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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Outplanting of endangered plants in units 2 & 3 (supported by propagation program identified under
Objective 1.4) as well as mix of other native plants as identified in the attributes above.
Conduct site-specific fencing to protect endangered plant populations.
Rationale:
Control of ungulates is needed to restore acres identified as they are a major habitat modifying
threat. Pigs grub up the ground and create wallows where water can collect to become mosquito
breeding habitats. Mosquitoes are vectors for deadly avian diseases harmful to native forest birds. In
addition, ungulates eat and trample native plants. Therefore, reforestation (which would create more
forest in an elevation where climate change could impact native forest elevational gradients) would
not be possible without addressing this threat first. Aerial control has been proven to be the most
effective management tool in terms of efficacy and minimizing impacts of ground-based shooting
and other control efforts. Shooting options would not be considered until the fencing is completed to
maximize benefits while minimizing potential effects.
The primary differences between the upper and lower elevation gradients in this habitat type are the
increased plant diversity in the midcanopy of the upper gradient, and the change from an herbaceous
ground cover in the lower gradient to a grass-dominated ground cover in the upper gradient.
A diverse native bird community first appears in the upper gradient of this habitat type, primarily
above the mosquito zone and in the more diverse forest.
Species of conservation and management concern covered in existing recovery plans include forest
birds, ‘alalā, ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, and endangered plants. The KFU was the location of the last known wild
‘alalā in the wild and fits many of the criteria outlined in the ‘Alalā Recovery Plan as a potential
repatriation site.
Limiting factors include a lack of native pollinators and several pest species (e.g., ungulates, rats,
mice, slugs, mosquitoes, invasive plants, and diseases). Native pollinators on the Refuge include
native birds and native insects. The habitat improvements outlined in each of the objectives and
strategies are designed to provide suitable habitat that should help increase populations of native
pollinators.
Past human disturbances include traditional farming and ranching practices and fire. The effects of
this past activity include increased grasslands and a loss of native plant species.
This lowest elevation unit contains some intact native tree canopy but mostly highly disturbed,
nonnative pest species habitat. It provides minimal life-history functions for canopy dwelling
species and is the most invasive species degraded unit of the three KFU units. The amount of effort
required to restore this habitat makes it best suited to serve as a buffer between lower elevation off
Refuge lands and less disturbed upper elevation areas. This unit will be the lowest priority for
restoration and will not likely receive active management during the life of this plan (unit1 Figure 2-
2).
Chapter 2. Refuge Management Direction 2-14