Kiribati and Coral Reefs: Environmental Impacts and Adaptations

Flashcards covering environmental challenges in Kiribati, the impact of sea level rise on atoll nations, local adaptation strategies, and the role of coral reefs in island ecosystems.

What infrastructure in Kiribati has been eroded and bypassed?

Local roads and makeshift sea walls.

Which two nations are predicted to be the first to be fully submerged due to rising sea levels?

Kiribati and the Maldives.

Why did local efforts to use beach sand for protection in Kiribati worsen the erosion problem?

Beaches absorb wave energy, and removing sand reduced this natural protection, creating a positive feedback loop.

What is Kiribati geologically characterized as?

An atoll nation in the Pacific Ocean, consisting mainly of ring-shaped coral reefs encircling a lagoon.

What is the average sea level rise per year since 1993?

Around 3-4mm per year.

What is a primary cause of rising sea levels?

Global warming, causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt.

How do storm surges impact water sources in Kiribati villages?

They flood villages and cause wells to overflow with brackish seawater, leading to illness.

What basic needs necessitate clean water for the locals?

Washing, cooking, and other essential daily activities.

What project was implemented to provide clean water and reduce sickness in Kiribati villages?

The Solar Pump Project, which installed pumps and water tanks.

What type of plant do locals plant to intercept water on the coast?

Mangroves.

How does coral growth contribute to island formation in warmer climates?

Coral grows faster in warmer climates and helps build up the island.

How much calcium carbonate can coral produce annually?

10mm.

What is the role of mangroves in island growth?

They trap sand and help the island grow bigger.

What happens to sand on the beach once plants like marram grass have grown?

Wind will then blow the sand further up the beach.

How do waves react when they encounter a coral reef after sand and rubble have formed?

The waves refract, changing direction as the depth of the water changes.

Define a coral reef.

An underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals, which are polyps containing algae.

What is coral primarily made of?

A rock-hard calcium carbonate skeleton.

What happens to dead coral?

It is often smashed up by waves and forms rubble and sand.

Which type of fish contributes to island growth by consuming coral and excreting sand?

Parrotfish.

What percentage of marine life relies on coral reefs?

25%.

How do waves affect sand distribution in shallow areas?

The waves converge into the shallow areas and push the sand up onto them.