Phylogenetic study of Metroxylon Palms in Southeast Asia and Oceania based on 5S nrDNA spacer sequence data

The genus Metroxylon is distributed from Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Indonesia) to Micronesia, Melanesia (Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji), and Polynesia (Samoa). It is divided into two sections, Metroxylon (Eumetroxylon) and Coelococcus (Beccari 1918; Rauwerdink 1986), representing the western half and the eastern half of this distribution,respectively (McClatchey 1999). Metroxylon sagu Rottb. (called the true sago palm: hereafter “sago palm”) is the only species in the section Metroxylon, although the monophyly of this section remains uncertain

Traditional knowledge for climate resilience in the Pacific Islands

Pacific Islands, many relatively remote and small, have been occupied by people for more than 3000 years during which time they experienced climate-driven environmental changes (both slow and rapid onset) that challenged human survival and led to the evolution of place-based coping strategies expressed through traditional knowledge (TK). In today's globalized Pacific Islands region, into which western worldviews and global adaptation strategies have made significant inroads, most plans for coping with climate-changed futures are founded in science-based understandings of the world that undervalue and sideline TK. Many such plans have proved difficult to implement as a consequence. This paper reviews the nature of extant Pacific TK for coping with climate change, something that includes TK for anticipating climate change (including climate variability and climate extremes) as well as ancillary TK associated with food and water security, traditional ecological knowledge, environmental conservation, and settlement and house construction that represent coping strategies. Much of this TK can be demonstrated as being effective with precedents in other (traditional) contexts and a compelling plausible scientific basis. This study demonstrates that Pacific Islands TK for coping with climate change has value and, especially because of its place-based nature, should be central to future climate-change adaptation strategies to enhance their uptake, effectiveness and sustainability. To this end, this paper proposes specific ways forward to optimize the utility of TK and ensure it has a realistic role in sustaining Pacific Island communities into the future

CMEP Pacific Marine Climate Change Report Card 2018

Reliance on marine biodiversity is high across Pacific nations, thus reducing human pressures on habitats is vital to promote diverse and productive ecosystem which are more resilient to climate change. Climate change is putting the fundamental needs of ocean dependent Pacific communities at risk, including living space and housing, food and water security, culture, health and wellbeing. Pollution and marine waste, population growth, resource over-exploitation and overfishing, invasive species, damage to key ecosystems, and coastal development are all magnifying the effects of climate change. Flexible management systems and adaption projects which build climate resililence are urgently needed, that are adaptive over time, connect terrestrial and marine systems and link different sectors. Engaging communities is a fundamental part of successful climate change action and the intentional inclusion of social and cultural groups will benefit efforts to build climate resilence