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The world's protected areas number nearly 114,000 and cover almost 20 million square kilometers. However, researchers and practitioners alike have documented numerous problems with the management effectiveness of the world's protected area. For example, more than 70 percent of 201 tropical parks are affected by poaching, encroachment, logging and a host of lesser threats; more than 90 percent of Russia's 197 National Parks have serious gaps in infrastructure, management, planning and staffing, and most of the 110 parks in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province have major gaps in data collection, park layout and design, field equipment, and research.

The world's protected areas number nearly 114,000 and cover almost 20 million square kilometers. However, researchers and practitioners alike have documented numerous problems with the management effectiveness of the world's protected area. For example, more than 70 percent of 201 tropical parks are affected by poaching, encroachment, logging and a host of lesser threats; more than 90 percent of Russia's 197 National Parks have serious gaps in infrastructure, management, planning and staffing, and most of the 110 parks in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province have major gaps in data collection, park layout and design, field equipment, and research.

The Objectives Of the Kimbe Bay MPA Network Are twofold: to conserve marine biodiversuty and natural resources of the bay in perpetuity, and to address local marine resource management needs, the scientific design of the Kimbe Bay MPA network is based largely on a scientific assessment of biodiversity Values, And Identifies 15 Areas Of interest that meet specific conservation goals. The Design process involved expert scientific advice, targeted research and monitoring, and an analytical design process(using marine reserve software MARXAN)

Invasive species (non-native, harmful organisms) undermine human health and safety, food and water security, and economic development. Consequently, invasive species can have significant socio-economic impacts and warrant attention as a public policy priority. Trade and travel are the primary drivers of biological invasion both into and within the United States and prevention measures have been identified as the most cost-effective means of minimizing the introduction and thus impact of invasive species.

This report has benefited from the inputs of hundreds of individuals, a list far too numerous to include in its entirety. These individuals volunteered their time to support this effort, and to that we are deeply indebted. We want to thank them all – knowing full well that this task is not feasible..

The Convention on Biological Diversity CBD recognises that humans are a major force in changing nature. Vast parts of the earth's surface are transformed to meet human needs and wants for agricultural production, water, energy, urbanisation, construction, tourism, transport and industry. In the process humans are causing threats to and massive extinction of species, depleting natural resources, reducing ecosystems and unwittingly increasing threats from natural disasters. Cultural practices that use particular species for ceremonies or medicinal purposes can put pressure on people to act in certain ways that threaten species. With climate warming, threats increase to the diversity of life on earth and to human wellbeing.

The primary aim of this document is to provide a synthesis of current biodiversity knowledge to contribute towards the planning and implementation of a nationwide network of marine and terrestrial protected areas for Palau. This report provides a number of scenarios that give an overview of options for areas that could be included in the Protected Areas Network to meet biodiversity conservation goals. It is not intended that the areas presented represent actual areas that should be designated and managed as protected areas but this information can be used in the processes of community consultation and discussion at the State level to help progress the development of the Protected Areas Network.

In this chapter we provide a brief introduction to how protected area systems have evolved – from the historical 10% representation target to our current recognition that gap analyses are required to assess where these protected areas best safeguard, or should safeguard, our planet’s biodiversity. We summarize recent intergovernmental mandates that call for strategic assessment of the effectiveness of protected area networks, and we introduce the concept of KBAs as a tool for fulfilling these mandates.

The Objectives Of the Kimbe Bay MPA Network Are twofold: to conserve marine biodiversuty and natural resources of the bay in perpetuity, and to address local marine resource management needs, the scientific design of the Kimbe Bay MPA network is based largely on a scientific assessment of biodiversity Values, And Identifies 15 Areas Of interest that meet specific conservation goals. The Design process involved expert scientific advice, targeted research and monitoring, and an analytical design process(using marine reserve software MARXAN)