Biodiversity 3.3d Flashcards
What are the Pacific SIDS?
Small Island Developing States, a group of 20 developing island nations in the Pacific
Why is New Caledonia a biodiversity hotspot?
Two thirds of the world’s araucaria tree species are here, all are endemic
Which islands contain numerous species of endangered flying fox?
East Melanesian Islands, making them a biodiversity hotspot
How many of the unique bird species in Polynesia have become extinct over the last 200 years?
25
What threatened species live in the Pacific marine environment?
Whales, Sea turtles, Dugongs & Saltwater crocodiles
What percent of the Pacific regions total biodiversity is at risk?
50%
What extreme weather are the Pacific SIDS vulnerable to?
Tropical cyclones eg. Cyclone Gene, Fiji 2008
What does El Nino cause in the Pacific SIDS?
Coral bleaching, lowering sea level exposing fragile coral to the air
What are the low lying islands of the Pacific SIDS vulnerable to?
Tsunamis
What is a main business in the south Pacific?
Fishing
How much more do foreign fishing vessels catch than local?
900%
What fish do even legally registered vessels usually exceed their allowed catch on?
Valuable Tuna
What alien species have invaded Pacific SIDS despite their geographical isolation and what effect has this had?
Yellow Crazy Ant super-colonies have decimated indigenous red crab populations
On Palau, how much of GDP did tourism make up?
67%
What is a major issue in the Solomon Islands?
Deforestation exceeding sustainable yield, sometimes to clear for palm oil plantations
What are the goals of the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)?
Conservation of diversity, sustainable uses of its component, fair sharing of benefits
What NGO helps small island states increase their voice at the UN?
Islands First
What is an example of an MPA (marine protected area)?
The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) on Kiribati
Who is giving funding support to the ecosystem restoration of Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu?
CRISP (Coral Reef Initiative for the Pacific)
What are WWF doing in the Solomon islands to promote sustainable development?
Working with coastal villagers to make trade in aquarium fish more sustainable
