ago. The main explosion seems to date back to 1.40 Ma2. The valleys of the two villages of the island are located at the extremes of the space between the two calderas. Flora The landscape surrounding the settlements in the coastal zone and in the valleys has been extensively remodeled for human food production, so little of the original vegetation remains. Massive interventions, already in historical times, probably caused the extinction of an unknown number of endemic and native plants in the lower and middle areas of the island. The present inhabitants cultivate breadfruit, coconut, yam, taro, sweet potatoes, bananas and other tropical fruits for their own consumption. The higher areas of the mountainous island are covered with mountain rainforest and cloud forest interspersed with tree ferns. Above 600 m, grass forests (Metrosideros and Weinmannia) dominate. However, even these inaccessible areas are threatened, as feral goats are seriously affecting the flora. Peak tops and extensive leeward areas of the mountains are arid. The mountain rainforest still harbors some endemic plants, such as Pelea fatuhivensis (syn. Melicope fatuhivensis), which belongs to the ruda family, but may already be extinct. A systematic study of the flora with the support of the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 revealed the number of 175 native, 21 endemic and 136 anthropochoric plants. Fauna The rich flora contrasts with a relatively species-poor fauna. It is limited to land and sea birds, insects, butterflies, spiders and a single species of bat. The Fatu Hiva monarch (Fatu Hiva monarch or Pomarea whitneyi) of the family Monarchidae is endemic. Because Fatu Hiva is considered rat-free, efforts are underway to relocate endangered landbird species from other islands in the Marquesas. This has been successful, for example, with the ultramarine parrot (Vini ultramarina) of the loris family. Administration Administratively, Fatu-Hiva forms the commune (municipality) of Fatu-Hiva, part of the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands. The commune consists solely of Fatu-Hiva itself. Its administrative seat is the settlement of Omoa, on the island's southwestern side. Demographics Fatu-Hiva's population was 584 at the 2002 census, 611 in 2012, and 633 in 2017. Its main villages are Omoa, the capital and Hanavave, in the bays of the same name. The population lives mainly from agriculture, handicrafts and tourism. The island's orography does not allow the construction of an airstrip; it is accessible only by boat. Fatu-Hiva experienced a demographic decline beginning in the late 1990s,