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Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) is an innovative biological inventory program designed to use scientific information to catalyze conservation action. RAP methods are designed to rapidly assess the biodiversity of highly diverse areas and to train local scientists in biodiversity survey techniques. Since 1990, RAP’s teams of expert and host-country scientists have conducted 60 terrestrial, freshwater aquatic (AquaRAP), and marine biodiversity surveys and have contributed to building local scientific capacity for scientists in 26 countries.

The Republic of Fiji consists of approximately 300 islands located roughly 3000 km east of Australia in the Pacific Ocean (between 16o and 20oS, 177oW and 175oE). There are four main islands in the Fiji group: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu. The two largest islands, Viti Levu (10,544 km2) and Vanua Levu (5,535 km2) comprise 88% of the total land area (~18,300 km2). It is estimated that no more than 100 islands are permanently inhabited. Most of the islands are the remnants of once active volcanoes sitting on a piece of the Pacific Plate.

Here we report the findings from the Marine Rapid Assessment Survey of the coral reefs of the northwest lagoon (Yandé to Koumac) of Nouvelle Calédonie. For the executive summary a brief overview on the Marine Rapid Assessment Program and on New Caledonia is presented first including general information on the inscription of the tropical lagoons and coral reefs of New Caledonia as a World Heritage Site. Further background information is presented for the two communes of Poum and Koumac that lie adjacent to the reef sites surveyed.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is an independent state occupying the eastern half of New Guinea, the world’s largest and highest tropical island. In recognition of its extensive remaining forest cover, spectacular biological diversity and low human population density, New Guinea has been recognised as one of the world’s five High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas (Mittermeier et al. 2003). In addition to extensive low- and mid-elevation tropical forests, New Guinea has extensive high-montane environments, particularly along the central mountainous spine of the island.

This report presents the results of a rapid field assessment of Milne Bay Province, which encompasses the extreme southeastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea and an extensive offshore area immediately eastward. It covers approximately 265,000 square kilometres, mostly situated in the Solomon Sea, an area heavily dotted with islands and shoals separating PNG from the neighboring Solomon Islands.

Biologically, New Ireland has remained one of the least studied regions of Papua New Guinea (PNG), and the mountainous southern zone has been considered both a high priority for biodiversity conservation and a major “scientific unknown” (Beehler 1993). For these reasons, and because of the information needs of the now terminated conservation and development project established there by the United Nations Development Program (funded by the Global Environment Facility), Conservation International agreed to organize a rapid assessment (RAP) of the forests and wildlife of southern New Ireland.

The 2023 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. However, separating fisheries from broader conservation frameworks has led to fragmented governance. This paper examines how spatial, technological, institutional, and philosophical tensions complicated efforts to integrate fisheries within the BBNJ framework. A qualitative methodology was used to analyse general perceptions of fisheries within marine biodiversity in the context of BBNJ Agreement and negotiations.

Biodiversity loss and rising noncommunicable disease incidences are among the greatest global challenges we face. These crises are deeply interconnected and shaped by varied food system dynamics, including the prioritization of large-scale, inexpensive food production, at the cost of externalized environmental and human health impacts. Climate change is expected to further exacerbate these challenges. Agroecological systems are increasingly promoted as a viable solution toward more resilient, nutritious, sustainable, and climate-adaptive food systems.

This assessment identifies the capacity-building needs and priorities of local and national public authorities and institutions, representatives from civil societies and communities, and NGOs from the 19 Kiwa-eligible PICTs to: 1. Better develop, implement and monitor rights-based, gender-sensitive and socially inclusive NbS projects for CCA and biodiversity conservation. 2. Mainstream these NbS approaches in CCA and other relevant sectoral policies and strategic frameworks.

Context. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is lost due to the increase of urbanisation, and the lack of transfer of this knowledge to younger generations. Aims. The aim of this study was to examine the TEK of the Koiari Indigenous People of Central Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG) concerning the Vanate (Paradisaea raggiana), which is the national bird of PNG. Methods. We used the mixed methods research methodology, specifically the convergent parallel mixed method design with a questionnaire.