Guam National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Guam National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Goal 2. Restore, protect, and maintain the shoreline habitat community
representative of historic Guam and other Mariana Islands.
Objective 2a: Protect, restore, and maintain the shoreline habitat community.
Protect, manage, and restore 120 acres of shoreline community (sand beach, coastal strand, and
coastal back strand forest habitats) to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered
animals and plants, as well as benefit other native and migratory birds and native snails on the
Ritidian Unit, with the following characteristics:
• Strand communities consist of well drained soils and vegetation that is adapted to salt
spray from coastal waters and is occasionally inundated with saltwater during storm
events.
• The varying plant communities found in coastal strand often consist of an overstory made
up of coconut, ironwood, and fagot, with an understory consisting of hibiscus, beach
morning glory, and scaevola.
• 7-10% cover of native grasses (e.g., Eragrostis spp.) and herbaceous vegetation (e.g.,
Ipomoea indica) (natives) in coastal strand habitat.
• Less than 10% cover of invasive grasses, herbaceous (Carica papaya) and woody (e.g.,
Leucana leucocephala) species (invasives) in coastal strand and coastal back strand forest
habitat.
• Dominant tall tree species consisting of Aglai mariannensis, Guamia mariannae, and
Ficus prolixa. (Quinata 1994).
• Understory species include the above as well as Morinda citrifolia, Cycas micronesica
and Wikstroemia elliptica.
• Rare plant species found in native limestone forest include Heritieria longipetiolata,
Serianthes nelsonii, Solanum guamense, Canavalia sericea.
• Cycads free of mortality causing pests.
• Minimal reptilian and rodent species (e.g., BTS, monitor lizards, rats,).
• Minimal ungulate species (feral pigs, Philippine deer).
• Minimal human disturbance.
Strategies
Build and maintain a multi-species barrier to exclude ungulate, reptilian, and rodent pest species.
Restore 42-acre planted coconut grove near office to native habitat.
Support GDAWR (2006) to meet objectives within the Guam Comprehensive Wildlife
Conservation Strategy.
Restore the 16-acre open field adjacent to the Nature Center to coastal strand habitat.
Propagate and interplant native coastal strand forest and beach strand vegetation.
The Refuge law enforcement officer will coordinate with GDAWR law enforcement to protect
coastal strand.
Jointly monitor with GDAWR and NOAA for marine debris and implement measures for its
removal.
Maintain no exterior lights.
Control pest plant species using appropriate IPM techniques including:
• pesticide applications;
• mowing;
• brush cutting;
• approved bio-controls; and
Chapter 3. Management Direction 3-13