Supporting Decision Making with Scientific Understanding: A Case Study from Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands where Science is Assisting in the Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities

Udy J¹*, Albert S*, Roelfsema C, Neil D, Duke N, Prange J, Tibbetts I, Dart P, Young G, Bulehite K

1. The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
2. Rural Development Trust, Tangamo Island, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands.
3. International Waters Program, Department of Natural Resources, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Links between catchment disturbance and the degradation of tropical marine habitats, while understood to some extent in locations with good research support, are poorly understood by the local communities and scientists in developing countries. This is a major impediment to ecologically sustainable development. In most cases these countries are experiencing unprecedented extractive pressures on their resources. With a fundamental shift, in recent decades, from subsistence based harvesting to commercial supply of global markets. This escalation in environmental pressures is occurring with limited understanding of the long term consequences, making it difficult for local communities and governments to make informed decisions, if and when they have the opportunity. This talk present a case study of how relatively simple ecosystem health assessment techniques have been used in collaboration with local communities in the Solomon Islands. A variety of field sampling and remote sensing methods were used to asses the health of reefs in Marovo Lagoon and identify potential threats to reef health. The techniques used focused on improving the scientists and communities understanding of processes such as sediment transport and resuspension as well as the impacts both nutrients and over fishing are having on reef ecosystems. This scientific knowledge is only one piece towards solving the puzzle of “ecological sustainable development”. Effective communication of this knowledge with the relevant community stakeholders is the only way to achieve sustainable development; hence, involvement of local communities in the data collection as well as knowledge dissemination is central to this project.