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Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Research at the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center focuses on providing the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support and implement sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources occurring in Hawai'i and other Pacific island locations.

Featured Research

Image: Iiwi on Mamane

Learn more about research on genes involved with bird immunity and avian malaria infections in Hawaiian forest birds.

Avian Malaria Genomics

PIERC Quick Links

News

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Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Available for the USGS Hilo Research Facility

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Public input sought on environmental assessment for proposed USGS Facility in Hilo

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A Climate Change Canary in the Coal Mine - The Endangered Hawaiian Honeycreepers

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Publications

Estimating the impact of climate and vegetation changes on runoff risk across the Hawaiian landscape

In Hawai’i, ecosystem conservation practitioners are increasingly considering the potential ecohydrological benefits from applied conservation action to mitigate the degrading impacts of runoff on native and restored ecosystems. One determinant of runoff is excess rainfall events where rainfall rates exceed the infiltration capacity of soils. To help understand runoff risks, we calculated the prob
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Lucas Fortini, Lauren R. Kaiser, Kimberlie Perkins, Lulin Xue, Yaping Wang
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Genetic diversity, structure, and effective population size of an endangered, endemic hoary bat, ʻōpeʻapeʻa, across the Hawaiian Islands

Island bat species are disproportionately at risk of extinction, and Hawaiʻi’s only native terrestrial land mammal, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus) locally known as ʻōpeʻapeʻa, is no exception. To effectively manage this bat species with an archipelago-wide distribution, it is important to determine the population size on each island and connectivity between islands. We used 18 nuclear m
Authors
Corinna Pinzari, Mona Renee Bellinger, Donald K. Price, Frank J Bonaccorso
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Characterization of a small population of the orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas) in anchialine pools at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Hawai‘i Island

The endangered orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas) is a lowland inhabitant of freshwater and brackish wetland environments. Formerly one of the most widely distributed native insects in Hawai‘i, it now appears restricted to small populations on the islands of O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i. On Hawai‘i island, anchialine pools provide important habitat for M. xanthomelas, a
Authors
Robert W. Peck, Sarah Nash
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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Science

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A researcher gathering mosquito larvae from Delta pool

eDNA to Inform Invasive Mosquito Distribution

We are using environmental DNA samples to assess habitat occupancy of the invasive southern house mosquito in Kīpahulu Valley, Maui. An understanding of mosquito distribution is critical to developing and implementing tools to prevent the transmission of avian malaria, a primary threat to Hawaiian forest birds.
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Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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eDNA to Inform Invasive Mosquito Distribution

We are using environmental DNA samples to assess habitat occupancy of the invasive southern house mosquito in Kīpahulu Valley, Maui. An understanding of mosquito distribution is critical to developing and implementing tools to prevent the transmission of avian malaria, a primary threat to Hawaiian forest birds.
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Close-up of Hawaiian plant

Forecasting the Spread of Invasive Plants

We are using invasive plant data - collected locally and globally by government agencies and citizen scientists - to build advanced computer models to map the potential distribution of invasive plant species. Despite large ecological damage and economic costs associated with invasive species; limited funds are available yearly for invasive species control. These products will increase efficiency...
By
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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Forecasting the Spread of Invasive Plants

We are using invasive plant data - collected locally and globally by government agencies and citizen scientists - to build advanced computer models to map the potential distribution of invasive plant species. Despite large ecological damage and economic costs associated with invasive species; limited funds are available yearly for invasive species control. These products will increase efficiency...
Learn More
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Acacia koa forest in former pasture land

Post Fire Restoration in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

We are studying post-fire forest regeneration in montane habitats within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. By testing out different restoration strategies, as well as links between grass cover and fire, we hope to increase restored forest fire resistance and resilience.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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Post Fire Restoration in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

We are studying post-fire forest regeneration in montane habitats within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. By testing out different restoration strategies, as well as links between grass cover and fire, we hope to increase restored forest fire resistance and resilience.
Learn More
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