Report on a Palynological assessment of the Holocene mangrove vegetation at the American Memorial Park, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Jarzen DM and Dilcher DL. 2007. Report on a Palynological assessment of the Holocene mangrove vegetation at the American Memorial Park, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Ecological assessment of the mangrove habitat in the American Memorial Park, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. PMRI Survey Report 2007-2. Pacific Marine Resources Institute, Inc.. Saipan, CNMI
The US National Park Service initiated an assessment of the ecological status and function of mangroves within the American Memorial Park (AMP) boundaries. Pollen analysis was incorporated within this assessment to determine the presence or absence of several mangrove associate species at or near the site of the AMP in the historical past. The aim of this study is to determine through pollen analysis of samples from three sediment cores, the occurrence of Casuarina, and mangrove taxa at selected locations in the AMP. Pollen analysis may help in the determination of what mangrove tree species are native to the island, and what taxa have been introduced or lost due to the activities of humans, especially as a result of the military activities of World War II. In addition to the mangrove taxa (e.g. Bruguiera, Rhizophora, Acrostichum) the determination of the status of Casuarina as an introduction by humans, or as a native plant, will have important implications for managing mangrove communities at the AMP in the future. Formal descriptions and remarks are provided for the pteridophyte spores and angiosperm pollen forms identified to genus and in some cases to species. Many other spores and angiosperm pollen remain unidentified and will be the subject of further research.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Jarzen, David; Dilcher, David
- Date of Issue
- 2007-06
- Publisher
- Pacific Marine Resources Institute, Inc.
- Units
- AMME , PACN
- Keywords
- mangroves, Observations, Paleontology, Plant Studies, Pollen Analysis, Presence (Biodiversity), Wetland/Riparian