Uninhabited island
An island with no permanent human population, though people may visit temporarily or use it seasonally.
Island: A piece of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent. An uninhabited island is defined first by being an island.
Nature reserve: A protected area managed to conserve habitats, species, or natural features. Many uninhabited islands are protected as wildlife habitat.
Invasive species: Species introduced beyond their native range that cause ecological, economic, or social harm. Introduced rats, cats, and plants can transform island ecosystems without permanent residents.
Bikini Atoll: An atoll in the Marshall Islands used by the United States for nuclear weapons testing from 1946 to 1958. Its displaced community shows that an island can be uninhabited after human use.
Desert island: An isolated island imagined or used as a place of solitude, often in literature and popular culture. It is a familiar cultural image of an uninhabited island.
Seabird colony: A group of seabirds nesting together at a site, often on an island or coastal cliff. Uninhabited islands can provide nesting sites with few terrestrial predators.
Island restoration: The repair of island ecosystems, often by removing invasive species and restoring native populations. Restoration projects can target islands with no permanent human population.
Clipperton Island: A remote French coral atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean with no permanent population. It is a clear example of an uninhabited island with a distinctive natural ecosystem.
Atoll: A ring-shaped coral reef, island, or chain of islets enclosing a lagoon. Atolls often contain small, remote islets without permanent residents.
Seasonal fishing: Fishing activity conducted during particular times of year as species or conditions change. Seasonal camps may use an island without creating permanent settlement.