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.
Carter T Atkinson
Specialty: Wildlife disease with a focus on vector borne parasitic diseases of birds
Research Interests: Ecology and pathogenicity of blood parasites of vertebrates
Personal Interests: Hiking and family life
Science and Products
Pathways for Movement and Rate of Spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death on the Island of Hawai‘i
Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) is an emerging and rapidly spreading disease of ‘ōhi‘a ( Metrosideros polymorpha), a keystone native forest tree in the Hawaiian Islands. The disease is highly pathogenic in native ‘ōhi‘a and can lead to significant mortality once symptoms become evident. This emerging pathogen is a significant threat to native forests throughout the state because of its potential impacts...
Environmental DNA (eDNA): a New Tool for Monitoring Status and Trends of Ecosystems and Taxa in Hawaii and Pacific Islands
Remote locations, rugged topography, extreme weather conditions, high numbers of threatened and endangered taxa, and widespread degradation of native ecosystems by invasive species makes routine monitoring to determine status and trends of ecosystems and native and invasive taxa difficult and expensive in the Hawaiian Islands. There is a need to supplement existing monitoring protocols with more...
Avian Pathogens and Vectors - Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
While the Hawaiian avian disease system has been well-studied in the forests of the older section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), and in many other locations throughout the state, nothing was known about avian disease in the new Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the adjacent Kau Forest Reserve. The high elevation forests of Kahuku are the only habitat located on...
Disease Ecology In the Pacific Basin: Wildlife and Public Health Concerns
Both wildlife and human health in Hawai‘i and other island ecosystems in the Pacific Basin face continued threats from introductions of diseases and vectors. Accidental introduction of mosquito-borne avian malaria and pox virus to Hawai‘i is an outstanding example of how biological invasions can have a profound effect on endemic wildlife. The geographic distribution, density, and community...
Vulnerability of Hawaiian Forest Birds to Climate Change
The Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s most culturally valuable but imperiled forest birds, including brightly colored native honeycreepers, many of which are threatened or endangered. One of the major threats these birds face is avian malaria, which is spread by a species of introduced mosquito and can have death rates exceeding 90 percent. For decades, upper mountain...
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.
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).
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii
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).
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akikiki (Kaua‘i Creeper), 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).
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
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).
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
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).
Alakai Plateau
USGS scientists conduct research on the remote, rugged 'Alakai Plateau of Kaua'i.
USGS scientists conduct research on the remote, rugged 'Alakai Plateau of Kaua'i.
'Akiapōlā'au
Endangered Hawai'i forest bird, 'Akiapōlā‘au (Hemignathus munroi).
Endangered Hawai'i forest bird, 'Akiapōlā‘au (Hemignathus munroi).
'Akepa
Endangered Hawaiʻi forest bird, 'Akepa (Loxops coccineus) (male).
Endangered Hawaiʻi forest bird, 'Akepa (Loxops coccineus) (male).
Hawai'i Creeper
Endangered forest bird, Hawai'i Creeper (Oreomystis mana).
Endangered forest bird, Hawai'i Creeper (Oreomystis mana).
Science and Products
Pathways for Movement and Rate of Spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death on the Island of Hawai‘i
Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) is an emerging and rapidly spreading disease of ‘ōhi‘a ( Metrosideros polymorpha), a keystone native forest tree in the Hawaiian Islands. The disease is highly pathogenic in native ‘ōhi‘a and can lead to significant mortality once symptoms become evident. This emerging pathogen is a significant threat to native forests throughout the state because of its potential impacts...
Environmental DNA (eDNA): a New Tool for Monitoring Status and Trends of Ecosystems and Taxa in Hawaii and Pacific Islands
Remote locations, rugged topography, extreme weather conditions, high numbers of threatened and endangered taxa, and widespread degradation of native ecosystems by invasive species makes routine monitoring to determine status and trends of ecosystems and native and invasive taxa difficult and expensive in the Hawaiian Islands. There is a need to supplement existing monitoring protocols with more...
Avian Pathogens and Vectors - Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
While the Hawaiian avian disease system has been well-studied in the forests of the older section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), and in many other locations throughout the state, nothing was known about avian disease in the new Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the adjacent Kau Forest Reserve. The high elevation forests of Kahuku are the only habitat located on...
Disease Ecology In the Pacific Basin: Wildlife and Public Health Concerns
Both wildlife and human health in Hawai‘i and other island ecosystems in the Pacific Basin face continued threats from introductions of diseases and vectors. Accidental introduction of mosquito-borne avian malaria and pox virus to Hawai‘i is an outstanding example of how biological invasions can have a profound effect on endemic wildlife. The geographic distribution, density, and community...
Vulnerability of Hawaiian Forest Birds to Climate Change
The Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s most culturally valuable but imperiled forest birds, including brightly colored native honeycreepers, many of which are threatened or endangered. One of the major threats these birds face is avian malaria, which is spread by a species of introduced mosquito and can have death rates exceeding 90 percent. For decades, upper mountain...
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.
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).
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii
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).
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akikiki (Kaua‘i Creeper), 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).
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
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).
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
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).
Alakai Plateau
USGS scientists conduct research on the remote, rugged 'Alakai Plateau of Kaua'i.
USGS scientists conduct research on the remote, rugged 'Alakai Plateau of Kaua'i.
'Akiapōlā'au
Endangered Hawai'i forest bird, 'Akiapōlā‘au (Hemignathus munroi).
Endangered Hawai'i forest bird, 'Akiapōlā‘au (Hemignathus munroi).
'Akepa
Endangered Hawaiʻi forest bird, 'Akepa (Loxops coccineus) (male).
Endangered Hawaiʻi forest bird, 'Akepa (Loxops coccineus) (male).
Hawai'i Creeper
Endangered forest bird, Hawai'i Creeper (Oreomystis mana).
Endangered forest bird, Hawai'i Creeper (Oreomystis mana).