On January 6, 2004, the full force of Cyclone Heta, a category 5 cyclone, hit the island of Niue. In addition to the loss of life and property, serious damage was done to the forests and
other ecosystems of the island, particularly on the north and west sides. If not blown over, most trees and other large vegetation were stripped of leaves and branches and subjected to
Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific, has in recent years lost about one metre of land around the circumference of its largest atoll due to changes in storm conditions and rising sea levels. Tuvalu is one of the worlds lowest lying countries, with its highest point standing a mere four and a half metres above sea level. Half of Tuvalus population of 11,000 people live just three metres above sea level
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 32 p.
It is now widely acknowledged within the scientific community that the global rate of sea- level rise is quickening - and is likely to continue to do so as a result of anthropogenic
climate change. It is expected, therefore, that any resulting increase in the frequency or intensity of extreme sea-level events will cause serious problems for the inhabitants of low-
lying coastal communities and islands during the 21st century.
Available online
Call Number: [EL[
Physical Description: 16 p.
The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC (IPCC AR4) Working Group II (2007) identifies small island states as being among the most vulnerable countries of the world to the adverse impacts of climate change. Hay, el al.y (2003) in discussing the Pacific's observed climate noted that compared to earlier historical records during the twentieth century, the southern Pacific had experienced a significantly drier and warmer climate (by 15 percent and 0.8°C, respectively).
A priority for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is
effective planning and financing of actions to address
the impacts of climate change. This paper examines the
vital role that regional institutions play in sharing SIDS
relevant approaches and knowledge, and in delivering
specialist skills and knowledge to support national
efforts. It goes on to highlight the work of the Climate Resilient
Islands Partnership, which links the Caribbean,
Indian Ocean and Pacific Regions, and is working to
The status of the peka on Niue, population survey of the flying fox, pteropus tonganus
Population estimation|Hunter information
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: Available online
Situated between Fiji to the west and Samoa to the northeast, the Kingdom of Tonga (referred
to as Tonga) is comprised of 171 scattered islands of which less than 50 are inhabited. The islands are
mainly composed of limestone formed from uplifted coral. Current critical environmental concerns have
arisen due to deforestation; damage to coral reefs and the introduction and spread of invasive alien
species. Anthropogenic pressure has resulted in extensive modification of all ecosystems on the
On 20 November 2006 the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee (BDAC), whose role it was to advise the then Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage, held a one day workshop in Canberra on climate change and invasive species impacts on biodiversity. Eight talks were given, followed by a session of free discussion. Most attendees were experts from government departments, universities, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and cooperative research centres (CRCs).
This report examines the role of the ecosystem services in reducing the vulnerability of the people of the Pacific Islands to climate change. Specifically, it describes the decision-making frameworks and the current state of knowledge of specific ecosystem-service/development relationships that are relevant to EbA.
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, cyclones, and tropical depressions cause average annual direct losses of US$284 million in the Pacific. With a combined population of fewer than 10 million people, annual losses are the highest in the world on a per-capita basis. Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall are closely linked to climate change, suggesting that Pacific Island nations face increasing risk of disasters such as flooding and landslides. Proactive management through infrastructure development, social solutions, and/or ecosystem-based adaptation can mitigate these risks.
Island conservation programs have been spectacularly successful over the past five decades, yet they generally do not account for impacts of climate change. Here, we argue that the full spectrum of climate change, especially Island conservation programs have been spectacularly successful over the past five decades, yet they generally do not account for impacts of climate change. Here, we argue that the full spectrum of climate change, especially sea-level rise and loss of suitable climatic conditions, should be rapidly integrated into island biodiversity research and management.
The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas is one of six Commissions of the leading conservation body in the world - the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 15 p
Who are we? UN Environments specialist biodiversity assessment centre, based in Cambridge, UK
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 16 p
BIOPAMA inception meeting in Samoa, June 2018
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 11 p
A data and information management tool for Pacific island protected areas
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 16 p
Key features of the PIPA portal
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 20 p
Opportunity for regional input on investment priorities - potential GRANTS.
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 9 p
Our SoE Report spans seven themes and 18 sub-topics. For example, the Atmosphere and Climate theme has the sub-topics of Climate Adaptation, Ozone Depleting Substances and Greenhouse Gases and Physical Climate.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 6 p
Climate change is expected to cause extinctions when native plants and animals are prevented from migrating out of their hotter or drier habitats to more suitable climates. But for many species a more
The First United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 (also known as the Earth Summit) acknowledged that SIDS
are a special case for sustainable development (given their unique and particular
vulnerabilities).This gave rise to the First International Conference on SIDS in 1994
and the Barbados Program of Action (BPOA) which is the main policy framework
addressing the economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities facing SIDS. The