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While invasive species eradications are at the forefront of biodiversity conservation, ant eradication failures are common. We reviewed ant eradications worldwide to assess the practice and identify knowledge gaps and challenges. We documented 316 eradication campaigns targeting 11 species, with most occurring in Australia covering small areas (b10 ha). Yellow crazy ant was targeted most frequently, while the bigheaded ant has been eradicated most often. Of the eradications with known outcomes, 144 campaigns were successful, totaling approximately 9500 ha, of which 8300 ha were from a single campaign that has since been partially re-invaded. Three active ingredients, often in combination, are most commonly used: fipronil, hydramethylnon, and juvenile hormone mimics. Active ingredient, bait, and method varied considerablywith respect to species targeted,which made assessing factors of eradication success challenging. We did, however, detect effects by active ingredient, number of treatments, and method on eradication success. Implementation costs increased with treatment area, and median costs were high compared to invasive mammal eradications. Ant eradications are in a phase of increased research and development, and a logical next step for practitioners is to develop best practices. A number of research themes that seek to integrate natural history with eradication strategies and methodologies would improve the ability to eradicate ants: increasing natural history and taxonomic knowledge, increasing the efficacy of active ingredients and baits, minimizing and mitigating non-target risks, developing better tools to declare eradication success, and developing alternative eradication methodologies. Invasive ant eradications are rapidly increasing in both size and frequency, and we envisage that eradicating invasive ants will increase in focus in coming decades given the increasing dispersal and subsequent impacts.

The constraints to development faced by PICs are well known and have been discussed in numerous studies for several decades. These include small, highly dispersed land areas and populations; distances far from world markets; narrow resource bases and primary production options, and vulnerability to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones and droughts, the last two to being especially problematic for atoll countries. In the smallest, most resource-poor PICs, a sustainable future with an improved quality of life for a growing population will be difficult to achieve.

Samoa is party to a number of international and regional treaties and conventions, including several with energy implications, particularly the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. Environmental issues related to energy use include air pollution from incineration of rubbish and cooking in outside kitchens. About 70% of Samoa's population and infrastructure are located in the environmentally vulnerable coastal zone. Only four of the coastline is resilient to coastal hazards.

The Environment can be considered tropical marine. Atolls are especially vulnerable to environmental damage. The water supply is easily damaged by pollutants. Land biodiversity is low. The primary dangers to the environment are tropical storms, oil spills and waste disposal from the settlements. Direct hits by cyclones are not common though near passages have caused serious damage due to high waves.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands consists of two groups of atolls and islands: Ralik in the west and Ratak to the east, within a rectangle extending 1150 km north-south and 1300 km east- west. about 3200 kilometers from Honolulu and Tokyo. Twenty-two of 29 atolls, and four of the five small raised coral islands are inhabited. The islands are typically several km long and rarely over 200 meters in width.

Environmental issues have a high priority. The people of Nine have taken positive action to maintain the environment for future generations. The low population density has allowed large areas of the island's interior to remain as natural forests and this natural state has become a tourist attraction along with the exotic coral formations, caves and other natural attractions of the island. In general water quality and air quality are very good. Periods of drought occur that can cause loss of crops and hardship for residents.

The climate is equatorial marine in nature. There are 110 cyclones though rainfall is cyclic and periodic droughts are a serious problem with one year having a recorded rainfall of only 280 nun. The land biodiversity is limited with only 60 species of indigenous vascular plants. The century of interior mining has resulted in the drainage of large quantities of silt and soil onto the reef. That has greatly reduced the productivity and diversity of reef life from an earlier era. Sewage is dumped into the ocean just beyond the reef causing further environmental problems and many septic tanks place ground water at risk of contamination.

Tonga has a small open economy with squash, coconuts and vanilla the main export crops that make up two thirds of total exports. A high proportion of food is imported, mainly from New Zealand. Remittances are important to the economy, as is tourism. Private sector development is emphasized in its Strategic Development Plan and there is a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. Fisheries and tourism are considered as having the most potential for further economic growth.

Palau lias an equatorial, marine environment. No cyclones have been recorded though near passages are not unusual when high waves can be a problem. Palau has a strong program for preserving the environment, particularly that of the major tourist attractions including the Rock Islands and the reefs where some of the best diving in the world is found. Marine biodiversity is high and land biodiversity moderate. Strict USA regulations for water and air pollution have been adopted and despite the dense population, environmental quality is generally good though waste management is a problem with some 6500 tonnes of urban waste generated annually. There is a sewer system on Koror but the sewage is dumped beyond the reef without treatment.

The climate is maritime equatorial with temperatures changing little over the years. Daytime averages are in the thirties and night time averages in the twenties. Rainfall varies from north to south with the Phoenix group in the south particularly dry with only around 800mm per year while the northernmost islands receive as much as 3000 mm/year. All of Kiribati, but especially the Line Islands, are affected by the El Nino/El Nina cycle (ENSO) and suffer cyclic droughts. Winds are moderate, seasonal and variable. Cyclones are not a problem in Kiribati with extended droughts the primary natural hazard. Rainwater is the main source of potable water with brackish atoll lens water often used for washing. South Tarawa provides piped water sourced from the atoll fresh water lens and appears to be near the limit that can be pumped from the lens without salt water encroachment. Kiribati is a signatory to most treaties and conventions relating to environmental protection and has a special interest in climate change prevention since even a modest rise in sea level endangers the low lying atoll islands.