From birding in primary school through an honors project in biodiversity under Peter Raven as an undergraduate to surveys of regional and national biodiversity and establishment of protected areas in the Pacific, biodiversity conservation has been a lifelong interest. My experience has ranged from research and theory through international legislation and protected area design to practical aspects of nature conservation at the community level. A life member of the Sierra Club since 1964, I have collaborated with many non-governmental conservation organizations and IUCN, assisted governments, and organized regional and international conservation and protected area programmes.

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:
Five years scientific research and curatorial experience on algae, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA, with special interests in coral reef ecology, marine algae, and island environments, and continuing activity on various international scientific committees.

Eleven years residence in the South Pacific as adviser to governments and international organizations in ecology, conservation and environmental management, with extensive field experience, including at the grass-roots level. Three years residence in Africa and twenty-five years in Europe. Wide knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region and of small island developing States, particularly the developing countries and territories of the Pacific Islands, complemented by experience in the Caribbean and Africa, and visits to many other areas.

Thirty-five years programme management and administrative experience in the planning, organization and evaluation of international multi-disciplinary programmes of research, observation, and environmental assessment and management, including liaison with governments, organization of cooperation among international agencies, directing intergovernmental meetings, scientific symposia and training courses, and implementing the results of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992)

Producer of training and audio-visual materials, lecturer and writer (in English and French) for scientific audiences, universities and the general public on sustainable development, environment, ecology, conservation, ethics, religion and values

Consultant to many international organizations and government agencies, with special emphasis on indicators of environment, development and sustainability, coral reef and coastal zone management, conservation of nature and biodiversity, environment and management of islands, environmental education and training, rural social and economic development, and applications of science in developing countries

Academic experience including organizing, curriculum development and teaching graduate level and on-line courses in social and economic development and sustainability, Visiting Professor at University of Brighton, coordinator of UNEP/University of Geneva Environmental Diplomacy Programme, member of scientific committee for University of Geneva Certificate of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Development, Federal Technical University in Lausanne (EPFL) Certificate of Advanced Studies in Management of Development Projects and occasional lecturer for other university courses

Recent substantive interests have focussed on indicators of values, sustainability and development; international environmental governance; ethics of climate change and sustainability; information for environmental decision-making; global and national environmental observations and assessments; new economic paradigms; coral reef protection and management; and the special problems of small island developing States

POSITIONS:
Coordinator, UNEP/University of Geneva/Graduate Institute Environmental Diplomacy Programme, 2005-2010.
Retired from the United Nations Environment Programme, August 2002
Director, Coral Reef Unit, Division of Environmental Conventions, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland, 2000-2002
Coordinator, UN System-wide Earthwatch, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland, 1992-2000
Deputy Assistant Executive Director, Division of Environment Information and Assessment, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland, 1996-1998
Deputy to the Director, Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya, 1989-1992
Consulting ecologist to governments and international organizations, 1982-1989, including: Government of New Caledonia; South Pacific Regional Environment Programme; Kanak Cultural, Scientific and Technical Office (New Caledonia); Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, United Nations Environment Programme; Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER); Environment and Policy Institute, East-West Center; UNESCO
Regional Ecological Adviser, South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, 1974-1982 (organized South Pacific Regional Environment Programme)
Associate Curator (Algae), Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 1970-1974, and Research Associate, 1974-1982
Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 1969-1970
Teaching Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 1965-1966

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE relevant to biodiversity conservation:
Development of quantitative marine ecological surveys and long-term coral reef monitoring techniques, 1969-present.
Studies, as part of interdisciplinary programs, of coral reef and algal ecology, with development of theoretical systems models, 1970-1974.
Survey and classification of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the South Pacific region for South Pacific Commission and IUCN, 1975-1979.
Environmental impact assessment of a hydroelectric project in a national park, 1982-1983.
Studies of techniques for rural environmental resource management in tropical islands, including traditional approaches to environmental management, 1982-1989.
Detailed analysis of the biodiversity, nature conservation requirements and protected area system in Oceania, 1985-1986.
Analysis and classification of islands according to ecological, geographic and socio-economic criteria, as related to the effects of limits on complex systems, preparation of a database on islands, 1985-present. http://islands.unep.ch/

