An inventory and assessment of anchialine pools in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from Waha'ula to Ka'aha, Puna and Ka'u, Hawai'i

Abstract

Seven sites containing a total of 19 anchialine pools were examined along the coast of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) in May and July, 1988. Location, physical characteristics, aquatic macrofauna, and floral communities were recorded from 14 pools (one had no fauna). Fauna included 17 taxa (seven fishes, nine crustaceans, one mollusk). Flora recorded from the pools was in most cases a mixed community of cyanophytes; relatively few pools contained chlorophytes, rhodophytes, and chrysophytes. Reduction of the native biota in many anchialine pools of HAVO is largely attributed to the alien prawn Macrobrachium lar and the advanced senescence of two pool complex sites. The alien sourbush, Pluchea odorata, accelerates senescence of pools by contributing litter. Results of this study are compared with those from anchialine pools of other locations in Hawai'i, and management recommendations are provided.