Agriculture, Flora and Fauna
Saipan's flora is predominantly limestone forest. Some developed areas on the island are covered with Leucaena leucocephala, also known as "tangan-tangan" trees that were introduced some time after World War II. Remaining native forest occurs in small isolated fragments on steep slopes at low elevations and highland conservation areas of the island. Coconuts, papayas, and Thai hot peppers – locally called "Donne Sali" or "Boonie Peppers" – are among the fruits that grow wild. Mango, taro root, and bananas are a few of the many foods cultivated by local families and farmers. Sportfishing has decreased in recent years due to overfishing and is generally considered unacceptably by locals. Historically numerous small boats caught tuna, wahoo, billfish and many other species.
Saipan is home to a number of native bird species: among them, the Micronesian Myzomela; Mariana fruit dove; Bridled White-eye; Golden White-eye and the endangered Nightingale Reed Warbler.
The island used to have a large population of giant African land snails, introduced either deliberately as a food source, or accidentally by shipping. It became an agricultural pest. In the last few decades, its numbers have been substantially controlled by an introduced flatworm, Platydemus manokwari. Unfortunately, possibly due to the flatworm, the native tree-snails also became extinct.
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