Rewilding the atoll engine.

Seabirds and native forests enhance atoll resilience by reconnecting ocean, reef, and island processes, strengthening the physical foundations of the system.

• Why it matters: Understanding how natural components like seabirds and forests influence atoll stability is crucial for conservation and ecosystem management, yet their roles are not fully clarified.
• What they did: The study examines the interactions between seabirds, native forests, and atoll processes, emphasizing their contribution to system resilience through ecological reconnection.
• The result: Findings suggest that seabirds and native forests play a key role in reinforcing atoll stability by linking ocean, reef, and island functions, supporting ecosystem resilience.