MEETINGS AND FIELD EXPERIENCE relevant to biodiversity conservation:
1966
Participated in Symposium on Marine Parks following Pacific Science Congress, Tokyo, Japan.
1969
Field collections of marine algae in Gulf of California, Mexico.
Field collections of marine algae in Caribbean (Puerto Rico and Windward Islands).
1970
Visited Western and American Samoa to establish coastal monitoring surveys and to conduct ecological research.
Prepared ecological reports on American Samoa at request of government.
Made diving surveys of coral reefs and algal collections at Eilat, Israel.
1971
Participant in diving reef surveys at Acklins Island, Bahamas; Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Panama; Belize, particularly Glovers Reef; Palau, Yap, Ant and Pakin (near Ponape) in Micronesia; and American Samoa.
Co-organizer and working group leader at Coral Reef Workshop in Belize organized by Comparative Investigations of Tropical Reef Ecosystems program.
1972
Research on coral reef algae at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama and in Belize.
Reef research, and lecture tour on coral reef ecology, Belize.
Aquanaut studying reef algal ecology in two-week saturation diving mission of Puerto Rico Inter-National Undersea Laboratory (PRINUL).
1973
Continued research on coral reef algae and reef ecology in Belize.
Presented paper at Second International Symposium on Coral Reefs, held along the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and visited several reef habitats in Australia and Fiji.
Continued reef monitoring and environmental surveys in American and Western Samoa, and prepared revised ecological report for Government of American Samoa.
1974
Further field research on coral reef algae, reef surface area, and competition for space, Belize.
Presented invited paper at International Symposium on Indo-Pacific Tropical Reef Biology, Guam and Palau; examined reef sites in Guam, Palau and Hawaii.
Discussions with governments on environment and conservation activities in American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Niue, Tonga, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and Western Samoa.
Drafted environmental legislation for Niue.
1975
Visited Solomon Islands at request of Government to prepare report on environmental management and conservation, and draft legislation.
Keynote speaker at South Pacific Conference on National Parks and Reserves, New Zealand.
Presented paper at Symposium on Ecology and Conservation, Papua New Guinea.
Visited Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Guam, Palau, Yap, Saipan, Truk, Ponape, and Majuro to collect information for regional ecosystems survey as consultant to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Constructed environmental exhibits and trained staff for Museum of American Samoa, and continued reef monitoring surveys.
1976
Visited Fiji, Gilbert Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia and New Hebrides to collect information for regional ecosystems survey.
Organized and directed Second Regional Symposium on Conservation of Nature, Apia, Western Samoa, and presented report on Regional Ecosystems Survey of the South Pacific Area.
Secretariat and observer at Plenipotentiary Meeting to conclude a Convention on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific, Apia, Western Samoa.
Conducted survey of reef and lagoon areas for Government of Cook Islands.
1977
Visited Tonga at Government request to prepare environmental and ecological report on Tongatapu, including draft legislation.
1978
Directed seven-week Sub-regional Workshop in Environmental Planning and Assessment, Papua New Guinea, with participants from various Pacific countries.
Presented paper at International Symposium on Marine Biogeography and Evolution in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand and Fiji.
Organized and directed Expert Meeting on Coral Reef Monitoring, Motupore Island, Papua New Guinea.
Visited Western Samoa to prepare report on national parks and conservation at request of Government, and planned underwater nature trail.
1979
Chaired panel session at Second South Pacific Conference on National Parks and Reserves, Sydney, Australia.
Continued assistance to Western Samoa in developing national parks and reserves and drafting environmental policy.
Attended IUCN Commission on Ecology and Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas meetings, Canberra, Australia.
Presented papers at Workshop on Natural Systems Management Training, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Participant in Joint SPC/NMFS Workshop on Marine Turtles in the Tropical Pacific Islands, Noumea, New Caledonia.
1980
Continued long-term monitoring surveys of coral reefs in American Samoa, and assisted with museum exhibits development.
Conducted Workshop on Environmental Planning and Assessment for Government of Niue.
Drafted country report on Vanuatu for South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Presented paper at Second International Symposium on Biology and Management of Mangroves and Tropical Shallow Water Communities, Papua New Guinea.
Invited participant in UNESCO Seminar on Marine and Coastal Processes in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea.
1981
Invited participant in UNESCO Workshop in Research and Training Priorities for Coral Reef Management in Oceania, South Asia and Southeast Asia, Philippines.
Participant, 4th International Coral Reef Symposium, Manila.
Visited Tuvalu to prepare country report for South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Participant in IUCN General Assembly, and meetings of Commission on Ecology and Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas, New Zealand.
Presented invited paper at SEPANRIT meeting, New Caledonia.
1982
Visited Western Samoa to advise on national park and reserve development.
Organized and directed ministerial-level Conference on the Human Environment in the South Pacific, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, as part of South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Presented invited paper at World National Parks Congress, Bali, Indonesia.
