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Reef islands have continually adjusted to environmental change over the past two millennia

Author

Listed:
  • P. S. Kench

    (National University of Singapore)

  • C. Liang

    (Southern Institute of Technology
    University of Auckland)

  • M. R. Ford

    (University of Auckland)

  • S. D. Owen

    (National University of Singapore)

  • M. Aslam

    (Fares-Maathodaa Island)

  • E. J. Ryan

    (University of Auckland)

  • T. Turner

    (University of Auckland)

  • E. Beetham

    (University of Auckland)

  • M. E. Dickson

    (University of Auckland)

  • W. Stephenson

    (University of Otago)

  • A. Vila-Concejo

    (University of Sydney)

  • R. F. McLean

    (University of New South Wales)

Abstract

Global environmental change is identified as a driver of physical transformation of coral reef islands over the past half-century, and next 100 years, posing major adaptation challenges to island nations. Here we resolve whether these recent documented changes in islands are unprecedented compared with the pre-industrial era. We utilise radiometric dating, geological, and remote sensing techniques to document the dynamics of a Maldivian reef island at millennial to decadal timescales. Results show the magnitude of island change over the past half-century (±40 m movement) is not unprecedented compared with paleo-dynamic evidence that reveals large-scale changes in island dimension, shape, beach levels, as well as positional changes of ±200 m since island formation ~1,500 years ago. Results highlight the value of a multi-temporal methodological approach to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic trajectories of reef islands, to support development of adaptation strategies at timeframes relevant to human security.

Suggested Citation

  • P. S. Kench & C. Liang & M. R. Ford & S. D. Owen & M. Aslam & E. J. Ryan & T. Turner & E. Beetham & M. E. Dickson & W. Stephenson & A. Vila-Concejo & R. F. McLean, 2023. "Reef islands have continually adjusted to environmental change over the past two millennia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36171-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36171-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roger McLean & Paul Kench, 2015. "Destruction or persistence of coral atoll islands in the face of 20th and 21st century sea‐level rise?," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(5), pages 445-463, September.
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