Hurricanes , typhoons and cyclone have caused devastating damage to closely all of the American - Affiliated islands during the retiring few years . In 2017 , Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico . Just a class after , Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut hit Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands , and then in 2019 , Cyclone Gita impact American Samoa .
In September 2017 , back - to - back hurricanes Irma and Maria ruin the nursery at the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and the University of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Experiment Station . Tree Planters Notes Photo / Michael Morgan
The flooding and landslides touch off by these violent storm cause extensive morphologic damage . They often put down forests , catchment area and agricultural land , compromising access to food and sporty water supplies . reconstruct these natural sphere is critical for reestablishing nutrient and water security , as well as maintain functional , sustainable and resilient ecosystems .
The USDA Forest Service plays an important role in helping restore the woods affected by these massive tropical storms . Successful land renovation requires plant , and all of these islands have public greenhouse . When these nurseries are damaged by tropical storms , it is critical to get them up and running again speedily so they can resume works propagation for the island .
Nursery - spring up seedling , such as these get at the Guam Department of Agriculture , Forestry & Soil Resources Division , are critical for restoration following monolithic storm damage . Forest Service Photo / Diane Haase
Through broadcast such as State and Private Forestry and Reforestation , Nurseries , and Genetics Resources , or RNGR , the Forest Service help procure and ship supply and equipment to help rebuild and repair greenhouse infrastructure and resume plant life production . For instance , State and Private Forestry and RNGR staff partner with the University of Hawaii to supply containers , fertilizer , nicety fabric , tool , and irrigation supplies to the island of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia as part of the Typhoon Maysak recovery effort in 2015 .
RNGR ’s commission also include providing the people who acquire woodland and conservation seedlings with the very previous scientific discipline - based engineering science to figure out job , improve efficiency , and increase the calibre and variety of nursery - raise plants . In July of 2019 , RGNR members hold back a workshop in Guam for wood nursery faculty from eight Pacific Islands ( Saipan , Rota , Guam , Palau , Chuuk , Yap , Pohnpei and the Marshalls ) . Participants learned target plant designation strategies , generation communications protocol , pest and disease direction , out planting technique to maximise growth and survival , baby’s room design , and strategies for minimize typhoon terms .
Hurricane , cyclone , and typhoon intensities are likely to increase in the next 50 years in response to warmer ocean temperature and high ocean horizontal surface . continue assistance to these often - impacted islands will be of the essence , and RNGR will be there to aid .
root : USDA ( Diane Haase )
