Restored ecosystems may help atoll islands withstand rising seas
Restoring seabird colonies, native vegetation and reef life could help vulnerable atoll islands build up as sea levels rise, according to an international study of 28 islands in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The findings suggest that healthy ecosystems can reinforce one another, helping islands resist erosion and maintain the natural processes that build reefs and beaches.
Seabirds carry ocean nutrients to land in their guano, supporting plants and marine life; reef fish turn dead coral into sand, while reef organisms add to reef structures that buffer waves. Native plants’ extensive roots stabilise soil better than coconut palms, and removing invasive rats could help seabird colonies recover. The researchers say restoration could give some atolls a chance of keeping pace with projected sea-level rise towards the end of the century under about 2°C of warming, though this is not guaranteed.
- Restoring island ecosystems could help atolls withstand rising seas.
- The study covered 28 islands across two oceans.
- Removing rats and restoring native plants may support the cycle.
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Atolls are low-lying island chains made from coral reefs, often with a lagoon in the middle. They sit close to sea level, so rising seas and waves can erode their beaches and threaten the land and homes on them.
The islands depend on connected ecosystems: seabirds bring nutrients from the ocean, plants hold soil in place, and reefs help reduce wave damage and create sand. Rats introduced by people can harm seabird colonies, while native plants may stabilise the ground better than coconut palms.
Researchers are studying whether restoring these natural relationships could help atolls maintain or build up their land. The idea matters to communities living on atolls, but the benefits will vary and cannot ensure that every island keeps pace with rising seas.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “Rewilding could help vulnerable islands keep pace with rising seas”.