Pacific Science Volume 59, Number 2, 2005
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Pacific Science is a quarterly publication devoted to the biological and physical sciences of the Pacific Region.
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Item Association Affairs(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04)Item The Kahana Valley Ahupua'a, a PABITRA study site on O'ahu, Hawaiian Islands(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Mueller-Dombois, Dieter; Wirawan, Nengah; Jacobi, James D.The acronym PABITRA stands for Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect, a network of island sites and conservation professionals collaborating throughout the Pacific-Asia region. An ideal PABITRA site is a broad landscape transect from sea to summit. Such a landscape is Kahana Valley on Windward O'ahu. Kahana Valley served during prior centuries as an ahupua'a, a Polynesian unit of land management that integrated the three biological resource zones, the upland forests, the agriculturally used land below, and the coastal zone, into a sustainable human support system. Results of terrestrial biodiversity surveys, as begun with a vegetation/environment study and a paleoecological investigation, are presented in relation to historical land use and sea level changes. In spite of the many former human-induced modifications of the Kahana Valley landscape, the natural structure and function of its ecosystems are well preserved. The distribution patterns of vegetation can be interpreted in terms of Hawaiian ecological zones in combination with the valley's precipitation, topography, stream system, and archaeological features. Currently, efforts are under way to restore the Kahana State Park (recently renamed Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park) as a functional ahupua'a. In addition, focused collaborative research can yield helpful information for further restoration and integrated management of the Kahana ahupua'a as a historic Hawaiian Heritage Site.Item Survey techniques for freshwater streams on Oceanic Islands: Important design considerations for the PABITRA Project(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Parham, J.E.Fundamental differences in life history patterns of most indigenous freshwater stream species on oceanic islands and freshwater species in continental stream systems require important differences in design of appropriate aquatic survey methodologies. As an example of these issues, use of Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) and the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for describing island stream conditions are examined. Designed mainly for identifying optimal flow for salmonid fishes in the western United States, IFIM is difficult to apply to Hawaiian streams because of frequent flash floods in the Islands and because of the inherent difficulty of relating observed fish densities to total usable habitat in island streams. IBIs have been applied widely on the United States mainland as a technique for determining the health of a stream and aiding in stream fish conservation and management. Recently, there has been an attempt to establish an IBI for Hawaiian streams. Application of this technique to oceanic island streams raises a number of serious questions about the IBI's validity for use in Hawaiian streams. Potential problems are inherent in the basic assumptions of the IBI. They result in unintended consequences when applied to oceanic island streams; examples include erroneously attributing naturally occurring differences in observed fish assemblages to human-induced environmental change, not accommodating differences in closed and open system dynamics linked to life cycles of indigenous stream species, and not understanding implications of low-diversity environments typical of remote oceanic islands. Past research on Hawaiian streams supports use of appropriate survey and analysis techniques such as those developed for the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) for use among islands of the tropical Pacific.Item Biological assessment of Kahana Stream, Island of O'ahu, Hawai'i: An application of PABITRA survey methods(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Fitzsimmons, J.M.; Parham, J.E.; Benson, L.K.; McRae, M.G.; Nishimoto, R.T.Aquatic biologists surveyed Kahana Stream on O'ahu, Hawai'i, during December 2001 and January, March, and May 2002 to provide a background of information before restoring water diverted from the headwaters of the stream since the mid-1920s. Kahana Stream has all but one species of macrofauna common in unaltered Hawaiian streams, but abundance and distribution of amphidromous species differ conspicuously. A single specimen of 'o'opu 'alamo'o (Lentipes concolor) was found near the headwaters; until recently, this species was regarded as extinct on