Editing Spratly Islands (section)

=== Vegetation ===
Little vegetation grows on these islands, which are subject to intense [[monsoons]]. Larger islands are capable of supporting [[tropical forest]], [[scrub forest]], [[coastal scrub]] and grasses. It is difficult to determine which species have been introduced or cultivated by humans. [[Taiping Island]] (Itu Aba) was reportedly covered with [[shrubs]], [[coconut]], and [[mangroves]] in 1938; [[pineapple]] was also cultivated there when it was profitable. Other accounts mention [[papaya]], [[banana]], [[Palm tree|palm]], and even [[white peach]] trees growing on one island. A few islands that have been developed as small tourist resorts had soil and trees brought in and planted where there was none.<ref name="ECO" />