Origin, development and prospects of sand islands off the north coast of Viti Levu Island, Fiji, Southwest Pacific

Patrick Nunn; Michelle McKeown; Adrian B McCallum; Peter G Davies; Eleanor John; Reemal Chandra; Frank R Thomas; Sharon N Raj

doi:10.1007/s11852-019-00707-w

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Origin, development and prospects of sand islands off the north coast of Viti Levu Island, Fiji, Southwest Pacific

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Origin, development and prospects of sand islands off the north coast of Viti Levu Island, Fiji, Southwest Pacific

Patrick Nunn, Michelle McKeown, Adrian B McCallum, Peter G Davies, Eleanor John, Reemal Chandra, Frank R Thomas and Sharon N Raj

Journal of Coastal Conservation, Vol.23(6), pp.1005-1018

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-019-00707-w

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Abstract

sand island

coral reef

Fiji

sea-level change

radiocarbon dating

coastal zone

This study sought to understand why/when sand islands formed off the north coast of Viti Levu Island (Fiji), how they subsequently developed, and what is likely to happen to them in future. During fieldwork in 2010 and 2016, six groups of sand islands were mapped and their sub-surface stratigraphy analysed; radiocarbon ages were obtained for 16 samples. All islands rise from emerged bevelled reefal platforms 0.55 m below msl on average. Radiocarbon ages from sediments overlying these platforms suggest they emerged above low-tide level around AD 1300. Once emerged, mangroves and/or seagrass beds developed on platform surfaces, allowing sediment to accumulate. Interior sand islands developed and grew to occupy most of the emerged platforms, pushing mangroves and seagrasses to their margins. Recent sea-level rise has seen island shorelines recede; Severe Tropical CycloneWinston (February 2016) caused profound changes to the form of some and led to deposition of rubble banks along their fringes. This study contributes evidence for the origin, development and likely prospects of such sand islands under a changing climate. It has implications for the future sustainability of coastal ecosystems in such regions and for the livelihoods of the peoples who depend upon them.

Details

Title: Origin, development and prospects of sand islands off the north coast of Viti Levu Island, Fiji, Southwest Pacific
Authors: Patrick Nunn (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Michelle McKeown (Author) - Landcare Research, New Zealand
Adrian B McCallum (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Peter G Davies (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Eleanor John (Author) - Cardiff University, United Kingdom
Reemal Chandra (Author) - University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Frank R Thomas (Author) - University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Sharon N Raj (Author) - Fiji National University, Fiji
Publication details: Journal of Coastal Conservation, Vol.23(6), pp.1005-1018
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1007/s11852-019-00707-w
ISSN: 1400-0350
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450660502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Environmental Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Water Resources

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