Tarawa, a Micronesian Atoll.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 70, 1940-41, Page XXXVI

Tarawa, a Micronesian Atoll. Olwyn M. Rutherford. The extreme limitation of the resources of Tarawa, an atoll in the Gilbert Group, was described to provide an example of the simplicity and modification imposed upon a culture by a restricted environment. Shortage of timber and lack of variety in diet have developed ingenuity and ability in the exploitation of limited materials. Coconut and pandanus, which comprise the major part of the scanty vegetation, form an important element in every activity and product in the community. A limited amount of dryland taro is the only cultivated vegetable. Dependence upon the sea for the animal food supply is an important influence in the life of the people. The greatest example of modification is seen in canoe design, which has developed to a stage far beyond that common where large trees are obtainable. Under the stimulus of the necessity of using short, narrow timbers, a boat has been evolved unequalled anywhere in the Pacific for speed and grace.