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NATIVE SPECIES IN HAWAI’I – OUR UPLAND FORESTS For educational pilot project use only. 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. For educational pilot project use only. 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. For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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. For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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” For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 For educational pilot project use only. ‘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 For educational pilot project use only. 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 surveys in 2016 show that 50,000 acres show symptoms of the disease!5 Research is focusing on potential vectors which may be bringing in the disease or spreading it. Background photo credit: Pictometry International For educational pilot project use only. 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. 5 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. 5 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. For educational pilot project use only. Photo credits: J.B. Friday DON’T BE A VECTOR FOR ROD! www.rapidohiadeath.org 5 For the latest information, visit www.rapidohiadeath.org or RapidOhiaDeath on Facebook For educational pilot project use only. 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.” Accessed from http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/hip/sep/ on 08/17/2016. 5. University of Hawai‘i, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resource s (CTAHR):. “The Disease: Rapid Ohia Death.” Accessed from http://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod/TheDisease.aspx on 11/30/2016. All non-credited photos taken by: Sarah McLane Bryan For educational pilot project use only.