Invited speaker, Seminar on Conservation and Development, and Training Course on Environmental Studies and Conservation, Fiji.
1983
Prepared environmental impact study of a river diversion project in a national park for government of New Caledonia.
1984
Visited Fiji for discussions on rural development.
Discussions in Western Samoa on park and reserve development.
1985
Attended IUCN Commission on Ecology meeting, Germany.
Consultations with Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, Washington, D.C.
Participated as symposium organizer, chairman and speaker at 5th International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti, and in associated meetings of international scientific committees.
Presented key issue paper at 3rd South Pacific National Parks and Reserves Conference, Western Samoa, and lectured to associated training course for park personnel.
Designed and installed underwater nature trail in Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, Western Samoa.
Directed Training Course on Rural Environmental Management for Government of Vanuatu.
Consultant visits to IUCN, Switzerland and IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, U.K.
1986
Presented invited paper in Symposium on Ecological Management of Coastal Zones at IV International Congress of Ecology, New York, U.S.A., and participated in meeting of IUCN Commission on Ecology.
Participant in International Society of Reef Studies Meeting, Germany.
1987
Fellow, Environment and Policy Institute, East-West Center, Hawaii.
UNEP Symposium organizer and chairman, XVI Pacific Science Congress, Seoul, Korea.
1988
Workshop leader and participant, IUCN General Assembly, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Symposium organizer and chairman, and presented paper at 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville, Australia.
Consultant to Government of Vanuatu through IUCN for planning of a National Conservation Strategy.
Lecturer to UNESCO/UNEP Workshop on Environment in Eastern Africa, Mauritius.
Consultant to World Tourism Organization/UNDP project for marine park development in Comoros.
1989
Organizer of Workshop on Island Conservation, Monaco.
Represented UNEP at International Whaling Commission (San Diego), Pacific Science Association Intercongress (Santiago, Chile).
Member Programme Technical Advisory Group, World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
1990
Organized and chaired Marine Mammals Planning and Co-ordinating Committee, Geneva.
Represented UNEP at Indian Ocean Commission, Committee on Environment (Moroni, Comoros); Intergovernmental Meeting on South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (Noumea).
Speaker and workshop organizer at Conference on Large Marine Ecosystems, Monaco.
1991
Participant in UNCED Working Party on Oceans, Geneva and Monaco.
Organizer of Marine Mammal Planning and Co-ordinating Committee, Amsterdam.
Represented UNEP at UNCED Preparatory Committee meetings (Nairobi and Geneva) and Intergovernmental and Contracting Parties meetings on South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Noumea.
Seconded to the Secretariat for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Geneva, to assist in preparing Agenda 21 for adoption at the "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro.
1992
Consultant to FAO to prepare the Inter-regional Conference of Small Island Countries on Sustainable Development and Environment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Christ Church, Barbados, and represented UNEP and presented paper at the conference.
Presented paper at 7th International Coral Reef Symposium, Guam.
Leader of UNDP Appraisal Team for the South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme funded by the Global Environment Facility, Western Samoa.
1993
Represented UNEP at Preparatory Committee for Global Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, New York.
Named to chair Technical and Management Advisory Group for South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme (GEF/UNDP/SPREP), Apia, Samoa.
1994
Chaired South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme Technical and Management Advisory Group, Apia, Western Samoa.
1995
Invited speaker at World Summit on Religions and Conservation, Windsor Castle, UK.
Chaired South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme Technical and Management Advisory Group, Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Member of Programme Advisory Group for World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge and Gland.
1996
Participant in 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama.
Chaired Fourth Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Apia, Western Samoa.
1997
Keynote speaker at International Ecological Congress, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Participant in Expert Workshops for Global International Waters Assessment, Geneva.
Invited speaker at WWF Pre-Earth Summit Forestry Gathering, Athens, Greece.
Chaired Fifth Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Apia, Samoa.
1998
Chaired Sixth Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Port Vila, Vanuatu.
1999
Invited participant in FAO/Australian Technical Consultation on Sustainability Indicators in Marine Capture Fisheries, Sydney, Australia.
Chaired Seventh Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Apia, Samoa.
2000
Participant in International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Coordination and Planning Committee meeting, Noumea, New Caledonia.
Participant in International Coral Reef Action Network Partners Meeting, Penang, Malaysia.
Participant in 9th International Coral Reef Symposium and International Coral Reef Initiative Coordination and Planning Committee, Bali, Indonesia.
Chaired Eighth Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Wellington, New Zealand.
2001
Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, Miami, Florida.
Chaired Steering Committee for International Coral Reef Action Network, and represented UNEP in International Coral Reef Initiative Coordination and Planning Committee and ICRI Regional Workshop, Cebu, Philippines.
Participant in International Coral Reef Action Network Regional Seas Meeting, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
Participant in NCORE Workshop on Priorities for Caribbean Coral Reef Research, and chaired NCORE Scientific Advisory Committee, Miami, Florida.
Participant in Global Islands Network Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.
Member of UNEP delegation to Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Affairs of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal, Canada.
Chaired International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) Steering Committee, participant in International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Coordination and Planning Committee and ICRI Regional Workshop, and organizer IGOS Coral Reef Theme team meeting, Maputo, Mozambique.
Consultations with government and other partners on coral reef action, Madagascar.
2002
Co-organizer Coral Reef Theme team meeting for Integrated Global Observing Strategy, and speaker, Workshp on Satellite Oceanography and Coral Bleaching, Magnetic Island, Australia.
Participant, International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) Steering Committee, UNEP representative to International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Coordination and Planning Committee and ICRI Regional Workshop, and organizer IGOS Coral Reef Theme team meeting, Cancun, Mexico.
Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, University of Miami, and participated in Workshop on the Future of Decision-support for Coral Reef Management, Miami, Florida.
Represented International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) at World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, organized and spoke at ICRI/ICRAN parallel event.
2003
Participant in WWF Seminar on Religion and Conservation, Mont Saint-Michel, France.
Lectures at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various universities in Madagascar.
Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, University of Miami.
Invited speaker, International Conference on the Impact of Global Environmental Problems on Continental and Coastal Marine Waters, Geneva.
Participant, Annual meeting and Governing Board meeting, Global Islands Network, Isle of Skye, UK.
2004
Participant in 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa, Japan.
Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, University of Miami.
Invited expert, Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) Think Tank II, South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission, Suva, Fiji.
2005
Represented Global Islands Network, South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission, International Environment Forum, and CSD Education Caucus at the Mauritius International Meeting on further implementation of the Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States, chaired side events for International Coral Reef Initiative and Education Caucus, and participated in the presentation of SOPAC Environmental Vulnerability Index.
Presented strategy paper at Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partners meeting, Geneva.
2007
Mission with IRD to Noumea, New Caledonia to plan their research component of the Coral Reef Initiative in the South Pacific (CRISP) programme, with lectures at IRD and the University of New Caledonia
Participant and speaker in inter-faith colloquium on respect for the creation, Ganagobie Monastery, France
Organized and lectured at UNEP/University of Geneva Course in Environmental Diplomacy, Chateau de Bossey, Switzerland
2008
Organized and lectured at UNEP/University of Geneva/Graduate Institute Course in Environmental Diplomacy, Chateau de Bossey, Switzerland
2009
Participant in review panel and research team meetings for education for sustainable development indicators project, University of Brighton, England
Invited participant in workshop on Global Islands Database, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
Chaired first Core Group Meeting, ESD indicators project, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Coordinator and lecturer, UNEP/University of Geneva/Graduate Institute Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacy, Geneva, Switzerland
Chaired second Core Group Meeting, ESD indicators project, Brighton, UK
Participant in IUCN Regional Directors meeting on islands, Malaga, Spain
2010
Chaired third Core Group Meeting, ESD indicators project, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, and fourth Core Group Meeting, Brighton, UK
Appointed to UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders Advisory Group on International Environmental Governance, elected co-coordinator, and organized teleconference with UNEP Executive Director and Ministers co-chairing the High Level Consultative Group on International Environmental Governance, Helsinki, Finland
Co-organized ESDinds and International Environment Forum Conference "Making the Invisible Visible", University of Brighton, United Kingdom
2011
Co-chaired meeting of UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders Advisory Group on International Environmental Governance (AGIEG), participated in high-level panel at Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, spokesperson for AGIEG at UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, and participated in ministerial round table, Nairobi, Kenya
Participated for AGIEG in Preparatory Committee for UN Conference on Sustainable Development, New York, and panelist in high-level side event
Participant in UNEP Global Consultation in preparation for Rio+20, UNEP Regional Consultation for Europe, and UN Department of Public Information 64th NGO Conference, Bonn, Germany

