Preventing Extinction: Hawaii's Plant Extinction Prevention Program (Formerly, Genetic Safety Net Program) Interim Technical Report

Transcription

1 Preventing Extinction: Hawaii's Plant Extinction Prevention Program (Formerly, Genetic Safety Net Program) Interim Technical Report Reporting Period: June 1, May 30, 2008 Prepared by: Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii For: Peter Scott Foundation, IUCN World Conservation Union June 2008 Page II

2 GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION Background In Hawaii, nearly 200 of the 1500 native plant species are at risk of going extinct within the next several years because they have been reduced to extremely low numbers, i.e., fewer than 50 individuals remaining. The Hawaii Plant Specialist Group of the IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature is a consortium of over 60 participants from Federal, State, and local government agencies; botanical gardens; private organizations; and private landowners committed to protecting these species. The Hawaii Plant Specialist Group is developing a model for an archipelago-wide project to prevent the extinction of these critically at-risk species. To achieve this goal, the Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) Program was formed. This program was formerly called the Genetic Safety Net in the grant proposal. Today, the PEP Program carries out its plant conservation mission to prevent plant extinctions on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island. The focus ofthe PEP Program are in situ and ex situ protection of those species with 50 or fewer individuals, hereafter referred to as PEP species. The Hawaii Plant Specialist Group seeks to increase plant propagation of PEP species either through conventional greenhouse practices or the use of in vitro tissue culture. A network of seed storage labs and rare plant facilities will secure living genetic material for future reintroduction efforts. It will also extend time for land managers to plan habitat protection and restoration programs that address the primary threats of these species. Once these programs are in place, the stored germplasm can be activated and desired quantity of plant propagated. In addition to collection, storage, and propagation of these species, in situ management of existing threats is needed to prevent extinction. The majority of the PEP species occur in areas that are not currently managed for conservation or are in areas where conservation actions do not address immediate threats to these species. For those species immediately threatened with extinction by feral ungulates, small-scale fencing is the priority management action. Control of alien plant species is essential where a dense cover of alien species restricts seed germination and seedling survival. The generous funding of $14, from the Sir Peter Scott Foundation (IUCN) has allowed the Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group's PEP Program to conduct initial baseline surveys and collect genetic material from the following eight species on the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai that have not been surveyed recently: Cyanea horrida, Cyanea magnicalyx, Cyanea lobata, Cyperus neokunthianus, Cyrtandra hematos, Melicope wailauensis, Platanthera holochila, and Schiedeajacobii. Page 12

3 In addition, the following site-specific surveys for these species were deemed priorities: Cyanea horrida: Conduct baseline survey of all plants on East Maui, where this species is endemic, Cyanea magnicalyx: Survey historical populations in Olowalu Valley, Maui Cyanea lobata: Survey historical populations in Waihee Valley, Maui Cyperus neokunthianus: Survey historical populations in Waihee Valley, Maui Cyrtandra hematos: Survey Olokui Natural Area Reserve, Molokai Melicope wailauensis: Survey Olokui Natural Area Reserve, Molokai Platanthera holochila: Survey historical population in Waihee Valley, Maui Schiedea jacobii: Revisit one known location, and survey additional suitable habitat This Sir Peter Scott Foundation grant funds airfare and helicopter travel that allows the Maui Nui Plant Extinction Prevention Coordinator, Hank Oppenheimer, to implement the recovery actions for the eight critically rare plant species. The funding was received on July 20, 2007 and field work outlined in the grant proposal began shortly thereafter. In this first year of the two year project, the activities outlined above have been partially completed. All individuals of each species that were visited were monitored and fruit collected if they were available. They were also numbered, tagged, and mapped. In addition, baseline surveys were conducted for Cyanea horrida and while we have not been able to gain access to Waihee Valley, Olokui Natural Area Reserve, and Olowalu Valley to survey historical populations for the other seven species, negotiations are in progress and it is our hope to complete all surveys by March To accomplish the most work with the funds available, travel and other expenses that were incurred for this project have been charged to other funding sources in this first year. Beginning July 2008, travel expenses will be charged to the Sir Peter Scott Foundation IUCN account for the second year of the project. This interim technical report summarizes the field activities for the period of June 1, 2007 through May 30, RESULTS This project has successfully completed the first year of a two year project on Maui and Molokai. The primary goal of this project is to conduct initial baseline surveys and collect genetic material of eight PEP species. In this first year, surveys were conducted for two species: Cyanea horrida and Platanthera holochila. In addition, fruit were collected for four species (Cyanea horrida, Cyanea magnicalyx, Cyanea lobata, and Platanthera holochila) as a result ofrepeated monitoring trips to existing populations. Indepth descriptions ofthe activities for each of the eight species are below, by species, and each summary is followed by a table with the current numbers of individuals that remain. Cyanea horrida: Over the last year, genetic material was collected from a total of three founders: three individuals located within The Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve on Maui were monitored on October 17, During that visit, one of the individual's Page 13