O'ahu. Only two individuals of the freshwater limpet (hihiwai, Neritina granosa) were found, and the brackish-water limpet (hapawai, Neritina vespertina) was not observed. Construction of the Waiahole Ditch Tunnel about 80 yr ago reduced the amount of water entering Kahana headwaters, and unimpeded growth of hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) from the shore into the stream has slowed water movement in the middle and lower sections of the stream and estuary. Reduced flow has resulted in an extension farther inland of certain estuarine and lower-reach species (the prawn Macrobrachium grandimanus and fishes Eleotris sandwicensis and Stenogobius hawaiiensis). Alien fishes and larger invertebrates occur throughout Kahana Stream. Catches of newly hatched fish (S. hawaiiensis) and invertebrates (limited to crustaceans) moving downstream toward the ocean were meager. Recruitment of animals moving from the sea into the stream included only crustaceans and a single individual fish (S. hawaiiensis). Benthic algae were considerably more diverse than recorded for other O'ahu streams. Hau removal and extensive trimming at key locations along Kahana Stream should precede the addition of water to the basin to avoid flooding and to enhance beneficial biological effects.Item Complementing PABITRA high-island studies by examining terrestrial plant diversity on atolls(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Bridges, Kent W.; McClatchey, Will C.The Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) studies are based on a network of high-island biodiversity sites. These sites are structurally and historically complex. The majority of Pacific islands, in contrast, are low atolls with a common and simple flora and structure. As a result, atolls may serve as "controls" that may provide a way to assess impact of the upland high-island ecosystems on coastal regions of Pacific islands. Atoll studies can complement the PABITRA network because the gateway sites are near each other or separated from one another by one or more atolls. Such an addition will enhance interpretation of high-island ecosystems and their coastal zones because ecosystem surveys can be conducted quickly and accurately in atoll environments. We present results from quantitative studies of plant diversity from seven islets at Ailinginae Atoll in the northern Marshall Islands and discuss the value of this methodology as a way to enhance interpretation of the PABITRA data.Item Kava cultivation, native species conservation, and integrated watershed resource management on Pohnpei Island(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Merlin, Mark David; Raynor, WilliamFor many centuries, the kava plant, Piper methysticum, a series of sterile clones of a truly wild Piper species, has been used in several high islands in remote Oceania, including Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Until modern times, its use on all of these islands was largely restricted to chiefly, priestly, and medicinal use. Because of colonial suppression and/or the use of other nonindigenous psychoactive drugs, its use was abandoned on some of these islands. On other islands, such as Pohnpei, its use has increased greatly, with substantial changes in rank, gender, motivation, time, and place. This steep rise in its use has resulted in a large increase in its cultivation. On Pohnpei, intensification of cropping in upland environments is largely responsible for more than 70% loss of the remaining native, tropical rain forest since 1975. This impact and other human activities endanger the unique upland biodiversity of this remote tropical island. Recent historical trends in forest exploitation, threats to biodiversity, and watershed disturbance on Pohnpei are discussed in this paper. The Watershed Conservation Plan and management benefits of the proposed Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) are emphasized with permanent plot establishment for long-term monitoring.Item Proposed PABITRA study area on Lauru Island, Western Solomon Islands(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) McClatchey, Will C.; Sirikolo, M.Q.; Boe, H.; Biliki, E.; Votboc, F.The island of Lauru (Choiseul) in the western Solomon Islands is a high (up to 1,060 m) mixed volcanic and limestone uplifted island, located between 6.5° and 7.5° S latitude and 156.5° and 157.5° E longitude. The central part of the island is suggested for inclusion in the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) system. The proposed area consists of the north-central coast, Mount Barokasa (850 m), Mount Maetabe (1,060 m), and the primary watershed systems that drain these mountains and the central plateau between them. Some of the concerns and expectations of traditional land owners and the Solomon Islands government are considered. These play important roles in any