Faya tree dieback: distribution, demography, and associated ecological factors
Tunison JT, Castro LF, Loh RL. 1998. Faya tree dieback: distribution, demography, and associated ecological factors. Technical report 122. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Honolulu, HI
Clusters of dying faya tree (Myrica faya) were first seen in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park early in 1988 along Hilina Pali Road. Defoliated and dead trees appeared to become more abundant and widespread in 1991-1993. Park Resources Management personnel developed an index of dieback and mapped the distribution of dieback in the park and vicinity in 1993. Mapping provided a baseline to evaluate further changes in faya tree dieback and it stimulated research on the causes of dieback. The distribution of faya tree was concentric, with the most severe dieback (approximately 80% of trees dead, defoliated, or nearly defoliated) located in an 80 ha area east of Kalanaokuaiki Pali. Two areas of approximately 500 ha, each with lower mortality surrounded this core area of severe dieback. Monitoring of individual trees indicated that dieback progressed slowly, declining trees did not recover substantially, and dieback can result in mortality. The concentric distribution of dieback severity does not correlate closely with any known environmental gradient including lava flow age or rainfall. However, there is generally more dieback in leeward, drier areas. There was little dieback in closed stands of faya tree, which are located largely in wet to mesic environments. Severe dieback in faya tree appears to be spatially associated with high levels of dieback in ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Tunison, J; Castro, L; Loh, R
- Date of Issue
- 1998-07
- Publisher
- Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawai`i at Manoa
- Units
- HAVO
- Keywords
- Dieback, Firetree (Myrica faya ait.), Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park HI, Plant Studies