Who is he?
Senior Researcher, Biodiversity Assessment and Projection Section, Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies.
Did we speak with him?
No.
Nationality:
Japanese.
Important Publications/Articles on Tuvalu:
Paper “Atoll island vulnerability to flooding and inundation revealed by historical reconstruction: Fongafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu”, click here.
What methods does he use?
In his study of Tuvalu, Yamano reconstructed the topography of the islands using aerial photography and maps as well as population censuses and historical literature. To fully understand the vulnerability of the islands, he believes it is necessary to establish how they have changed over history. Only then can the possibility of useful action be explored.
His take on the controversy:
Yamano believes that reefs islands such as Tuvalu are highly vulnerable to elevated sea levels. He maintains that this vulnerability is linked to the changes to its original landform characteristics that were prompted by human activity (population increase, irresponsible construction, mining, etc).