4 main stem was found to be dead, although a basal resprout was noted. Fruit was collected from two individuals that were not previously sampled, increasing the genetic representation for this species in an ex situ rare plant facility. The seeds were sent to the Olinda Rare Plant Facility (Maui) for germination, to Harold L. Lyon Arboretum (Oahu) for micropropagation, and the University of Hawaii's Center for Conservation Research and Training Seed Storage Laboratory on Oahu for medium-term storage. Seeds were also brought to Haleakala National Park's nursery for future reintroduction. Fruit from a single previously unknown individual from the Koolau Gap (TNC Waikamoi Preserve) was collected by cooperators and delivered to the Olinda Rare Plant Facility on November 20, A trip to Hanawi Natural Area Reserve is scheduled for August 2008 to monitor some of the known plants as well as survey for additional plants. Waikamoi Preserve, Maui /17/2007 Haleakala National Park, Maui /2007 Manawainui, Maui Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, Maui ? TOTAL Cyanea lobata: This species is comprised of two recognized subspecies, C.!. ssp. lobata that is endemic to West Maui and C.!. ssp. baldwinii that occurs on Lanai. 1) Cyanea lobata ssp. lobata (federally and state-listed endangered as C. lobata) is only known from four or five mature plants that occur in three populations in the West Maui mountains. In the past year, two individuals of C. l. ssp. lobata in The Nature Conservancy's Kapunakea Preserve were monitored and collections of immature fruit from those two founders were made and sent to Lyon Arboretum. At present, we are working with county landowners to obtain access to Waihee Valley on Maui to assess the status of the population of four plants known to occur there. Actually, this species has not been observed in Waihe'e for nearly a century; the number of plants last observed is unknown. The other two plants known to exist are in Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Pu'u Kukui Preserve. Mahinahina Gulch, Maui (#0 1) /15/2004 Puu Kukui Preserve, Maui (#02) /03/2006 Kapunakea Preserve, Maui (#03, #04) /12/2007 Waihee Valley, Maui? 0 0? (By Forbes or Rock) Honokohau Valley 1? /15/2004; this plant may have recovered TOTAL 4, maybe ) Cyanea lobata ssp. baldwinii (federally and state-listed endangered as C. lobata) Page 14

