Fire and alien plants in Hawaii: research and management implications for native ecosystems

Author:

Smith, Clifford W., Tunison, J. Timothy

Title:

Fire and alien plants in Hawaii: research and management implications for native ecosystems

Periodical:

Alien plant invasions in native ecosystems of Hawaii : management and research

Year:

1992

Pages:

p. 394-408

Subject:

Alien plants Alien plants control Plant invasions Alien plants ecology Plant introduction Invasive plants Invasive plants control Invasive plants ecology

Summary:

Fire, an important evolutionary determinant in many continental ecosystems, probably has not played a significant role in the State of Hawaii. The most common natural ignition source is lava flows, but the majority of fires are now started by humans. Some native plant species, e.g., koa (Acacia koa), aalii (Dodonaea viscosa), ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha), and ulei (Osteomeles anthyllidifolia), show some tolerance of fire, which may be a legacy of their pre-insular biology. Most species, e.g., pukiawe (Styphelia tameiameiae), are severely set back, killed, or compete poorly with alien vegetation stimulated by fire. The natural fire regime in Hawaii has been markedly altered by the rapid spread of alien grasses, particularly broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), molasses grass (Metinis minutiflora), bush beardgrass (Schizachyrium condensation), and fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum). These alien grasses are stimulated by fire. As a result, fire frequencies and sizes have increased, resulting in the intensification of alien plants to the detriment of native species. Fire is now a very powerful disturbance factor in Hawaiian ecosystems, not as extensive as the depredations of feral animals but certainly as destructive. Fire frequency will probably continue to increase and affect natural areas more seriously because of the spread of alien grasses. Fire, therefore, cannot be used as a management tool in the restoration or preservation of native Hawaiian ecosystems. The protection of natural areas can be enhanced by aggressive fire suppression and presuppression planning, including construction of fuel breaks, preparation of fuels distribution maps, strengthening of interagency fire agreements, and fire prevention.

URL:

http://www.hear.org/books/apineh1992/

Collection:

Monographs