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE relevant to biodiversity conservation:

Member, Evolutionary and Systematic Biology Steering Committee, Board of Academic Studies, Smithsonian Institution, 1970-1973.
Planning and organization of international programmes, including the proposed program of Comparative Investigations of Tropical Reef Ecosystems involving 80 scientists, prepared for International Decade of Ocean Exploration Program of U.S. National Science Foundation, 1970-1972.; the Investigations of Marine Shallow-Water Ecosystems program, Smithsonian Institution, 1971-1974; the Special Project on Conservation of Nature, South Pacific Commission, 1974-1976; the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 1975-1982; the Regional Seas Programmes of UNEP, 1986, 1988, and 1989-1991; and International Coral Reef Action Network, 2000-2002.
Consultant to National Geographic Society and other organizations on algae and coral reefs, 1973-1974.
Editorial board of Coral Reef Newsletter, 1973-1980.
Co-editor of special issue of Atoll Research Bulletin on Comparative Investigations of Tropical Reef Ecosystems (CITRE) program, 1974.
Vice-chairman (1975-1987) and Chairman (1987-1990), Pacific Science Association Scientific Committee on Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Protection.
Organized and directed the Second Regional Symposium on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific, 1976; an Expert Meeting on Coral Reef Monitoring, 1978; technical meetings on the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 1977, 1978 and 1981; the ministerial level Conference on the Human Environment in the South Pacific, 1982; and UNEP symposia on regional co-operation on protection of the marine environment in the Pacific, 1983 and 1987.
Supervised development of curriculum materials in environmental education, and directed production of educational films on island environmental management, 1978-1981.
Organizer of regional and national training courses on environmental planning and management in the Pacific, 1978-1985.
Member, Commission on Ecology, World Conservation Union (IUCN), 1979-1994.
Regional co-ordinator and secretary to the Co-ordinating Group of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, one of the UNEP Regional Seas Programmes, 1980-1982, and consultant to the programme, 1982-1985.
Founding Member of Council, International Society for Reef Studies, 1980-1983.
Member of Advisory Panel on Nature Conservation in the Line and Phoenix Islands, 1981-1992.
Member, World Commission on Protected Areas, IUCN, 1981-present.
Member, IABO Coral Reef Committee, 1982-1985 and 1990-1993.
Prepared report on tropical island ecosystems and conservation strategies for Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, 1985.
Consultant to IUCN for a survey of protected area system requirements in Oceania, 1985-1986.
Chairman of Task Force on Island Conservation, IUCN Commission on Ecology, 1986-1990.
Prepared world database and directory of islands for IUCN and UNEP, 1987-1991.
Co-organizer of mini-symposium at 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, 1988.
Contributed to the preparation of Agenda 21, the action plan for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) "Earth Summit" as UNEP representative on the Oceans Working party and as member of the UNCED Secretariat, 1990-1992.
Chairman, Technical and Management Advisory Group of South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, 1993-2001.
Member, Programme Advisory Group, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 1995-1997.
Member, Commission on Ecosystem Management, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 1998-present.
Created UNEP Islands web site, 1998-2008: http://islands.unep.ch/
Director, UNEP Coral Reef Unit, responsible for UNF/UNFIP International Coral Reef Action Network projects, 2000-2002.
Chairman, Steering Committee, International Coral Reef Action Network, 2000-2002. (http://www.icran.org)
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research, 2001-2006. (http://www.ncoremiami.org/)
Co-leader, Coral Reef Sub-theme team, Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership, 2001-2004. (http://coral.unep.ch/igoscr.htm)
Acting Director, International Coral Reef Action Network, 2002.
Member, Board of Directors, Global Islands Network, 2002-present. (http://www.globalislands.net)
Member, Coastal Theme Team, Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership, 2003-2004.
Scientific advisor to Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) for the Coral Reef Initiative in the South Pacific (CRISP), 2006-2007.
Consultant to United Nations Environment Programme to review all national environmental assessment and reporting since 1992, compiling 196 country profiles and inventory of 1700 reports, and preparation of report for UNEP Governing Council, 2007-2008.
Partner in EU project for the Development of Indicators & Assessment Tools for CSO Projects Promoting Values-based Education for Sustainable Development (2008-2011) http://www.esdinds.eu/, and follow-up wevalue.org partnership, 2011-present http://www.wevalue.org/.
Co-coordinator, IUCN Thematic Group on Island Ecosystems, 2009-present
Co-coordinator of UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders Advisory Group on International Environmental Governance, 2010-2012 http://www.agieg.net, http://www.environmentalgovernance.org/reform/cs/ag and http://www.unep.org/civil-society/GlobalMajorGroupsStakeholdersForum/RegionalConsultations2010/MajorGroupsandStakeholderAdvisoryGrouponIEG/tabid/6345/Default.aspx

