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Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center images.

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Feral pigs approach out of the forest, Hilo Hawaii.
Feral pigs approach the road next to a forested area in Hilo, Hawaii
Feral pigs approach the road next to a forested area in Hilo, Hawaii
Feral pigs approach the road next to a forested area in Hilo, Hawaii

A group of feral pigs leaves the forest and approaches the photographer at the side of the road. Many parts of Hilo and Hawaii Island are experiencing increased interaction with feral wildlife.

A group of feral pigs leaves the forest and approaches the photographer at the side of the road. Many parts of Hilo and Hawaii Island are experiencing increased interaction with feral wildlife.

Mamane branch with yellow flowers
Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)
Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)
Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)

Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla), a native Hawaiian plant, in bloom on Mauna Kea, Island of Hawai‘i.

Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla), a native Hawaiian plant, in bloom on Mauna Kea, Island of Hawai‘i.

Geneticist in lab using a pipette to extract a sample from a centrifuge tube
Geneticist extracts DNA from samples to detect fungal pathogen
Geneticist extracts DNA from samples to detect fungal pathogen
Geneticist extracts DNA from samples to detect fungal pathogen

Geneticist, Kylle Roy, extracts DNA from samples to detect Ceratocystis, a fungal pathogen that causes Rapid Ohia Death. Samples have been acquired using aerial spore traps, by collecting wood shavings from ohia trees, or by collecting frass (excrement) of wood-boring beetles.

Geneticist, Kylle Roy, extracts DNA from samples to detect Ceratocystis, a fungal pathogen that causes Rapid Ohia Death. Samples have been acquired using aerial spore traps, by collecting wood shavings from ohia trees, or by collecting frass (excrement) of wood-boring beetles.

Air sampling station in a grassy field with ocean in background
Air sampling station on the Hāmākua Coast on the island of Hawai‘i
Air sampling station on the Hāmākua Coast on the island of Hawai‘i
Air sampling station on the Hāmākua Coast on the island of Hawai‘i

A trap designed for collecting airborne particulates deployed on the Hāmākua Coast of the island of Hawai‘i. The traps appear to be an effective method for monitoring airborne fungal spores as hundreds of fungal taxa were identified from a handful of samples screened by second generation sequencing.

A trap designed for collecting airborne particulates deployed on the Hāmākua Coast of the island of Hawai‘i. The traps appear to be an effective method for monitoring airborne fungal spores as hundreds of fungal taxa were identified from a handful of samples screened by second generation sequencing.

An ohia tree log showing tunnels created by wood boring beetles
Inside of an ohia log with tunnels created by wood boring beetles
Inside of an ohia log with tunnels created by wood boring beetles
Inside of an ohia log with tunnels created by wood boring beetles

Wood boring beetle tunnels inside of an ‘ōhi‘a log. Researchers are investigating if the spread of beetle frass (excrement) is a pathway for movement of a fungus that causes Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death.

Wood boring beetle tunnels inside of an ‘ōhi‘a log. Researchers are investigating if the spread of beetle frass (excrement) is a pathway for movement of a fungus that causes Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death.

clouds over fields,mountains, and ocean with forest in the foreground
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu.
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu.
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu.

A view across the Waiʻanae mountains of West Oʻahu shows some of the diverse landscapes and ecosystems found in Hawaiʻi.

clouds over mountains and ocean with forest in the foreground
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu.
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu.
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu.

A panoramic view as seen from Honouliuli Preserve in the Waiʻanae mountains shows some of the diverse landscapes and ecosystems found on Oʻahu.

A panoramic view as seen from Honouliuli Preserve in the Waiʻanae mountains shows some of the diverse landscapes and ecosystems found on Oʻahu.

clouds over mountains and ocean with forest in the foreground
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu
Landscape view from Honouliuli Preserve, Oʻahu

A panoramic view as seen from Honouliuli Preserve shows some of the diverse landscapes and ecosystems found on Oʻahu.

