Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 136-145 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Pacific Conservation Biology |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Islands in the tropical Pacific have a rich and unique biota produced by island biogeographic processes and modified by recent anthropogenic influences. This biota has been shaped by four overlapping phases: natural colonization and dynamics (phase 1), impacts of indigenous (phase 2) and non-indigenous (phase 3) settlers, and increasing environmental awareness (phase 4). Island ecosystems are resilient to natural disturbance regimes but highly vulnerable to invasive species and other human-related influences, due to comparatively low alpha diversity, isolated evolution and the absence of certain functional groups. Habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive alien species and pollution continue to threaten terrestrial biodiversity, compounded by limited environmental awareness, minimal conservation funding, project mismanagement, limited local capacity and inadequate and/or unsuitable conservation policies. To achieve effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity in the region, biophysical threats need to be mitigated with improved scientific, institutional and management capacity.
Keywords
- Anthropogenic impacts, Conservation, Disturbance, Environmental awareness, Extinction, Habitat degradation, Invasive species, Local capacity, Multiple threats
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Ecology
- Environmental Science(all)
- Nature and Landscape Conservation
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Pacific Conservation Biology, Vol. 20, No. 2, 01.08.2014, p. 136-145.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Isolated and vulnerable
T2 - The history and future of Pacific Island terrestrial biodiversity
AU - Keppel, Gunnar
AU - Morrison, Clare
AU - Meyer, Jean Yves
AU - Boehmer, Hans Juergen
PY - 2014/8/1
Y1 - 2014/8/1
N2 - Islands in the tropical Pacific have a rich and unique biota produced by island biogeographic processes and modified by recent anthropogenic influences. This biota has been shaped by four overlapping phases: natural colonization and dynamics (phase 1), impacts of indigenous (phase 2) and non-indigenous (phase 3) settlers, and increasing environmental awareness (phase 4). Island ecosystems are resilient to natural disturbance regimes but highly vulnerable to invasive species and other human-related influences, due to comparatively low alpha diversity, isolated evolution and the absence of certain functional groups. Habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive alien species and pollution continue to threaten terrestrial biodiversity, compounded by limited environmental awareness, minimal conservation funding, project mismanagement, limited local capacity and inadequate and/or unsuitable conservation policies. To achieve effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity in the region, biophysical threats need to be mitigated with improved scientific, institutional and management capacity.
AB - Islands in the tropical Pacific have a rich and unique biota produced by island biogeographic processes and modified by recent anthropogenic influences. This biota has been shaped by four overlapping phases: natural colonization and dynamics (phase 1), impacts of indigenous (phase 2) and non-indigenous (phase 3) settlers, and increasing environmental awareness (phase 4). Island ecosystems are resilient to natural disturbance regimes but highly vulnerable to invasive species and other human-related influences, due to comparatively low alpha diversity, isolated evolution and the absence of certain functional groups. Habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive alien species and pollution continue to threaten terrestrial biodiversity, compounded by limited environmental awareness, minimal conservation funding, project mismanagement, limited local capacity and inadequate and/or unsuitable conservation policies. To achieve effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity in the region, biophysical threats need to be mitigated with improved scientific, institutional and management capacity.
KW - Anthropogenic impacts
KW - Conservation
KW - Disturbance
KW - Environmental awareness
KW - Extinction
KW - Habitat degradation
KW - Invasive species
KW - Local capacity
KW - Multiple threats
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84907362999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/PC140136
DO - 10.1071/PC140136
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84907362999
VL - 20
SP - 136
EP - 145
JO - Pacific Conservation Biology
JF - Pacific Conservation Biology
SN - 1038-2097
IS - 2
ER -