Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Coral Reef Islands And Their Problems, Peter C. Schroeder

Theses and Major Papers

Small islands and in particular those more or less dependent on their reefs as a resource were often self-contained units, maintaining a fragile equilibrium in which even small changes could and have wrought fatal disturbances. The pressures of the modern world have endangered these vulnerable units economically, socially, and biologically. In all instances the "'population factor has played an important role. Coral reef islands appear to be more susceptible to the side effects of rapidly growing modernization than other types of islands. No clear answer or solution to this problem can be given but recognition of the threats to them …