Restoring birds and plants can help atolls with rising seas
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An international team of researchers determined that restoring native plants and seabird populations on low-lying atoll islands could help them withstand sea-level rise.
The scientists studied 28 islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including those in French Polynesia and the Seychelles, to understand how seabirds and vegetation affect island and reef health. They discovered that seabird droppings deliver crucial nutrients to reefs and islands, boosting coral growth, sediment production, and soil stabilization, all of which protect against erosion.
The research team found that reefs near islands with healthy seabird populations grew 1.8 to 2.5 times faster than those near islands infested with invasive rats, which kill birds. Seabirds transport energy from the ocean to islands, and their waste fertilizes reefs, increasing sediment production by 2.3 to 2.8 times. Native plants also play a vital role, with root systems that bind soil far more effectively than those of coconut trees, which currently cover around 60% of Pacific atoll forests.
Researchers calculated that restored reefs could keep pace with sea-level rises predicted under a 2°C warming scenario. They suggest that rewilding atolls, removing rats and replanting native vegetation, offers a nature-based solution for protecting these vulnerable islands, particularly in places where expensive engineering projects are impractical. The study demonstrates the interconnectedness of island and reef ecosystems, and how restoring natural processes can enhance climate resilience.
