DOCSLIB.ORG

Cruise Report Tuamotus & Line Islands

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Cruise Report Tuamotus & Line Islands August 21 – September 2, 2017 Contributing Authors Dr. Stuart Sandin1 Dr. Brian Zgliczynski1 Lindsay Bonito1 1Scripps Institution of Oceanography www.100islandchallenge.org Report prepared on 22 August 2017 1 Expedition Team Scripps Institution of Oceanography Dr. Stuart Sandin, Professor Dr. Brian Zgliczynski, Postdoctoral Researcher Nicole Pedersen, Staff Researcher Chris Sullivan, Staff Researcher Waitt Institute Joe Lepore, Diving Safety Officer Shayna Brody, Social Media & Outreach, Photographer Cook Islands Korero O Te 'Orau Dr. Teina Ronga, Marine Ecologist James Kora, Research Assistant Center for Insular Research and Observatory of the Environment (CRIOBE) Charlotte Moritz, Postdoctoral Research Scholar The Nature Conservancy Hank Lynch, Scientific Diver 2 Executive Summary Members of the 100 Island Challenge team (Nicole Pederson, Chris Sullivan, Stuart Sandin, and Brian Zgliczynski) returned from an expedition this past August to survey coral reefs at a subset of atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, as well as re-visit several islands in the Southern Line Islands, Republic of Kiribati. This expedition was supported by the Waitt Institute and represented a collaborative effort between the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Waitt Institute, Center for Insular Research and Observation of the Environment (CRIOBE - French Polynesia), Korero O Te ‘Orau - Cook Islands, and The Nature Conservancy – Hawaii. The goal of the 14-day expedition was to characterize coral reef communities as part of the 100 Island Challenge. The coral reefs of the Tuamotu Archipelago and Southern Line Islands are remote and relatively free of direct human influence. Therefore, they provide researchers with an opportunity to study intact ecosystems with thriving coral and fish communities. Although this was the first opportunity to visit sites in the Tuamotus as part of the 100 Island Challenge, our team has conducted multiple survey efforts to the Southern Line Islands over the past several years. This expedition was particularly important because it provided our team with an opportunity to investigate the status of coral reefs of the region in conjunction with reports of widespread coral bleaching across the Pacific. By establishing new survey sites and re-visiting long-term sites are team will contextualize changes in coral reef communities through time and gain invaluable information on how these diverse ecosystems respond to recent warm water events. The team was excited to visit these sites but there was some apprehension over what they would find. Would the coral reefs of these islands be another casualty of the global mass-bleaching event? Upon entering the water, the team was filled with mixed emotions. Preliminary observations revealed that the reefs had been impacted by the warm water events. However, the magnitude appeared to be species-specific and variable across islands. For example, fast growing species appeared to be hit the hardest while slower-growing species appeared to be impacted to a lesser extent. While the observed mortality was discouraging the team was excited to see evidence of recovery and regrowth. Corals that had recently died were being overgrown with coralline algae, an important reef builder that strengthens the reef and provides substrate for new corals to settle and attach. Additionally, the team observed healthy populations of reef fishes including predatory species like jacks, snappers, and sharks as well as abundant populations of smaller-bodied species that are important food sources for predators. Overall, the expedition represented a successful collaborative effort and the team gained valuable insight into the structure and function of coral reefs in the two regions. During the 14-day expedition, the team conducted over 300 scientific dives across 8 islands (Millennium, Flint, Vostok, Takapoto, Tikehau, Rangiroa). These dives were comprised of 47 total photomosaic benthic surveys (14 resurveys of permanent sites) and 59 reef fish surveys. This high level of productivity could not have been possible without the hard work and efficiency of the crew of the Plan B. 3 100 Island Challenge Description: This research initiative employs novel approaches for studying coral reef community dynamics through the application of underwater photomosaic technology. Working with colleagues from the University of Miami, we have built a camera system that allows us to capture images of large swaths of the reef surface. Further, by re- visiting exact locations multiple times and replicating photography, we have an unprecedented opportunity to track the dynamics of corals and algae. In particular, with advanced image analysis, we can track how a reef community changes, addressing questions of coral growth, death, and competition that are