DFW biologists fear birds are starving

The extensive damage caused by Typhoon Soudelor on the island’s forests worries wildlife biologists that local birds may be starving from the lack of fruits. Invasive vines are also expected to grow pervasively throughout hard-hit areas, the biologists said, after the devastating typhoon tore off forest canopies over a month ago.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife, under the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, has been busy assessing Typhoon Soudelor’s impact on wildlife. In an interview with Saipan Tribune, several biologists said the public could play a big role in forest recovery by planting native trees.

Lainie Zarones, endangered species program manager at DLNR, said it would take months to see the true impacts of the typhoon on wildlife.

“Many bird nests were lost and we are concerned about starvation,” Zarones said.

“Birds that rely on fruit, like the Marianas fruit dove, or totot, have been seen out searching for food, and most of the fruits in the forest have been blown away.”

“Insect-eating species like the bridle white eye, or nosa, and the golden white-eye, or canario, have also been easy to see now as they are searching for food. Fruit bats will have more trouble finding fruit, and trees where they roost were blown down.”

Anne Orlando, Division of Fish and Wildlife Section supervisor, added they had documented many territories of nightingale reed warblers, or ga’ga karisu, before the storm.

“…Now we are going to see how many of these territories are still occupied,” Orlando said. ”And how long it may take for birds to come back if they are gone.”

Steve Mullin, DFW bird biologists, added that they’ve noted damage to the wedge-tailed shearwater colony on Managaha.

“We estimate that 20 percent of 150 nests failed due to typhoon damage,” Mullin said. “Trees were uprooted, large branches fell into active burrows, and sections of the colony were inundated with water due to the storm surge.”

“We have been continuing their quarterly bird surveys after the storm. Although, nesting of most species has been affected, we have been observing re-nesting occur, as well as young birds of species like the endangered common moorhen,” he added.

Increased threats

The biologists were also asked about “increased threats” from invasive species, as the island has seen an expedited flow of shipment of goods and materials brought in to aid Saipan in typhoon recovery.

Most of these goods come straight from Guam, where the brown tree snake has notably wiped out the island’s bird population. The little fire ant was also reported last year to be a growing concern to the island’s snails, lizards, and geckos.

Zarones said they are very concerned with the possibility of bringing in new invasive species from Guam and elsewhere.

That list could include the brown tree snake, amphibians, the rhinoceros beetle, invasive ants, weeds, and even diseases, which could severely impact local wildlife or local plants and become major pests.

“The CNMI has very strict quarantine regulations but sometimes these are not enough, and unwanted species still make it in. We ask that the public keep their vigilance. Anyone who sees invasive species should report them to DFW at 664-6000. If you see a brown tree snake, kill it first, then call and report it to the BTS hotline: 28SNAKE.”

The biologists were also asked about the vulnerability of island forests, and if they could thrive once again as invasive vines or pests may compromise recovery.

“With the forest canopy gone, invasive vines will regrow and smother vegetation,” Zarones said. “Although a lot of vines were blown down by the typhoon, they will regrow very quickly and smother native trees.”

However, Zarones said, they are certain native plants also grow quickly after a typhoon and can “outcompete vines.”

“Once these plants establish a forest canopy,” Zarones said, “other shade-loving native trees will grow underneath, and eventually will return to native limestone forest. This is called ‘succession.’”

“With all the nonnative trees gone, we have a great opportunity right now to work to bring back its native forest species,” Orlando added.

“Native plants are well adapted to typhoon and to the soils and substrate of Saipan, and they provide vital food and habitat for out wildlife,” she said.

DFW says the public can help by choosing native trees that will help wildlife return to their former numbers. 

These are some examples of fast-growing native trees that also provide resources for wildlife:

-Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Alum)

-Morinda citrifolia (Lada or Noni)

-Premna obtusifolia (Ahgoa)

-Pipturus argenteus (Amahadyan)

Assessment of endangered species

Zaroness acknowledged some “eye-openers” in their assessment of impacts, like the resilience of native tree species. The biologists have also been particularly focused on the status of rare and endangered species in their assessments, as the endangered species population numbers are already low.

The biologists note that most areas of forests were devastated, though some areas were hardly touched. One eye-opener was that native tree species such as banyan, paipai, and gulos withstood the typhoon much better than nonnative species.

“Their root systems are well adapted to our substrate,” Zarones explained.

But exotic species such as flame trees and monkeypod, and invasive species like tangan-tangan and ironwood, were extensively damaged. The native trees are especially important because they provide food and shelter for native wildlife, according to Zarones.

Biologists have also noticed that in areas of intact karst and high cliff, the forest fared a lot better. Forest was more damaged in areas where the karst substrate had already been disturbed such as in people’s yards or agricultural areas.

“More open areas sustained more damage,” Zarones said.

Biologists have also been paying particular attention to rare and endangered species. These plants and animals are especially vulnerable to typhoons because of their low numbers and limited habitat.

“We are looking at the status of these species post-typhoon and assessing damage to their habitat. Over time we will monitor how these species recover from the typhoon,” Zarones said.

“We have been collecting rare plants such as orchids that were damaged by the typhoon and we will propagate them and plant them back into the conservation areas. There was a small population of native tree snails living in American Memorial Park that hasn’t been seen since the typhoon. The snails are likely to be declared endangered so they are a matter for concern,” she added.