Abstract:
The marine algae, invertebrate and fish communities were surveyed at ten islet
or offshore island sites in the Main Hawaiian Islands in the vicinity of
Lanai, (Puu Pehe and Poo Poo Islets), Maui (Kaemi and Hulu
Islets and the outer rim of Molokini), off Kaulapapa National Historic Park on
Molokai (Mokapu, Okala and Namoku Islets) and Oahu (Kaohikaipu
Islet and outside Kapapa Island) in 2007. Survey protocol at all sites
consisted of an initial reconnaissance survey on which all algae,
invertebrates and fishes that could be identified on site were listed and or
photographed and collections of algae and invertebrates were collected for
later laboratory identification. Following the reconnaissance surveys,
quantitative estimates of coral and algal coverage and size and biomass of
fishes along 25 m transects were conducted at each site and their locations
were recorded using GPS.
Purpose:
In order to address the need for coordinated, statewide program for islet
conservation, the Offshore Islet Restoration Committee (OIRC) was formed in
September 2002. The OIRC is a multi-agency group dedicated to conducting
biological surveys and restoration on selected offshore islets in Hawaii.
Members include the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division
of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S.
Coast Guard, the U.S. Geological Survey's Biological Resources Division,
Wildlife Services from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bishop Museum,
National Marine Fisheries Service, Pelea Pacifica, and the University of
Hawaii. The objectives of the OIRC are to:
* Complete baseline biological inventories on selected islets
* Collect and conserve genetic material from rare plant species
* Eradicate alien mammals
* Assess efficacy of experimental eradication techniques
* Eradicate or control invasive weeds
* Control soil erosion through re-vegetation
* Re-plant native vegetation, including rare species, on selected islets
* Monitor and scientifically document results of restoration actions
* Educate the public on islet biota and conservation needs
Much of the focus of the OIRC has been on assessing, maintaining or restoring
the terrestrial system and bird fauna of these offshore islets. Most offshore
islet reef areas in the main Hawaiian Islands have not yet been assessed for
the composition or abundance of the organisms that comprise their marine
communities. Therefore, the present project was conceived and conducted to
provide this information for selected offshore islets in the main Hawaiian
chain where such information has been lacking, and to evaluate the status of
these areas in terms of their assumed lack of anthropogenic disturbance and
isolation from introduced invasive species.
Sensor_Name SCUBA, digital camera
Source_Name manual
Project_Campaign: Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative
Originating_Center Bishop Museum
Storage_Medium Excel, PDF, MS Word, JPEG
Online_size: 264026 kilobytes
Resource Description: NODC Accession Number 0042684
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NCEI Geoportal Filter
Theme_Keyword: CoRIS_Metadata
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Biological survey
Theme_Keyword: coastal studies
Theme_Keyword: coral reef species, percent cover, size classes, abundance
Theme_Keyword: reef fish species, presence, size classes, count, abundance
Theme_Keyword: algae species, abundance
Theme_Keyword: invertebrate species, abundance
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: biota
Theme_Keyword: 002
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: 007
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Numeric Data Sets > Biology
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: North Pacific Ocean
Place_Keyword: Hawaiian Islands
Place_Keyword: Oahu
Place_Keyword: Molokai
Place_Keyword: Maui
Place_Keyword: Lanai
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Region
Place_Keyword: MHI
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Place Thesaurus
Place_Keyword:
OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Oahu Island > Oahu (21N157W0003)
Place_Keyword:
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Oahu (21N157W0003)
Place_Keyword:
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Molokai Island (21N157W0001)
Place_Keyword:
OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Molokai Island > Molokai Island (21N157W0001)
Place_Keyword:
OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Maui Island > Maui Island (20N156W0004)
Place_Keyword:
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Maui Island (20N156W0004)
Place_Keyword:
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Lanai Island (20N156W0002)
Place_Keyword:
OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Lanai Island > Lanai Island (20N156W0002)
Stratum:
Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Stratum_Keyword: benthic
Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative,Bishop Museum, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation