Cloud Forest Dynamics at Alakahi, Kohala, Hawai`i

Eric HansenTropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science

University of Hawai`i at Hilo

Ola i ka wai a ka `ōpua.

There is life in the water from the clouds.

Epiphytes

Water Resources

Threats

• Urban development

• Farm expansion

• Marginalization & relocation of poor

• Horticultural products

• Drug production

Invasive species

Climate Change

Why we need cloud forests!

Lāna`i summit region circa 1900’s

Wai

pi`o

P

olol

ū

STUDY SITE

Need for this Study

• Varying results of previous research in area

• Limitations in past research: - Short sample period - Methodology issues

- Applying unnecessary correction factors

Why New Study?

• “…a need for greater research on hydrology & recharge capacity of the mountain.” (Kohala watershed plan 2008)

• Benefit all stake holders

Measuring Fog

MEASRUING THROUGHFALL

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00 140.000.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

90.00

100.00

f(x) = 0.767111815206789 x + 0.76396638880729R² = 0.785508509098381

Kohala_Fog vs. Rain _070410_020711

Fog (mm)

Rain

(mm

)

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00 140.000.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

90.00

f(x) = 0.653158607125855 x + 0.309863599545971R² = 0.82617385054973

Kohala_Fog vs. Throughfall_070410_020711

Fog (mm)

Thro

ughf

all (

mm

)

Fog_+RAIN

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.000.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

90.00

f(x) = 0.387570092055775 x − 0.204719029415755R² = 0.955832783428428

Kohala_Fog+Rain vs. Throughfall_070410_020711

Fog + Rain (mm)

Thro

ughf

all (

mm

)

Conclusion

• Many rare, endemic & threaten species

• The anchor of the mountain watersheds

• Provide water resource to lowlands

• Important for humans & other species

• Knowing hydrologic value = increased understanding to protect cloud forest

REFERENCESBruce, R.P. 1966. Preliminary report, Haleakalā National Park, Ko`olau fog drip potable water experiment. (Mimeographed), 8pp.

Bruijnzeel, L.A., Mulligan, M., and F.N. Scantena.2011.Hydrometeorolgy of tropical montane cloud forests: emerging patterns. Hydrological Processes. 25: 465-498.

Delay.J.K. 2005. Canopy Water Balance of An Elfin Cloud Forest at Alakahi, Hawai`i. Graduate Thesis. Department of Geography. University of Hawai`i, Manoa.

Delay, J.K. and T.W. Giambeulluca. In Press. History of Fog and cloud water interception in Hawai`i. In L.A. Bruijnzeel (ed.), Mountains in the Mist. Science for Conserving and Managing Tropical Montane Cloud Forests. Cambridge University Press.

Ekern, P.C.1964. Direct interception of Cloudwater at Lāna`ihale, Hawai`i. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 28: 419 – 421.

Frumau, K.F.A., Burkard,R., Schmid,S., Bruijnzeel, L.A., Tobon-Marin, C.M. and J. Calvo. in press. Fog gauge performance under fog and wind-driven rain conditions. In L.A. Bruijnzeel (ed.), Mountains in the Mist. Science for Conserving and Managing Tropical Montane Cloud Forests. Cambridge University Press.

Gash, J.H.C. 1979. An analytical model of rainfall interception by forests. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 105, 43-45.

Juvik, J.O., and Dennis Nullet. 1995. Relationship Between Rainfall, Cloud-Water interception, and Canopy Throughfall in a Hawaiian Montane Forest. . In L.S. Hamilton, J.O. Juvik, F.N. Scantena (eds.), Ecological Studies 110: Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: 234-253. Springer-Verlag. New York.

Juvik, J.O., Delay, J.K, and L. Tango. 2008 Climatological and Hydrological Field Monitoring. In Mueller-Dombois, D., Bridges, K. W., Daehler, C. C., (Eds.):Biodiversity Assessment of Tropical Island Ecosystems: PABITRA manual for interactive ecology and management: 68-83. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Kohala Watershed Paternship.2008. Kohala Mountain Watershed Management Project. Final Environmental Assessment.

Merlin, M.D. and J.O. Juvik. 1995. Montane Cloud Forest in the Tropical Pacific: Some Aspects of Their Floristic, Biogeography, Ecology and Conservation. Ecological Studies: Tropical Montane Cloud Forests 110: 234-253. Springer-Verlag. New York.

McKnight, J.H. and Juvik, J.O. 1975. Methodological approaches in Hawaiian fog research. Water Resources Research Center. Technical Report No. 85. University of Hawai`i, Honolulu, Hawai`i

Montheith, J.L.1973. Principles of Environmental Physics. Elsevier, New York.

Pineda, E. and G. Halffter. 2004. Species Diversity and Habitat Fragmentation: Frogs in Tropical Montane Landscape in Mexico. Biological Conservation 117: 499-508.

Wuethrich, B. 1993. Forest in clouds face stormy future. Science News 144(2): 23.

MAHALO NUI LOA:Dr. James Juvik, Dr. Yiqing Li, Dr. Jene Michaud