title: The evaluation of conservation planning policy effectiveness in the Solomon Islands: A case study of the Solomon Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

authors: Sisiolo, Jointly

subjects: Conservation plannning

abstract: This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and donors. This study found that human behaviour and attitudes are real obstacles to conservation practices in the Solomon Islands, coupled with factors such as increasing economic demand, population growth and climate related effects. The study further found that networks of the actors involved, and integration of the NBSAP policy, which can be horizontal and vertical in structure, are needed. Strong leadership was also found to be lacking among the conservation stakeholders and specifically in the MECDM as a coordinating agency for the NBSAP policy. To conclude, it was found that NBSAP policy was not effectively playing a role in influencing the decision and implementation of other related policies.

text: The evaluation of conservation planning policy effectiveness in the Solomon Islands: A case study of the Solomon Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and donors. This study found that human behaviour and attitudes are real obstacles to conservation practices in the Solomon Islands, coupled with factors such as increasing economic demand, population growth and climate related effects. The study further found that networks of the actors involved, and integration of the NBSAP policy, which can be horizontal and vertical in structure, are needed. Strong leadership was also found to be lacking among the conservation stakeholders and specifically in the MECDM as a coordinating agency for the NBSAP policy. To conclude, it was found that NBSAP policy was not effectively playing a role in influencing the decision and implementation of other related policies.

year: 2013

title: Special issue on international migration: Editorial introduction

authors: Gheasi, Masood

abstract: Editorial: this special issue provides a range of perspectives on econometric modeling of causes and consequences of international migration. Although the volume of global migration has dampened somewhat in recent years due to the global financial crisis, the likely further intensifying economic interaction between the countries of the world and the increasing geographic mobility of people suggests that international migration will take an even more prominent place in global socioeconomic transformation in the future. We may expect therefore a healthy growth in research activity on this topic by regional scientists.

text: Special issue on international migration: Editorial introduction Editorial: this special issue provides a range of perspectives on econometric modeling of causes and consequences of international migration. Although the volume of global migration has dampened somewhat in recent years due to the global financial crisis, the likely further intensifying economic interaction between the countries of the world and the increasing geographic mobility of people suggests that international migration will take an even more prominent place in global socioeconomic transformation in the future. We may expect therefore a healthy growth in research activity on this topic by regional scientists.

year: 2012

title: The cultural and ecological health of the Tokaanu Stream

authors: Eastwood, Kevin

abstract: Freshwater ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from human activities like land development and altered flow regimes. These pressures, along with climate change, jeopardize water quality and quantity. Despite these challenges, effective management can improve water quality and habitat, thus sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Lake Taupō, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake, holds immense significance for the local iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The Tokaanu Stream is a tributary of Lake Taupō that was once considered a premier fly-fishing spot. However, the stream has been severely impacted by the Tongariro Power Scheme, which required it to be bisected and channelized to accommodate the Tokaanu tailrace. Coupled with land-use changes in the catchment, these alterations have caused the local hapū, Ngāti Kurauia, who have mana whenua over the lower stream, to raise concerns about its ecological and cultural degradation. To address this problem, I developed a cultural monitoring framework (CMF) in collaboration with Ngāti Kurauia, alongside conventional stream monitoring, at six sites in the lower Tokaanu Stream.
The bespoke CMF was developed through kōrero and wānanga (discussions and workshops) with Ngāti Kurauia. This participatory approach resulted in a CMF with 16 attributes covering vegetation, birdlife, water quality, pollution, engineering, and substrate. Regular assessments revealed a longitudinal decline in stream condition from the most upstream site (Site 1) to the most downstream (Site 6). The state of Site 3 was identified as the most desirable, whilst Site 5 was the most degraded.
Alongside the CMF, I assessed stream health using conventional scientific measures. This monitoring also showed a longitudinal decline in stream ecosystem health moving downstream. Water quality worsened, with indicator bacteria increasing from 45 to 190 CFU/100 ml and total ammoniacal nitrogen from 0.029 to 0.125 g/m3 over the 4 km segment. Deposited fine sediment cover was high, increasing from 69% cover at Site 1 to 83% at Site 6. Cellulose degradation rates (a functional indicator) were diminished at Sites 5 and 6 in both years, even with warming from geothermal springs. Macroinvertebrate communities, monitored in 2023 and 2024, initially showed a linear decline moving downstream in 2023. However, in-stream remediation in early 2024, undertaken by a private contractor, significantly improved macroinvertebrate indicators at impacted sites (Sites 4-6).
The challenges facing the Tokaanu Stream are complex, stemming from geothermal inputs, urbanisation, upstream agriculture, and channelization. Declining water quality may be linked to faulty sewage infrastructure in Tokaanu Village. The stream's diversion includes a tailrace spillway that prevents larger downstream flows, potentially reducing scouring events crucial for natural sediment dynamics. These changes have significant ecological and cultural ramifications for Ngāti Kurauia.
To better understand and address these issues, I argue for an additional downstream State of the Environment (SOE) monitoring site. The current site, near the upstream spring, fails to capture the full impact of catchment inputs, including diffuse pollution from Tokaanu Village and altered sediment dynamics from the diversion. An additional SOE site, coupled with the findings of my thesis, would provide crucial knowledge to support efforts in restoring the Tokaanu Stream's ecological health and the mana of Ngāti Kurauia.

