Native Hawaiian Ecosystems Represented in Natural Area Reserves

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Native Hawaiian Ecosystems Represented in
Natural Area Reserves
Theresa Menard Geographic Information Systems
Specialist The Nature Conservancy

• April 21 2008

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Historic Native Ecosystems
Source HIGAP 2006
10 Ecosystems
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Remaining Native Ecosystems
Source HIGAP 2006
1.9 million acres remain
10 Ecosystems
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Summary of Native Ecosystem Distribution by
Region (TNC 2006)
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Proposed NARS New Vision Statement

• We envision a future in which the NARS contain
  the full range of Hawaiis unique geology,
  plants, animals, and habitats which will be
  forever protected, enhanced and valued by all
  generations.

So which habitats are missing from NARS?
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Kauai NARs
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Waianae NARS
Waianae NARs
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Molokai NARs
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West Maui NARs
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East Maui NARs
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Kohala Mauna Kea NARs
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Windward Mauna Loa NARs
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Kona and Kau NARs
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Summary of Native Ecosystem Distribution by
Region
v some in NAR
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Acres in NARs
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Summary of Native Ecosystem Distribution by
Region
Acres of Ecosystem in NAR
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Summary of Native Ecosystem Distribution by
Region
Percent of Ecosystem in NAR
Do the NARs capture the most viable ecosystems?
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How TNC measures viability
Landscape Context degree surrounded by
native-dominated ecosystems
Condition prevalence of native plant
composition structure in canopy understory
Size acres of ecosystem
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Viability of Ecosystems (not including Coastal)
(Source TNC Ecoregional Plan 2006)
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
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Viability of Ecosystems (not including Coastal)
v
Some in NAR
NARS contain the most viable (green and dark
green) ecosystems in many regions.
Very Good
Good
Fair
What ecosystems of good or very good viability
are not in any NARS?
Poor
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Where are there viable (very good or good)
ecosystems that are not represented in any NAR?

• East Maui
• Alpine
• Kau
• Alpine
• Subalpine
• Montane Wet
• Kona
• Alpine
• Subalpine
• Pohakuloa
• Alpine
• Subalpine
• Montane Dry

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TNCs Terrestrial Portfolio
(Source TNC Ecoregional Plan 2006)

in portfolio
Very Good

• All very good and good occurrences.
• Add fair ranked occurrences to ensure at least
  two occurrences of each ecological system per
  stratification unit (if extant).

Good
Fair
Poor
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Which ecosystems in TNCs terrestrial portfolio
are not in any NARS? (Potential for NARs
expansion within State Forest Reserves noted in
parentheses.)

• Kau
• Alpine (Kapapala FR)
• Subalpine (Kapapala FR)
• Montane Wet (Kau FR)
• Wet Cliff (Kau FR)
• Lowland Wet (Kau FR)
• Pohakuloa
• Alpine (Mauna Loa FR)
• Subalpine (Mauna Loa FR)
• Montane Dry (none in FR much in GMAs)
• Windward Mauna Loa
• Lowland Mesic (none in FR most in HAVO)

• Koolau
• Lowland Wet (Ewa, Hauula, Kaipapau, Waiahole,
  Honolulu FRs)
• Wet Cliff (Ewa, Hauula, Kaipapau, Waiahole,
  Honolulu Kaneohe FRs)
• East Molokai
• Montane Mesic (Molokai FR)
• East Maui
• Alpine (Kahikinui FR)
• Dry Cliff (Kahikinui and Kipahulu FRs)
• Kona
• Alpine (none in FR only HAVO and KS)
• Subalpine (Honuaula FR)

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Note

• Protecting the full range of remaining
  ecosystems could expand the NARs to include
• ecosystems of poor and fair viability
• ecosystems of good and very good viability that
  vary with regard to other criteria
• Redundancy
• Size
• Threats
• Scientific Value.

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• The End