A non-adapted vegetation interferes with soil water removal in a tropical rain forest area in Hawaii

Date
1972-03
Authors
Mueller-Dombois, Dieter
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Island Ecosystems IRP, U.S. International Biological Program
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Abstract
A bunch grass species (Andropogon virginicus) from the North American continent was introduced to the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1932. The grass began to spread. Today it forms the dominant grass cover in the rain forest zone, wherever the trees have been removed. Grass dominance is maintained by accidental fires. The grass goes into dormancy during the winter months. At that time, the shoots dry up and the grass cover turns into a mulch of straw, with few green blades remaining active. Also at that time, rainfall increases. Tropical trees (Eugenia cuminii, Mangifera indica, Psidium gujava, a.o.) in the same area. remain green and productive during the period of increased rainfall. Transpiration was compared for the tree cover and grass cover on a land area basis. It was found that the trees are able to recirculate the incoming rain water into the atmosphere, while the grass cover is unable to remove excess soil water between rain showers. This results in increased runoff, erosion and slumping of the soil under the grass cover. In addition to forming a poor utilizer of the water resources available for primary production, the introduced grass causes damage to the landscape. Reforestation and fire protection is the answer to this problem.
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Keywords
Andropogon virginicus, Eugenia cuminii, Mangifera indica, Psidium gujava, Alien plants -- Hawaii -- Oahu., Andropogon., Plants -- Transpiration., Rain forest ecology -- Hawaii -- Oahu.
Citation
Mueller-Dombois D. 1972. A non-adapted vegetation interferes with soil water removal in a tropical rain forest area in Hawaii. Honolulu (HI): Island Ecosystems IRP, U.S. International Biological Program. International Biological Program Technical Report, 4.
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25 pages
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