Download Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology – Pacific Islands Regional Sanctuary

RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology –
Pacific Islands Regional Sanctuary
OBJECTIVE:
Provide scientific research that informs
ecosystem-based management of the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Papahanaumokuakea
Appropriate Scales for
management units
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Determine top predator home ranges
Determine scales of larval dispersal
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Ecologically Sensitive Areas
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Determine the spatial patterns of genetic
diversity – are genetically diverse areas more
resilient?
Identify ecologically relevant indicators of reef
health.
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Define, Monitor, Protect Intact
Ecological Communities
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Baseline measurements of community diversity at
species and genetic level.
Identify threats
Monitor for change (40+ full time researchers)
Bring findings to managers to inform management
strategies
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Top predator movements
 121 fish tagged
 20 acoustic receivers
covering 8 islands
& atolls in NWHI
 Several surprising longdistance
movements
already recorded
Meyer & Holland, in prep.
Meyer et al., 2007
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Scales of larval dispersal & connectivity
across the Hawaiian Archipelago
3b
Bird,
Holland,
Bowen &
Toonen,
in press.
6
5
4
3a
2
1b
1a
Cellana talcosa
Cellana sandwicensis
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Cellana exarata
Partners: NMFS,
Pacific Islands Fisheries
Science Center
Kobayashi (2006) Coral Reefs
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Scales of larval dispersal & connectivity
across the Hawaiian Archipelago
FFS
FST = 0.15, Nm ≈ 1.3
Oahu
FST = 0,
Nm = ∞
Johnston Atoll
Holothuria atra
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Scales of larval dispersal & Main-NWHI
connectivity, con’t.
• Results differ by species:
Some show strong
population structure
across the archipelago,
while others do not
• Suggests that larval
dispersal and connectivity
is highly variable among
species
• Survey seeks to
determine whether there
are generalities that can
be made
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Distribution & susceptibility of coral/symbiont types
a)
b)
c)
 103 corals sampled to date:
• 7 type A
• 96 type C
 4 diseased colonies:
• 4/103 overall (4%)
 Disease frequency by symbiont type:
• 4/7 type A diseased (60%)
• 0/96 type C diseased (0%)
Stat & Gates, in prep
Relative reef health status throughout Hawaii
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Main Hawaiian Islands
Rodgers & Jokiel, in prep.
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Invasive species
n = 122
n = 151
Concepcion, Toonen, et al. in review
n = 47
Summary
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Johnston Atoll is the gateway to the
Hawaiian Archipelago.
Management units must be species
specific.
Ecosystem based management
requires an understanding of all
contributors to the ecosystem.
NOAA-University partnerships are very
effective.
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Acknowledgements
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Support from Hawaii Congressional Office:
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Partners:
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Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Senator Daniel Akaka
Congressman Neil Abercrombie
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono
NOAA-NOS Sanctuary Program (Papahanaumokuakea MNM)
NOAA-NMFS (PIFSC, WesPac)
University of Hawaii SOEST and CNS.
Additional funding for Ecosystem Based
Management:
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NSF/EPA/Hawaii state funding:
Faculty, staff salaries:
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