![]() | This page last revised 31 August 2006 -- S.M.Gon III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home Introduction Ecoregion Conservation Targets Viability Goals Portfolio TNC Action Sites Threats Strategies Acknowledgements ▫ Tables Maps & Figures CPT Database Appendices Glossary Sources | Wai‘anae Conservation Area Profile |
Conservation Targets: Ecological Systems: Three ecological systems of Wai‘anae were selected as conservationtargets, each bearing nested natural communities and species (discussedbelow).
Lowland Dry and Mesic Systems have POOR viability and are not included. Special Ecological Features:
The O‘ahu Waterbird Concentration is defined as five core wetlands and at least ten of 13 wetland sites identified by the USFWSWaterbird Recovery Plan (2005). These include coastal, and riverinesites outside of but adjacent to the ecological system targets of both Ko‘olau and Wai‘anae conservation areas. Nested Targets:
‘Ōhi‘a/Uluhe Lowland Wet ‘Ōhi‘a/Mixed ‘Ōhi‘a/Mixed Shrub Montane ‘Ōhi‘a/‘Ōlapa Montane Koa/‘Ōhi‘a Lowland Mesic O‘ahu Diverse Mesic Mixed Fern/Shrub Wet Cliff Community Mixed Shrub Dry Cliff Community
There are manyconstituent native species that comprise the natural communities of the ConservationArea. Highlights include over 60 rare/endangered plant species, over 350 endemicplant species, and likely thousands of endemic invertebrate species. Major Threats:Uncontrolledferal ungulates (primarily pigs, goats, deer); and a large variety ofinvasivealien plants, particularly Christmas berry (Schinus terebinthifolius), molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora), Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta), and strawberry guava (Psidium cattelianum). Alien grasses and dry to mesic settings contribute to a large wildfire threat. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thenative-dominated ecological systems of O‘ahu occupy theupper elevation areas of both Wai‘anae (West) and Ko‘olau(Northeast) mountains, extending downward into areas (pink) converted into anthropogenic andalien-dominated regions. | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Theportfolio for the Wai'anae conservation area includes only the upperelevation native dominated ecological systems of the Wai'anae Mountains(west). | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adiagrammatic crosssection of the Island of O‘ahu indicates the variety of moistureand elevation conditions present: a lowland wet summit (Ko`olauMountains), and mesic to dry systems, with a montane wet cap(Wai‘anae Mountains). | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||