Environment


Photos
Zoology
Botany
Geology
Climatology
 
Photos

Photo essays showing the atoll world of the Marshalls.

Atolls and their Formation

Nadikdik (Knox) Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of the beach formation as well as a panoramic view of the lagoon at low tide
Mejatto Island, Kwajalein Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes aerial photos of the island
The Environment of Mejatto Island, Kwajalein Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of beachrock formations, old shore lines, as well as vegetation patterns.
The Environment of Mile Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of beachrock formations, various plants as well as vegetation patterns.
Aerial Views of Kwajalein Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of Kwajalein, Ebadon, and Mejatto.
Aerial Photos of Majuro ("Laura") Island, Majuro Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
 
Zoology

The low-lying nature of the islands limits the extent of the terrestrial fauna. Bird-life, however, is abundant. Find out about the mammals, reptiles, birds and fish of the Marshall Islands.

Marshallese Naming of Birds
compiled and edited by Dirk H.R. Spennemann
As with many traditional cultures, the Marshallese view of the avifauna can be split into two categories: those birds either edible or useful, and those birds with are neither.
The occurrence of owls in the Marshall Islands
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus) are capable of crossing long stretches of open water and have been successful colonisers of islands. In the Central Pacific two established populations (on Hawaiˇi and on Pohnpei in Micronesia) seem to be the foci of repeated dispersal events. The paper reviews the historic and linguistic record for the occurrence of owls on the scattered atolls of the Marshall Islands, the easternmost group of Micronesia
Notes on the Avifauna of Ebon Atoll, Marshall Islands
by Dirk HR Spennemann and Hemley Benjamin
The avifauna of Ebon Atoll, the southernmost atoll of the Republic of the Marshall Islands is reviewed, using modern sightings as well as historical and modern records. The species variety is found more abundant than so far reported.
Holocanthus diacanthus
former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg)-- Type Specimens of Fishes
Lethurus bonhamensis
former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg)-- Type Specimens of Fishes, collected by Johann Kubary (?) at Jaluit
Naseus vlamingii
former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg)-- Type Specimens of Fishes, collected by Johann Kubary (?) at Jaluit
Apogon graeffii
former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg) -- Type Specimens of Fishes, collected by Johann Kubary (?) at Majuro
Serramus medurensis
former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg)-- Type Specimens of Fishes, collected by Johann Kubary (?) at Majuro
Zanchus cornutus
former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg)-- Type Specimens of Fishes, collected by Johann Kubary (?)
 
Botany

The atolls of the Marshall Islands are very low lying and have little soil and limited reliable rainfall suitable for supporting vegetation. As a result the range of vegetation is limited. Find out about the plants and the uses the Marshallese had for them.

Plants and their uses in the Marshalls -- Medicinal Plants
compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann
Table of plants, their Marshallese names and their traditional uses as medicinal plants
Plants and their uses in the Marshalls -- Food Plants
compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann
Table of plants, their Marshallese names and their traditional uses as food plants
Plants and their uses in the Marshalls -- Plants used for construction and tools
compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann
Table of plants, their Marshallese names and their traditional uses for house and boat construction as well as the manufacture of tools
Colonising Coconuts--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Plants in the Marshall Islands--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Traditional utilization of Mangroves in the Marshall Islands
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Mangroves are shoreline plants thriving in brackish seawater. Traditionally, the wood and the propagules were used for various purposes. Mangroves, mainly Brugiera sp. were planted by the Marshallese for coastal protection and the consolidation of newly created land.
 
Geology

The Marshall Islands are made up of atolls and raised coralline islands. Find out about the origin of atolls and the nature of island formation.

Atolls and their Formation

Nadikdik (Knox) Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of the beach formation as well as a panoramic view of the lagoon at low tide
Mejatto Island, Kwajalein Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes aerial photos of the island
The Environment of Mejatto Island, Kwajalein Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of beachrock formations, old shore lines, as well as vegetation patterns.
The Environment of Mile Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of beachrock formations, various plants as well as vegetation patterns.
Aerial Views of Kwajalein Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Includes photos of Kwajalein, Ebadon, and Mejatto.
Aerial Photos of Majuro ("Laura") Island, Majuro Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
The waves of 1979. Erosion on Majuro Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
The waves of 1989. Erosion on Majuro ("Laura") Island, Majuro Atoll--A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Gifts from the waves.
A case of marine transport of obsidian to Nadikdik Atoll and the occurrence of other drift material in the Marshall Islands.
Johnstone Centre of Parks, Recreation and Heritage Report Vol. 23. Johnstone Centre of Parks, Recreation and Heritage, Charles Sturt University: Albury, NSW
by Dirk HR Spennemann
 
Climatology

The climate of the Marshall Islands is oceanic. Typhoons are rare. But because of the low-lying nature of the islands, when typhoons do strike,they are devastating...

Non-traditional settlement patterns and typhoon hazard on contemporary Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Recalling the Typhoon of 30 June 1905 and its aftermath
by Dirk HR Spennemann
Stormy Years. On the Association between the El Niño/Southern Oscillation phenomenon
and the occurrence of typhoons in the Marshall Islands
by Dirk HR Spennemann and G Marschner
An analysis of the historic record of typhoons in the Marshall Islands has identified a significant association between the occurrence of the El Ničo/Southern oscillation phenomenon (ENSO) and the occurrence of typhoons in the Marshall Islands. Whilst typhoons normally occur further to the east, the warming of the ocean waters around the Marshall Islands, as part of the ENSO phenomenon, generates typhoons further to the west.
The results suggest that typhoons are 2.6 times more likely to occur during ENSO years, with a 71% chance of a typhoon striking during an ENSO year, and only a 26% chance of one happening during a non-ENSO year. This has implications for planning and public safety, which the relevant authorities may wish to take note of.
[PDF document, Full text, download here (675 kb)]
Hindcasting the Effects of Typhoons in Micronesia using German Colonial Records (Web-based Presentation)
by Dirk HR Spennemann
WARNING:
The slide show is quite heavy on images, some of which may be slow to load.

 

Digital Micronesia-An Electronic Library & Archive is provided free of charge as an advertising-free information service for the world community. It is being maintained by Dirk HR Spennemann, Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage Management, Institute of Land, Water and Society and School of Environmental & Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. The server space and technical support are provided by Charles Sturt University as part of its commitment to regional engagement. Environmental SciencesInformation Sciences

© Dirk Spennemann 1999– 2005
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