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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
management and restoration, extent and severity of environmental contaminants, techniques to
control or eradicate pest species, effects of climate change on environmental conditions and
associated habitat/wildlife response, identification and analyses of paleontological specimens,
wilderness character, modeling of wildlife populations, and assessing response of habitat/wildlife to
disturbance from public uses. Projects may be species-specific, refuge-specific, or evaluate the
relative contribution of the refuge to larger landscape (e.g., ecoregion, region, flyway, national,
international) issues and trends. Like monitoring, results of research projects would expand the best
available scientific information and potentially reduce uncertainties to promote transparent decisionmaking
processes for resource management over time on Refuge lands. In combination with results
of surveys, research would promote adaptive management on Refuge lands. Quality, scientific
publications resulting from research on Refuge lands will help increase the visibility of the Service
as a leader in the development of the best science for resource conservation and management.
A research facility of the University of Hawai‘i is located on the administrative site of the HFU.
This site is used as a base of operations for researchers from a variety of institutions and agencies.
Use of the site is governed by a Memorandum of Agreement between the Service and UH. A
compatibility determination for this facility and the research associated with it is included in
Appendix B.
The scientific community from Hawai‘i and beyond has historically had a good deal of interest in
conducting research on Hakalau Forest NWR. The native forest birds and the habitat restoration
efforts that occur here lend themselves well to research questions. In addition, research can help to
assess the effectiveness of management activities and help to adapt management over time.
Scientific research requires staff and management time for review of proposed studies, oversight of
access and facility issues, permitting, and use of supporting infrastructure, and thus places a strain
on both the Refuge resources and the staff that are required to administer Refuge access and
research activities. It is not possible to permit all of the research requests that are received by
Refuge staff. Research will be reviewed and permitted on a case-by-case basis, according to Refuge
purpose and goals, best available information using an objective review process, and according to
established research priorities.
Forest Bird Workshop: The Service sponsored a workshop in October 2008 including most of the
prominent researchers knowledgeable about Hawaiian forest bird biology, ecology, and population
status. During this workshop, Refuge managers met with researchers to hear about some of the latest
research and gain insight into researchers’ perspectives about forest bird research priorities. A
summary of the workshop is included as Appendix E.
Forest bird researchers at the 2008 workshop identified potential research priorities for Hakalau
Forest NWR. The list (in priority order) is (1) monitoring and background data; (2) predation,
especially from rats; (3) invasive plants and potential biocontrols; (4) impacts from
grazers/browsers; (5) invasive plants, more efficient control methods and registration of herbicides;
(5) determine the effects of global climate change at the Refuge; (6) develop more effective cat
control techniques and determine effects of ectoparasites on non-endangered bird populations; and
(8) experimental control of Japanese white-eyes.
Chapter 2. Refuge Management Direction 2-36