169 results

DEFINITION - Enterococci levels in water samples

PURPOSE - Enterococci are bacteria found in the intestines of animals and humans and indicate the presence of faecal pollution in coastal waters

DESIRED OUTCOME - Enterococci levels are within the safe threshold for marine recreation at all monitored sites. Current United States EPA thresholds are

DEFINITION - Trends in biomass of tuna species
PURPOSE - Track the health of this important component of the ocean ecosystem
DESIRED OUTCOME - Stable biomass catch

DEFINITION - Fish biomass for inshore fish populations
PURPOSE - Indicates inshore fish population status and reef health
DESIRED OUTCOME - Stable level of biomass; or juvenile fish are not overrepresented in markets

DEFINITION - % of plastic in waste audits, including beach clean-ups
PURPOSE- Determine trends in marine plastic pollution from land and at-sea sources
DESIRED OUTCOME - Stable or declining trend in proportion of plastic in waste audits

Indicator 13 : Terrestrial Protected Areas

Indicator 14 : Marine Protected Areas

Indicator 15 : Protected Area Management Effectiveness

Indicator 16 : Key biodiversity areas protected

Indicator 17 : Governance and equity of protected areas

Indicator 18 : Integration of protected areas into wider land and seascapes

DEFINITION : Population abundance of identified species

PURPOSE : Tracks the status of populations of priority species over time

DESIRED OUTCOME : Stable or positive trend in population size

DEFINITIO : Number and types of species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List and a summary of their threats

PURPOSE : Track the status of threatened species and understand the most important threats

DESIRED OUTCOME : Trend for species to be downgraded to lower threat levels or off the threatened species list

DEFINITION : Trend in consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS)

PURPOSE : Tracks countries progress to phasing out ODS. Ozone depleting substances destroy the earth’s ozone which protects the earth from UV radiation

DESIRED OUTCOME : Negative trend in ODS consumption

DEFINITION : Trend in percentage production of energy from renewable sources

PURPOSE : Energy generation is a major source of GHG emissions. Pacific island countries also have limited capacity for oil and gas storage and are therefore highly vulnerable to fluctuations in fossil fuel price and availability

DESIRED OUTCOME : Positive trend in energy production from renewable sources

DEFINITION : Annual per capita generation of municipal solid waste

PURPOSE : Accurate measurement of per capita waste generation for better waste management

DESIRED OUTCOME : Stabilisation and subsequent negative trend in household waste generated

DEFINITION : Quantity of generated hazardous wastes processed/treated (including export)

PURPOSE : Treatment and safe storage of hazardous waste mitigates the risk to humans and nature. Hazardous materials can have direct and indirect, chronic or acute impacts

DESIRED OUTCOME : Full treatment/processing of all hazardous waste generated

DEFINITION : % of households connected to central sewerage system

PURPOSE : Tracks progress in managing sewage in a way that minimises the risk of water contamination. Untreated sewage and leaking septic systems are a major source of ground and surface water contamination

DESIRED OUTCOME : Positive trend in % of households connected to central sewerage system

In this report, a set of recommendations is provided for each indicator to support the next best steps for management action that will advance progress towards the target outcome and support Pacific people and biodiversity.

 National Museum of Natural History

Williamson and Sabath (1982) have demonstrated a significant relationship between modern population size and environment by examining atoll area and rainfall in the Marshall Islands. The present work seeks to extend that argument into prehistory by examining the relationship of ancient habitation sites and size of aroid pit agricultural systems to atoll land area and rainfall regime along the 1,500-3,500 mm precipitation gradient in the Marshall Islands.

Williamson and Sabath (1982) have demonstrated a significant relationship between modern population size and environment by examining atoll area and rainfall in the Marshall Islands. The present work seeks to extend that argument into prehistory by examining the relationship of ancient habitation sites and size of aroid pit agricultural systems to atoll land area and rainfall regime along the 1,500-3,500 mm precipitation gradient in the Marshall Islands.

 Nauru Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment

Nauru, in the central Pacific Ocean, is a raised atoll capping a volcanic seamount arising from an ocean floor depth of 4300m. The land area is 22km, and the island rises to 70m above sea level. Drilling has proved dolomitised limestone of upper Miocene or younger age to a depth of 55m below sea level. Gravity and magnetic surveys indicate that the limestone probably overlies volcanic bedrock at a depth of about 500m. Reverse-circulation drilling and geoelectrical probes indicate that there is a discontinuous freshwater layer averaging 5m thick beneath Nauru.

 Nauru Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment

The findings of this BIORAP survey have identified or re-confirmed the critical importance of the biodiversity and ecosystems of Nauru's terrestrial and marine environments and the urgent need for follow-up activities to manage and mitigate threats for their conservation.

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