Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
BIRNIE
Bryan (1934) referred to the vegetation on Birnie as low shrubs and herbs.
Ellis (1937) reported that Birnie was treeless. Maude (1937) reported that the vegetation on
Birnie was similar to that found on Rawaki (Phoenix).
In 1939, it was decided that coconut trees would be planted on Birnie to support colonies on
Orona, Manra, and Nikumaroro (Garnett 1983). In May 1939, about one-third of Birnie was
planted with coconut trees (see also Pusinelli 1948).
The northern half of Birnie was flat and covered with low herbs such as Portulaca,
Boerhaavia, and bunch grass (Bryan 1941 and 1942). According to Bryan (1941 and 1942),
the small shallow lagoon was covered by a mat of green plats, probably Sesuvium.
In 1952, 600 coconut trees were said to have been planted on Birnie by Maude but have
vanished if indeed they ever grew (Fosberg and Stoddart 1994).
Birnie was reported to have shrubby growth (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
Garnett (1983) reported six species of plants on Birnie: Leptus repens, Cocos nucifera,
Boerhavia sp., Sesuvium portulacastrum, Portulaca lutea, and Sida fallax.
Fosberg and Stoddart (1994) provided a detail discussion of each species recorded for the
Phoenix Islands. A summary of plant species reported and discussed in Fosberg and Stoddart
(1994) is provided in Table III-3.3 above.
Neilson (2002) reported that vegetation on Birnie was dominated by prostrate herbaceous
vegetation. There was one small dense clump of Cordia subcordata that provided nesting for
a number of Sula sula. It was the only tall vegetation on the island.
Neilson (2002) noted the number of plant species present on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie,
Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki, and the plant habitats present for each island (see
Table III-3.4 above).
Pierce et al (2006) conducted plant surveys on Birnie, Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, and
Orona. Summary results are provided in Table III-3.5 above.
ENDERBURY
Hydrographic Office (1916) reported two small mangrove thickets and scattered patches of
grass on Enderbury.
In 1924, there were about 60 sad looking coconut trees on Enderbury (Bryan 1937; 22, 12
and 26 trees (from north to south) according to Bryan 1941, 1942, and 1974). Ellis (1937)
reported that coconuts had been planted on Enderbury, but they did not flourish. Waesche
(1938) reported observing several small coconut palms around one of the muddy areas.
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