56 
A number of unsuccessful introductions were attempted by the colonists 
during the 1950's (Rodman, 1935; Colonists' Daily log, 1936). These are 
listed as follows: Calocasla esculents , Brasslca oleracea, Brasslca rapa, 
Beta vulgaris, Solatium tuberosum, Ipomoea batatas, Daucus carota. Allium sp., 
Citrus sp., and Sida sp. (probably cordlfolla )4 
Vegetation History 
Early accounts give meager information concerning the natural vegetation 
of Baker Island prior to the guano mining activities which according to Hutchinson 
(1950) removed between 250,000 and 300,000 tons of surface materials.^ The 
earliest account (Hague, 1862) describes the marginal sandy ridge as "partially - 
covered with a rank growth of long, coarse grass (l epturus ), portulaca 
(Portulaca lutea), mesembryanthemum ( Sesuvlum ) and a few other species of 
plants. *' The”same author noted that "none of the grass that grows abundantly 
on the margin is found on the guano, but there are one or two species of 
portulaca occurring in certain parts, (particularly where the guano is 
shallowest and driest)..." This account clearly designates two plant associations. 
The first refers to a Lepturus association confined to the sandy margins of 
the island, and the second to a Portulaca association found on guano soils 
in the interior. Sesuvium is recorded from the marginal sand ridge. Although 
this species appears more common and vigorous on the lagoon margins over 
hardpans this author has found it in sand on both Enderbury and Birnie Islands. 
The plants observed by Hague may represent remnant populations of a former 
lagoon mat. Another early history (Emerson, 1869) offers a record of other 
native species. Emerson states that the island "...has enough soil to support 
a stunted vegetation. This consists of a coarse grass, used for thatching 
huts (Lepturus or possibly the introduced Digitafia ); a hardy species of 
parsley (Apium pet rosellnum ); a woody bush with pretty yellow flowers caileu 
by the Hawaiian's I-li-ma ( Sida fallax ); a plant which has a tuberous root, 
resembling a four o'clock (possibly Boerhavia )...and a vine bearing fragrant ^ 
yellow flowers and troublesome thorns that are shaped like caltrops ( Trioul us). 
Surveys of Baker Island were reported on by Christophersen (1927) and Bryan (194 )» 
The latter author mentions sixteen species of plants observing that Leptur u s 
is found in approximately the same area ts that mentioned by Hague. Bryan also 
observed that Digitaria was found on the inner flat from which the guano a 
been removed. This is approximately equivalent to the distribution of t e 
heaviest stands of these two grass species in 1964. During the 1930s a 
number of species were cultivated by the colonists but most were lost to rats 
and crabs (Rodman, 1935; Colonists' Daily Log, 1936). This account points 
up the possibly important role of hermit crabs as regards the success of seedling 
plants which germinate after the infrequent rains. During World War II 
Baker Island was used as a staging point for the invasion of the Gilbert .siands 
(Anon., 1943). Grading and laying of an airstrip was completed in Septemoer 1943. 
The displacement of the surface soil layers of Baker Island has taken place 
from the nineteenth century guano mining operations through the Second korld Wa. 
runway and building construction (in excess of 2000 men were housed on the 
island). 
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