currently unresolved. We have field-trialed this photomosaic equipment and are developing a reliable image analysis protocol. We are now poised to apply this tool to generate the large-scale data of reef community dynamics that have to date been unavailable. Further, by combining these image-based data with reliable information about the composition of the fish community, the general oceanography, and the human situation of each location, we can begin to elucidate the conditions that are more (or less) conducive to the maintenance of growing and so-called ‘healthy’ coral reefs. Application to French Polynesia & Line Islands: By linking the fates of these reefs to the oceanographic conditions and to the local activities of people, we will be able to start understanding cause-and- effect pathways for reef change. Given that local-scale marine managers consistently seek information on the ‘state’ of their coral reef, looking for comparisons to help guide local management. Further, by making the data that describe each reef readily available and easy to visualize, there is a terrific opportunity to increase the dialogue between the science and management communities, as well as independently among the managers looking for tangible information to improve their self-management. By working side-by- side with regional managers and partners in local NGOs (e.g., the Nature Conservancy, Conservation International), we will expand the scientific insights into the state and future of their reef areas. For more information, visit www.100islandchallenge.org 4 Tuamotus & Line Islands Background Figure 1. Map of French Polynesia & Line Islands. The Tuamotu archipelago is a French Polynesian chain of almost 80 islands and atolls with a land area of 850 km2 and 16,000 inhabitants. Its major islands are Anaa, Fakarava, Hao and Makemo. The Line Islands is a chain of 11 atolls (with partially or fully enclosed lagoons) and coral islands (with a surrounding reef) spanning 2,350 kilometres. Of the 11 islands/atolls, 8 form part of Kiribati, while the remaining 3 are United States territories grouped with the United States Minor Outlying Islands. Only Kiritimati and Tabuaeran atolls and Teraina Island have a permanent population. 5 Survey Metadata Table 1. Sites surveyed to assess fish and benthic communities in 2017. Local Area Data Island Station ID Date Latitude Longitude Habitat Mosaic Divers1 Fish Divers1 Time (m2) Collected2 Tikehau TIK 29 2017-08-21 8:30 -14.98673 -148.27971 100 Forereef CS, NP, TR, JK NA M Tikehau TIK_31 2017-08-21 10:50 -14.97581 -148.27463 100 Forereef CS, NP, TR, JK NA M Tikehau TIK_33 2017-08-21 13:20 -14.94565 -148.24799 100 Forereef CS, NP, TR, JK NA M, T Tikehau TIK_30 2017-08-21 8:30 -14.97896 -148.27632 100 Forereef NA BZ, SAS, HL, CM F, B Tikehau TIK_32 2017-08-21 11:06 -14.95968 -148.26324 100 Forereef NA BZ, SAS, HL, CM F, B Tikehau TIK_34 2017-08-21 13:21 -14.93361 -148.23050 100 Forereef NA BZ, SAS, HL, CM F, B Tikehau TIK_24 2017-08-22 8:40 -15.10787 -148.25697 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M Tikehau TIK_25 2017-08-22 8:45 -15.09092 -148.26892 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Tikehau TIK_26 2017-08-22 10:40 -15.07326 -148.27898 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M, T Tikehau TIK_27 2017-08-22 11:00 -15.05541 -148.28696 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Tikehau TIK_28 2017-08-22 13:10 -15.03591 -148.29088 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M, T Tikehau TIK_CRIOBE 2017-08-22 13:20 -15.01405 -148.28525 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Millennium MIL_C24 2017-08-24 8:30 -10.01105 -150.23424 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Millennium MIL_C1 2017-08-24 8:30 -10.00463 -150.23869 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M Millennium MIL_16 2017-08-24 10:45 -9.99833 -150.23634 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Millennium MIL_C25 2017-08-24 10:30 -9.99193 -150.23393 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M Millennium MIL_05 2017-08-24 13:30 -9.98814 -150.23267 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Station ID Local Area Data Island Date Latitude Longitude Habitat Mosaic Divers1 Fish Divers1 Time (m2) Collected2 Millennium MIL 06 2017-08-24 12:30 -9.97930 -150.22855 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M, T Millennium MIL_C7 2017-08-25 8:30 -9.93995 -150.21213 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M Millennium MIL_04 2017-08-25 10:05 -9.95014 -150.21541 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M Millennium MIL_02 2017-08-25 12:45 -9.95460 -150.21555 100 Forereef NP, TR SAS, HL F, B, M, T Millennium MIL_C8 2017-08-25 8:30 -9.92806 -150.21010 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Millennium MIL_C5 2017-08-25 11:00 -9.96098 -150.21771 100 Forereef CS, JK BZ, CM F, B, M, 360 Millennium MIL_01 2017-08-25 13:00 -9.97102
Recommended publications
  • Zion in Paradise