SOME SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS relevant to biodiversity conservation:

A preliminary coral reef ecosystem model. Atoll Research Bulletin172:7-36 (1973). (edited with B.C. Patton, S.V. Smith and J.C. Zieman, Jr.) [Results of a working group of 80 scientists planning a systems model of a coral reef ecosystem].

Environmental impact on a Samoan coral reef: a resurvey of Mayor's 1917 transect. Pacific Science 31(3):309-319 (1977). (with A. Lamberts) [Quantitative analysis of changes on a coral reef over 60 years].

Regional ecosystems survey of the South Pacific area. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. Technical Paper 179. 99 p. (1980). [Classification and analysis of the distribution of island ecosystems in Oceania].

The state of the environment in the South Pacific. p. 47-71. In Report of the Conference on the Human Environment in the South Pacific, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 8-11 March 1982. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. (with I. Baumgart). Reprinted as UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 31. UNEP, 1983. [Summary of the environmental problems in the tropical Pacific Islands].

Traditional environmental management in New Caledonia: a review of existing knowledge. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Topic Review 18. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 17 p. (1985). [Review of the aspects of traditional island culture concerned with resource management and the environment].

Review of the protected areas system in Oceania (including Oceania island list). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Gland and Cambridge. 73 + 239 p. (1986). [Summary of the status of conservation of species and ecosystems on the islands of the South Pacific, including a more quantitative system for evaluating conservation importance and human impact].

IUCN/UNEP Island Directory. Regional Seas Directories and Bibliographies, No. 35, UNEP, Nairobi. 573 p. (1991). [Compiles geographic, ecological and socio-economic data on some 2,000 islands, with comparative tables]. Revised electronic version (1998): http://islands.unep.ch/isldir.htm and http://yabaha.net/dahl/isldb/isldir.htm

Depraetere, Christian, and Arthur Lyon Dahl. 2007. Unravelling the puzzling world of islands. Chapter 2 in G. Baldacchino (ed.), A World of Islands: An Island Studies Reader. Malta & Canada, Agenda Academic and Institute of Island Studies, 2007. [provides a geographic overview of islands in all the world's oceans and their significance for human settlement and dispersal]

Dahl, Arthur Lyon. 2008. Overview of environmental assessment landscape at national level: State of state-of-the-environment reporting: Note by the Executive Director. UNEP/GC.25/INF/12/Add.1, 45 p. http://www.unep.org/gc/gcss-x/download.asp?ID=1015 [A review of all national environmental assessment and reporting since 1992, based on 196 country profiles and an inventory of 1700 reports, with lessons learned]

