U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Hakalau Forest Melody Conservation Orchestra

[ad_1]

The ‘apapane is the most abundant species of the Hawaiian honeycreeper family and is endemic to Hawaii. Both males and females of the species have a bright reddish-orange coloration with black-tipped wings. The ‘apapane’s song-like call is very melodious and easily recognizable. These birds are one of several mentioned in Hawaiian creation songs and are said to have existed since time immemorial. Because of this, the ‘apapane are believed to be a form of wandering spirits. Like the ‘i’iwi, the feathers of the ‘apapane are incorporated into many traditional Hawaiian costumes.

Birds’ ability to reach remote island habitats has allowed them to thrive over time and evolve as a species uniquely adapted to their landscapes, where they pollinate and disperse seeds for many forest plant species. Therefore, the health of native island birds is representative of the health of island forest ecosystems. Native Hawaiians have a deep affinity with Hawaiian forest birds, honoring, revering and worshipping them as family, ancestors, guardians, spirits and deities. The connection between Hawaiians, their forests and birds spans centuries and remains today.

Geographic isolation also means that island birds are particularly vulnerable to threats from invasive species and diseases. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently analyzed 30 years of forest bird surveys conducted on the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge, which consists of two units: the Hakalau Forest Unit and the Kona Forest Unit. The long-term analysis of species showed that management practices have been key to historically positive trends. However, recent analyses also show that other stressors are negatively impacting forest bird populations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service actively manages the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge to protect Hawaii’s unique island ecosystems and reduce the impacts of invasive species. The refuge provides important habitat for Hawaii’s threatened and endangered forest birds. Management strategies vary across the refuge and depend on a range of environmental factors, including elevation, invasive species, and historical land use.

In researchIn the study, scientists analyzed changes over time in three areas of the Hakalau forest unit to explain differences in land use. These areas include open forest (from low to high elevations) that was once intensively grazed but the forest canopy remains intact; closed forest (low elevations) that is relatively unaffected by grazing; and reforested forest (high elevations) that was once logged and grazed decades ago but has since undergone extensive reforestation. As of 2019, the reforested forest areas include plantings of native acacia trees up to 30 years old, with some native trees and shrubs in the understory.

The ‘i’iwe is one of the most beautiful species of Hawaiian honeycreeper, and is endemic to Hawaii. Both males and females are bright red, with scarlet beaks that curve downward. The ‘i’iwe’s call is also culturally important to the Hawaiian people. Legend has it that the demigod Maui used the ‘i’iwe to please visiting spirits. The birds’ sweet calls and bright colors perfectly showcase their beauty and power.

The Alawi bird is a small, inconspicuous member of the Hawaiian honeyeater family and is endemic to the island of Hawaii. Both males and females of the species have olive-colored fur with a slightly lighter belly, with males tending to be a bit brighter than females. Both sexes have a small gray mask around their eyes that aids in identification. Their song is a high-pitched, single-note call that sometimes has a flash at the end. The Alawi bird didn’t have a Hawaiian name until 2017, when a University of Hawaii graduate who was studying Hawaiian stumbled upon text that mentioned the bird and its original name.

This study compared native forest bird surveys between 1987 and 2019 and took a closer look at population trends in the most recent decade (2010 to 2019). Surveys between 1987 and 2010 showed an overall upward population trend; however, for surveys between 2010 and 2019, trends reversed for most species and populations are declining. Twice as many species were declining in lower elevation closed forest areas, and even at higher elevations in reestablished forest areas, populations were declining. Birds experiencing declining trends included: Hawaiian ‘elepaio, Hawaiian ‘amakihi, ‘akiapōlā’au, ‘alawī, Hawaiian ‘ākepa, ‘i’iwi, and ‘apapane. ‘alawī had the largest decline. Only ‘ōma’o showed an upward trend.

“This detailed review of the last decade of native Hawaiian bird surveys at the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge reminds us that continued monitoring and timely analysis combined with habitat management are critically important. Forest bird surveys provide scientists and managers with information about current population abundance and trends. This allows managers to evaluate and adjust management practices to enhance forest bird conservation efforts at the (refuge),” said Rick Kemp, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist, and continued, “Understanding the nuances of the past decade can help us know how to help these species in the decades to come.”