    Zion in Paradise

    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU Faculty Honor Lectures Lectures 5-1-1959 Zion in Paradise S. George Ellsworth Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honor_lectures Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Ellsworth, S. George, "Zion in Paradise" (1959). Faculty Honor Lectures. Paper 24. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honor_lectures/24 This Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Lectures at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Honor Lectures by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TWENTY-FIRST FACULTY HONOR LECTURE Zion • Paradise EARLY MORMONS IN THE SOUTH SEAS by S. GEORGE ELLSWORTH Associate Professor of History THE FACULTY ASSOCIATION UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY LOGAN UTAH 1959 CONTENTS page THE IDEA OF CONVERSION ............................................................ 3 THE EARLY EXPANSION OF MORMONISM ................................ 4 EARLY MORMONS IN THE SOUTH SEAS .................................... 6 From Nauvoo to Tubuai, 1843-1844 ................................................ 6 The English and the French in Tahiti ................. .. ....................... 7 The Mormons at Tahiti, 1844 ........................................................ 9 First stronghold on Tubuai, 1844-1845 ........................................ 10 From Tahiti . ....... .. ........ ..... ........ ........................................................
  • Ancient Magic and Religious Trends of the Rāhui on the Atoll of Anaa, Tuamotu Frédéric Torrente

    Ancient Magic and Religious Trends of the Rāhui on the Atoll of Anaa, Tuamotu Frédéric Torrente

    2 Ancient magic and religious trends of the rāhui on the atoll of Anaa, Tuamotu Frédéric Torrente This paper is based on vernacular material that was obtained from one of the last of the ancient vanaga, masters of pre-Christian lore, Paea-a-Avehe, of Anaa1 Island. Introduction Throughout the last century, in the Tuamotuan archipelago, the technical term rāhui has been applied to ‘sectors’ (secteurs): specified areas where the intensive monoculture of the coconut tree was established, at that time and still today, according to the principle of letting these areas lie fallow between periods of cropping. The religious reasons for this method have been forgotten. The link between Christian conversion and the development of coconut plantations has changed the Tuamotuan atoll’s landscape through the introduction 1 Anaa is the Tahitian name of this atoll (‘Ana’a). In Tuamotuan language, it should be noted ‘Ganaa’ or ‘Ganaia’. This atoll is situated in western Tuamotu, in the Putahi or Parata linguistic area. 25 THE RAHUI of new modes of land occupation and resource management. In old Polynesia, the political and the religious were intertwined, as well as man and his symbolic and ritual environment. Political and social aspects are studied elsewhere in this book. This essay considers the religious and ritual picture of pre-European life on the islands, and shows how religious concepts influenced man in his environment. The Tuamotuan group of islands represents the greatest concentration of atolls worldwide; they are a unique, two-dimensional universe, close to water level and lacking environmental features, such as high ground, that could provide a place of refuge.
  • The Effects of the Cyclones of 1983 on the Atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago (French Polynesia)

    The Effects of the Cyclones of 1983 on the Atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago (French Polynesia)

    THE EFFECTS OF THE CYCLONES OF 1983 ON THE ATOLLS OF THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO (FRENCH POLYNESIA) J. F. DUPON ORSTOM (French Institute ofScientific Research for Development through cooperation), 213 Rue Lafayette - 75480 Paris Cedex 10, France Abstract. In the TUAMOTU Archipelago, tropical cyclones may contribute to the destruction as well as to some building up of the atolls. The initial occupation by the Polynesians has not increased the vulnerability of these islands as much as have various recent alterations caused by European influence and the low frequency of the cyclone hazard itself. An unusual series of five cyclones, probably related to the general thermic imbalance of the Pacific Ocean between the tropics struck the group in 1983 and demonstrated this vulnerability through the damage that they caused to the environment and to the plantations and settle­ ments. However, the natural rehabilitation has been faster than expected and the cyclones had a beneficial result in making obvious the need to reinforce prevention measures and the protection of human settle­ ments. An appraisal of how the lack of prevention measures worsened the damage is first attempted, then the rehabilitation and the various steps taken to forestall such damage are described. I. About Atolls and Cyclones: Some General Information Among the islands of the intertropical area of the Pacific Ocean, most of the low-lying lands are atolls. The greatest number of them are found in this part of the world. Most atolls are characterized by a circular string of narrow islets rising only 3 to 10 m above the average ocean level.
  • Makatea: a Site of Major Importance for Endemic Birds English Pdf 1.92

