Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Republic of Nauru

Abstract

this report presents the results and recommendations of a rapid biodiversity assessment survey (BIORAP) carried out in the marine and terrestrial environments of the Republic of Nauru (June 17-27, 2013). Nauru lies within the Polynesia-Micronesia Biodiversity Hotspot defined by Conservation International that includes all the islands of Micronesia, Polynesia and Fiji. the overall purpose of the Nauru BIORAP was to improve the state of knowledge of marine and terrestrial ecosystems which, in turn, could be applied to provide a scientific basis for the conservation and management of nationally, regionally and globally important ecosystems and biodiversity, including threatened species. A particular focus of the BIORAP process was to identify areas of conservation value and to investigate opportunities for establishing marine and terrestrial protected areas.