Stand-level dieback and Metrosideros regeneration in the montane rain forest of Hawaii

Author:

Jacobi, James D., Gerrish, Grant, Mueller-Dombois, Dieter

Title:

Stand-level dieback and Metrosideros regeneration in the montane rain forest of Hawaii

Periodical:

GeoJournal

Year:

1988

Volume:

17

Pages:

193-200

Subject:

Ohia-lehua Ohia dieback Hawaii Island Metrosideros polymorpha Rain forest ecology Hawaii Island

Summary:

During the 1960s and early 1970s, approximately 50,000 ha of the native ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) rain forest experienced a pronounced dieback of the tree canopy in the rain forest that is located on the windward side of the island of Hawaii. This, and other factors, caused a concern for the management of this ecosystem, both as an important watershed and as a habitat for numerous species of endangered plants and animals. It has also stimulated much research on the spread and consequences of an ohia canopy dieback. As a result, this paper focuses on two aspects of the ohia dieback phenomenon with regard to: the changes that occurred in canopy tree vigor over time within 25 permanent plots, and, with regard to an assessment that was done of ohia regeneration patterns following a dieback.

Label:

Botany - Ohia

Date:

1988

Collection:

Periodicals