    Makatea: a Site of Major Importance for Endemic Birds English Pdf 1.92

    MAKATEA, A SITE OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE FOR ENDEMIC BIRDS BIODI VERSITY CO NSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 16 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 16 Makatea, a site of major importance for endemic birds Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series is published by: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific) PO Box 2035, Apia, Samoa T: + 685 21593 E: [email protected] W: www.conservation.org The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. Conservation International Pacific Islands Program. 2013. Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 16: Makatea, a site of major importance for endemic birds. Conservation International, Apia, Samoa Author: Thomas Ghestemme, Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie Design/Production: Joanne Aitken, The Little Design Company, www.thelittledesigncompany.com Cover Photograph: Ducula aurorae © T Ghestemme/SOP Series Editor: Leilani Duffy, Conservation International Pacific Islands Program Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. OUR MISSION Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field
  • TAHITI.2016 the Best of the TUOMOTU Archipelago MAY 15-25, 2016

    TAHITI.2016 the Best of the TUOMOTU Archipelago MAY 15-25, 2016

    TAHITI.2016 The Best of the TUOMOTU Archipelago MAY 15-25, 2016 If you have thought of warm crystalline South Pacific Ocean, little sand islets with coconut palms swaying down to the waterline and water to blue it appears electric? Very few of us are immune to this sirens call of French Polynesia’s image – real or imagined - and so these celebrated gems of the South Pacific have become a crossroads for dreamers, adventurers and escapist sharing a common wanderlust. We count ourselves among these folk… following in the wake of Magellan, Cook and Wallis, but by means easier than they could have ever imagined. As a diver, there is also something special beneath the azure surface that beckons, something never painted by Gauguin. In fact, the far-flung waters around French Polynesia are some of the SHARK-iest in the world… and the high voltage diving serves up the kind excitement not every paradise can deliver. The expedition is scheduled for MAY 15-25, a 10 day itinerary starting in the famed atoll of Rangiroa and weather permitting include Tikehau, Apataki, Toau and will end the journey in the stunning atoll of Fakarava. We may also get a chance to stop at a couple of others along the way. The diving is off tenders that transport us to the sites where strong currents can be present. The thrill is not only to witness what gets drawn to these spots but also to ride the crystalline currents without fighting them. Advanced diver and Nitrox certification required to join this trip.
  • The Case of Ahe and Takaroa Atolls and Implications for the Cultured Pearl Industry

    The Case of Ahe and Takaroa Atolls and Implications for the Cultured Pearl Industry

    Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 182 (2016) 243e253 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ecss Revisiting wild stocks of black lip oyster Pinctada margaritifera in the Tuamotu Archipelago: The case of Ahe and Takaroa atolls and implications for the cultured pearl industry * Serge Andrefou et€ a, , Yoann Thomas a, 1, Franck Dumas b,Cedrik Lo c a UMR-9220 ENTROPIE, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, UniversitedelaReunion, CNRS, Noumea, New Caledonia b Ifremer, DYNECO/DHYSED, Plouzane, France c Direction des Ressources Marines et Minieres, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia article info abstract Article history: Spat collecting of the black lip oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) is the foundation of cultured black pearl Received 30 June 2015 production, the second source of income for French Polynesia. To understand spat collecting temporal Received in revised form and spatial variations, larval supply and its origin need to be characterized. To achieve this, it is necessary 14 May 2016 to account for the stock of oysters, its distribution and population characteristics (size distribution, sex- Accepted 19 June 2016 ratio). While the farmed stock in concessions can be easily characterized, the wild stock is elusive. Here, Available online 20 June 2016 we investigate the distribution and population structure of the wild stock of Ahe and Takaroa atolls using fine-scale bathymetry and in situ census data. Stocks were surprisingly low (~666,000 and ~1,030,000 Keywords: Invertebrate population oysters for Ahe and Takaroa respectively) considering these two atolls have both been very successful Aquaculture spat collecting atolls in the past.
  • Rangiroa Destination Guide