BIBLIOGRAPHY relevant to biodiversity conservation
1970
Ecological report on Tutuila, American Samoa. (Report to the Government of American Samoa). Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 13 p.
1972
Ecology and community structure of some tropical reef algae in Samoa. p. 36-39. In Kazutosi Nisizawa (ed.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Seaweed Symposium. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo.
1973
Benthic algal ecology in a deep reef and sand habitat off Puerto Rico. Botanica Marina 16:171-175.
Ecological report on American Samoa. (Report to the Government of American Samoa). Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 18 p.
1974
The structure and dynamics of benthic algae in the coral reef ecosystem. InProceedings of the Second International Symposium on Coral Reefs 1:21-25. The Great Barrier Reef Committee, Brisbane, Australia.
A preliminary coral reef ecosystem model. Atoll Res. Bull. 172:7-36. (edited with B.C. Patton, S.V. Smith and J.C. Zieman, Jr.)
A comparative survey of coral reef research sites. Atoll Res. Bull. 172:37-120. (with I.G. Macintyre and A. Antonius)
1975
South Pacific Commission environment programme. South Pacific Commission Env. Newsletter 1:2-13.
Coral reef surveys. S. Pac. Commission Env. Newsletter 2:8-10.
The challenge of preserving the South Pacific environment (Keynote address). In Proceedings of the South Pacific Conference on National Parks and Reserves. Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, New Zealand.
Report on conservation and environmental management to the Government of the Solomon Islands. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 11 p.
1976
Ecology and conservation: the regional dimension. p. 77-79. In K.P. Lamb and J.L. Gressitt (eds.), Ecology and Conservation in Papua New Guinea. Wau Ecology Institute Pamphlet No. 2.
1977
Monitoring man's impact on Pacific Island reefs. In Proceedings: Third International Coral Reef Symposium 2:571-575. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Environmental impact on a Samoan coral reef: a resurvey of Mayor's 1917 transect. Pac. Sci. 31(3):309-319. (with A. Lamberts)
1978
Environmental and ecological report on Tonga. Part I: Tongatapu. (Report to the Kingdom of Tonga). South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 47 p.
Environmental aspects of project planning in the Pacific region. In Ram C. Malhotra (ed.), Development Planning in the Pacific Sub-region with Special Reference to Evaluation, Report of a Workshop held in Apia, Western Samoa. United Nations Asian and Pacific Development Institute, Bangkok. Vol. V, Chpt. IX, No. 40 (CP.6), 7 p. Reprinted in S. Pac. Bull. 28(2):10-13.
Report on assistance to Western Samoa with national parks and conservation. (Report to the Government of Western Samoa). South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 28 p.
Spatial modelling of coral reefs. Atoll Res. Bull. 220:13-18.
1979
Marine ecosystems and biotic provinces in the South Pacific area. In Proceedings International Symposium on Marine Biogeography Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Information Series No. 137. 2:541-546.
1980
Report on marine surveys of Rarotonga and Aitutaki. (Report to Cook Islands Government). South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 13 p.
Conservation planning and environmental monitoring for tourism development. p. 125-128. In D.G. Pearce (ed.), Tourism in the South Pacific: the contribution of research to development and planning. Proceedings UNESCO Tourism Workshop. N. Z. MAB Report 6. Department of Geography, Univ. Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Reprinted with revisions in S. Pac. Commission Env. Newsletter 4:22-26         (1982).
Regional ecosystems survey of the South Pacific area/ Inventaire des écosystèmes de la région du Pacifique sud. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. Tech. Paper 179. 99 p. (English)/ 105 p. (French).
Monitoring island ecosystems: an approach for conservation purposes. p. 150-159. In Proceedings Fourteenth Pacific Science Congress, Khabarovsk, USSR. Reprinted in N. A. Shilo and A. V. Lozhkin (eds.), Ecology and Environmental Protection in the Pacific Region. Publishing Office "Nauka", Moscow. p. 110-118. (with D. Mueller-Dombois)
Story of an island: managing your island environment (45 min. educational film). South Pacific Commission, Noumea.
1981
Monitoring coral reefs for urban impact. Bull. Mar. Sci. 31(3):544-551.
Coral reef monitoring handbook. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 21 p. Reprinted as SPC/UNEP, Coral reef monitoring handbook. Reference Methods for Marine Pollution Studies No. 25. UNEP, 1984. 25 p.
Algal zonation on the Belize barrier reef, p. 303-306. In G. E. Fogg and W. Eifion Jones (eds.), Proceedings of the Eighth International Seaweed Symposium. The Marine Science Laboratories, Menai Bridge (U.K.).
1982
The state of the environment in the South Pacific. p. 47-71. In Report of the Conference on the Human Environment in the South Pacific, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 8-11 March 1982. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. (with I. Baumgart). Reprinted as UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 31. UNEP, 1983.
Practical management of limited resources. p. 43-46. In Unique Island Status: Proceedings of Pacific Basin Coastal Zone Management Conference. Economic Development & Planning/Tourism Office, American Samoa Government, Pago Pago.
Gestion traditionnelle et moderne de l'environnement insulaire oceanien. In Proceedings SEPANRIT Conference, Noumea, New Caledonia.
Your changing island environment (25 min. educational film for school use). South Pacific Commission, Noumea.
1983
Etude preliminaire de l'impact du projet Ouinné-Pourina sur l'environnement et en particulier sur le Parc Territorial de la Rivière Bleue. Report to the Service des Eaux et Forets, New Caledonia. 112 p.
The further development of national parks and reserves in Western Samoa. (Report to Government of Western Samoa). South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 7 p.
1984
Biogeographical aspects of isolation in the Pacific. Ambio 13(5-6):296-301.
Oceania's most pressing environmental concerns. Ambio 13(5-6):302-305.
Future directions for the Oceanian Realm. In J.A. McNeely and K.R. Miller (eds,), Proceedings of the World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia, October, 1982. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.
1985
