The environment of Nauru, a raised atoll located in the central Pacific Ocean (0° 32′ S, 166° 56′ W), was
devastated by mining of phosphate “rock” during the twentieth century. Some 100 million tonnes of
phosphate material has been removed, leaving more than 80% of the island as a dolomite
pinnacle–dominated karrenfeld. Based on fieldwork examining sites unmined at that time, laboratory
studies on undisturbed profiles, aerial photographs, and old mining maps, a picture of what the soil
Radio Interview:
Alex Feary is a NZ ecologist that undertook his Masters dissertation on field work in Nauru. The masters was for Victoria University, New Zealand. He particularly noted the abundance of invasive species and the need to manage them.
The restoration of Nauru’s mined areas is fundamental to the future wellbeing of the people and ecosystems of Nauru. Extensive open cast phosphate mining on Nauru over the last 100 years has led to soil losses and landscape degradation to the extent that over 70% of this South-Western Pacific island state is now uninhabitable and almost all productive land has been lost.
Provide images and an insight into the life of Nauruans during the early period of contact with outsiders.
Journal article: Journal of Geography (1951) vol. 50
Government Report to UNCCD - prepared by the Dept. Economic Development and Environment. 2003
Report by the Nauru Historical Committee
Article
An essay by Nancy Viviani
9 page report to the UNCCC
Project Administration Manual (Report)
Copy of a paper published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
Powerpoint presentation (pdf) by Makereta Lomaloma of the Economic Development Division, SPC
Nauru's Roadmap. 48 p publication.
Publication produced with support from the European Union and the German Government (GIZ).
Publication by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment 2009
Report undertaken by SPC, GIZ and IRENA
Summary downloaded from IRENA
Publication by IRENA (28 pages)
Report by ISA still in draft. 25pages.