In contrast the vegetation of Bikini and Eneu is presently very well developed, healthy, and dominated by coconut (Cocos) groves planted during the Japanese era or the earlier atoll cleanup effort. Since the evacuation of the islanders from the islands in 1978, shrubs (especially Scaevola), vines, and weeds are beginning to take over much of the open space on both islands, including the spaces between adjacent coconut trees. A number of ornamental and cultivated species also occur primarily on Bikini Island, and the exotic legume tree (Leucaena) has spread rapidly over much of the southern half of the Bikini IsTand. Vegetation on the small islets between Bikini and Eneu Islands (Eonjebi, Enaelo, Iomeler, and Bokantauk) is very poorly developed or jacking altogether due to the probable instability and low elevations of these islets. The northern islets (Aonen, Lomilik, Odrik, Iroij, and Nam) are larger and have greater vegetational development, but diversity is low (dominated by Scaevola and Messerschmidia), and mature stands of forest trees are rare and confined to Nam. The elevation of the northern islets is low and periodic inundation by waves may keep vegetation development at a low level. Two small islets referred to in the 1954 U.S. Geological Survey chart on Bikini as Bokonejien and Bokobyaadaa were destroyed, and it appears that the western end of Nam islet was also destroyed by nuclear weapons testing in the early 1950's based upon a comparison of the old chart to recent aerial photographs. The destruction of course prevented recovery of vegetation and probably postponed vegetational recovery on the rest of Nam and perhaps other islets to the north. C. MARINE BIOLOGY. The lagoon reefs of the atoll have been disturbed by past weapons testing and recent storm activity. No ocean reefs were surveyed due to logistical constraints and the presence of many aggressive sharks, primarily grey reef Sharks. However, considerable historical information on the corals and reefs of Bikini are described in Wells (1954). The lagoon reefs and nearshore . marine areas off the southern islands exhibited healthy coral and reef fish populations, except the lagoon sides of intact causeways which block water circulation from the ocean side and the sites of craters created during weapons testing. Sone coral and fish recolonization has occurred in the smaller craters, but little marine life was observed in the fringes of larger craters. Thick sediment deposits and beaches have formed on the sides of some causeways built many years ago, displacing previously existing reef life. The reefs and large craters in the vicinity of Eneman, Nam, and Aomen Islets have been heavily disturbed and show little sign of recovery or recolonization; much of the disturbance was obviously attributed to nuclear tests in the area (the George - Fox Series near the northern islets and other tests near the southern islets). Reef flats both upstream and downstream of "BRAVO" Crater and adjacent to other craters near the Aomen - Bwikor Islets show only partial coral recovery (10% coverage by Acropora, Pavona, Pocillopora and Porites), a few giant clams (Tridacna), and reduced populations of reef fishes. Furthermore, the zone of impact extends at least a mile or more on the downstream side of BRAVO Crater (to the outer ocean reef edge and limit of the survey), and no recovery of any consequence has occurred within 400 m of the craters. Some recovery of the reefs off the west side of Aomen was observed, but little healthy reef habitat was observed near Nam. 5000139. E-6