Vegetation changes in a subalpine grassland in Hawaii following disturbance by feral pigs

Author:

Jacobi, James D.

Title:

Vegetation changes in a subalpine grassland in Hawaii following disturbance by feral pigs

Periodical:

PCSU Technical Report 41

Year:

1981

Pages:

29 pp.

Subject:

Endangered species Maui Feral ungulates Grassland ecology Haleakala Haleakala National Park

Summary:

Changes in the vegetation following disturbance by feral pigs in a subalpine grassland in Haleakala National Park were studied to determine if the native plants could maintain dominance over introduced species. Results of vegetation sampling along transects established through a 120 ha study area showed that native species dominated the grassland; however, 23.2% of the ground cover had been uprooted by pigs. After the vegetation inside a small fenced enclosure was monitored for five years, it was found that native and introduced species competed equally for areas uprooted by pigs. It was concluded that if feral pigs continue to forage in the grassland, introduced plant species will continue to increase in both cover and abundance.

URL:

https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/4316

Collection:

Monographs