2013-2014

iREi developed data for this NOAA funded project, through Pacific Disaster Center in Hawaii.

This book is a comprehensive portrait of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine environments of Guam. It takes us on a journey from mountaintops to ocean depths and gives an unprecedented depiction of the island’s
astounding natural diversity. The book includes 55 maps showing distribution of different environments; over 250 color photographs of landscapes, flora, and fauna; explanatory and accessible texts written by specialists; glossary of scientific and less familiar terms; and lists of Chamorro names of species and places.

This “Environments of Guam” is an irreplaceable resource for anyone interested in Guam’s natural heritage, a unique outdoors guide, and an illuminating and locally-focused text for earth and life sciences. A must-read for any lover of nature and Guam!

This book was developed together with the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific. It was created by iREi but published by Bess Press. It is distributed by Bess Press. www.besspress.com.

Server Suite: HYDROGUAM.NET. 2009-2013

GIS files, aerial photographs, maps, and other geospatial data have become irreplaceable tools in many applications yet are often difficult to track down and acquire. Working with partners at WERI, we have created a suite of on-line servers for geospatial and other information with a focus on geology, hydrology, and
the environment. These digital resources are now available at a “one-stop shop” accessible through a unified gateway at www. hydroguam.net. The wealth of information contained within is free to download and is copyright-free for fair use.

2012 Workshop, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.

Past and Present of Sorol Atoll
Sorol Atoll was depopulated in the early 20th century as a result of a devastating typhoon that decimated food resources. Since that time, there have been several attempts for resettlement, but none persisted. The final try ended nearly twenty years ago and Sorol has been uninhabited since. The Sorolese people and their descendants live in Yap, Ulithi and other islands. They are a diaspora community without a base population on the home island -- a unique case in the FSM. Our researcher with experience in environmental migration, Ms. Whitney Hoot, has been studying the unique situation of the Sorolesepeople and the challenges they face. As climatic and socioeconomic changes throughout the Pacific affect low island populations, this research could help us understand the environmental and social “tipping point” at which life on an atoll becomes too difficult for people to stay. It can also shed light on the strategies for the preservation of culture, language, and way of life after a group of people has lost the physical connection with their home island. This research is ongoing, but a draft report was presented at the Workshop on the “Shrinking, Sinking, Resurfacing: Small Islands and Natural Hazards in Historical and Current Perspectives” at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.

EGU Conference 2010

2010 has seen continuation of our studies in the Outer Islands -- especially the two key projects focusing on water resources and coastal dynamics. Though research is ongoing, significant data have already been obtained. We presented some of it at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) conference in Vienna, Austria. As the only Western Pacific entity to attend, we introduced the global scientific community to the current socio-environmental situation on Micronesian atolls. Specifically, we presented results of our survey and evaluation of rainwater catchment systems and groundwater wells on Outer Islands of Pohnpei State, and preliminary observations of coastal erosion on low-islands of Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap.

Availability and quality of fresh water on low islands in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is under threat from multiple factors including rapid social and lifestyle changes, fluctuating population sizes, unsustainable development, neglect, pollution, severe weather, and global climate changes. Read more...

View Resources.

2010

Having relied on Geographic Information System (GIS) software in many of our research and educational projects for years, we have come to be an active participant of Micronesian GIS community. Our specialists, Joyce Anson and Peterson Anson, have been tasked with data collection and quality control for the FSM National GIS data clearinghouse. They will also be presenting several GIS education workshops for the interested members of the government, NGOs,and the general public.

COLLECTION BASELINE INFORMATION. 2007.

PROBLEM: No comprehensive hydrologic data is currently available for Micronesian atolls

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2010

Assessment of coastal erosion and quantification of land loss on Western Pacific Atolls during the last 50 years. Presented at European Geosciences Union General Assembly: Vienna, Austria, 2-7 May 2010.

2006

Aerial imagery is an important resource to researchers, managers, planners, and others. In order to facilitate scientific studies and other activities, IREI has produced a comprehensive set of 5,000+ aerial photographs of Guam; and organized them in a digital database search-able by location, place name, or type of feature illustrated. We have released copyright so that images are available to anyone for any noncommercial purpose. The database is accessible on-line and includes IREI’s truly revolutionary creation: compound seamless image of the entire coast of Guam as a single continuous strip that allows on-screen scrolling, zooming, and other surprising capabilities. Access the database at: www.weriguam.org/interface/