The climate of Tonga is tropical. It lies within the southeast trade wind zone of the South Pacific. Climatic parameters include rainfall, temperture. wind and sunshine hours. Tonga's annual rainfall can be defined by two seasons, the wet and dry seasons. Wet season is also known as the cyclone season and it is noticeable from November to April. Dry season runs from May to October. The wettest months are particularly January. February and March that may exceed 250mm of rainfall per month. During dry season, the amount of rainfall received per month is less than 250mm.
The Kingdom of Tonga requested assistance from the US Department of Agriculture. Forest Service,Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, to conduct a survey of invasive plant species of
environmental concern, similar to surveys previously conducted in Micronesia. American Samoa and Niue. The survey was carried out from 5-20 July 2001. The islands of Tongatapu. Eua,
Tonga has made "good and steady progress" towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as reported in Tonga 1st National Status Report: Millennium Development Goals Today and Tomorrow and summarised .
The purpose of the action is to improve transportation and reduce maintenance cost by upgrading
causeway between Foa and Lifuka Islands, to become more resilient and less vulnerable to impacts
of high energy waves. Built in the period 1978-1979, the raised coral structure has served the people
of Foa and Lifuka well despite increasing maintenance cost. The replacement structure is similar to
the existing one but with rock armoring to reduce the energy of waves impacting on the structure
Environment related legislation review
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 20 p. ; 29 cm
This Review of Environmental Law in the Kingdom of Tonga has been implemented as an important component of the Regional Environment Technical Assistance (RETA) Project. The RETA project has been developed to address environmental issues in a
number of Pacific countries. It has been funded by the Asian Development Bank and carried out with technical assistance from IUCN - the World Conservation Union. The RETA project is an important regional initiative, which reflects the need for careful management of the Pacific environment.
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The report suggests that bodies such as the World Conservation Union, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Asian Development Bank, the Global Environment Facility and some of the relevant non-government organisations operating In the Pacific region have roles, or further roles, to play in delivering environmental law services in the Pacific region. The
coordinating role of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme in the provision of these services is seen as crucial, in terms of consistency and cost-effectiveness. Specific actions
The last remaining Kingdom in the South Pacific, Tonga has a total land
area of 674 square kilometers spread over a sea area of approximately
259,360 square kilometers. There are 3 major island groups with a total of
171 islands, 37 of them occupied. Three of 37 carry the bulk of the kingdoms
population which is approximately 92,000. Tonga lies between latitudes 15°
and 23°30' degrees south and longitudes 173° and 177° decrees west.
Kept in the Vertical File|Available online
Call Number: VF 1180 [EL] VF 1301
The Pacific BioScapes is supporting local community monitoring of coastal ecosystem resilience on the islands of Maninita, Taula, Fangasito, Fonua'one'one, Mu'omu'a and Fua'amotu in the Vava'u group. This aims to assess the benefits for biodiversity that occur following the eradication of invasive species
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 1 p.