Native Forest Restoration and Monitoring Project Report #1 July 6 th, 2016

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1 Native Forest Restoration and Monitoring Project Report #1 July 6 th, 2016 In August 2015, after moving to the Big Island, we began a project to restore and monitor the native Hawaiian forest on our property located on the slopes of Mauna Kea, west of Hilo. Although there are several forest restoration projects on private property in this area, to our knowledge there are none employing a science-based approach. Our team consists of Mihaela Ryer, a geoscientist by background, and Michael Ryer, a student at Willamette University in Oregon majoring in Chemistry. The property is 76,900 square meters (19 acres) in size, and is located at an elevation of 490 meters (1,600 feet). It receives on average over 500 cm (200 in) precipitation yearly. The key native plant species in this ecosystem include the Acacia koa (Koa), Metrosiderous polymorpha (Ohi a), and Ciboticum glaucum (Hapu u pulu). These species are present in small numbers on the property, as remnants of the pre-sugarcane native forest, and form the focus of our reforestation effort. Figure 1. The study area is located on the slopes of Mauna Kea (shown on the far left of the photograph, at skyline). The vegetation at present consists mostly of invasive species, with a minority of native Hawaiian plants.

2 In order to achieve our goals, we acquired the following instruments, which to our knowledge are being used for the first time to monitor Koa and Ohi a tree growth: HOBO U30-NRC Weather Station Data Logger from Onset Computers CI-600 In-Situ Root Imager from CID Bio-Science CI-340 Handheld Photosynthesis System from CID Bio-Science Kelway Soil ph and Moisture Meter Figure 2. The first step was to set up and familiarize ourselves with the new equipment. This photo shows the Situ Root Imager and the CI-340 Handheld Photosynthesis System from CID Bio-Science CI-600 In- The devices and equipment we acquired are meant to allow us to determine the optimal conditions conducive to native plant development on the property. Specifically, our project goals are as follows: Restore the endemic species of the Hawaiian mesic forest on a private property land on the slopes of Mauna Kea Conduct the work without the use of herbicides or other poisonous chemicals Identify and use technologies, which will enable a more efficient reforestation effort Establish partnerships with technology companies, academia and conservation groups Disseminate information to public and create hands-on learning opportunities for local students.

3 To achieve these goals, we designed the following project plan: Phase One (August August 2017) Monitor the root development of newly planted Koa and Ohi a trees on six different test areas Determine the optimal environmental conditions for the growth of Koa and Ohi a Experiment with the replacing the invasive species with Koa, Ohi a, and Hapu u on several test areas Conduct initial collaboration with various science partners Phase Two (August August 2022) Roll-out successful practices from Phase One onto entire project area The following is a summary of the ways in which the instruments will aid us in achieving the project goals: The CI-600 In-Situ Root Imager will allow us to keep track of the changes in the plant root system over time, and determine the health and growth of Koa and Ohi a trees. This will be the primary piece of information used in determining what causes successful plant development. All other data will provide additional information for what makes up the most favorable environmental conditions for re-establishing the native plants. Figure 3. The root imager stations are set up next to several different Ohi'a and Koa plants, so as to effectively track the progress of each in their slightly different locations. This picture shows a measurement being taken of a Koa seedling.

4 The CI-340 Handheld Photosynthesis System will be used to actively monitor the rate of photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, stomatal conductance, PAR and internal CO2 at different times of the day. This will help us determine what climate conditions (temperature, sun exposure, and CO2 exposure) are most favorable to photosynthesis. Figure 4. Example of data acquisition from a young Koa tree using the CI-340 Handheld Photosynthesis System.

5 Using the HOBO Weather Station Data Logger U30-NRC from Onset Computers, we are able to measure temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, and relative humidity continuously during the day. We will establish relationships between this data and that acquired with the Photosynthesis System and Root Scanner to develop guidelines for successful reforestation practices on the property. Figure 5. Downloading data from the HOBO Weather Station Date Logger U30-NRC.