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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The taxon grows in wet forests dominated by koa, „ōhi„a, and tree ferns at elevations between 1,800-
3,800 ft. The native plants kolokolo mokihana and naupaka kuahiwi are known to occur with this
species (USFWS 1996a).
According to the Big Island Plant Cluster Recovery Plan (1996a), ungulates, rats, and humans were
identified as the main threats to C. peleana. Habitat has been disturbed by ungulates and humans
planting marijuana. Reproductive ability of C. peleana may be reduced due to a lack of pollinators.
In addition, random natural events could eliminate the small population size.
A total of 38,664 ac of critical habitat were designated for Clermontia peleana on Hawai„i Island.
Only four individuals existed within the three critical habitat units at the time of designation.
Although one unit lies mostly within Hakalau Forest NWR (as well as a small section of the Hilo
Forest Reserve), C. peleana is not currently known to occur there. No critical habitat has been
designated on Maui (Federal Register 2003b). In December 2008, in coordination with the Plant
Extinction Prevention Program, over 800 C. peleana were outplanted in six gulch areas at
approximately 5,000 ft elevation at the HFU.
4.9.4 Clermontia pyrularia
Clermontia pyrularia is an endangered lobeliad that reaches a height of 9.8-13 ft. The toothed leaf
blades are narrow and elliptical. The blades are attached to winged petioles, or stalks. Each flower is
suspended by a flower stalk and attached to a cluster of 2-5 flowers. The species name is derived
from pyrus (pear) because of its orange, pear-shaped berries.
Currently, C. pyrularia is found between 5,900-6,240 ft on the Hawai„i Island, although it is able to
survive at elevations as low as 3,000 ft and as high as 7,000 ft. It occurs in montane wet and mesic
„ōhi„a and koa forests in North Hilo at Laupāhoehoe and Pīhā, the State land adjacent to the HFU.
Subalpine dry forests dominated by „ōhi„a can also provide suitable habitat (Federal Register 2003b).
The previously found population in the Laupāhoehoe Natural Area Reserve no longer exists (USFWS
1996a, 1996b). One individual from the population at Pīhā died from unknown causes in 1995;
however, an additional 14 individuals were found in the area by 2001 (Jeffrey et al. 2001). Using
seeds from these plants, the Refuge experimentally outplanted 30 C. pyrularia seedlings in two
exclosures at HFU in 1990 and 1992 (USFWS 1996a, 1996b). By 2001, 12 individuals at 7 sites were
still living. To date a total of 846 C. pyrularia have been outplanted within the Refuge (USFWS,
unpubl.). Subalpine dry forests dominated by „ōhi„a can also provide suitable habitat (Federal
Register 2003b).
It was found that although C. pyrularia seeds will grow slowly at 3,800 ft, this species grows best
between 6,000-6,400 ft. Seeds of this species will not germinate below 2,000 ft (USFWS 1996b).
Nonnative vegetation has contributed to population declines of C. pyrularia in suitable habitat. For
example, banana poka, which forms a dense curtain that shades out seedlings, is negatively impacting
C. pyrularia in some areas. Pigs have been observed dispersing the fruits of banana poka and can
also trample native flora. Ongoing other threats include rats, invertebrates, humans, and small
disjunct populations with limited opportunities for pollination (USFWS 1996a).
Chapter 4. Refuge Biology and Habitats 4-61