Close-up photograph of stem, leaves and flower buds of haha plant
Cyanea calycina, or haha, in the Wai‘anae Mountains on O‘ahu
Cyanea calycina, or haha, in the Wai‘anae Mountains on O‘ahu
Cyanea calycina, or haha, in the Wai‘anae Mountains on O‘ahu

A Cyanea calycina, or haha, growing in the Wai‘anae Mountains on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Haha is a rare and endangered plant endemic to Hawai‘i.

Person processing a sample using the "Lab in a Suitcase"
Lab in a Suitcase to test for pathogen causing Rapid Ohia Death
Lab in a Suitcase to test for pathogen causing Rapid Ohia Death
Lab in a Suitcase to test for pathogen causing Rapid Ohia Death

"Lab in a Suitcase" set up in the field to test samples for the fungus (Ceratocystis fimbriata) responsible for Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death.

Image: An Endangered Honeycreeper, the  ‘Akeke‘e (Kaua‘i Akepa), in Hawai‘i
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akeke‘e (Kaua‘i Akepa), in Hawai‘i
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akeke‘e (Kaua‘i Akepa), in Hawai‘i
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akeke‘e (Kaua‘i Akepa), in Hawai‘i

Many species of Hawaiian honeycreepers have persisted into the 20th century because high elevation rain forests on the islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i are cool enough to limit transmission of introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum).

Many species of Hawaiian honeycreepers have persisted into the 20th century because high elevation rain forests on the islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i are cool enough to limit transmission of introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum).

Photograph of coastal strand habitat
Coastal Strand, Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park
Coastal Strand, Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park
Plastic bags with mosquito larvae
Rearing mosquito larvae for species identification
Rearing mosquito larvae for species identification
Rearing mosquito larvae for species identification

Mosquito larvae being reared to identify species. Samples collected at the Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hawai‘i. 

Photograph of female mosquito (Aedes japonicus)
Female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae
Female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae
Female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae

A female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae collected from the Kawaikoi Stream, Kauai.

Photograph overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau, Kaua‘i
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau, Kaua‘i
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau, Kaua‘i
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau, Kaua‘i

Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau from the Alaka‘i Swamp trailhead, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.

Photograph of Kawaikoi Stream crossing
Kawaikoi Stream crossing, Kaua‘i
Kawaikoi Stream crossing, Kaua‘i
Kawaikoi Stream crossing, Kaua‘i

Kawaikoi Stream crossing in the Alaka‘i Swamp, Kaua‘i

Sunset on Mauna Kea
Sunset on Mauna Kea
Sunset on Mauna Kea
Sunset on Mauna Kea

Research projects with the USGS take scientists to beautiful places and Mauna Kea volcano on Hawai‘i Island is no exception. Here is a palila field crew camping site on the north slope of Mauna Kea as the sun sets.  

Research projects with the USGS take scientists to beautiful places and Mauna Kea volcano on Hawai‘i Island is no exception. Here is a palila field crew camping site on the north slope of Mauna Kea as the sun sets.  

Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal
Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal
Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal
Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal

Palila nestlings, so young their eyes are not even open yet, wait open-mouthed for their parents to bring them food. Palila nestlings face many threats including rats, cats, and mongoose predators. 

Palila nestlings, so young their eyes are not even open yet, wait open-mouthed for their parents to bring them food. Palila nestlings face many threats including rats, cats, and mongoose predators. 

Dr. Chris Farmer measures the tarsus of a palila
Dr. Chris Farmer measures the tarsus of a palila
Dr. Chris Farmer measures the tarsus of a palila
Dr. Chris Farmer measures the tarsus of a palila

Palila, a critically endangered Hawaiian bird found only the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i, have faced several threats including invasive cats, rats, and mongoose, and loss of habitat. Dr. Paul Banko has spent decades of his career studying palila populations and threats. In this photo, Dr.

Palila, a critically endangered Hawaiian bird found only the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i, have faced several threats including invasive cats, rats, and mongoose, and loss of habitat. Dr. Paul Banko has spent decades of his career studying palila populations and threats. In this photo, Dr.

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