research activity and will be central to the success or failure of the project. The Solomon Islands, Lauru, and the specific study area are briefly described with synopses of previous research and current, preliminary research activities. Preliminary species checklists are given for plants and vertebrates in the area. Initially we propose to establish two transects, each passing through two biomes suitable for comparisons with similar biomes in other PABITRA sites: the tropical montane cloud forest of Mount Maetabe (the highest point in the island), and the lowland rain forests, between 200 and 500 m in elevation to the southwest of Susuka at the base of Mount Barokasa. The two proposed transects will stretch through two different watersheds, one of which has had traditional agriculture practiced in the coastal strand area and the other of which has had traditional agriculture practiced in the lowland forest of midelevations. A research agenda is proposed that will help achieve key objectives of developing local research capacity and internal biodiversity management systems while conserving traditional knowledge.Item A framework for socioeconomic valuation of biodiversity in the PABITRA focal sites in Fiji(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Korovulavula, IsoaNasoata Island is a predominantly mangrove island located near the outflow and delta of the Rewa River, Fiji's largest and longest river. The river originates on the eastern slopes of Mt. Tomaniivi in the Central Highlands of Viti Levu. The island has been selected as an integral coastal site for Fiji's PABITRA Gateway Transect. Information is provided on: (1) the reasons it was selected as a PABITRA site; (2) geographical, geological, climatic, and edaphic setting; (3) the vegetation; and (4) brief notes on the fauna, with particular focus on the avifauna. Because of its rich flora and fauna, Nasoata Island is an excellent “prototype” coastal and mangrove site for enhancing our understanding of the complexities of island biodiversity, both within Fiji and in relation to other small offshore islands within the broader PABITRA network.Item Nasoata Mangrove Island, the PABITRA Coastal Study Site for Viti Levu, Fiji Islands(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Thaman, Randolph R.; Keppel, Gunnar; Whatling, Dick; Thaman, Batiri; Naikatini, Alifereti; Thaman, Baravi; Bolaqace, Nemani; Sekinoco, Etika; Masere, ManasaNasoata Island is a predominantly mangrove island located near the outflow and delta of the Rewa River, Fiji's largest and longest river. The river originates on the eastern slopes of Mt. Tomaniivi in the Central Highlands of Viti Levu. The island has been selected as an integral coastal site for Fiji's PABITRA Gateway Transect. Information is provided on: (1) the reasons it was selected as a PABITRA site; (2) geographical, geological, climatic, and edaphic setting; (3) the vegetation; and (4) brief notes on the fauna, with particular focus on the avifauna. Because of its rich flora and fauna, Nasoata Island is an excellent "prototype" coastal and mangrove site for enhancing our understanding of the complexities of island biodiversity, both within Fiji and in relation to other small offshore islands within the broader PABITRA network.Item Botanical diversity at Savura, a lowland rain forest site along the PABITRA Gateway Transect, Viti Levu, Fiji(University of Hawaii Press, 2005-04) Keppel, Gunnar; Cawani Navuso, Jone; Naikatini, A.; Thomas, Nunia T.; Rounds, Isaac A.; Osborne, Tamara A.; Batinamu, Nemani; Senivasa, ElikiSavura is one of the seven focal sites of the Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) Gateway Transect in Fiji. The site is composed of tropical lowland rain forest located in southeastern Viti Levu and consists of two adjacent watershed reserves, the Savura Forest Reserve and the Vago Forest Reserve. A total of 560 indigenous species (52% endemic) of vascular plants is recorded for this focal site. Savura has been chosen for the establishment of a large permanent plot of 12 ha following the methods proposed by the Centre of Tropical Forest Science (CTFS). This involves the recording of name, diameter at breast height (DBH), and precise location of every tree with 1 cm or more DBH. A total of 5,494 individuals with a total basal area of 2,752 m2 was recorded in the first 6,000 m2 of this CTFS/PABITRA permanent plot. The Myristicaceae (species of the genus Myristica) was the dominant family in numbers of individuals (14.4%) and basal area (35.6%). Tree ferns (Cyatheaceae [8.2% of individuals, 14.6% basal area]) and the Clusiaceae (8.6% of individuals, 12.8% basal area) are other major components. After this initial census, subsequent censuses will be carried out every 5 yr and should give insights on spatial dynamics, recruitment and mortality, and long-term changes in populations of tree species.