Pacific coral reef islands are considered to be among the most vulnerable places on earth to sea level increases. Has their overall area decreased over the past several decades?
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A 2010 paper in the journal Global and Planetary Change found that the combined area of 27 central Pacific coral reef islands studied over 19 to 61 year periods increased by 7%. Among these 27 islands, 86% remained stable or increased in area. Per the paper, the "results of this study contradict widespread perceptions that all reef islands are eroding in response to recent sea level rise."
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