Biological information for Mauna Kea

Author:

Aldrich, Patrick

Title:

Biological information for Mauna Kea

Year:

2005

Subject:

Forest ecology Mauna Kea Vegetation mapping Mauna Kea Birds Mauna Kea Biotic communities Biology Hawaii Island

Summary:

A wide variety of climates and habitats occur on Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, from tropical wet forests and beach strands at low elevations to high altitude dry forests and stone deserts near or on the summit. The information provided in this document pertains to the landscapes that occur from 2740m to the summit. The vegetation communities on Mauna Kea change along an elevational gradient. High elevations host subalpine and alpine communities. The subalpine community consists of dry forests which are mainly mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) forests with an open canopy. These forests can have mamane as the only dominant species or naio (Myoporum sandwicense) which can be a codominant. An alpine shrubland or Leptochophylla scrub desert is the dominant community from 2900m to 3400m. This community is dominated by pukiawe (Leptocophylla tameimeiae) with scattered nohoanu (Geranium cuneatum), ohelo (Vaccinium calcycinum) and aalii (Dodonae viscosa) and was once also dominated by ahinahina, the Mauna Kea silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp sandwicense). The Leptochophylla scrubland grades into an alpine grassland that is dominated by Trisetum glomeratum and Eragrostis sandwicensis which occurs from 3,400m to 3,900m. Finally, the top of Mauna Kea (from 3,900m to 4,205m), is composed of an alpine stone desert. The main plants that occur here are mosses with scattered lichens throughout the region. In addition, Trisetum glomeratum can be found near the summit, but in small isolated clumps. Twelve native species have also been recognized as residents of the summit area, as of 2005, as follows: The wekiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola), Lycosoid spiders (Lycosa sp.), sheetweb spiders (Erigone sp. A1 and B1) and another sheetweb spider (Family Linyphiidae: species unknown), a mite (Family Anystidae: species unknown), springtails (Family Entomobryidae: 2 unknown species), another springtail (Class Collembola, family and species unknown), two noctuid moths (Agrotis sp. and Archanarta sp.) and a centipede (Lithobius sp.). Also sharing the summit are 5 non-native species: a hunting spider (Meriola arcifera), bug (Geocoris pallens), yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica), sheetweb spider (Lepthyphantes tenuis), and more than one unknown species in the family Linyphiidae. Each of these species poses a threat to native anthropod populations. In addition, Lake Waiau is home to 13 species of diatoms, including one endemic species, Stauroneis maunakeaensis, despite its remote location and harsh environmental conditions influenced by temperature extremes, intense solar radiation, variable water supply, and substrate chemistry. One species of green algae and several species of blue-green algae also grow in mats in the lake and two species of diving water beetles (Dytiscidae) have been collected from the lake -- Hygrotus medialis and Rhantus collineatis.

Collection:

Monographs