Vegetation zones of the Hawaiian Islands

Author:

Cuddihy, Linda W.

Title:

Vegetation zones of the Hawaiian Islands

Periodical:

Conservation biology in Hawaii

Year:

1989

Pages:

p. 27-37

Subject:

Plant communities Hawaii Island Plant ecology

Summary:

The Hawaiian Islands support more than 175 different natural plant communities according to recent attempts to classify Hawaiian vegetation. These indigenous plant communities are due to the great variation in elevation, rainfall, substrate, topography, and exposure that occurs even over short distances in Hawaii. Plant communities may be grouped together into several major vegetation zones delineated by elevation and moisture regime: coastal, lowland rain forest, montane rain forest, subalpine, alpine, and dry leeward. Each vegetation zone supports its own rare plant species and unique plant communities. About 75% of the Hawaiian native plant communities are in danger of being lost to human influences. Public awareness about how little is left and action to preserve our irreplaceable natural heritage must increase dramatically if we are to ensure the continued existence of many unique Hawaiian organisms and communities.

URL:

https://pcsuhawaii.org/files/book/1988_chap/13.pdf

Collection:

Monographs