5 This subspecies is endemic to Lanai and all known plants of this subspecies were thought to be extinct but in August 2006, botanists Ken Wood and Hank Oppenheimer rediscovered this taxon on Lanai. Since then, more plants have been found and one seedling from the original discovery died; the identity of one plant is in question. There are three known adults. Seeds from Plant #01 and a broken branch from Plant #05 were collected and taken to the Olinda Rare Plant Facility on Dec. 22, Hauola, Lanai /22/2007 TOTAL 3, maybe Cyanea magnicalyx: This species is now known from only five individuals (four adults and one juvenile). In the past 12 months, fruit was collected from the only known wild individual located at Puehuehu Nui and sent to Lyon Arboretum. Monitoring the lao Valley population revealed a sapling (#03) had died, reducing the number from four to three, but mature fruit was collected from plant #02, which had not been previously sampled. The fruit was delivered to the Olinda Rare Plant Facility on Maui for propagation. Rat control is ongoing at the lao Valley site. This species was historically known from Olowalu Valley, Maui, so a survey of the valley where good habitat is still present will be important to determine if additional plants can be found. A trip is scheduled for July 14-16, 2008 to establish a landing zone and base from which in depth surveys can be conducted. The reintroduction site at Honolua Valley is comprised of eight outplanted individuals, reduced from 3 5+ plants due to rat predation and other factors. The leaves of these remaining plants were eaten by rats but rat trapping is ongoing to alleviate the problem. Weed control of invasive plants such as Clidemia hirta, Padang cassia (Cinnamomum burmanii), and thimbleberry (Rubus rosifolius) are also ongoing. Wild: Puehuehu Nui, Maui (#06) Jan 14, 2008 lao Valley, Maui (#01, #02, #04) Feb 11, 2008 Honokohau, Maui /03/2006 Olowalu Valley, Maui??? Probably by Forbes, pre-1920 TOTAL (wild only) Outplantings: Honolua Valley, Maui (outplanting) Mar 5, 2008 Honokohau Valley, Maui June 2008 ( outp Ianting) Page IS

6 January Cyperus neokunthianus: This species is possibly extinct. Plants in a vegetative state that are possibly this species were observed in the late 1990s and in August Monitoring the plants for reproductive structures is a high priority so a definite identification can be made. The PEP Program is working with county landowners to obtain access to Waihee Valley on Maui to assess the status of a population that was historically known from the valley and to survey the area for any remaining plants. This should be accomplished in Waihee Valley, Maui 0? 0? 0?? TOTAL 0? 0? 0? Cyrtandra hematos: This species is endemic to Olokui Plateau, Kawela, and Kahuoahu Valley, on eastern Molokai. This species was last observed in Olokui Natural Area Reserve on Molokai in the last 20 years. At present, access to this a very remote site has been on hold as state land managers establish policies about accessing this culturally and biologically sensitive site. The PEP Program is hoping to gain access to this population in the fall of 2008 to survey for additional plants within the Natural Area Reserve. Olokui Natural Area Reserve,??? 1990's Molokai TOTAL??? Melicope wailauensis: This species, which is possibly extinct, is endemic to Wailau Valley on the island ofmolokai and was possibly observed in Olokui Natural Area Reserve in the last 20 years. It is only known from the type collection on Kukuinui ridge, across Wailau Valley from Olokui Natural Area Reserve. Access to this very remote site has been on hold as state land managers establish policies about accessing this culturally and biologically sensitive site. The PEP Program is working with managers to gain access to this population in the fall of 2008 to survey for additional plants within the Natural Area Reserve. Field work elsewhere in Wailau is in the planning stage. Olokui Natural Area Reserve, 0? 0? 0? 1933 Molokai TOTAL 0? 0? 0? Page 16

7 Platanthera holochila: All of the 27 individuals of this species on Molokai are enclosed in two exclosures within The Nature Conservancy's Kamakou Preserve on Molokai. A monitoring trip and fence check on August 28, 2007 revealed that many of these plants were in anthesis and some were dormant. Plants were dormant on a subsequent trip on April22, At present, we are working with county landowners to obtain access to Waihee Valley on Maui to assess the status of a single individual known to occur there. Despite repeated surveys in the fenced exclosure at Hanaula over the past several years (including 6/24/2008), no plants have been observed and that population is believed to be extirpated. The population in The Nature Conservancy's Kapunakea Preserve on West Maui will be re-surveyed this fall; plants have not been observed in recent years but monitoring has been both sporadic and brief. Some populations are known to remain dormant for several years. There are plants still known from Alakai Swamp on Kauai. Adults Juveniles Seedlin_g_s Waihee Valley, Maui Aug 2000 Hanaula, Maui Oct 2005 Kapunakea Preserve, Maui late 1990's Waikamoi Preserve, Maui These plants are long gone Kamakou Preserve, Molokai /22/2008 TOTAL Schiedea jacobii: This plant is now known only from a single seedling within Hanawi Natural Area Reserve on Maui, after three mature plants were observed dead in A trip to Hanawi Natural Area is scheduled for August 2008 to monitor the known individual as well as survey for additional plants. Seeds in storage at the University of California at Irvine were recently given the Haleakala National Park nursery to cultivate, but none have germinated to date. Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, Maui May 25, 2005 TOTAL WERE OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED? In this first year of this two-year project, the objectives have been completely achieved for one species (Cyanea horrida) and partially achieved for three other species (Cyanea magnicalyx, Cyanea lobata, Platanthera holochila), and are in the planning stages for the remaining four (Cyperus neokunthianus, Cyrtandra hematos, Melicope wailauensis, Schiedea jacobii). Page 17