    Rangiroa Destination Guide

    Rangiroa Destination Guide Overview of Rangiroa Key Facts Language: Though French is the official language,Tahitian is widely spoken. English also has a fairly strong presence. Passport/Visa: Currency: Electricity: The electric current in most hotels is 220 volts, 60Hz. European-style two-pin plugs, with a round pin plug, are in use. Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Page 1/3 Rangiroa Destination Guide Travel to Rangiroa Health Notes when travelling to Tahiti and French Polynesia Safety Notes when travelling to Tahiti and French Polynesia Customs in Tahiti and French Polynesia Duty Free in Tahiti and French Polynesia Doing Business in Tahiti and French Polynesia Communication in Tahiti and French Polynesia Tipping in Tahiti and French Polynesia Passport/Visa Note Page 2/3 Rangiroa Destination Guide Currency Exchange rate for 1 XPF - CFP Franc 0.01 BMD 0.01 EUR 0.01 USD 0.01 GBP 1.02 JPY 0.01 CAD Bermudan Dollar Euro U.S. Dollar U.K. Pound Sterling
  • Phytoplankton Biomass and Production in Two Tuamotu Atoll Lagoons (French Polynesia)

    Phytoplankton Biomass and Production in Two Tuamotu Atoll Lagoons (French Polynesia)

    MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES l Vol. 145: 133-142, 1996 Published December 31 Mar Ecol Prog Ser Phytoplankton biomass and production in two Tuamotu atoll lagoons (French Polynesia) Lo'ic Charpy * ORSTOM, C.O.M., Traverse de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille. France ABSTRACT Nutnent concentrations, phytoplankton biornass (chlorophyll a, chl a) and prlrnary pro- ductlon (I4Cuptake) were measured over a 5 yr period (1990 to 1994) In the atoll lagoons of Takapoto (4 yr water resldence tlme with pearl oyster aquaculture) and Tlkehau (0 5 yr resldence hme, without pearl oyster but wlth a fishery) French Polynesia In both atolls phosphate and silicate concentrations (0 1 pM PO, and 0 8 pM SOz)were lower Inside the lagoon than in surrounding oceanlc sulfdce waters Picoplankton <l pm dominated phytoplankton blomass (61%) and productivity (55",))In both lagoons Average assimilation numbers were hlgh (13 mg C mg ' chl a h 'j and average chl a doubllng rates of the <l pm fractlon were estimated to be 1 1 and 1 3 d ' in Takapoto and Tikehau respectively Aver- age dally pnmary production dunng the 1991 to 1994 period in Takapoto and Tikehau lagoons was estimated to be 0 8 and 0 7 g C m d.', respectively KEY WORDS: Nutrients. Phytoplankton Production. Pearl oyster. Atoll lagoon French Polynesia INTRODUCTION current environmental conditions with conditions existing before aquaculture began there and to study Atoll lagoons play an important role in the French the biology of the pearl oyster Pinctada marqaritifera. Polynesian economy: cultured pearls from pearl The CYEL program is a continuation of the ATOLL oysters cultured in Tuamotu atoll lagoons are French program (1982 to 1988), with a special focus on the Polynesia's most valuable export.
  • Law of Thesea

    Law of Thesea

    Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Office of Legal Affairs Law of the Sea Bulletin No. 82 asdf United Nations New York, 2014 NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Furthermore, publication in the Bulletin of information concerning developments relating to the law of the sea emanating from actions and decisions taken by States does not imply recognition by the United Nations of the validity of the actions and decisions in question. IF ANY MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THE BULLETIN IS REPRODUCED IN PART OR IN WHOLE, DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN. Copyright © United Nations, 2013 Page I. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA ......................................................... 1 Status of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the Convention and of the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Convention relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks ................................................................................................................ 1 1. Table recapitulating the status of the Convention and of the related Agreements, as at 31 July 2013 ........................................................................................................................... 1 2. Chronological lists of ratifications of, accessions and successions to the Convention and the related Agreements, as at 31 July 2013 .......................................................................................... 9 a. The Convention ....................................................................................................................... 9 b.
  • Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia)

    Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia)

