ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess

Abstract Number: 5607
Session = 15.9.5


KEY ALIEN SPECIES IN HAWAIIAN FOREST COMMUNITIES


Stephen G. Weller*, Robert J. Cabin^, and David H. Lorence#, *Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, 92697, ^USDA Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 23 E. Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, #National Tropical Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 340, Lawai, HI 96765


Alien species are hypothesized to have profound effects on native communities. Removal of these species is often thought to be the first step in restoring native communities, but may instead have unexpected consequences including invasion of equally disruptive species. These possibilities were tested on the island of Hawaii in native dry forest that has been fenced from ungulates for over forty years. Despite fencing, regeneration of native species has been prevented by a thick cover of fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum). Removal of this fire-promoting alien species resulted in regeneration of native species as well as the colonization and potential invasion by new alien species.

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