. The Plan extends to also address spill response to spill incidents on land.

The Government of the Republic of Palau has developed this National Spill Contingency Plan (NATPLAN) as part of its commitment to protecting our valuable coastal and marine resources from an eminent or substantial threat to the marine environment or public. NATPLAN has been developed to reflect the essential steps necessary to initiate, conduct and terminate an emergency spill response on, or into the navigable waters of the Republic of Palau, on the adjoining shorelines, the waters of the contiguous zone or into waters of the exclusive economic zone.

Abstract Global changes, from habitat loss and invasive species to anthropogenic climate change, have initiated the sixth great mass extinction event in Earth's history. As species become threatened and vanish, so too do the broader ecosystems and myriad benefits to human well-being that depend upon biodiversity. Bringing an end to global biodiversity loss requires that limited available resources be guided to those regions that need it most. The biodiversity hotspots do this based on the conservation planning principles of irreplaceability and vulnerability. Here, we review the development of the hotspots over the past two decades and present an analysis of their biodiversity, updated to the current set of 35 regions. We then discuss past and future efforts needed to conserve them, sustaining their fundamental role both as the home of a substantial fraction of global biodiversity and as the ultimate source of many ecosystem services upon which humanity depends.

The Aleipata area surveyed includes .the south-eastern coast of Upolu Island, Western Samoa. The survey consisted of general descriptive ecology and morphology for the Aleipata coastal fringing reef and the fringing reefs of the two detached islands, Nu'utele and Nu'ulua. The area behind the coastal fringing reef to the shoreline was a shallow (

This report is one of a considerable number prepared in different regions of the earth. The preparation of these reports was initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO as contributions to the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP) review of the state of the marine environment. During their preparation, however, they have developed further into independent publications completely reviewing the state of the marine environment in the region concerned. The South Pacific report has aimed at reviewing knowledge of the marine environment in the subject areas specified by GESAMP Working Group 26 (responsible for the global review) with particular focus on the period from 1980 to 1989.

Prior to this survey, the island nation of Samoa had not been systematically surveyed for freshwater biodiversity despite the clear role of freshwater and the associated biodiversity in providing essential ecosystem services. This report is beginning to address this gap in knowledge in Samoa by presenting the preliminary results from the first of an anticipated series of freshwater surveys and in-field trainings for Samoa with the target organisms being fishes and macro-crustaceans. A two week initial survey and training in the last fortnight of july (2008) was conducted as a collaborative effort led by Wetlands International-Oceania and the Paris National Museum of Natural History and supported by a range of agencies. Materials developed prior to the training and surveys include catchment maps with inferred catchment integrity, a pictorial training and awareness “flashcard” book for common fresh and estuarine fished, identification keys for crustaceans and fishes, two lectures and a CD of compiled material relevant to the identification of taxa and management of freshwater system.