Some observations on the forest problems of Hawaii

Author:

Lyons, Harold L.

Title:

Some observations on the forest problems of Hawaii

Periodical:

Hawaiian Planters' Record

Year:

1919

Volume:

21

Pages:

289-300

Subject:

Forests and forestry Forest ecology

Summary:

In this document, the author believes that the present native flora of Hawaii is a residue of flora that adapted to new soils but are lingering on old soils since plant migration was stopped due to the isolation of the islands. The author feels that native trees and ferns are dying out and disappearing in many areas of Hawaii since continuous plant migration that would have encouraged the growth of new soil, has ceased. As a result, Hilo grass is pushing into and filling in gaps that are being left by the dying and disappearing trees that are located the forest reserve areas that are on the northeast slope of Puulala near Waimea and in the Kohala Mountains above Waipio Canyon. Therefore, the author believes that barrier- and interior-type rainforests need to be created by using material that is already available in the islands together with imported material that may come from scattered areas throughout the tropics and sub-tropics in an effort to round out the Hawaiian plant societies. The only plants that would be used to help rebuild the rain-forests are those are those that are considered "congenial" and will work as a proper forest cover such as the Ficus. However, as important as it is to re-build the rain-forest areas of Puulala and the Kohala mountains on the island of Hawaii, the author feels that there are no watersheds that are more vital and in a more critical state that those on the island of Oahu. Not only does this island carry the bulk of Hawaii's population, the forests of this island have been subject to more interference from man and animals than those of the other islands. Therefore, it is felt that the people on the island of Oahu will suffer from periodic water-famine if the denundation of the watersheds is allowed to decrease while the demands of the water supply on this island increases. Should this occur, then it is predicted that drought will become a permanent chronic condition.

Label:

Ecology

Collection:

Periodicals