Rewilding could help vulnerable islands keep pace with rising seas

Key points

• A new study suggests that rat-free islands with plenty of seabirds have reefs that grow about twice as fast as those on rat-infested islands. Researchers say this growth could closely keep pace with predicted sea-level rises to the end of the century under a 2 degree Celsius warming scenario.
• The study did not directly compare restoration before and after, and its authors say it does not offer a complete solution to global warming.
• Researchers note that restoration can help developed atolls but will not replace the need for engineering solutions.