M.S. - Natural Resources and Environmental Management
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Item Community Resilience to Climate Change-Induced Disasters in Northern Kaua'i: Perspectives following the April 2018 Floods(2024) Luebbe, Kristine Kilikina Marie; Vaughan, Mehana; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem The Future of Agricultural Land Suitability in Hawaiʻi: GIS Analysis of Coffee & Taro(2024) Teper, Aaron Mark Blum; Miura, Tomoaki; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem CHARACTERIZING PATTERNS AND IDENTIFYING PREDICTION MODELS TO SIMULATE SOIL MOISTURE(2024) Heu, Cherryle Noelani; Tsang, Yinphan; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem TEMPERATURE ENHANCES SWIMMING PERFORMANCE OF INVASIVE SPECIES IN HAWAIIAN STREAMS(2024) Engel, Leigh Ashley; Tsang, YinPhan; Grabowski, Timothy; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem How disturbing: humans are intertwined with ecosystem health. A study of the effects of human disturbance on soil health, aboveground biomass, and species community makeup in tropical and subtropical systems(2024) Estrada, Kristina Nicole; Crow, Susan E.; Maaz, Tai M.; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem NEST SITE SELECTION AND PREDATOR IMPACTS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF THREE ENDANGERED WATERBIRDS IN HAWAIʻI.(2024) Botet Rodriguez, Jaime Andres; Price, Melissa R.; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND FACTORS INFLUENCING DETECTABILITY OF PUEO (HAWAIIAN SHORT-EARED OWL, ASIO FLAMMEUS SANDWICHENSIS)(2023) Stormcrow, Kaleiheana-a-Pōhaku; Price, Melissa R.; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem Climate, mineralogy, and depth control soil organic matter composition and soil carbon storage in Hawaiian tropical montane wet forests(2023) Tayo, Malissa Ann Gueco; Litton, Creighton M.; Giardina, Christian P.; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementItem Current And Future Climate Models For Ten Remaining Species Of Achatinella To Inform Potential Locations Of Ex Situ Predator-free Exclosures(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2023) Kitamura, Philip Kei; Price, Melissa R.; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementEctotherms are particularly sensitive to drought and extreme temperatures and may act as bellwethers of climate change, but declines are often attributed to other threats. As a result, the threat of climate change may be under-estimated. The decline of Hawaiian tree snails in the genus Achatinella has largely been attributed to over-collection, habitat loss, and introduced predators. Currently, most species remain only in captive rearing facilities or predator-free exclosures, following recent sharp declines and population “blink-outs”. In this study, I developed species distribution models for the ten remaining species in the genus Achatinella under present and future climate scenarios, within the historical range on O‘ahu, as well as areas outside the historical range across the Hawaiian Islands. I found that ~98% of suitable area across the Hawaiian Islands is outside of the historical range. Additionally, most of the climate-suitable habitat under future conditions on O‘ahu do not overlap with areas where populations are currently persisting, suggesting that without translocation, these species may become extinct sometime before the end of the century. Our results raise alarms regarding the likely impacts of climate change on wildlife long before the end of the century and highlight the importance of translocations outside the historical range for the persistence of climate-sensitive species.Item Aeʻo (Hawaiian Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudensi) Reproduction and Survival(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2023) Idle, Jessica Lauren; Price, Melissa R.; Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementWith global biodiversity declining, research in reproductive biology is necessary to understand population dynamics and develop strategies for the conservation of threatened and endangered species. Following listing as ‘endangered’ under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1970, the Aeʻo (Hawaiian Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudensi) population has steadily increased due to the designation and protection of wetland areas across the main island chain, and conservation actions such as predator control, habitat restoration, and educating the public. However, the species continues to be conservation-reliant, with continued human intervention necessary to maintain populations. This study filled gaps in knowledge regarding survival and reproduction dynamics for Aeʻo. In Chapter 1, I: (1) compiled and evaluated data pertaining to Aeʻo reproduction and survival since they were ESA-listed in 1970; and (2) determined and assessed reproductive trends over time. In Chapter 2, I: (1) calculated chick survival rates; and (2) explored chick home range sizes in relation to patch size and survival. Key results of this thesis were that: (1) overall Aeʻo reproductive success has not changed over the last 50 years, though there have been increases in nesting and fledging success; (2) chick movement is restricted by barriers such as roads, fences, and developed areas; and (3) chick mortality is high, with 86% of chicks perishing in the first seven days of life. This information, amongst other results and outputs within this thesis, may be useful in decision-making, future analyses, and implementing management actions. Also included in this thesis are recommended management actions based on the results of this study.