FAO Forestry country profiles - forest management

Practices

No information available.

Forest conservation measures

The islands of Guguan, Uracus, Maug and Asuncion are designated as wildlife sanctuaries and are formally protected under the constitution of the CNMI. Additional wildlife sanctuaries, including the Kagman Wildlife Conservation Area, Bird Island Wildlife Conservation Area, Sabana Protected Area and the Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank (the northern portion of the Marpi Forest) have been declared. Areas of mangrove forest in the CNMI are designated as Areas of Particular Concern under the Coastal Resources Management Policy, and a coastal permit is required for any activity affecting mangrove areas.

Forest protection measures

The CNMI is in an area of typhoon formation, and tropical storms are common during the rainy season, which generally occurs from July to December. The CNMI has historically experienced typhoon disturbances, but intense typhoons and super typhoons have occurred with high frequency in the past ten years. These repeated storms have opened forest canopies, particularly in cloud forests, creating conditions favoured by invasive plants and vines, and perhaps prohibiting regeneration of some species. Fires in the CNMI have increased in frequency during the past decade and are a potential threat to forest species. Fires are believed to often be intentionally set by deer poachers. In 1996, for example, an intentionally set fire burned sections of the Chenchon forest area in Rota island. Throughout the CNMI, introduced animals such as goats, cattle and deer have caused severe damage to forest vegetation by browsing on plants, causing erosion and retarding forest growth and regeneration.

Forest harvesting practices

Most of the original natural forests in the CNMI have been cleared for agriculture, through timber harvesting or by military activities. The peak disturbance period was during World War II when the islands were occupied by both Japanese and American forces. Since that period, extensive secondary forests of medium stature have regrown and then subsequently been degraded by agricultural practices, logging, and development. At present, coconut palms provide a primary timber source in the CNMI. The wood is used for construction timber and handicrafts, while mature husks are used for fuel and charcoal.