Transcript native species - STEMworks Hawaii

NATIVE SPECIES
IN HAWAI’I –
OUR UPLAND
FORESTS
NATIVE FOREST SPECIES
When we talk about plants and animals found in
the Hawaiian forest, many of them are considered
to be “native” to Hawai‘i.
These native species make our forests
irreplaceable and many of them provide special
functions and hold important relationships with
other plants, animals and humans.
By calling a species“native” we mean one of two things:
the species is ENDEMIC or INDIGENOUS.
WHAT DOES NATIVE MEAN?
Endemic
These species are exclusive to one area –
found no where else in the world.
For example, a species can be endemic to
an island, an ecosystem or the State for
example.
These species have slowly evolved here
over millions of years with special
characteristics.
The ‘Akohekohe bird is endemic
to the island of Maui.
Photo Credit: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific
Island Ecosystems Research Center
WHAT DOES NATIVE MEAN?
Indigenous
It’s presence here is a result of only natural
processes, with no human intervention.
In Hawai‘i this means : Wind, Waves or Wings
brought it here.
Indigenous species can also be found in other
locations.
The Uluhe fern is indigenous in Hawai‘i,
as it is found in other parts of the world,
including other islands in Polynesia.
Photo Credit: Plants of Hawai‘i: Forest & Kim Starr
HAWAIIAN FORESTS
Hawai‘i’s upland forests are filled with native species which provide
many important functions for our every day lives.
These forests are in charge of:
1. Capturing and store water
2. Protecting our Coral Reef
3. Preventing drought and floods1
They also provide sustenance, and are the backbone of a long cultural
tradition across Hawai‘i.
The Kohala rainforest, Hawai‘i island.
Photo Credit: Melora Purell
NATIVE FORESTS STORE RAINWATER
Healthy native forests are crucial for our existence, as
they are very efficient at collecting and storing
rainwater.
Our multi-layered rain forests act like giant sponges,
absorbing water and allowing it to drip slowly
underground and into streams.1
They are so good at
absorbing water that even
when it is not raining, our
forests can gather
moisture from passing
clouds, giving us up to
30% more water than
rainfall alone! 1
The endemic Kanawao plant (Broussaisia arguta), in Waihe’e Valley, Maui
Photo Credit: Sarah McLane Bryan
Icon Credits: Madebyoliver, and Freepik from www.flaticon.com
NATIVE FORESTS PROTECT FROM
DROUGHT & FLOOD
The evolution of thousands of native species in our remote islands over millions of
years has allowed them to work together as a complex ecosystem.
These species have learned how to weather typical cycles of drought and flood in
the islands.
This adaptation has allowed them to be uniquely suited to our climate and
mountain soils and can help to provide the best chance for a stable, healthy
watershed that can sustain both native species and humans in Hawaii.1
NATIVE FORESTS PROTECT THE REEFS
A healthy native forest has many layers of plants, mosses, ferns and trees which
anchor the soil and prevent erosion during heavy rains.
There is a direct correlation in Hawai‘i between the
health of our forested watersheds and the amount of sediment which runs from
steep mountains into our oceans during storms.
This runoff can pollute streams, destroy coral reefs and degrade our coastal fishing
resources.
What happens high in the mountains can impact our sea life as well.1
WAO AKUA – REALM OF THE GODS
The forest was also celebrated in Native Hawaiian mo’olelo (stories or legends),
mele and ‘oli (songs and chants) and many proverbs which describe the importance
of the forests and the species found there.2
The value of the forest was embodied in this proverb:
Hahai nō ka ua i ka ulu lā’au Rain always follows the forest 2
The upland forests are known as the wao akua – the realm of the gods. In traditional
times, few were permitted to enter without strict protocols or offerings. 2
KINO LAU IN THE FOREST
Many of our native plants are considered
kino lau – or the physical manifestation of
– a Hawaiian god or goddess.
‘Ōhi’a lehua was the kino lau of Kū, the god of
war, governance, and leadership. The ‘Ōhi’a
blossom is also the kinolau of the goddess
Laka – the hula goddess. In ancient times,
the taking of a large ‘ōhi’a tree was regarded
as a sacred act and required a human
sacrifice.2
Many of the plants used in hula, including
‘Ōhi’a lehua, Maile and the Palapalai fern are
important to the native forests.
‘Ōhi’a lehua (top) and the Palapalai fern.
Photo Credits: Sarah McLane Bryan and Forest & Kim Starr
HAWAIIAN USE OF FOREST TREES
The endemic Koa tree (Acacia
koa), an important forest tree,
was used to create voyaging
canoes.2
The Lama and kauila
trees (shown here at
right) were used for
weaponry and
household
instruments. 2
Scales from the hāpu’u pulu fern (at right)
were soaked in traditional antiseptics and
used like band-aids2
‘Ōhi’a lehua (top) and the Palapalai fern.
Photo Credits: NativePlants.hawaii.edu, David Eickhoff
(Wikimedia Commons) and
BIODIVERSITY IN THE FOREST
Biological diversity or
Biodiversity refers to the
variety of living things
found on earth.
When you have high levels
of biodiversity, you have a
high variety of species
found in one place.
Why is Biodiversity
important?
Having a variety of species
allows the forests to better
adapt to changes and keep
performing its critical
functions.
