The Pacific rat, Rattus exulans, or Kiore as it is called by Maori, is a small human commensal associated with the human settlement of the Pacific. Archaeological evidence from Island Melanesia connects the distribution of the species with the presumed ancestors of all Polynesians, the so-called Lapita. Excavations have uncovered artefacts unprecedented in the region...

This study produces a comprehensive terrestrial ecosystem classification by subjectively constructing a heirarchy of perceived key environmental drivers. Introduction: The ecosystem concept is at the centre of international agreements, New Zealand legislation, and modern policy and planning systems that aim to sustainably manage natural resources. All definitions of ecosystems include the concept of the physical...

Polynesian settlers transformed the native forests of the central Pacific islands into productive economic landscapes. Root crops came to dominate agronomic systems in many areas but arboriculture was the dominant mode of food production in some, and it is not well understood how these different endpoints evolved. In the Marquesas Islands, an economy dominated by...

Traditional and community-based marine resource management practices can enhance the effectiveness of contemporary environmental management models. These traditional management practices, which are based on knowledge of natural and cultural systems in specific areas, provide useful lessons from which contemporary resource managers can learn about the experiences of others. Fisheries management in traditional communities is well...

This report assesses existing research to address the question of whether unconventional gas should be endorsed as a major future energy source, based on its impacts on human health and the climate.