Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
4.9 Endangered and Threatened Plants
Forty-four percent of all the endangered plants in the United States occur in the Hawaiian Islands
(Messing et al. 2007). Currently, 343 plants are listed as Federal and State endangered species in the
State of Hawai„i and 11 additional species are listed as threatened. Of these totals, 68 endangered
species and 1 threatened species occur on Hawai„i Island. Additional species are deemed candidates
for listing throughout the State.
Both units of the Hakalau Forest NWR contain endangered and threatened plants and/or contain
habitat that could support endangered and threatened individuals. Endangered and threatened species
that occur (or potentially occur) at the Hakalau Forest NWR are listed in Table 4-2.
It is estimated that roughly 97 plant species that previously existed throughout the Hawaiian Islands
are now extinct (USFWS 2008). In an effort to avoid further extinctions, the Refuge outplants rare
species. Since 1987, close to 4,000 endangered plants have been outplanted on the HFU (USFWS,
unpubl.). Approximately 1,029 endangered plant species were propagated or outplanted on the HFU
in 2007 alone (USFWS 2007a). To date, no endangered or threatened species have been outplanted at
the KFU due to the presence of ungulates.
Endangered and threatened plants occurring on Hawai„i Island are specifically threatened by
nonnative species such as ungulates, invertebrates, and invasive plants. Other factors that have the
potential to decrease plant populations include fire, recreational activities, military actions, disease,
genetic limitations, and random events such as volcanic eruptions and hurricanes (USFWS 2008).
The Big Island Plant Cluster Recovery Plan (USFWS1996a) covers 22 endangered and threatened
plant species. According to this plan, the following objectives need to be obtained to delist an
endangered plant species:
Total of 8 - 10 populations documented on the island;
Each population must be naturally reproducing, stable, or increasing in number;
Each population must be secure from threats;
For long-lived and short-lived perennials, each population must have a minimum of 100 and
300 mature individuals, respectively;
For annuals, each population must have a minimum of 500 mature individuals; and
Each population should persist at this level for a minimum of 5 consecutive years.
The Addendum to the Recovery Plan to the Big Island Plant Cluster Recovery Plan (1998a)
addresses 13 plant species on the island, including three that occur or potentially occur on the
Hakalau Forest NWR (Cyanea platyphylla, Phyllostegia racemosa, and P. velutina). Asplenium
peruvianum var. insulare is covered in the Recovery Plan for Four Species of Hawaiian Ferns
(1998b). Specific delisting and downlisting criteria for these species are discussed below.
Chapter 4. Refuge Biology and Habitats 4-57