Regional Wetlands action plans for the Pacific Islands 2011-2013

The Pacific Islands region covers 38.5 million km2, but suppports less thean 0.6 million km2 of land. These islands of the 21 countries and territories harbour a diverse range of tropical freshwater, coastal and marine wetlands. The diversity of species in each of thse groups is at a near global maxima at the west of the region, and decline towards the east with increasing isolation, and decreasing island size and age. Wetland community structure is unique in each country, and many have endemic species with the habitat isolation that epitomises this island region. The region has recently formally endorsed a Regional Wetlands Action Plan, based upon identification of threats and needs, and thereby resolving key actions that will improve wetland knowledge, management and international co-operation. These actions highlight the ways in which tertiary institutes such as UTAS can help build scientific understanding and capacity in some of these least wealthy countries in the world, to help better manage their unique wetlands.