Yes I know….weird!  The reason that we have the same date ….two days in a row, is that we have crossed the International Dateline. 

I went to another lecture today on Daniel having a conversation with “Steve” the polyp.  I started out expecting to glean some more info but it was so hilarious that I just decided to tape it.  If anyone wishes to hear it you’ll have to come visit.

Next lecture of these days at sea…..

Sinking or Growing?  Rethinking Atolls….Isabelle Groc

Kiribati ( sounds like Kiribass), is the largest nation in sea area but smallest in land.  Christmas Island one of the Kiribati , is largest atoll in world.

South Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati, is one of the most densely populated areas in the Pacific, much like Hong Kong is.

Fanning island population is 2300 with elevation less than 3 metres is most vulnerable nation to climate change and rising sea levels.

There are 320 atolls in world, all in tropical latitudes.  Atolls happen where there was a volcano surrounded by coral but, the coral has to grow atleast as fast as volcano shrinks.

Atolls are drowning???  Micronesias atolls increase by 3%, some shrank but

Atolls are changing in shape and size elevation depending on

Vertical accrete (accumulate sediment)….coral sediment is brought up onto the island.  Fish  parrotfish are bio erodes and contribute to breakdown coral into sediment.  Seabirds help too in form of guano.  Crabs help as well.  Atolls must have living coral to be healthy.

Threats to atoll ecosystems incl overfishing, sewage, dredging, maladaptive sea walls, deforestation and invasive species. People of the atolls are adapting to rising sea levels by moving & elevating build structures. Seawalls sometimes though, interfere with natural process of building. Protecting healthy coral and native vegetation, remove invasive species, establish marine protected areas.  

Tetiaroa, an atoll in the Windward Group of the Society Islands, Marlon Brando with 100 year lease, developed resort for rich and famous. He was before his time in developing it though. He was all about eco-sustainablity.

41% of worlds endangered species are in jeopardy on these atolls because of rats and ants.

In 2018, rats were removed on some of the lesser “isles” but were all removal on entire atoll in ‘22-24. In ‘23, they removed crazy yellow ants.  Now crabs (strawberry hermit crabs)are coming back…nesting in trees.  Coconuts crab…related to hermits are returning, can be 1 metre in diameter.  Increase of seaterns.  Strange though…they deposit eggs on branch…not really a nest., Red-footed boobies and brown noddies returning as well. Brando stopped coconut production because coconut create loss of natural vegetation that affects birds. Trying to restore natural vegetation 

Palmyra Atoll…south of Hawaii, ants came with US military.  They removed in 2011, 1.2 million coconut palms in hopes of restoring vegetation to encourage seabirds. Native trees remove more of the carbon in the air and ocean.  They are using native traditional knowledge to improve things as well.

Fakarava Atoll…will have to look for some of processes