Feral herbivores suppress mamane and other browse species on Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Author:

Scowcroft, Paul G., Giffin, Jon G.

Title:

Feral herbivores suppress mamane and other browse species on Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Periodical:

Journal of Range Management

Year:

1983

Volume:

36

Pages:

638-645

Subject:

Feral ungulates Mamane Sophora Chrysophylla Fences Mauna Kea

Summary:

Since its introduction to the Hawaiian Islands, feral sheep (Ovis aries), cattle (Bos taurus), Mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon), and feral goats (Capra hircus), have been responsible for the destruction of the mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) forest on Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaii. Since this is critical habitat for an endangered Hawaiian bird, the Palila (Psittirostra bailleui), this study was done in an effort to evaluate the changes that occurred within the vegetative cover that was within high-use areas. These areas, that were eventually protected from the grazing and browsing of these animals via the use of animal exclosures, helped to determine the abundance, survival, and growth of the mamane regeneration inside and outside of the animal exclosures. It was shown that mamane grew abundantly inside 16-year-old exclosures but was sparse outside, that the survival of seedlings and sprouts at 2-year-old exclosures proved to be greater inside the exclosures, and that the largest difference between survival inside and outside was found where browsing pressure was greatest.

Label:

Botany - Mamane

URL:

http://digitalcommons.library.arizona.edu/objectviewer?o=http%3A%2F%2Fjrm.library.arizona.edu%2FVolume36%2FNumber5%2Fazu_jrm_v36_n5_638_645_m.pdf

Date:

1983

Collection:

Periodicals