Arthur Lyon DAHL - Topical Curriculum Vitae on
CORAL REEFS

Much of my professional career has been devoted to the ecology, management and conservation of coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Starting with long-term reef monitoring surveys in American Samoa in 1969, some highlights of my coral reef activities have been the organization (with Ian Macintyre, Klaus Rützler and Steve Smith) of the first international integrated coral reef research programme and establishment of the Smithsonian field station on the Belize Barrier Reef in the early 1970s, preparation of the first simple coral reef monitoring methodology, founding council member of the International Society for Reef Studies, participation in all but two of the International Coral Reef Symposia, and before my retirement first Director of the UNEP Coral Reef Unit, one of the organizers of the International Coral Reef Action Network, and co-leader of the Coral Reef theme team for the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership.

Experience relevant to coral reefs

ADDRESS:
 12B Chemin de Maisonneuve
 CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland

PERSONAL: Swiss and United States citizen, married to a French citizen, two adult children
LANGUAGES: Bilingual, English and French
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Biological Sciences with Departmental Honors, Stanford University, California, 1964
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) in Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1969


GENERAL

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


EXPERIENCE RELEVANT TO CORAL REEFS

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE relevant to coral reefs

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.
Research on deep coral reef ecology as an aquanaut in the Puerto Rico International Undersea Laboratory (PRINUL) habitat, Puerto Rico, 1972.
Studies of quantification of coral reef and algal surface areas and spatial relationships, 1972-1976.
Survey and classification of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the South Pacific region for South Pacific Commission and IUCN, 1975-1979.
Research into urban impact on the coastal zone in tropical developing countries and studies of appropriate strategies for waste management, 1979-1982.
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/
Analysis and quantification of storm effects on coral reefs using SPOT satellite imagery, 1987-1988.

MEETINGS AND FIELD EXPERIENCE relevant to coral reefs

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.
Presented paper at Seventh International Seaweed Symposium, Japan.
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

Presented paper at Northeast Algal Discussion Group Meeting, Connecticut.
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

Participant in Harbor Branch Foundation Coral Reef Workshop, Fort Pierce, Florida.
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.
Moved from Washington, D.C. to Noumea, New Caledonia.
Presented paper at Eighth International Seaweed Symposium, Bangor, Wales.
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.
Attended Pacific Islands Tourism Conference, Samoa.
Attended meeting on Resource Utilization in the South Pacific, New Caledonia.

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 two papers (one invited) at Thirteenth Pacific Science Congress, Vancouver, Canada.
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

Organized and directed inter-governmental expert planning meeting for South Pacific environmental management programme, New Caledonia.
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.
Directed Second Technical Meeting on South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Noumea, New Caledonia.
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.
Consultant to UNESCO meeting on development of coral reef research and marine science activities in the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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 paper on port pollution at Sixth South Pacific Ports Conference, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
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

Directed major study for the government of New Caledonia of pollution problems and waste treatment strategies for the Noumea urban area.
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 UNESCO Tourism Workshop, Cook Islands.
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

Organized and directed South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Technical Meeting, New Caledonia.
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.
Invited participant in UNDP-CCOP/SOPAC Inshore and Nearshore Resources Training Workshop, Fiji.
Visited Tuvalu to prepare country report for South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Participant, UNEP Inter-agency Meeting on Regional Seas, Geneva.
Participant in IUCN General Assembly, and meetings of Commission on Ecology and Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas, New Zealand.

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.
Reviewed environmental impact of development projects for Cook Islands Government.
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

Adviser on museum development in New Caledonia.
Session organizer, session chairman and invited speaker at Fifteenth Pacific Science Congress, New Zealand.
Invited lecturer at IOI/FFA/USP Exclusive Economic Zone Management Course, Fiji.

1984

Consultations with international organizations in Paris and Geneva on environmental actions in the Pacific.
Visited Fiji for discussions on rural development.
Discussions in Western Samoa on park and reserve development.
Organized scientific symposia associated with 4th Festival of Pacific Arts, New Caledonia (cancelled at last minute due to political unrest).

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.

1986

Consultant to Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
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

Participant in Unesco-IUBS Commission on Biology Education workshop, Bangsaen, Thailand.
Fellow, Environment and Policy Institute, East-West Center, Hawaii.
UNEP Symposium organizer and chairman, XVI Pacific Science Congress, Seoul, Korea.
Invited participant in CNES-France Espace remote sensing meeting, Singapore.

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.
Consultant to Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
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.
Participant in Interagency Meeting on Oceans and Coastal Areas, Geneva.

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.
Chaired Interagency Consultation on Oceans and Coastal Areas Programmes, Paris.

1991

Participant in UNCED Working Party on Oceans, Geneva and Monaco.
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 Oceans and Coastal Areas chapter of 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

Chaired South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme Technical and Management Advisory Group, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

1996

Participant in 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama.
Chaired Fourth Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Apia, Western Samoa.
Chaired Technical Meeting on Clearing-house for Global Plan of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, Geneva.

1997

Participant in Expert Workshops for Global International Waters Assessment, Geneva.
Participant in Intergovernmental Committee for the Global Ocean Observing System, Paris.
Chaired Fifth Technical and Management Advisory Group, South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Apia, Samoa.

1998

Member, Steering Committee, Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), Paris, France.
Participant, GESAMP Working Group on Marine Environmental Assessments, Geneva.
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 Global Ocean Observing System Steering Committee, Paris, France.
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.
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, Workshop 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, and spoke at ICRI/ICRAN parallel event.

2003

Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, University of Miami.
Participant in Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership, Paris, and as co-leader of theme team, presented IGOS Coral Reef Sub-theme Report for final approval.
Invited speaker, International Conference on the Impact of Global Environmental Problems on Continental and Coastal Marine Waters, Geneva.
Participant, Integrated Global Observing Strategy Coastal Theme Workshop, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Invited discussant, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, UNESCO, Paris.

2004

Participant, Integrated Global Observing Strategy Coastal Theme Workshops, UNESCO, Paris, France, and University of Miami, Florida, USA.
Participant in 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa, Japan.
Chaired Scientific Advisory Committee, National Caribbean Coral Reef Research Center, University of Miami.
Led consultation on environmental governance, Pacific Insititute for Advanced Studies in Development and Governance, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji and visited village-level reef restoration coral gardens project.

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.

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

2009

Invited participant in workshop on Global Islands Database, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
Participant in IUCN Regional Directors meeting on islands, Malaga, Spain
Representative of International Environment Forum and Baha'i International Community at UN Climate Change Conference (COP15), Copenhagen, Denmark, keynote speaker in parallel NGO events

PROGRAMME AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE relevant to coral reefs

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).
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.
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.
Deputy Director of UNEP Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme, 1989-1992.
Director, UNEP Coral Reef Unit, responsible for UNF/UNFIP International Coral Reef Action Network projects, 2000-2002.
Acting Director, International Coral Reef Action Network, 2002.


OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES relevant to coral reefs

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.
Member, Commission on Ecology, World Conservation Union (IUCN), 1979-1994.
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.
Founding Member of Council, International Society for Reef Studies, 1980-1983.
Edited volumes of scientific papers on Pacific environment for UNEP, 1983-1984 and 1987-1988.
Consultant to South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, developing extensive set of training materials and audiovisual supports on rural environmental resource management and development, 1983-1985.
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.
Management and evaluation of Regional Seas Programmes in the South Pacific, Latin America and South-East Asia as a consultant to UNEP, 1986.
Consultant to IFREMER, the French Oceanographic Institute, on applications of remote sensing in the South Pacific, 1986-88.
Chairman of Task Force on Island Conservation, IUCN Commission on Ecology, 1986-1990.
Consultant to UNESCO on marine science education in the Pacific, 1987-1988.
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 responsible for chapter 17: Oceans and Coastal Areas, 1990-1992.
Chairman, Technical and Management Advisory Group of South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme, 1993-2001.
Developed UNEP Islands web site (1998-present): http://islands.unep.ch/
Member, Commission on Ecosystem Management, World Conservation Union (IUCN), 1998-present.
Established web site for UNEP Coral Reef Unit (2000-2002): http://coral.unep.ch/
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, 2001-2004. (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)
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. Co-coordinator, IUCN Thematic Group on Island Ecosystems, 2009-present


SOME SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS relevant to coral reefs

Surface area in ecological analysis: quantification of benthic coral reef algae. Marine Biology 23:239-249 (1973). [Quantitative analysis of complex reef surfaces with a discussion of their ecological significance].

