Advances in conservation science and practice in Oceania: Delivering on research priorities for the region

Yet the region is also marked by high rates of biodiversity loss due to major threats such as habitat destruction, climate change and invasive species (Kingsford et al., 2009). How will the anticipated loss of biodiversity associated with climate change, sea level rise and ocean acidification impact local economies and human health throughout the Pacific? How do we build long term climate change planning into an environment focused on short‐term disaster risk reduction? While rock lobster is an important target species for commercial fisheries and cultural fishing in New Zealand and Australia, other macroinvertebrate species (e.g., sea cucumbers, giant clams, Trochus) have greater importance in the Pacific islands, and research into the dispersal and movement ecology of these species and implications for management remains a priority.