Final recovery plan for four species of Hawaiian ferns

Author:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Title:

Final recovery plan for four species of Hawaiian ferns

Year:

1998

Pages:

78 pp.

Subject:

Ferns Endangered plants Plant conservation Rare plants Alien plants

Summary:

This recovery plan covers four Hawaiian ferns that were added to the Federal list of endangered and threatened species by a final rule published on September 26, 1994 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 1994a). Much of the background information in this plan was taken directly from the final rule, although portions have been modified to include updated information. Asplenium fragile var. insulare (no common name [NCN]), Ctenitis squamigera (pauoa), Diplazium molokaiense (NCN), and Pteris lidgatei (NCN) are all endemic (restricted) to the Hawaiian Islands. Diplazium molokaiense is currently extant only on Maui. The three other species are currently reported from more than one island: Asplenium fragile var. insulare is found on the islands of Hawaii and Maui; Ctenitis squamigera is known from the islands of Oahu, Lanai, Molokai and Maui; and Pteris lidgatei is known from Oahu and Maui. The four taxa and their habitats have been variously affected or are threatened by one or more of the following: habitat degradation and/or predation by feral or domestic animals; competition for space, light, water, and nutrients from alien plants; human impacts; and fire. In addition, these taxa are subject to an increased likelihood of extinction and/or reduced reproductive vigor from randomly occurring (stochastic) events due to the small number of existing individuals and their very narrow distributions. The land that supports these four ferns is owned by the State of Hawaii, the Federal government, and private entities. State lands are administered by Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) (including the Natural Area Reserves System [NARS], Forest Reserves, and State Parks) and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). Federally-owned land consists of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawaii, and Schofield Barracks Military Reservation on Oahu. The latter two are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army. This plan provides a framework for the recovery of these four ferns so that their protection by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) will no longer be necessary. This plan summarizes available information about each of the four ferns, reviews the threats posed to the ferns’ continued existence, and prescribes management actions needed to remove these threats. Immediate actions needed to prevent the extinction of these ferns include habitat protection through fencing to exclude ungulates, control of alien plants, and protection from fire. Ex situ propagation (propagation away from native habitat, as at a botanical garden) and augmentation of some populations may also be needed. Long-term activities necessary to perpetuate these taxa in their natural habitats include long-term monitoring and management and re-establishment of populations within their historic ranges. Research is needed on life history, limiting factors, habitat requirements, and minimum viable population size to help make appropriate management decisions.

Collection:

Monographs