Hawaii and the Pacific Islands - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

ERDC/EL TR-12-5 10mineral soils (Erickson and Puttock 2006). The principal wetland types inthe region are described briefly below.Depressional wetlands occur on coastal plains behind beach or riverberms, and in historic fish ponds that have filled with sediment. Theirmain water source is groundwater, which can be fresh in the wet season tohypersaline in the dry season and may be influenced by storm surges. Inthe main Hawaiian Islands, these wetlands typically are found on mudflatsor in sandy areas, and support woody vegetation, such as saltwort (Batismaritima) and mangroves (Figure 3). In the Marianas and other Pacificislands, they can also be forested with Nypa palms, Barringtonia racemosa,or other species. Examples of these wetlands can be found on thesouth shore of Moloka‘i, at Nukoli‘i on Kaua‘i, in the Kawainui Marsh andJames Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on O‘ahu, and in the Kīheiwetlands on Maui.Figure 3. Coastal wetland on Kaua‘i dominated by Batis maritima and mangroves.Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Sloped marshlands or fern wetlands obtain their hydrology from shallowgroundwater that may rise to the surface infrequently. They occur mainlyin volcanic areas on slopes greater than 10 percent, particularly in the