CORAL ATOLLS: CAN THEY SURVIVE THE 21ST CENTURY?

Whether the glass is half-full or half-empty depends upon one's philosophical approach. Predictions on whether coral atolls will thrive, barely survive or cease to exist depends upon the acquisition of multi-disciplinary data on their current status and analysis of trends observed in older data, where available. These unique environments are severely challenged by problems such as: rising sea level; severe weather; pollution; dwindling supplies of potable water; lack of economic viability; geographical separation; politics, etc. To direct attention to these problems and to obtain the information necessary to make informed decisions about their future it is necessary to focus international attention on the benefits of coral atolls as uniquely situated and inexpensive observation platforms. The wealth of information that could be collected at atolls would provide the base line data needed to clearly address the question of their present health and potential survivability in the 21st Century.