Eco-geomorphic response of the Funafuti Atoll reef flat, central Pacific, to sea-level rise and tropical storms over 120 years (1898–2019)
5 affiliations
- 1Coastal Marine Group, School of Science, The University of Waikato 1 , Hamilton, New Zealand
- 2Department of Geography, National University of Singapore 2 , Singapore
- 3School of Science, University of New South Wales 3 , Canberra, Australia
- 4Faculty of Science, The University of Auckland 4 , Auckland, New Zealand
- 5School of Environment, The University of Auckland 5 , Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract
This study examines eco-geomorphic changes on the exposed reef flat of Funafuti Atoll over the past 120 years to assess the relative influence of sea-level rise and storm events on reef flat and adjacent environments. Despite a documented sea-level rise of approximately 0.45 m during this period, we find no evidence of long-term structural or ecological alteration on the reef flat itself. We attribute this stability to emergent properties that may buffer against sea-level–driven impacts observed elsewhere. By contrast, significant geomorphic adjustments occurred at the reef flat margins: spur destruction on the seaward edge and increased island elevation landward. These changes reflect cyclone-induced disturbances combined with relative submergence of the reef flat. Notably, this research provides the first empirical evidence linking rising sea levels to increased atoll island elevation. Our findings suggest that future trajectories of reef flats and islands will depend on site-specific interactions among eco-geomorphic inheritance, sea-level rise rates and storm frequency. While these results are broadly applicable to emergent reef flats typical of Indo-Pacific atolls, further comparative studies across diverse reef flat types are essential to refine predictions of atoll resilience under accelerating climate change.
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BibTeX
@article{kench2026ecogeomorphic,
title = {{Eco-geomorphic response of the Funafuti Atoll reef flat, central Pacific, to sea-level rise and tropical storms over 120 years (1898–2019)}},
author = {Paul S. Kench and Roger F. McLean and Peter L. Hosking and Murray R. Ford},
journal = {Royal Society Open Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1098/rsos.252405},
url = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/10/252405/483781/Eco-geomorphic-response-of-the-Funafuti-Atoll-reef},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Eco-geomorphic response of the Funafuti Atoll reef flat, central Pacific, to sea-level rise and tropical storms over 120 years (1898–2019)
AU - Paul S. Kench
AU - Roger F. McLean
AU - Peter L. Hosking
AU - Murray R. Ford
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Royal Society Open Science
DO - 10.1098/rsos.252405
UR - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/10/252405/483781/Eco-geomorphic-response-of-the-Funafuti-Atoll-reef
AB - This study examines eco-geomorphic changes on the exposed reef flat of Funafuti Atoll over the past 120 years to assess the relative influence of sea-level rise and storm events on reef flat and adjacent environments. Despite a documented sea-level rise of approximately 0.45 m during this period, we find no evidence of long-term structural or ecological alteration on the reef flat itself. We attribute this stability to emergent properties that may buffer against sea-level–driven impacts observed elsewhere. By contrast, significant geomorphic adjustments occurred at the reef flat margins: spur destruction on the seaward edge and increased island elevation landward. These changes reflect cyclone-induced disturbances combined with relative submergence of the reef flat. Notably, this research provides the first empirical evidence linking rising sea levels to increased atoll island elevation. Our findings suggest that future trajectories of reef flats and islands will depend on site-specific interactions among eco-geomorphic inheritance, sea-level rise rates and storm frequency. While these results are broadly applicable to emergent reef flats typical of Indo-Pacific atolls, further comparative studies across diverse reef flat types are essential to refine predictions of atoll resilience under accelerating climate change.
SN - 2054-5703
ER -