    PART I. ENVIRONMENT AND BIOTA OF THE TIKEHAU ATOLL (TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO, FRENCH POLYNESIA) A. INTES AND B. CAILLART THE REGIONAL BACKGROUND The islands of French Polynesia are scattered throughout a considerable oceanic area located on the eastern boundary of the Indo-Pacific Province. This area stretches from 134"28' W (Temoe Island) to 154"401W longitude (Scilly Island), and from 7"50' S (Motu one Island) to 27"36' S latitude (Xapa Island). Out of the 118 islands constituting French Polynesia, 35 are high volcanic islands and 83 are low-relief islands or atolls. Altogether, the territory of French Polynesia represents an area of 4000 km2 of dry land, 12,000 km2 of lagoonal water and a huge Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 5,500,000 km2 of oceanic water (Gabrie and Salvat, 1985). French Polynesia is divided into five archipelagos all oriented parallel to a northwest- southeast axis (Fig. 1). These are the Society archipelago, the Tuamotu archipelago, the Austral archipelago, the Marquesas archipelago and the Gambier archipelago. The Tuamotu archipelago stretches over a distance of 1800 km. Its 76 atolls cover a total area of 13,500 km2 of which 600 km2 are dry land. GEOLOGY OF THE TUAMOTU ARCHEPELAGO As figured by Montaggioni (1985), the Tuamotu atolls cap the top of cone-like volcanoes which rise steeply from the floor of a huge ridge forming wide shelves ranging in depth from 1,500 to 3,000 rn. Geomorphological and geochronological evidences support the fact that the formation of the Tuamotu chain is much older than that of other neighboring islands of French Polynesia.
  • The Silent Cannon of Takapoto

    The Silent Cannon of Takapoto

    Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation Volume 8 Article 6 Issue 4 Rapa Nui Journal 8#4, December 1994 1994 The iS lent Cannon of Takapoto Leendart Roggeveen Follow this and additional works at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj Part of the History of the Pacific slI ands Commons, and the Pacific slI ands Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation Roggeveen, Leendart (1994) "The iS lent Cannon of Takapoto," Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation: Vol. 8 : Iss. 4 , Article 6. Available at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj/vol8/iss4/6 This Research Report is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Hawai`i Press at Kahualike. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation by an authorized editor of Kahualike. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Roggeveen: The Silent Cannon of Takapoto The Silent Cannon ofTakapoto Leendert Roggeveen The Netherlands In RNJ 8:79-80 I related Gerard Boon's story about the of the visit of the tall ships of Schouten and LeMaire that cannon found on the island Takapoto in the Tuamotus which could not anchor here. Whatever they may have left behind, could conceivably be cannon from the Africaensche Galey. they certainly did not miss any of their cannon when they The Africaensche Galey was the smallest of the three sailed on. ships with which Jacob Roggeveen set out on his voyage in Poort continues his story with the description 'Of the search of the unknown Southland.
  • Atoll Research Bulletin No* 277 Takapoto Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago

    Atoll Research Bulletin No* 277 Takapoto Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago

    ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN NO* 277 TAKAPOTO ATOLL, TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO: TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION AND FLORA BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, DOC., U.S.A. DECEMBER 1983 ~akatopatere Airstrip village Fig. 1. Takapoto Atoll TAKAPOTO ATOLL, TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO: TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION AND FLORA INTRODUCTION The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme of UNESCO, first thought of in 1968, launched in 1970 and endorsed by the Stockholm Conference of 1972, includes a number of scientific projects, of which No. 7 is de- voted to the Ecology and Rational Utilization of Island Ecosystems. All the programmes are to be interdisciplinary and intergovernmental. Among member countries which developed their own national plans within the framework of the separate MAB projects, France drafted a vigorous one in MAB 7 in French Polynesia, under the leadership of Dr. B. Salvat (1977). The French programme includes a detailed study of an atoll, Takapoto in the Tuamotus, and comparison of its ecosystems and their functioning with those of a high island already under scrutiny, Moorea in the Society Islands. Teams of over 40 scientists representing many disciplines visited Takapoto over a period of several years (1974-1976). Several research organisations participated, in some cases bending their own study goals to fit the MAB-7 framework, so that an extensive body of information has become available and lends itself to integration and synthesis. Pre- liminary reports, as well as some final papers have been published. I was already in SE Polynesia in 1974-75 and it was arranged that I would visit Takapoto in Dec. 1974 to study its flora and vegetation.