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

Natural Processes
(biotic and abiotic processes
responsible for habitat conditions) Limiting Factors
streams (surface flow). These streams pest species (e.g.,
create and maintain stream channels ungulates, rats, mice,
that are highly eroded and steep-sided, slugs, mosquitoes,
providing protection to native and invasive plants, and
endangered plants from grazing diseases).
ungulates.
The use of this habitat
by ‘io, nēnē, and other
endangered species will
need to be considered
during planning and
reforestation activities.
Population/Habitat Attributes
(age class, structure, serial stage, species
composition)
Habitats (plant
communities that represent
existing BIDEH)
The forest restoration program has outplanted
approximately 382,000 native trees,
including koa, ‘ōhi‘a, pilo, kōlea, ‘ōlapa,
māmane, naio, and other natives on
approximately 1,700 acres. Approximately
4,000 acres of additional grassland is
scheduled to be restored to montane mesic
koa forest community.
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Native forest birds currently occur in this
habitat at greatly reduced numbers and
diversity when compared to nearby intact
forest communities though populations are
increasing as forest restoration occurs. Nēnē
are found throughout the current habitat.
Species of conservation and management
concern include the native forest birds,
‘ōpe‘ape‘a, and endangered plants.
Ungulates and rats
degrade water quality
through soil
disturbance and feces
deposition. Lack of
groundwater retention
due to upstream human
disturbance (e.g.,
grazing, soil
compaction) can lead to
flash floods. Streams
also transport and
disperse pest plant
seeds.
Glacial meltwater created ravines
during the Pleistocene era. Rainfall and
runoff currently maintains stream
habitat.
Streams Streams cross through various habitat types,
being intermittent at higher elevations, and
perennial at lower elevations. Some streams
with steep walls protect endangered and
native plants from grazing by ungulates.
Fauna within the streams and riparian areas at
lower elevations are unstudied and unknown.
Although unstudied at higher elevations, the
fauna is suspected to be exclusively
invertebrate. Other species of conservation
and management concern include native
forest birds, koloa maoli, and endangered
plants.
F-4 Appendix F: Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health and Resources of Concern