Week+1+Mission

Recommendations regarding possible locations for human settlement
Team Viva Island has worked together to research and explore the information available. Our mission was to make recommendations of which location would be best suited for a settlement. As a group we formulated key questions which we based our recommendations on. We documented our research and decided on the ideal location for settlement, which has appropriate environment conditions, access to food supplies and building materials.



1. What materials are available on the island to harvest for timber (and building supplies), which can be used for infrastructure?

Considering that the island in question has a rainforest, it would not be such a great issue to obtain materials suitable for infrastructure. Timber and ferns would be ideal for infrastructure and fortunately the island is in abundance of these materials. The discovery of the breadfruit tree is a great positive in the infrastructure section. Its lightweight wood is resistant to termites hence it is an ideal material for infrastructure. Red cedar wood and tapau are also very valuable in terms of building material. On this island, we will have no shortage of building materials; suitable woods, ferns and vines can be found all over the island.

2. What natural food supplies are available, research into seasonal growth and soil quality for harvesting crops?

Another fortunate factor from the island is that there appears to be a great number and variety of natural food supplies available. Papaya, banana, yam, cassava, bromeliads (pineapple) and a variety number of fig trees have all been found on the island. This is a positive start to a new colony on the island knowing that there is natural food supplies available. The discovery of the natural food supplies on the island tell us another important fact; It tells us that the soil quality is good enough to harvest crops since there is already growing food present. Obviously different types of food require different types of soils hence research is required to determine which types of soils could grown which types of crops. Seasonal growth could be a slight issue. Most of these crops don't grow all year long. To counter this issue, a storage plan must be put in place to store crops when not used. A positive is that there will always be some crops growing at every stage of the year. The abundant supply of sea life in the waters off the island is a major positive for the colony. This supply will be present all year around. Setting up the colony somewhat close to the waters off the island is a must for this particular reason.

There is no red meat or poultry supplies so research needs to be undertaken into introducing live stock on the island. There must be great research undertaken in this area as the livestock that will be introduced into the eco system need to have minimal impact on the food chain of the island. Also the natural food supplies for the newly introduced species need to be explored and readily available on arrival. We also need to consider the multiple uses of the animals. Some livestock that has been considered: Cows- Milk, meat, leather Chickens- feathers, eggs, poultry Sheep- wool, meat Goat- milk, meat

3.How many people can inhabit the island for optimum sustainability living?

This question is hard to answer at this stage. It is still unknown what kind of state the island is in and what living-necessities are available, and in how much of. Everything starts off small. With great material availiable for infrastructure and an abundance in food supplies the Island seems to be a good place for human civilazation. If we look towards the future of the island after civilization has commenced, the island would have an area of about 2000km² suitable for living. In this area, you could have an estimate population of 100,000 people.

4.What area of the island would be the most suitable for settlement?

As you can see in the above image the most suitable areas of the island are clearly stamped. The reason for choosing the six areas in which we did were for a number of different reasons which are also stated. Whilst trying to figure out where exactly on the island was the most suitable to place our settlements a number of issues arose in which needed to be considered and taken into account, for example it was important for us to ensure that where we placed the settlement they had access to food, water, shelter and materials to build housing or make clothes. After looking at all of these factors closely we cam up with the above answers and are certain that the areas marked are the most suitable for life on the island.

5.What are the natural barriers of the island tides, animals, land and not suitable for infrastructure?

Since the island is located in the pacific, it needs to be noted that the tides of the ocean are a factor which is needed to be considered. The plan to set up colony on higher grounds should wipe out the islands tides issue. It is yet unknown what kind of animals have made this island their home as well. Protection devices and traps could be a possible outcome to this issue. Safety is a major factor and precautions against wild animals attacking must be taken. It has been noted that the western side of the island would not be suitable for infrastructure due to its high winds and wet nature. The west side of the island is also a condensed area of forest which would make infrastructure hard to build on. Other sites of the island might have to have some sort of soil testing to see if the area is suitable for infrastructure.