Traditional environmental management in New Caledonia: a review of existing knowledge. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Topic Review 18. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 17 p.
Tropical island ecosystems and protection technologies to sustain renewable resources in U.S.-affiliated islands. Unpublished report to Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress. 52 p.
Conservation on small islands: the human dimension. IUCN Bulletin 16(7-9):88-89.
Status and conservation of South Pacific coral reefs. In Proceedings Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti, 27 May-1 June 1985. Vol. 6, p. 509-513.
Environment and Resources in the Pacific: A Regional Approach. Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 69. United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva. (volume of papers edited with J. Carew-Reid).
The potential for management of island ecosystems, p. 13-17. In A. L. Dahl and J. Carew-Reid (eds.), Environment and Resources in the Pacific: A Regional Approach. Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 69. United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva.
The challenge of conserving and managing coral reef ecosystems, p. 85-87. In A. L. Dahl and J. Carew-Reid (eds.), Environment and Resources in the Pacific: A Regional Approach. Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 69. United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva.
Adequacy of coverage of protected areas in Oceania. In Report of the Third South Pacific National Parks and Reserves Conference, Apia, Western Samoa, Vol. 2, p. 2-8. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, South Pacific Commission, Noumea.
Conservation on small islands: the human dimension. IUCN Bulletin 16(7-9):88-89.
Training materials for rural environmental management (48 units and supporting audio-visual materials). South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, South Pacific Commission, Noumea (unpublished).
1986
Coastal ecosystems and rapid sea-level rise. The Siren 31:18-22.
Review of the protected areas system in Oceania (including Oceania island list). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Gland and Cambridge. 73 + 239 p.
1988.
The marine environment. In P.J. Kelley (ed.), Field Work in Ecology for Secondary Schools in Tropical Countries. Science and Technology Education, Document Series No. 30. Unesco, Paris, ED-88/WS/47. Reprinted as Field Work in Marine Ecology for Secondary Schools in Tropical Countries. MARINF/80. Unesco, Paris, 1990. 90 p.
1989
Traditional environmental knowledge and resource management in New Caledonia. In R.E. Johannes (ed.), Traditional Ecological Knowledge: a Collection of Essays. IUCN, Gland and Cambridge. 64 p. http://islands.unep.ch/dtradknc.htm
Are human impacts, either through traditional or contemporary uses, stabilizing or destabilizing to reef community structure? In Proceedings Sixth International Coral Reef Symposium, Vol. 1:63-69. (with Bernard Salvat).
1991
IUCN/UNEP Island Directory. UNEP Regional Seas Directories and Bibliographies, No. 35, Nairobi. 573 p.
Regional and inter-regional co-operation for the protection of the marine and coastal environment of the Pacific basin, p. vi-viii. In UNEP, Regional Co-operation on Environmental Protection of the Marine and Coastal Areas of the Pacific Basin (J.C. Pernetta, ed.). UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 134.
1992
Organizing the global monitoring of coral reefs. In Proceedings Seventh International Coral Reef Symposium, Guam, Vol. 1:85-89.
1993
The Large Marine Ecosystem approach to Regional Seas Action Plans and Conventions: a geographic perspective, chpt. 2, p. 15-17. In K. Sherman, L.M. Alexander and B.D. Gold (eds.), Large Marine Ecosystems: Stress, Mitigation and Sustainability, AAAS Press, Washington, DC.
Una nueva misión para los museos de Ciencias Naturales en relación con los cambios ambientales a largo plazo. Boletín del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" Año 3 No. 7, p. 7-9. August 1993 [in Spanish].
1998
Island Directory. http://islands.unep.ch/isldir.htm
Small Island Environmental Management Training Course. http://islands.unep.ch/siem.htm
1999
Community-based environmental management: empowering people with environmental understanding. Paper presented at the 3rd Conference of the International Environment Forum cosponsored by the Bahá'í Agency for Social and Economic Development - United Kingdom (BASED-UK), 15-18 August 1999, Sidcot, United Kingdom. http://iefworld.org/ddahl99b.htm
2002
Monitoring Coral Reefs: Ecosystems in Crisis. IHDP Newsletter 2/2002, p. 4-5.
Linking science and indigenous knowledge for community environmental management. Paper presented at the Seminar on Integrating Science in Local Communities, World Summit on Sustainable Development, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002. http://iefworld.org/ddahl02b.htm
2003
IGOS Coral Reef Sub-theme Report, Published for Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership by NOAA, Silver Springs, Maryland, USA (with Alan E. Strong and theme team). http://coral.unep.ch/igoscrrp.htm
Coral Reefs: An Ecosystem under Global Stress. Abstract and powerpoint presentation on CD ROM. NEAR International Conference: The impact of global environmental problems on continental and coastal marine waters, Geneva, 16-18 July 2003. Abstracts and presentations. Centre d'études en sciences naturelles de l'environnement, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland.
2006
Climate Change: Scientific and Faith Perspectives. Paper presented at 10th Annual Conference of International Environment Forum, Oxford, UK, 15-17 September 2006. http://iefworld.org/doc/ddahl06b.htm
2007
Unravelling the puzzling world of islands. Chapter 2 in G. Baldacchino (ed.), A World of Islands: An Island Studies Reader. Malta & Canada, Agenda Academic and Institute of Island Studies. ISBN: 978-99932-86-10-3/ (with Christian Depraetere)

Note: as a United Nations official from 1989 to 2002, it was not possible to claim individual authorship for work produced as an international civil servant and published by the United Nations. However, major contributions were made to the following publications, among others:
Issues and requirements of small island countries for sustainable development and environment in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. FAO AGR:SIC 1. 9 p. (April 1992)
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries in small island countries within the framework of UNCED Agenda 21. FAO AGR:SIC 2. 11 p. (April 1992)
Agenda 21, Chapter 17: Oceans and Coastal Areas (1992).