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Problems with the long-term maintenance of mamane (sophora chrysophylla) in the central crater area of the Haleakala National Park

Author:
Jacobi, James D.
Title:
Problems with the long-term maintenance of mamane (sophora chrysophylla) in the central crater area of the Haleakala National Park
Periodical:
Proceedings, Third conference in Natural sciences, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Year:
1980
Pages:
p.167-171
Subject:
Endangered species Maui Haleakala National Park Mamane Sophora chrysophylla Subalpine forests
Summary:
Sophora chrysophylla Seem., better known as mamane, is a native species in the legume family and the dominant tree species in the central crater region of Haleakala National Park (HALE). Its distribution coincides, for the most part, with older substrates growing in soils predominantly composed of, or covered with, ash and cinders such as around the bases of puus or cinder cones, and on the steep inner walls of the Crater. Unfortunately, during the last 200 years the number of individuals and, in some cases, the distributional area of mamane have been reduced. This reduction has been blamed primarily on extensive browsing pressure on the trees and seedlings by cattle (Bos taurus L.) and feral goats (Capra hircus L.) . In the drier sections of the Crater, such as between Maunahina and Oilipuu areas, which were once fairly densely covered by mamane trees up to 4m tall, are now reduced to scattered stands of trees with many standing and fallen dead trunks . A similar situation can be seen on the cliff s above Crystal Cave Trail at Kalua Awa where only a few living mamane trees remain. Mamane, by itself, is an important component of this dry subalpine ecosystem in the summit depression of Haleakala. Its bright yellow flowers provide a rich source of nectar for the native bird species found here which include the Appapane (Himatione sanguinea), the Amakihi (Loxops virens), and in the wetter areas around Paliku, the Iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea). Other common plant species found in this habitat include pukiawe (Styphelia tameiameiae) (Cham.) F Muell.), pilo (Coprosma montna Hbd.), the native grass Dechampsia australis Nees ex Steud., and ulei (Osteomeles anthyllidifolia Lindl.). The ahinahina or Maui silversword (Argyroxiphium macrocephalum Gray) is found here also; however, its population have likewise been reduced drastically by damage from herbivores . Many other species of both plants and animals are components of this ecosystem. However, some of them are extremely rare now, found only in areas which are somewhat protected from the cattle and goats. It has been long recognized that the mamane ecosystem in Haleakala National Park is both valuable and in danger of being destroyed as the pressure from introduced animals continues. Management questions which need to be addressed include : (1) how much damage has already been done to this ecosystem; ( 2 ) what is the recovery potential of the native species here; and (3) how can the exotic pressures on the ecosystem be controlled and, hopefully, eliminated? In partial answer to the last question, at least some of the exotic animal pressure has been removed with the elimination of cattle grazing within Haleakala National Park. However, the goats still remain and, more recently, a new threat has arrived: axis deer (Axis axis Erxleben ), which is rapidly becoming established on East Maui. In this paper, the author will discuss some of the results of a project that he has been conducting in Haleakala since 1976. Emphasis will be on problems dealing with the long-term maintenance of mamane in the central crater area of Haleakala under continued disturbance pressures from introduced herbivores.
URL:
https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/18388
Collection:
Monographs