Photo By Chelsey Suarez-Pierce | On April 3rd, at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Tabernaemontana rotensis adolescent...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BLAZ, Guam — When stepping onto any forested landscape on Guam, visitors are greeted with lush greenery—vibrant with a variety of leaves, vines, and blooming flowers. But beneath this picturesque scenery lies a more complex reality, the magnitude of invasive species impacts that threatens the island’s native flora and fauna.
This impact is especially evident in the aftermath of events like Typhoon Mawar, which combined with the rapid spread of invasive plants and animals, has created a hostile environment for Guam’s native and endangered species. At Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, the Public Works Department’s Natural Resource team is at the forefront of addressing these challenges. Their mission is twofold: to preserve and restore native habitats while supporting the Marine Corps’ strategic goals in the Pacific.
During a recent Forest Enhancement Site (FES) tour, Marines and staff at MCB Camp Blaz witnessed these restoration efforts firsthand. In the Caiguat FES, an emerging native outplanting of Tabernaemontana rotensis—free from invasive roaming ungulates, like deer and pigs—is now home to hundreds of translocated native plants.
In accordance with the 2017 Biological Opinion, detailed conservation measures were identified to include: native species salvage, ungulate removal, exclusion fence installation and forest enhancement outplantings. Through plant translocation, Tabernaemontana rotensis, among other species, were directly transplanted to assure their long-term genetic survival. Collaboration among environmental specialists and contracted teams throughout the Marine Corps’ base construction timeline ensured seedlings were properly cared for in plant nurseries until the plants were outplanted in the Caiguat FES located on Camp Blaz.
These conservation efforts represent a mutually beneficial relationship where mission critical construction and native habitat preservation occur in unison. Detailed plant surveys and documentation of invasive species across the northern part of Guam have provided the location of areas in Forest Enhancement Sites that can support a wide variety of habitats for endangered species.
“The young native Tabernaemontana rotensis outplanting site exemplifies conservation efforts and provides institutional learning for the continued environmental work being conducted on the installation,” said Natural Resources Specialist, Bertina Anguiano.
The benefits of conservation work go beyond the environment. These efforts have also produced positive financial and community outcomes through the synergy of ecological preservation and military development. Invasive species and ungulates have devastated Guam’s ecosystems, but through targeted DoD interventions—such as exclusion fencing, invasive species removal, and forest enhancement—habitats now offer greater survival prospects for native species.
Given the extensive scale of the invasive species problem, it's essential to recognize the valuable role DoD resources have played in preserving Guam’s ecosystems. “The DoD is doing a superior job in maintaining healthy native species and their habitats,” said Physical Scientist, Richard Salas. The Forest Enhancement Program alone has a budget of about $40 million to meet conservation requirements.
The development of the Tabernaemontana rotensis out planting within the Caiguat FES is an impressive achievement. Still, challenges persist. Historically, “native birds played a key role in dispersing Tabernaemontana rotensis seeds throughout the forest,” said Anguiano. However, due to the introduction of invasive predators like the brown tree snake, bird populations have declined sharply, reducing or eliminating seed dispersal throughout the forest. The loss of dispersal agents like birds upsets the forest’s ecological balance, allowing invasive pests, or natural disasters to threaten the survival of native species.
Today though, Tabernaemontana rotensis thrives and exemplifies the continual need to sustain conservation actions at the local, regional, and national levels. The Natural Resource team’s outplanting of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species in the Caiguat FES represents a powerful example of positive local environmental and national military collaboration. This project showcases the ability to enhance native habitats on Guam, and displays a respect and acknowledgement of Guam’s unique and valuable ecosystems.
To learn more about the preservation efforts taking place throughout Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz – please visit: https://www.mcbblaz.marines.mil/Environmental-Program/
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2025 23:16 |
| Story ID: | 499377 |
| Location: | DEDEDO, GU |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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