Tonga is one of the many islands that are endowed with unique resources and derives much of its economic, environmental and social well-being directly or indirectly from its environment.
Tonga harbours numerous special ecosystems: from the peak of Mt, Talau in Vavau, to the serenity of Vai Lahi in Niuafoou; the vulnerability of the Haapai Group to Euas National
Forest and to the Fangauta Lagoon in Tongatapu. Beyond the aesthetic beauty of the ecosystems to tourists and visitors; they provide immense support to the communities whose
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.
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.
Marine invasive species have received much less attention than terrestrial species worldwide. In the Pacific, the marine environment provides us with a significant part of our diet and income. Marine Managed Areas focus on protecting these important resources for livelihood purposes, biodiversity and ecosystem function, tourism and many other benefits. Although invasive species management is more difficult in the marine environment, it is not something we can neglect, and the efforts we put in need to increase. This guide seeks to provide some options for this management.
Tongas marine ecosystems are worth at least TOP 47 million per year, exceeding the countrys total export value. We are strongly committed to sustaining these values to build an equitable and prosperous blue economy.
Available online
Call Number: [EL],363.94 MAR
ISBN/ISSN: 978 82 7701 174 5
Physical Description: 84 p
This paper blends conservation science with legal and policy analysis to assess the primary threats to global shark populations and explores innovative approaches to conservation building upon the philosophy of Earth law, including the Rights pf Nature legal framework.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 18 p.
Estimating population abundance is central to many ecological studies and important in conservation planning. Yet the elusive nature of many species makes estimating their abundance challenging.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 13 p.
The number of reported small Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) driven by local communities has strongly increased in the Pacific region in the last 10 years. They are now presented as on of the main fishery and coastal management tool adapted to the context of many Pacific countries where intervention of the official agency is minimum and where the participation of community is still important.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 106 p.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted during the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) 3:30am on the morning of December 19, 2022 aganist backdrop of protests by African countries.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 p.
Seagrasses are an important of many coastal ecosystems worldwide. They are flowering plants, or angiosperms and grow as meadows in subtidal and intertidal zone in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 28 p.
The world is facing severe challenges. Billions of people around the world are suffering the consequences of the climate emergency, food and water insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ecosystems are an indispensable ally as we meet these challenges. Protecting them and managing their resources in a sustainable manner is essential. But just increasing the protection and sustainable management of our remaining natural landscapes and oceans will not be enough, the planet's degraded ecosystems and the huge benefits that they provide must also be restored.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are recognized as highly effective tools for marine conservation. They may also play an important role in mitigating climate change. A variety of climate change solutions are rooted in the ocean, centered primarily around blue carbon, and the capacity of marine life to sequester carbon dioxide.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 9 p.
This guide has been developed to improve catch and landings data on sharks and rays that are listed on three international treaties, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). This guide intend to assist in the identification of sharks and rays interacting with fisheries operating in the SRFC region.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 41 p.
Previous research has cast doubt on the potential for marine protected areas (MPAs) to provide
refuge and fishery spillover benefits for migratory species as most MPAs are small relative to the
geographic range of these species.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 5 p.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designed to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. Some
MPAs are also established to benefit fisheries through increased egg and larval production, or the
spillover of mobile juveniles and adults
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 9 p.
Protected and conserved areas are vital for safeguarding our unique biodiversity - as well as underpinning culture and livelihoods. This report is the first comprehensive regional assessment of protected and conserved areas. The biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme (BIOPAMA) supported the preparation pf this report.
Call Number: [EL],333.95 CON
ISBN/ISSN: 978-2-8317-2214-6,978-2-8317-2215-3
Physical Description: 272 p.
Mangrove forests store high amounts of carbon, protect communities from storms and support fisheries. Mangroves exist in complex social-ecological systems hence identifying socioeconomic conditions associated with decreasing losses and increasing gains remains challenging albeit important.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 16 p.
The blue economy is an approach put forward by the international community to take into account the health of the oceans and seas as we strive to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. This concept promotes economic growth, social inclusion and improved livelihoods at the same time as ensuring the environmental sustainability of oceans and seas. It defines a new paradigm of ocean economy, one that is in balance with the long-term capacity of the assets, goods and services of marine ecosystems, and that considers social inclusiveness.
Protected areas safeguard biodiversity, ensure ecosystem functioning and deliver ecosystem services to communities.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 9 p.
Marine Protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe in part to facilitate the conservation of marine megafauna.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 17 p.