8 The goal to monitor and collect plant propagules from as many plants as possible was met. Within the past 12 months, monitoring and/or collection of fruit were conducted for four of the eight species ( Cyanea horrida, Cyanea lobata, Cyanea magnicalyx, Platanthera holochila). The fruit were placed in partnering off-site facilities and propagated, tissue-cultured, or seeds stored for future reintroduction projects. Having these seeds in protective care in an off-site location provides additional assurances in case the wild populations become extirpated. Notably, fruit were collected from three individuals of two species (Cyanea horrida, Cyanea magnicalyx), from which collections have never been previously made. Such collections provide greater genetic representation of different founders and different populations, which in turn improves the chances of genetic mixing during reintroduction programs and ultimately, the recovery of the species. For this reporting period, surveys were conducted for Cyanea horrida and Platanthera holochila. Due to various access issues, we were unable to survey targeted historical populations of the remaining seven species, as discussed in the Results Section. However, access to Waihee Valley, Olokui Natural Area Reserve and Olowalu Valley to survey for the seven species is currently being negotiated and all surveys are targeted for completion by March UNEXPECTED RESULTS There were a few unexpected results and hurdles that were faced in the process of implementing our project actions. For example, the number of remaining individuals declined for one of the four species for which monitoring was conducted in the last 12 months. Monitoring revealed that one wild plant of Cyanea magnicalyx died in the lao Valley population, which reduced the total number of plants from six to five and represents a 17% decline of the species population. The loss of a single plant represents a significant loss of genetic diversity of the entire species and has serious implications on the recovery of the species. Fortunately, three plants still remain in that population and seeds of two of the plants have been sampled. Other unexpected results were revealed in the course of coordinating access across various landownership boundaries. Access to remote sites to revisit historical populations has proven more difficult than originally planned. Permission to access lands has been sought from the County Department of Water Supply for Waihee Valley on Maui to monitor Cyanea lobata, Cyperus neokunthianus, and Platanthera holochila for the past two years. All of the documentation has been provided so access is expected within the next two months. In addition, we are also currently working with state Depmiment of Land and Natural Resources staff to access Olokui Natural Area Reserve on Molokai to revisit Cyrtandra hematos and Melicope wailauensis, which are both endemic to that region of the island. A trip to Hanawi Natural Area Reserve is scheduled for August Page 18

9 COMMUNICATION MATERIAL Press Release: The fate of Cyanea horrida, below, is far from horrid. Funding provided by the Sir Peter Scott Foundation supports the recovery activities of this species, including seven other critically rare Hawaiian plants species that have fewer than 50 plants remaining (Cyanea magnicalyx, Cyanea lobata, Cyperus neokunthianus, Cyrtandra hematos, Melicope wailauensis, Platanthera holochila, and Schiedeajacobii). The grant provides airfare and helicopter travel for the Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group's Plant Extinction Prevention Program's Coordinator on the islands ofmaui, Molokai, and Lanai. To date, collections of propagules from 50% of the species have been made. The collected fruit were placed in partnering off-site rare plant facilities for propagation and storage, with plans to reintroduce them to protected habitats at a later time. Surveys targeting historical populations of seven species that are in some of the most remote and inaccessible areas of Molokai and Maui are scheduled for the summer and fall Photo by Hank Oppenheimer, PEP Program Page J9