Melanesia
Measuring Our Effectiveness
Our marine programs in Fiji, PNG, and Solomon Islands are implementing monitoring programs using core biological, socioeconomic, and governance indicators under WCS’s global coral reef social and ecological systems monitoring framework. By amassing a large database from coral reef communities around the world, we are able to better understand what drives successful outcomes for coral reef conservation and human well-being.
Our PNG program is measuring terrestrial wildlife populations (birds and mammals) using camera traps, distance transects and timed counts. The data are analyzed via occupancy measures, distance sampling and generalized linear modeling methodologies. On land, we are aiming for our interventions to translate into harvesting rates that ensure stable population sizes (to be determined based on species models) that are still able to support customary use.
2 kg
Across Melanesia, we expect that over the long term our marine interventions will allow coral reef fish population recovery such that total fish biomass approaches or exceeds 500 kg/ha and fishers are able to land at least 2 kg per fisher per hour.
Recent Publications
Social–environmental drivers inform strategic management of coral reefs in the Anthropocene
The largest study ever conducted of its kind identified where and how to save coral reef communities in the Indo-Pacific. It outlines three viable strategies that can be quickly enacted to help save coral reefs that are threatened by climate change and human impacts.
Act NowInfrastructure expansion challenges sustainable development in Papua New Guinea
Using fine-scale biophysical and environmental data, researchers assessed a plan that calls for doubling PNG’s road network over the next three years. The team found that roads would dissect more than 50 of PNG’s critical habitats home to rare species as Goodfellow’s and Matchie’s tree kangaroos and several birds of paradise
Act NowCommunity-based management fails to halt declines of bumphead parrotfish and humphead wrasse in Roviana Lagoon, Solomon Islands
The probable causes of these declines are sustained fishing pressure, poor enforcement of community-based management measures, and loss of fish nursery habitats due to logging, and suggest urgent co-management of the ridge-to-reef system is needed.
Act NowA guide to modelling priorities for managing land‐based impacts on coastal ecosystems
A team of researchers examined the approaches used for land-sea planning, with particular focus on the models currently used to estimate the impacts of land-use change on water quality and fisheries.
Act NowRelated News
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March 29, 2021
New Paper Addresses Impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijians Engaged in Small Scale Fisheries
A new study published in the journal Environmental Science and Policy addresses the impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijians engaged in small scale fisheries.
Read the story
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March 11, 2021
COVID-19’s Impacts on Global Conservation Efforts Laid Bare in Latest PARKS Issue
A new special issue of PARKS, the journal of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, published today reveals massive impacts on global conservation efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the story
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September 23, 2020
Logging Tropical Forests Jeopardizes Fisheries Important for Food and Livelihood
New findings uncovered by researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the University of Queensland (UQ) demonstrate that logging activity in Solomon Islands is associated with lower coral cover and structural complexity on adjacent...
Read the story
View All News
New Paper Addresses Impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijians Engaged in Small Scale Fisheries
A new study published in the journal Environmental Science and Policy addresses the impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijians engaged in small scale fisheries.
Read the storyCOVID-19’s Impacts on Global Conservation Efforts Laid Bare in Latest PARKS Issue
A new special issue of PARKS, the journal of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, published today reveals massive impacts on global conservation efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the storyLogging Tropical Forests Jeopardizes Fisheries Important for Food and Livelihood
New findings uncovered by researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the University of Queensland (UQ) demonstrate that logging activity in Solomon Islands is associated with lower coral cover and structural complexity on adjacent...
Read the storySign Up for Email Updates
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