Conservation Ecology of Hawaiian Forest Birds
Many of Hawai‘i’s forest birds have shown significant declines in the past 200 years, with many currently listed as endangered species. Multiple threats have been identified as contributing to declines, including disease, invasive species, habitat loss, and decreased survivorship and productivity caused by introduced predators. Through a combination of demographic information, population modeling, and structured decision making process, we help managers optimize conservation strategies
Overview:
Hawai‘i’s forest birds are one of the most imperiled group of birds in the world. Multiple threats have been identified as contributing to declines, including disease, invasive species, habitat loss, and decreased survivorship and productivity caused by introduced predators. This research combines empirical research and population modeling to provide insights into threats and help mangers develop conservation strategies to ensure persistence of these species of birds. Inter-related and complementary studies combine field demographic and ecological studies from sites across the Hawaiian Island and ecological models to better understand forest bird population dynamics to provide information to resource managers.
Project Objectives:
- Quantify and understand factors limiting populations of native Hawaiian birds, specifically how factors affect survivorship, productivity, and movement, and develop information to aid managers in conservation actions.
- Better understand links between habitat characteristics (quality) and population densities and viability of Hawaiian forest birds.
- Explore the development of disease resistance in native Hawaiian bird populations.
Highlights and Key Findings:
We have brought together multiple lines of research, studies of survival, productivity, movement, and are combining them into models that allow us to understand processes influencing population dynamics, evaluate effectiveness of conservation actions, and make predictions about the impact of future events.
At Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), on the Island of Hawai‘i, we completed 5 seasons (2012–2016) of demographic research (mark and recapture and nest monitoring) for Hawai‘i forest birds. During this time more than: 3,600 birds were banded, 1,350 banded birds were recaptured, and 900 forest bird nests were found. Additionally, using a network of automated radio telemetry tracking towers around Hakalau Forest NWR we tracked long-distance movements in two species, ‘I‘iwi and ‘Apapane, and we have linked movements with demographic findings. Using historical datasets and recent research results we have developed demographic models to understand and predict population dynamics.
Studies on the island of Kaua‘i have explored the population size and viability forest bird populations restricted to the island.
Many of Hawai‘i’s forest birds have shown significant declines in the past 200 years, with many currently listed as endangered species. Multiple threats have been identified as contributing to declines, including disease, invasive species, habitat loss, and decreased survivorship and productivity caused by introduced predators. Through a combination of demographic information, population modeling, and structured decision making process, we help managers optimize conservation strategies
Overview:
Hawai‘i’s forest birds are one of the most imperiled group of birds in the world. Multiple threats have been identified as contributing to declines, including disease, invasive species, habitat loss, and decreased survivorship and productivity caused by introduced predators. This research combines empirical research and population modeling to provide insights into threats and help mangers develop conservation strategies to ensure persistence of these species of birds. Inter-related and complementary studies combine field demographic and ecological studies from sites across the Hawaiian Island and ecological models to better understand forest bird population dynamics to provide information to resource managers.
Project Objectives:
- Quantify and understand factors limiting populations of native Hawaiian birds, specifically how factors affect survivorship, productivity, and movement, and develop information to aid managers in conservation actions.
- Better understand links between habitat characteristics (quality) and population densities and viability of Hawaiian forest birds.
- Explore the development of disease resistance in native Hawaiian bird populations.
Highlights and Key Findings:
We have brought together multiple lines of research, studies of survival, productivity, movement, and are combining them into models that allow us to understand processes influencing population dynamics, evaluate effectiveness of conservation actions, and make predictions about the impact of future events.
At Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), on the Island of Hawai‘i, we completed 5 seasons (2012–2016) of demographic research (mark and recapture and nest monitoring) for Hawai‘i forest birds. During this time more than: 3,600 birds were banded, 1,350 banded birds were recaptured, and 900 forest bird nests were found. Additionally, using a network of automated radio telemetry tracking towers around Hakalau Forest NWR we tracked long-distance movements in two species, ‘I‘iwi and ‘Apapane, and we have linked movements with demographic findings. Using historical datasets and recent research results we have developed demographic models to understand and predict population dynamics.
Studies on the island of Kaua‘i have explored the population size and viability forest bird populations restricted to the island.