Through the Indian and Pacific oceans, the small atolls, the islands formed on the ancient coral reefs, face an existential crisis.
The no sea level increase could eliminate them in the next century.
The rising seas have already left their mark on these islands, having forced the relocation of some villages of the South Pacific, and even claiming two small islands in Kiribati.
But not all islands are equally vulnerable, reports Lisa S. Gardiner for Yale Environment 360; In fact, scientists are discovering that the ability of the islands to persist depends on the health of the ecosystem: “Protecting is Landschers,” Garde Arch of Deviving, “restoration of nature -based solutions and protecting coral reefs and native forests to carry their hatreds of survivors.”
Critic for the effort to save the thesis islands is, well, bird peanut. Seabirds droppings help boost coral growth and can create sediments that add up to the soil of the islands. However, the problem is that most atolls now have little habitat to nest the sea birds, as many of the native broad -blade forests of the islands have lost, sweeping a lucrative invader: the coconut trees.
The coconuts were introduced into the islands in the 19th century as a commercial harvest. Humans love coconuts, but birds have no difficulty nesting in their one -trunk trees, Gardiner writes. Another invader of the island, rats, is the ruin of the nests of the sea birds, and any effort to help the islands must also focus on the subject.
In some places, scientists are doing exactly that. Gardiner reports:
The conservationists who work to restore ecosystems and improve resilience in Tetiaroa Atoll, in French Polynesia, also aim to bring back sea birds, says Frank Murphy, director of programs of the Tetiaea Society. Until now, rats have eradicated in the legs in all small islands except one, and there are plans to eliminate from 80 to 90 percent of coconut palm trees.
With missing rats, the island’s wildlife is beginning to change. “We are doing birds nesting in places where they had nested before,” says Murphy. Coconut crabs are now abundant, and there is a great increase in the number of young sea turtles, which in the past risked to be eaten by rats when entering nests.
Time will say if only healthy atolls can resist the increase in sea level. Investigators, at least, are determined to give them a chance of struggle.
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Bruno Vander Velde is the managing director of narration of stories at Conservation International. Why read more stories like this? Register to obtain updates by email. In addition, please support our critical work.