BIODIVERSITY IN THE FOREST
Hawai‘i is incredibly biodiverse, with over 10,000 native species.
90% of them are found no where else on the planet and so are considered endemic.
1
175 native Hawaiian trees
The endemic ‘ōlapa tree is a common
tree in the native Hawaiian forest. The
leaves flutter in the breeze and so some
hula dancers are also called ‘ōlapa
perhaps because of their hand
movements.3
Photo credit: Bishop Museum, Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online
Database
25 native tree snails
Over 750 species of
terrestrial snails were once
found in the Hawaiian Islands,
however due to habitat
destruction and predators, it is
estimated that over 90% of
this diversity has been lost.4
Photo credit: DLNR Snail Extinction Prevention
Program – D. Sischo
124 species of
native Lobeliads
Here a Lobelia grayana is
growing in the Waikamoi
preserve on Maui. Many
lobeliads evolved in
partnership with the
honeycreeper birds, whose
curved beaks can feed in the
curved flowers.4
Photo credit: The Nature Conservancy
BIODIVERSITY & CO-EVOLUTION
Co-Evolution occurs when two
interacting species, typically an
animal and a plant, evolve together in
ways that are beneficial to both.
Honeycreeper birds and lobeliad
flowers co-evolved to depend on
each other. The long curved bills of
certain honeycreepers fit perfectly
into the flowers of these unique
plants.1
Here an ‘I’iwi
honecreeper feeds
with its curved
beak on a Lobelia
grayana in the
Hakalau Forest
National Wildlife
Refuge.
Photo credit: US Fish &
Wildlife Service
The Mamaki plant, a
native nettle.
Photo credit: Photo by Ken
Wood, National Tropical
Botanical Garden
Many plants and animals here also evolved when there were no predators, and
as a result no longer needed defenses such as thorns or odors. Scientists call
this an “adaptive shift,” and there are several examples, including the native
nettle, or mamaki, which lost its stinging hairs, and 50 species of “mintless”
mints.1
‘ŌHI’A LEHUA
‘Ōhi’a lehua is the most common tree in native
Hawaiian forests.
It’s scientific name is Metrosideros
polymorpha and “Polymorpha” means “many
forms.” ‘Ōhi’a is known for its variety, even in
this single species!
Background photo credit: G.T. Larson - The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii
RED
YELLOW
THE MANY COLORS OF ‘ŌHI’A
ORANGE
Photo credits (clockwise from top
left): Phil Spalding III, John de
Mello, John De Mello, and John
Replogle - The Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii
PINK
‘ŌHI’A LEHUA
‘Ōhi’a can grow on new, hot and dry lava,
and in wet soggy forests, from near sea
level all the way up to the tree line at 9,500
feet.1
Dwarf ‘Ōhi’a can be hundreds of years old
but only a foot off the ground or it can grow
to be a 100 foot towering tree in the forest.
1
Its leaves can be smooth and glossy or
fuzzy and soft – and everything in
between!
Sometimes two or more ‘Ōhi’a can be
growing next to each other and look like
completely different plants!
Background photo credit: G.T. Larson - The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii
RAPID ‘ŌHI’A DEATH
A newly identified disease is killing large
numbers of mature ʻōhiʻa trees across Hawaiʻi
Island, typically dying within a matter of weeks or
days.
Studies by the USDA Agriculture Research
Service have determined that the cause is a
fungus called Ceratocystis fimbriata or more
commonly known as “Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death.”
This disease has the potential to devastate ʻōhiʻa
populations statewide and as of May 2016, over
38,000 acres have died already!
Research is focusing on potential vectors which
may be bringing in the disease or spreading it.
Background photo credit: Pictometry International
VECTORS
Vectors are organisms which carry and
move diseases. Bugs, birds and even
humans can be vectors of diseases.
In the case of rapid ʻōhiʻa death or ROD,
we are still uncertain about all of the
ways that this deadly disease moves
around the islands, but we can identify
the most likely vectors and try to limit
them.
One beetle that may be causing some of
the trouble is Xyleborus ferrugineus. Sticky
spores of the ROD fungus cling to the
sawdust or "frass" made by the beetle.
This frass can then easily coat your hiking
boots, gear, and muddy tires, making YOU
the vector that spreads this forest disease!
The “Ambrosia Beetle” and it’s “frass” are
vectors in spreading ROD.
Photo credits: J.B. Friday
DON’T BE A VECTOR FOR ROD!
For the latest information, visit www.rapidohiadeath.org or RapidOhiaDeath on Facebook
REFERENCES
1. The Nature Conservancy, “The Last Stand: The Vanishing Hawaiian Forest. Accessed from http://www.nature.org/media/hawaii/the-last-standhawaiian-forest.pdf 08/16/2016.
2. Hawai‘i Association of Watershed Partnerships, “Forested Watersheds and Cultural Resources.” Accessed from http://hawp.org/forestedwatersheds-and-cultural-resources/ on 08/16/2016.
3. University of Hawai‘i, “Native Plants Hawai‘i. Accessed from http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/ on 08/17/2016.
4. State of Hawai‘i, Department of Land and Natural Resources, “Snail Extinction Prevention Program.” Access from
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/hip/sep/ on 08/17/2016.
All non-credited photos taken by: Sarah McLane Bryan