The ‘akiapōlā’au is a member of the Hawaiian honeyeater family and is endemic to the island of Hawaii. These birds are known more for their long, curved bills than for their color. Males of the species tend to have bright yellow heads and bellies with a more yellowish-green back, while females have grayish-yellow bellies and olive tops. Their song is whistle-like, high-pitched and melodious. These birds are sometimes called “Hawaiian woodpeckers” and they use their oddly shaped bills to forage for food in trees, much like a woodpecker.

The Hawaiian akupa is a bird endemic to the island of Hawaii and belongs to the family of Hawaiian honeycreeper. There were once other akupa birds on Maui and Oahu, but these subspecies are presumed extinct. The males of this species are bright orange in color, while the females are gray-green with a band down the middle. The songs of both male and female akupa birds are lilting and melancholic. The akupa bird gets its name from its foraging skills, which means “fast, agile, and active.” They are also believed to be spiritual guides for the Hawaiian people, and their feathers are used to make several traditional garments.

“The declines in lower elevations of the Hakalau Forest are very concerning,” said Donna Ball, deputy manager of the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. “These trends show that we still need to manage habitat in the refuge to ensure it remains a refuge for forest birds despite the many challenges it faces.”

Recruiting rare birds to higher elevation forests is their best hope for survival. Over the past three decades, the sanctuary has planted acacia trees to create a native plant corridor that facilitates bird migration to higher elevations. Continuing and strengthening management actions, such as forest restoration and removal of invasive species, will ensure that the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex remains an important site for the conservation of Hawaii’s forest birds.

Since the preserve was established in 1985, community volunteers have replanted more than 600,000 native trees and shrubs. The preserve provides critical habitat for four endangered/threatened Hawaiian forest birds: Akaipa, Akiapola’u, I’iwi, and Alawe. Reforestation of the preserve’s high elevations has increased available habitat for forest birds, while control and exclusion of feral ungulates has improved habitat quality.

The nonprofit American Forests has partnered with the Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance and preserve managers to build a migratory corridor on the slopes of Mauna Kea. The project, called the Kanakaleonui Bird Corridor, connects the Hakalau Forest Unit to the higher elevation forests of the Mauna Kea Forest Preserve. Mauna Kea Forest Preserve is located above the “mosquito line” — slopes above 4,500 feet above sea level where mosquitoes cannot survive in the cold climate.

A weekend volunteer program that began in the late 1980s continues to tackle the daunting task of expanding critical habitat for forest birds. People from all walks of life collect koa seeds, grow seedlings in greenhouses, and then restore native forest by planting koa, mamane, and ‘ōhi’a lehua trees in mauka to makai (mountain to sea) corridors that are three trees wide and 12 feet apart.

Planting native corridors attracts birds to higher elevations, where their droppings spread seeds of native trees and shrubs. Below 6,000 feet, there are ‘ōhia lehua and acacia trees, but the understory has been lost due to grazing. By dispersing their seeds, birds like the ‘ōma’ō have helped restore the understory in the area, as the plants are no longer vulnerable to damage by cattle.

“Direct results of habitat improvements include active management practices at the refuge, including fencing, control of feral ungulates and invasive weeds, and reforestation of former rangelands,” said Ric Lopez, regional ranger for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Improved habitat quality has allowed forest birds to expand their range into former rangelands and increased the density of native birds in forested areas of the refuge.”

The results of this study’s analysis have sparked a discussion about the stressors that affect these birds. A combined determination among conservationists, scientists and local community members to protect these forest treasures could pave the way for their songs to continue to echo through Hawaii’s forests for generations to come.

The Department of the Interior’s Hawaiian Forest Birds Keystone Program strengthens critical collaboration among partner agencies, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, the State of Hawaii, and local and national conservation organizations. To date, the Administration has invested nearly $33.2 million in bipartisan infrastructure bill and inflation reduction bill funds in this Keystone Program.

[ad_2]

Source link