A forest dies on Mauna Kea; how feral sheep are destroying an Hawaiian woodland

Author:

Warner, Richard E.

Title:

A forest dies on Mauna Kea; how feral sheep are destroying an Hawaiian woodland

Periodical:

Pacific Discovery

Year:

1960

Volume:

13

Pages:

6-14

Subject:

Feral sheep Mamane Sophora Chrysophylla Koa Mamane-naio forest Restoration ecology

Summary:

This document tells of how feral livestock was brought to the islands by Captain Cook and Captain Vancouver at around 1800, how a tabu that was placed on the animals allowed the livestock population to multiply extremely fast, and how the overgrazing of feral cattle, sheep, goats, and horses lead to the destruction of the forests that consisted of Mamane (Sophora chrysophylla), Koa, and Naio (Myoporum sandwicense) trees along with the understory of shrubs and grasses. Also described, are the efforts that were made in an attempt to restore these forests through the establishment of a Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, fencing projects, and other government efforts that were designed to protect the forests from further abuse.

Label:

Ecology

Date:

1960

Collection:

Periodicals