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Assessments of the general condition, stocking, composition, and growth of mangroves on the islands of Pohnpei and Yap and at one area on Kosrae were undertaken at the request of these states. Methods used included: reconnaissance on foot, by air and by boat; use of 1976 aerial photographs; remeasurement of forest inventory plots installed by the US Forest Service in 1983; and installation of new inventory plots, examination of public records, and reviews of published data (Pohnpei). Average annual increment of mangroves on all islands was 6.9 m3 per hectare per year; increments on individual plots ranged from 0.9-16.7 m3 per hectare per year. The wide variation in growth rates suggests that management could do much to boost productivity. Production appears adequate to meet present consumption except for a few specific locations and products. Problems affecting mangroves on these islands include uncontrolled exploitation, excessive sedimentation, and alteration of natural drainage. Actions to conserve mangroves are recommended.

Local communities and indigenous people make substantial contributions to global conservation efforts and sustainable development. While these communities are often the primary resource stewards who rely on ecosystem to meet food security, livelihood and health needs, their contribution to the achievement of global conservation targets have not yet been fully recognized.

Less than 8 per cent of the population of Asia and the Pacific enjoyed healthy air – within the World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline – in 2015. That means that around 4 billion people, the other 92 per cent of the population, spread unevenly across the region and with the highest numbers living in South and East Asia, are exposed to levels of air pollution that pose significant risks to their health.

Tonga is one of the many islands that are endowed with unique resources and derives much of its economic, environmental and social well-being directly or indirectly from its environment. Tonga harbours numerous special ecosystems: from the peak of Mt. Talau in Vava'u, to the serenity of Vai Lahi in Niuafo'ou; the vulnerability of the Ha'apai Group to 'Eua's National Forest and to the Fanga'uta Lagoon in Tongatapu.

Migratory birds are part of the lives of many people around the world: little children who are shown their first swallows' nest by their grandfather city dwellers, who hear the calling of geese overhead, herdsmen, whose animals are followed by wagtails and harriers that feed on flushed insects; fishermen on every sea, whose boats are accompanied by albatrosses, shearwaters or boobies.

As countries look forward to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Brazil in June 2012, evidence of certain environmental trends continues to accumulate, including those related to climate change and its impacts, biodiversity loss, and degradation of land and soils. Enormous challenges remain with respect to addressing the underlying causes and impacts of such trends, although positive developments can be reported as well, for instance in the area of renewable energy technology uptake and investment. Key environmental indicators such as those presented in the UNEP Year Book help keep track of the state of the environment by providing a picture of the latest available data and trends.

PACC reports

Technical report

Reports from the PACC project