August 17, 1964 (cont.)
Gessel--completed work 8/18/64--this note represents a summary of observations; data analysis must await material processing.
l.

Bikini soils are potentially very productive--high
organic content after even severe disturbances.

2.

Present plant population is vigorous and generally shows
little evidence of deficiencies.

3.

Most of the island is in a secondary succession as coconut and grass vegetation is gone.

Scaevola,

Cordia now

dominant.
4.

Plant and soil insect life seem to be normal.

5.

One well produced adequate supply of potable water.

Fresh water lens is apparently a good one.
6.

Other factors being favorable,

Bikini Island could be

made into a productive island.
Bonham--—-Observations on invertebrates were made in the Lagoon

and on the reef flat.

The ocean reef appeared almost devoid of

invertebrate life over a region 1/2 to 5/6 of the way from the
beach slope to surge channels.
Heliopora,

a few

dominated the

Coral heads with fringing growth of

(about 1/1000 £t*)

T.

crocea up to 6"

long, pre-

inner third of the reef flat where the water was

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