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The coral reefs of Indonesia are currently under threat of degradation from both natural and human activities. Human destruction of coral reefs by bomb fishing, cyanide poisoning or anchor damage is now the target of a variety of public awareness campaigns. Natural causes of reef degradation include typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, coral bleaching from above-normal sea surface temperatures, and Crown-of-Thorns (COTs) starfish outbreaks. While human causes can be controlled and reversed, natural causes are more problematic. Outbreaks of COTs, however, sometimes offer an opportunity for successful human intervention.

This guide describes a method of assessing biodiversity for use by: 1. Focal points of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and organizations working with them. The purpose is to help them— a. Assess the implementation and effectiveness of their strategies, plans, programmes, policies and actions to implement the CBD and to conserve and use biodiversity sustainably [Article 6]. b. Implement Article 7 on identification and monitoring. c. Report on measures to implement the provisions of the CBD and their effectiveness in meeting the CBD’s objectives [Article 26]. 2. Other organizations wishing to assess the status and trends of biodiversity, human stresses on biodiversity, and benefits from biodiversity— a. As part of a national, provincial/state, or local assessment of sustainable development, such as an Agenda 21 report. b. As part of a thematic or sectoral assessment, such as on forests, desertification, marine, wetlands, etc. The aim of the guide is to help users build their capacities to assess biodiversity, improve their information on biodiversity, and apply their assessments to better decision-making and action. IUCN and partner agencies invite National delegations to the CBD COP to use the Guide and through its use to improve the approach and method. For more information please contact [email protected]

Birds of Solomon islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia

Disposal of solid waste is a world-wide problem. The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific increasingly share in this problem. As the economies of the island States develop and move toward a cash based, consumer goods society, the volumes and complexity of waste products increase. However, unlike the mainly organic waste of the past, much of the modem waste stream may take many years to break down. Some components of the waste may be harmful. Inadequately managed waste disposal has the potential to affect the health of the people, damage the environment of the islands and be a barrier to economic development, Further discussion on the extent of the problem in the region may be found in SPREP (1998): "Solid Waste Issues in Pacific ACP Countries" by Dr Suresh Raj.

Biodiversity projects are designed on the assumption that project interventions will lead to conservation of key biological resources. Monitoring and evaluation are the primary mechanisms to assess whether a project is meeting its targets and objectives. These guidelines are intended primarily to assist World Bank task teams and consultants in the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans for biodiversity conservation projects or projects with biodiversity components. It is hoped that they may also serve as useful reference materials for government agencies, non-governmental organizations and others involved in the design, implementation or evaluation of biodiversity projects. M&E plans are mandatory for all Bank projects. They must be developed as integral elements of projects to provide information on whether project interventions are successful in achieving project objectives and on how social, economic, political and institutional factors are affecting project performance. Monitoring and evaluation for biodiversity projects involves two kinds of indicators: implementation performance indicators (project inputs and outputs) and project impact indicators (project impact on biodiversity). These guidelines focus primarily on the latter (impact indicators).

Butterflies are members of the group of insects that we call Lepidoptera, which is a Greek word meaning scaly wings.

The breathtakingly beautiful coral reefs of the world cover less than a half of one percent of our planet's sea floor. And yet, these magnificent underwater empires are home to an estimated 25 percent of all oceanic species, a dazzling diversity of sea creatures. Like the teeming metropolis of Rome, a coral reef "was not built in a day."Rather, the coral heads in a reef grow at a painstakingly slow average rate of half an inch per year and require epochs of geological time to amass into reefs and coral cays.Coral reefs, in addition to providing food and shelter for countless varieties of marine life, provide benefits beyond estimation for humankind. Healthy reefs aree ssential for an adequate supply of seafood to nourish the world's populations and sustain regional fishing industries. Reefs enhance tourist businesses by attracting millions of divers and by continuously supplying coastal beaches with shimmering white sand, the fine-grained rubble of dead corals and calcareous reef algae. By breaking waves, reefs protect nearby shorelines from soil and sand erosion and from the brunt of ravaging hurricanes. A wealth of commercial and medical applications has been discovered for corals and other components of the reef community. From coral reefs come additives for cement and mortar, compounds used in violin varnishes, substances for surgically replacing broken human bones, and promising treatments for infections,viruses, arthritis, asthma, and cancer. Scientists agree that this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as important findings and innovations which will result from continued research of coral reefs.

Health and safety guide created by WHO.

The purpose of this booklet. To explain the meaning of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and to explain the contents of an EIA document.