A preliminary coral reef ecosystem model. Atoll Research Bulletin 172:7-36 (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].

The structure and dynamics of benthic algae in the coral reef ecosystem. InProceedings of the Second International Symposium on Coral Reefs 1:21-25 (1974). The Great Barrier Reef Committee, Brisbane, Australia.

Generation of photosynthetic surface area by coral reef algae. Micronesica 12(1):43-47 (1976).

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].

Monitoring coral reefs for urban impact. Bull. Mar. Sci. 31(3):544-551 (1981).

Coral reef monitoring handbook. South Pacific Commission, Noumea 1981. 21 p. Reprinted as SPC/UNEP, Coral reef monitoring handbook. Reference Methods for Marine Pollution Studies No. 25. UNEP, Naitobi, 1984. 25 p. [simple monitoring method for non-specialists]

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, Nairobi, 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].

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.

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


BIBLIOGRAPHY relevant to coral reefs

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.
Surface area in ecological analysis: quantification of benthic coral reef algae. Marine Biology 23:239-249.
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

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

Generation of photosynthetic surface area by coral reef algae. Micronesica 12(1):43-47.
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

Port pollution. S. Pac. Commission Env. Newsletter 3:6-10.
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.
Resources management (abstract), p. 45-46. In Report on the Inshore and Nearshore Resources Training Workshop, Suva, Fiji, 13-17 July 1981. Committee for Co-ordination of Joint Prospecting for Mineral Resources in South Pacific Offshore Areas, Technical Secretariat, Suva, Fiji.
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

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 South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, p. 3-6. 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 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.
Inter-regional co-operation: summary of discussions, p. 287-289. 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.
Co-operation for Environmental Protection in the Pacific. Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 97. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi. 293 p. (editor).
The need for and potentials of inter-regional co-operation. In UNEP, Co-operation for Environmental Protection in the Pacific. (A.L. Dahl, ed.) Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 97: 283-285. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi.
Discussion on inter-regional co-operation (summary). In UNEP, Co-operation for Environmental Protection in the Pacific. (A.L. Dahl, ed.) Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 97:287-289. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi.

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).
Impact assessment of Cyclone Sally on the almost-atoll of Aitutaki (Cook Islands) by remote sensing. In Proceedings Sixth International Coral Reef Symposium, Vol. 2:455-462. (with L. Loubersac, P. Collotte, O. Lemaire, L. d'Ozouville and A. Grotte).

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.
UNCED and small islands. The Siren 47:19-20. September/December 1992.

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].
Land-based pollution and integrated coastal management. In Lee Kimball (ed.), UNCED's marine agenda: the challenges of implementation. Marine Policy 17(6):561-572, special issue, November 1993.

1996

Initial Implementation of the clearing house mechanism. Annex IV, p. 33-57 in Report of the Technical Meeting on the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities Clearing-house, Geneva, 26-27 September 1996. UNEP(WATER)/LBA/C-H.1

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. https://iefworld.org/ddahl99b.htm

2000

Using indicators to measure sustainability: recent methodological and conceptual developments. Marine and Freshwater Research 51(5): 427-433.

2002

IGOS Coral Reef Theme. Reef Encounter 31:25-26 (March 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. https://iefworld.org/ddahl02b.htm
Coral Reefs: a New IGOS Sub-theme. IGOS Bulletin 7, November 2002 (with Alan E. Strong).

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://yabaha.net/dahl/papers/2003b_IGOScr.pdf
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.

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).


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