Palynological assessment of Holocene mangrove vegetation at the American Memorial Park,Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Pollen and spores recovered from three cores of Holocene to recent deposits from the island of Saipan indicate the presence of mangrove vegetation, including Bruguiera and Acrostichum, on the island previous to World War II. The occurrence of Casuarina equisetifolia Linneaus 1759, from cores elsewhere on the island of Saipan, at depths predating the arrival of humans to the island, suggest that this tree species is endemic to Saipan rather than a recent invasive species. These findings will assist in replanting native vegetation once destroyed through wartime activities on the island.