text: The cultural and ecological health of the Tokaanu Stream Freshwater ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from human activities like land development and altered flow regimes. These pressures, along with climate change, jeopardize water quality and quantity. Despite these challenges, effective management can improve water quality and habitat, thus sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Lake Taupō, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake, holds immense significance for the local iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The Tokaanu Stream is a tributary of Lake Taupō that was once considered a premier fly-fishing spot. However, the stream has been severely impacted by the Tongariro Power Scheme, which required it to be bisected and channelized to accommodate the Tokaanu tailrace. Coupled with land-use changes in the catchment, these alterations have caused the local hapū, Ngāti Kurauia, who have mana whenua over the lower stream, to raise concerns about its ecological and cultural degradation. To address this problem, I developed a cultural monitoring framework (CMF) in collaboration with Ngāti Kurauia, alongside conventional stream monitoring, at six sites in the lower Tokaanu Stream.
The bespoke CMF was developed through kōrero and wānanga (discussions and workshops) with Ngāti Kurauia. This participatory approach resulted in a CMF with 16 attributes covering vegetation, birdlife, water quality, pollution, engineering, and substrate. Regular assessments revealed a longitudinal decline in stream condition from the most upstream site (Site 1) to the most downstream (Site 6). The state of Site 3 was identified as the most desirable, whilst Site 5 was the most degraded.
Alongside the CMF, I assessed stream health using conventional scientific measures. This monitoring also showed a longitudinal decline in stream ecosystem health moving downstream. Water quality worsened, with indicator bacteria increasing from 45 to 190 CFU/100 ml and total ammoniacal nitrogen from 0.029 to 0.125 g/m3 over the 4 km segment. Deposited fine sediment cover was high, increasing from 69% cover at Site 1 to 83% at Site 6. Cellulose degradation rates (a functional indicator) were diminished at Sites 5 and 6 in both years, even with warming from geothermal springs. Macroinvertebrate communities, monitored in 2023 and 2024, initially showed a linear decline moving downstream in 2023. However, in-stream remediation in early 2024, undertaken by a private contractor, significantly improved macroinvertebrate indicators at impacted sites (Sites 4-6).
The challenges facing the Tokaanu Stream are complex, stemming from geothermal inputs, urbanisation, upstream agriculture, and channelization. Declining water quality may be linked to faulty sewage infrastructure in Tokaanu Village. The stream's diversion includes a tailrace spillway that prevents larger downstream flows, potentially reducing scouring events crucial for natural sediment dynamics. These changes have significant ecological and cultural ramifications for Ngāti Kurauia.
To better understand and address these issues, I argue for an additional downstream State of the Environment (SOE) monitoring site. The current site, near the upstream spring, fails to capture the full impact of catchment inputs, including diffuse pollution from Tokaanu Village and altered sediment dynamics from the diversion. An additional SOE site, coupled with the findings of my thesis, would provide crucial knowledge to support efforts in restoring the Tokaanu Stream's ecological health and the mana of Ngāti Kurauia.

year: 2025