Natural Environment

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As the largest of the over 2,000 islands that make up the vast Pacific region of Micronesia, Guam offers an abundance of natural resources which have sustained the CHamoru/Chamorro people for thousands of years. Archaeologists have studied environmental changes in the Marianas and have researched how the archipelago experienced changes in sea level and topography — which impacted not only the kinds of plants and animals that can live in the islands, but also patterns of human settlement. Guam’s natural environment is made up of stunning seascapes, coastal fringing reefs, coastal plains, and vibrant jungles. In this section, you can learn about Guam’s topography, native and invasive plants and animals, and how environmental changes over time have shaped the island that we call home. 

1. Ancient Guam’s Environment 
2. Fish and Wildlife Fact Sheets 
3. Geography of Guam 
4. Life on Guam 
5. Tsunami and Earthquake History and Potential for Guam 
6. University of Guam Science Writing Project 
7. CHamoru DNA Studies and the Origin of the CHamoru People

Sea (Tasi) 

1. CHamoru Seagrass Fishing Nets
2. Coral Reef Fish of Guam  
3. Coral Reefs in Apra Harbor 
4. Coral Reefs: Essential Ecosystems on Guam 
5. Haggan: Green Sea Turtle 
6. Hima: Conserving a Cultural Heritage 
7. Mangroves: The Forest Between Land and Sea 
8. Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and Other Echinoderms of Guam 
9. Seagrasses Overview
10. Seaweed: Enteromorpha 
11. Seaweed: Gracilaria 
12. Seaweeds Overview 
13. Sharks, Rays, Whales, and Dolphins of Guam 
    • Hafula’ yan Halu’u: Rays and Sharks in Guam Waters
    • Bayena: Whales in Guam Waters 
    • Tuninos: Dolphins and Their Cousins in Guam Waters
14. Staghorn Corals on Guam 
15. The Octopus: A Genius Among the Spineless 
16. Tourism’s Effect on Guam’s Reefs 

Land (Tano)

1. Arachnids of Guam 
2. Badlands in Southern Guam 
3. Native Forest Birds of Guam 
   1. Guam Birds Audio Files 
   2. Bridled White-Eye (Nosa) 
   3. Guam Flycatcher (CHuguangguang) 
   4. Guam Rail (Ko’Ko’)
   5. Mariana Crow (Aga) 
   6. Mariana Fruit Dove (Totot) 
   7. Mariana Gray Swiftlet (Chachaguak)
   8. Micronesian Honeyeater (Egigi)
   9. Micronesian Kingfisher (Sihek)  
   10. Micronesian Megapode (Sasangat) 
   11. Micronesian Starling (Sali) 
   12. Nightingale Reed-Warbler (Ga’Karisa)
   13. Rufous Fantail (Chichirika/Naabak)
   14. White Throated Ground Dove (Male: Paluman Å’paka’, Female: Paluman Fache’)
   15. Yellow Bittern (Yakkak)
4. Brown Treesnake 
5. Fanihi: Mariana Fruit Bat 
6. Fungus in Guam’s Forests 
7. Guam Tree: Håyun Lågu 
8. Guam Trees: Ifit 
9. Guam’s Amazing Caves 
10. Guam’s Balate’ 
11. Hilitai: Monitor Lizard 
12. Insect Invasion to Guam 
13. Islan Dåno: Cocos Island 
14. Kava: A Popular Plant of the Pacific 
15. Land Snails (Akaleha’) of the Mariana Islands
16. Limestone Forests of Guam 
17. Mangroves: The Forest Between Land and Sea 
18. Passion for Pugua 
19. Restoring Guam’s Coral Reefs 
20. Watch Where you Breathe: Radon on Guam 

Biographies 

1. Clair Lynn Raulerson, PhD
2. Laurie Raymundo, PhD 
3. William Safford