UNESCO's water family
Resources
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| Title |
Small tropical islands - water resources of paradises lost
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| Series |
IHP Humid Tropics Programme Series
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| Serial Number |
N° 2
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| Project |
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| Authors |
A.C. Falkland
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| Publication Date |
1992
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| Volume |
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| Abstract |
Small islands, especially those situated far from continents or other large islands, are physically, demographically and economically different. Their limited size, their shortage of natural resources (arable land, fresh water, minerals and conventional energy sources), their isolation, the widespread nature of their territories, and their exposure to natural disasters can make the hydrological and water resource problems of these islands very serious.
Most small islands have few or no permanent streams or lakes. Their groundwater is also in limited supply. In the small low-lying islands, such as the many coral atolls and limestone islands, what groundwater they posses is a thin layer of freshwater “floating” on top of the sea water. Both the surface water and groundwater resources of small islands can be polluted from urbanization, agricultural activities, mining and the clearing of forests. The document summarizes for the non-technically educated readers the factors which can determine whether or not the problems can be lessened, including an examination of the physical structure of the tropical small islands.
(48 pages)
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| Availability |
Available
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| Languages |
English
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| Keywords |
small islands, humid tropics, coral atolls, volcanic islands, groundwater, surface water, geophysical techniques, pollution, natural disasters, water supply, catchment protection, legislation, research needs, training needs
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| Full text |
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UNESCO.ORG
