the Motu

The motu (meaning "island" or "small island" in Polynesian languages) refers to individual landmasses within atoll formations, typically consisting of a coral reef encircling a lagoon. These motu are often sandy, low-lying islands that emerge from the reef and can support vegetation and some human activity. They serve as important habitats for wildlife, nesting sites for seabirds, and sometimes as locations for local communities. The motu are integral to the geography and ecology of atolls, illustrating the dynamic relationship between coral reef systems and land formation in tropical marine environments.