Atoll island vulnerability to flooding and inundation revealed by historical reconstruction: Fongafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu

Anthropogenic impacts on water quality of the lagoonal coast of Fongafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu

“…Thus, this site is considered to be very close to an undisturbed natural environment. Sites 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 and 2-4 are along a densely populated area (Yamano et al 2007). Site 3 is a medium populated area, which is located *5 km north of site 2-2.…”

“…Considering the land use/coverage on Fongafale Islet (Yamano et al 2007) (Borchardt et al 2003;DeWalle and Schaff 1980;Scandura and Sobsey 1997;Viraghaven and Warnock 1976) and pit toilets (Dzwairo et al 2006;Montgomery and Elimelech 2007;Pedley and Howard 1997) are a source of groundwater contamination. Thus, the disposal of human waste using these facilities is a key issue for groundwater quality and public health protection.…”

“…The most anticipated physical impacts of sea-level rise on reef islands are shoreline erosion, inundation, flooding, salinity intrusion and reduced resilience of the coastal ecosystem (Khan et al 2002;Leatherman 1997;Mimura 1999;Yamano et al 2007). If the atoll nations disappear, there will be no islands left and nothing to inhabit (Connell 2004).…”

Recovery of Missing Explanatory Notes of the First Geological Map of Funafuti Atoll, 1904

“…For coral reef science, atoll geology and island geomorphology, Funafuti has great historical significance and to this day the Funafuti boring has been referred to as "an old friend" (Ohde et al, 2002). Moreover, the maps surveyed in 1897 have been used as a baseline to document changes extending over 100 year period for Fongafale Island (Sheet 7) in the east of the atoll (Yamano et al, 2007) and Tepuka (Sheet 12) in the west (Kench et al, 2014) Second, it is also surprising that the incomplete notes and descriptions were not commented upon by Professor T.G. Bonney who was responsible for editing The Atoll of Funafuti, and even more remarkable that authors David and Sweet did not comment on the missing data.…”

Social–ecological change and implications for food security in Funafuti, Tuvalu

“…Urbanization, among other factors, has fundamentally altered land use and vegetation cover in Funafuti (Yamano et al 2007). Whereas the population was originally concentrated in two villages in the center of the island, the surrounding areas being for food cultivation and harvesting, much of Funafuti is now urbanized and therefore no longer available for these purposes.…”