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THE SCIENCE OF ECOSYSTEMS ON THE GARDEN ISLAND OF KAUAI |
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MAINPAGE |
OF KAUAI |
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and Speciation of Kauai’s Plants and Animals |
| Owing to their extreme isolation in the middle of the Earth’s largest ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are biologically unique. These islands were colonized initially only by the relatively few species of plants and animals that were suitably adapted for the long journey over 2400+ miles of open ocean. Not surprisingly Hawaii has no native terrestrial reptiles or amphibians and only two native mammals, the hoary bat and the monk seal. Even coastal waters display only a very limited number of coral species, compared with the rest of the Pacific Ocean, and nearly 25% of inshore fishes are endemic to Hawaii (i.e., found no where else in the world). The successful colonists encountered a diversity of new habitats commonly devoid of competitors, or predators, or the diseases of their homelands, all of which lead to exotic evolutionary pathways. Over 4,300 species of land plants and animals (including 2,300 insects and 1,000 land snail species) exist only in the eight high islands of Hawaii. From as few as 15 original aviators as many as 100 new bird species evolved, many of which became flightless. It is estimated that 280 original plant colonists evolved into over 1,000 native plant species. In addition, these isolated islands were one of the last places on Earth discovered and occupied by humans. Following the morning presentation, which reviews Hawaii’s unique biogeography, we examine mountain top bog and forest ecosystems and many of their native plants and birds during a hike through the rain forest of Kokee, near the center of the island. Discussions deal with aspects of island speciation, the current problems created by invasive plant and animal species and the high rates of extinction on Hawaii and island around the world. Lesson plan exercises include; 1) delineation of an ecosystem based on its fundamental elements, 2) monitoring of the flora in a mountain ecosystem, and 3) the basic elements of an ecosystem excursion. |
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GEOLOGY |
BIOGEOGRAPHY |
BEACHES |
REEFS |
SEA LEVEL |