Canopy structure in the ohia decline zone of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Author:

Adee, Ken

Title:

Canopy structure in the ohia decline zone of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Periodical:

Proceedings, Third Conference in Natural Sciences, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Year:

1980

Pages:

p. 1.

Subject:

Acacia koa Koa Metrosideros polymorpha Ohia Ohia-lehua ecology

Summary:

The ohia (Metrosideros collina subsp. polymorpha) and koa (Acacia koa) canopies of 40 stands within the ohia decline zone were studied. Stand density and basal area of dominants are among variables examined and six declining canopy types were identified. While closed ohia canopy was still found on Mauna Kea, no stands with even moderately abundant ohia regeneration were sampled. Successional trends seem to be towards bogs on wet sites. On moderately well drained sites without closed ohia canopy, tree fern species do not form closed canopies. Disturbance, especially by feral pigs, and nutrient leaching may be important factors determining successional trends on these sites.

URL:

https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/18361

Collection:

Monographs