{
  "id": 14504789,
  "title": "Removing rats and restoring native plants could help atolls withstand rising seas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/removing-rats-and-restoring-native-plants-could-help-atolls-withstand",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-14T18:00:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-rats-native-atolls-seas.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study suggests that removing rats and restoring native plants could help low-lying tropical atoll islands withstand sea-level rise. As global temperatures continue to rise, sea levels are projected to increase, threatening these vulnerable island ecosystems, particularly those in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Researchers from Lancaster University and other institutions found that seabird nutrient flows and healthy seabird populations are crucial for the resilience of atoll islands to sea-level rise. By eliminating invasive rats and replanting native vegetation, these atoll islands may be able to keep pace with projected sea-level rises by the end of the century under a 2°C warming scenario. Seabirds play a vital role in recycling nutrients from the open ocean to the islands, while native vegetation helps stabilize island soils and sediment. The combined effect of these factors can significantly enhance reef growth and sediment production, potentially offsetting the effects of rising sea levels.",
  "summary": "Protecting seabirds and restoring natural vegetation could give low-lying tropical atoll islands a fighting chance against the threat of sea-level rise, a new study reveals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}