First (1st) national report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) : Tuvalu

Abstract

Tuvalu's location, small size and remoteness makes it a nation extremely vulnerable to climatic events and human impacts. In recent years, the country has seen the emergence of problems with drought and habitat damage. Although the overall climate is tropical-marine with a mean annual rainfall of 3000 mm at the capital of Funafuti, other islands in the group are experiencing periods of drought, particularly in the north. Problems with drought occur not only because of a lack of rain, but also because of the nature of the coral rubble and sand soils, the complete lack of surface water storage (no rivers, dams or lakes) and the very limited reserves of largely brackish groundwater.