Ohia tree abundance and size distribution in two habitat types during koa moth outbreak, Hawaii Island, 2013-2014
Dates
Publication Date
2021-03-18
Start Date
2013-09-11
End Date
2014-02-20
Citation
Banko, P.C., and Peck, R.W., 2021, Hawaii Island tree response to koa moth outbreak, 2013-2014: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9HU5SBC.
Summary
As part of the study to evaluate the response of koa (Acacia koa) to the 2013-2014 outbreak of koa moths (Scotorythra paludicola) on Hawaii Island, we monitored plots in two habitat types at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. We established 55 plots (each 10-m radius) in reforestation stands of densely planted koa, in which ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) was relatively rare, and in natural forest stands, in which ohia was dominant and koa was less dense.This dataset documents the number and size of ohia trees in each of the 55 plots.
Summary
As part of the study to evaluate the response of koa (Acacia koa) to the 2013-2014 outbreak of koa moths (Scotorythra paludicola) on Hawaii Island, we monitored plots in two habitat types at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. We established 55 plots (each 10-m radius) in reforestation stands of densely planted koa, in which ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) was relatively rare, and in natural forest stands, in which ohia was dominant and koa was less dense.This dataset documents the number and size of ohia trees in each of the 55 plots.
Data were collected to document the extent of defoliation, foliage regrowth, and mortality of koa trees due to a rare but massive outbreak of koa moths at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, an important area for bird conservation in Hawaii. The response of koa trees was evaluated in two habitat types: mixed-species forest stands recovering naturally from long-term cattle grazing (forest) and stands planted in former pasture lands (reforestation). Resource managers will be better able to understand the impacts to koa and its recovery from koa moth outbreaks in high density reforestation stands compared to low-density, mixed-species forest stands.
