Floristic and structural development of native dry forest stands at Mokuleia, N.W. Oahu

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Almost all species recorded 20 years ago from seven plots of native dry forest stands at Mokuleia are still found in their respective plots. Except in two plots, almost all the dominant native species are regenerating and maintaining themselves. The regeneration of native Canthium odoratum is curtailed by a moth (Orneodes obiurgatella Walsingham) which infests and kills embryos of Canthium. Introduced Schinus terebinthifolius trees have invaded the plot and have also suppressed the native Canthium trees. The seedling establishment of native Erythrina sandwicensis was handicapped by the invasion of an introduced grass Melinis minutiflora which covers the ground densely. Other new introduced species invaded almost all plots, whereas new native species invaded only plots located in or near the Mokuleia Forest Reserve, the main sources of native species in this area. If undisturbed by animals or fire, native forests can maintain themselves. However, shade-tolerant introduced species seem to remain as minor component in these native forests. Among the native species, Sapindus oahuensis is able to invade the introduced Leucaena leucocephala stands, where Sapindus can become the dominant tree cover. To reclaim the dry lowland areas with native forest trees, Sapindus seems to be one of the species of promise.The study was initiated under NSF Grant GB-4688. The major support came from the Mcintire-Stennis fund for forestry research held by the Hawaii Agricultural Experement Station of the University of Hawaii. The work was completed with funds from the ISLAND ECOSYSTEMS IRP, NSF Grant GB-23230