Panoramic view of the oceanside on the eastern (windward) rim of Mile Atoll. The rubble reef platform as well as the boulder rampart are clearly visible. The coastline shows all the hallmarks of a high energy beach environment. Note the large coral boulders that are thrown up during storm events.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Panoramic view of the oceanside on the western (leeward) rim of Mile Atoll between two islets. Note the smaller size of the coral rubble, as well as the small strandwall and the line of germination washed-up coconuts.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The oceanside on the eastern (windward) rim of Mile Atoll. Note the large coral boulders that are thrown up during storm events
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

An emerging islet at the node point of waves and currents, just inside the pass at Tokowa Islet. At present nothing but coral rubble has accumulated. The islet is awash at high tide.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The oceanside on the western (leeward) rim of Mile Atoll at high tide.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The lagoon side of Ebadon islet, which had been cleared in the mid 1980s for the construction of an airstrip (which never eventuated). The area has revegatated by natural coloniasation. Note the thicket of Scaevola sericea and isolated washed-up and germinated coconuts. The coconut trunks lying on the beach are the remains of plams pushed over during vegetation clearing.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The lagoon side of Ebadon islet, which had been cleared in the mid 1980s for the construction of an airstrip (which never eventuated). The coconut trunks lying on the beach are the remains of plams pushed over during vegetation clearing
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Coastal wash zone on Nelu Island, Mile Atoll. Note the dense row of washed-up coconuts in verious states of germination nad growth.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Dense row of washed-up coocnuts on the ocean beach of Garu Island, Mile Atoll, in various stages of germaniation
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Vegetation of the interior of Mile Island. Note the coconut palms and scattered Pandanus tectorius over the dense ground cover of ferns.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Northern tip of MIle Island, looking north. Note the narrowing sand cover and the tip made up solely of coral rubble, indicating a higher wave energy environment. A few washed-up and germinating coconuts can be seen in the foreground.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Northern tip of Mile Island, looking south. Note the washed-up and germinated coconuts as well as the commencing colonisation by Scaevola sericea andTournefortia argentea
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Germinating washed-up coconuts among Vigna marina creepers on the lagoonal shore of Mile Island (looking south from a point near the northern tip)
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Coconut thicket on Arbar Islet. Note the comparatively young age of the coconuts (as evidenced by their low height) and the moist soil. A large number of coconuts that failed to germinate can be seen on the ground.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The oceanside on the eastern (windward) rim of Mile Atoll. Note the coral rubble. The beach vegetation comprises of a Scaevoloa sericea thicket with a few esablished coconut palms protruding.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Lagoonal beach of Mile Island, look south from an area near the tip. Note the lines of debris washed up by the tides, as well as the rows of germinated coconuts above the high tide mark.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

A tidal swamp in the interior of Mile Island, photographed at low tide. Note the open coconut shrubland in the foreground, with a ground cover of ferns. Much of the vegetation bordering the swamp is made up of Pemphis acidula.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

A dryland taro patch under beadfruit on Mile Island.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Swamp taro on Mile Island.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Thicket of Tacca leontopetaloides (mõkmõk) growing on Lukunor Island, Mile Atoll
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Tacca leontopetaloides growing on Lukunor Island, Mile Atoll, showing a rust infestation
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of Tacca leontopetaloides growing on Lukunor Island, Mile Atoll, showing a rust infestation
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)