Vegetation of an Alpine Bog on East Maui, Hawaii

Abstract

Ten species of vascular plants, two bryophytes, and one lichen comprised the flora of a bog located on the northeast outer slopes of Haleakala Crater at 7,440 ft elevation. The vegetation was dominated by Carex montis-eeka and Deschampsia australis, along with lesser amounts of Oreobolus furcatus and the dwarf Vactinium pahalae. Despite its higher location, the area shares similarities with other Hawaiian bogs, except that it possesses a very simple flora. Lobelia and/or Argyroxiphium spp. may have once existed in the bog but could have been eliminated by past heavy grazing. The bog occupies a large saucer-shaped depression filled with acid peat. It is considered to have developed by the process of hydrarch plant succession rather than the usual site deterioration and plant retrogression.