Small islands are land masses that are surrounded by water and are typically smaller than continents. The term 'small islands' can refer to a variety of different land formations, such as AITS (Atolls, Islands, Tongas, and Shallow Seas), CAYS (Coral Atolls and Yielding Sandbars), and ILOTS (Isolated Low-lying Oceanic Tops). These small islands are often home to unique ecosystems and provide habitats for a variety of species.