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12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, 8-12 July 2013 University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva, Fiji Engaging the Pacific in Ecosystem based Adaptation approaches Paul Donohoe1 , Tim Carruthers2, Carlo Iacavino3, Easter Galuvao4 and Stuart Chape5 1 SPREP, [email protected] 2 SPREP, [email protected] 3 SPREP, [email protected] 4 SPREP, [email protected] 5 SPREP, [email protected] It is increasingly recognised that a relevant response to predicted impacts of climate change is the application of Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) approaches, not only to preserve and restore biodiversity but to deliver adaptation while supporting delivery of secondary ecosystem services, essential for sustainably supporting the livelihoods of Pacific island peoples. Therefore, there is a strong social and ecological imperative to implement adaptation planning actions focused on ecosystem actions, by building sustainable capacity and knowledge of these approaches throughout the Pacific islands region. Demonstrating effectiveness of EbA actions both in terms of ecosystem resilience and livelihood benefits is challenging but essential for EbA to be embraced in adaptation action in the region. In the Pacific Islands, climate change is exacerbating ongoing threats due to increasing and/or centralizing human populations, invasive species, coastal 12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, 8-12 July 2013 University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva, Fiji development, land clearing, erosion of soil, nutrient inputs to coastal waters, and overharvesting of marine resources. Implementing EbA in the Pacific requires effective governance regimes and policy instruments, it must also be econimically efficient. EbA must also move beyond traditional biodiversity conservation actors of the past and integrate with other sectors, including the private sector, so that ecosystem resilience and adaptation is considered in development aspirations of the region. The Pacific Island population is dispersed in many small communities and as most land is under customary ownership, it is important that approaches to EbA engage communities through an integration of traditional ecological systems and scientific knowledge. A range of EbA approaches are being implemented in Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Fiji that engage multiple stakeholders at the local, national and regional levels. Cost benefit analyses, multi stakeholder catchment level planning and coastal rehabilitation are some of the ways EbA is currently being implemented in the Pacific. Key Words: Ecosystems, sustainability, adaptation