The Hawaiian Islands contain a wealth of plant diversity. Having taxonomic names and synonyms publicly available online allows this information to reach a wide audience and is a valuable resource for those working in plant conservation. Through the completion of this Target, conservation entities can keep up to date on taxonomic changes and attain a baseline for achieving and monitoring the other Targets of the Strategy. For example, Target 1 informs Target 2, which is the conservation status of and definition of a Species of Conservation Importance (SCI). Laukahi measures Target 1 by acknowledging the available online floras of Hawai‘i.

The global plant community has identified the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as the international standard for a comprehensive assessment applicable to any given species. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation reported in 2020 that Red List conservation assessments are available for approximately 10% of known plant species. Conservation assessments form the baseline of knowledge for identifying and prioritizing threatened species, therefore it is essential that we continue to assess and reassess species statuses beyond 2020.

Hawai'i’s plant conservation entities record their actions in multiple ways, such as in databases or in Excel workbooks. Different formats and types of records are difficult to summarize and capture the overall progress of plant conservation that has occurred. Therefore, the Hawai'i Rare Plant Restoration Group standardized the methodology for recording rare plant data (available here). Laukahi collects and summarizes these datasets to create a statewide view of Species of Conservation Importance and ecosystem health. In doing so, the network can address Target 4, assessing the availability of biological datasets, to share with our network and for the public.

Hawaii’s plant conservation entities record their actions in multiple ways, such as in databases or in Excel workbooks. Different formats and types of records are difficult to summarize and capture the overall progress of plant conservation that has occurred. Therefore, the Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group standardized the methodology for recording rare plant data (available here). Laukahi collects and summarizes these datasets to create a statewide view of Species of Conservation Importance and ecosystem health. In doing so, the network can address Target 4, assessing the availability of biological datasets, to share with our network and for the public.

The online database and dashboard project was a major accomplishment with the assistance of a new Laukahi partner—the Bishop Museum. With the dashboard, partners can easily navigate data used for the 20 Targets and export it as Excel tables. Laukahi will continue seeking efficient ways to build the datasets and share them with the Network.

An Important Plant Area (IPA) can be described as a site containing extraordinary botanical richness, or one that supports an outstanding assemblage of rare, endemic, threatened and/or endangered plant species of high conservation value. The IPAs in Hawai'i need to be reviewed to consider the Species of Conservation Importance. Laukahi will address this by completing an In Situ Assessment with assistance from partners at USGS, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, USFWS, and DOFAW. Until then, Target 6 is based on areas that are known to be biodiversity hot spots based on spatial data of rare and federally threatened listed species and have effective management (fencing) to protect the flora against feral ungulates.

In situ conservation protects ecosystems and natural habitats, allowing natural evolutionary processes to continue. In situ conservation is necessary for plant species that may be too difficult to store in ex situ collections, such as several Hawaiian plant species. In situ conservation in this Target signifies areas that have management that protects native plants against threats, specifically fencing for feral ungulates. The metric for this Target measures the percentage of Species of Conservation Importance (SCI) with one or more populations within a fenced area. Please note this does not pertain to coastal species that are not threatened by ungulates. Coastal SCI will need to be assessed for their in situ conservation status in a future in situ assessment.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation's report in 2020 states that oceanic islands harbor disproportionally large numbers of endemic species, many of which are under significant threat of extinction. Ex situ conservation is exceedingly important in maintaining the genetic diversity of wild populations when the number of wild mature individuals declines. The Hawai'i Seed Bank Partnership and Laukahi published a guide, and instructions for working with Hawaiian plants.

In Hawai‘i, vital components of habitat conservation and restoration utilize translocating individuals from one location to another and outplanting individuals from ex situ collections. Availability of high quality, genetically appropriate propagules of native species is crucial for effective restoration. Laukahi measures progress toward this Target through the percentage of Species of Conservation Importance (SCI) that have an adequate number of collections available to be withdrawn for restoration.

With the sizeable increase in seed banks across the state of Hawai'i, more seeds can be stored on each island across the archipelago. Having more than one collection provides protection to the plant species against stochastic events and allows propagules to be available and accessible for restoration. Laukahi's metric for this Target measures the percentage of Species of Conservation Importance (SCI) that are available at more than one facility with ex situ collections.

Conservation plans are a key component of a species’ recovery. Plans include strategies and decisions, supporting information regarding the habitat and/or biology of the species, and other items the species may need (research, threat abatement, etc.). Furthermore, a conservation plan provides recommendations to increase populations and may include a schedule for implementation. Laukahi measures progress on this Target with the percentage of Species of Conservation Importance (SCI) that have a USFWS Recovery Plan or Red List Assessment.

By 2030, implement Hawai‘i Biosecurity Plan to address priority invasive species. HOW WE’RE TRACKING PROGRESS: This goal is measured by tracking the implementation of 150 action items outlined in Hawai‘i’s Statewide Biosecurity Plan for invasive species control.

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI). The list is not the entire flora, but categorized by a species’ degree of inclusion, which consists of the following:

1) rarity and vulnerability to extinction (federally listed, state-listed, Plant Extinction Prevention Program species (PEPP), or listed in a threatened category on the IUCN Red List)

2) cultural significance

3) importance in the ecosystems or to wildlife in Hawai'i (Hawai'i Division Of Forestry And Wildlife’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy)

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI). The list is not the entire flora, but categorized by a species’ degree of inclusion, which consists of the following:

1) rarity and vulnerability to extinction (federally listed, state-listed, Plant Extinction Prevention Program species (PEPP), or listed in a threatened category on the IUCN Red List)

2) cultural significance

3) importance in the ecosystems or to wildlife in Hawai'i (Hawai'i Division Of Forestry And Wildlife’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy)

Because this list is dynamic and may change as new knowledge becomes available and assessed, visit our “Summary” tab to find the most up-to-date number of native plant taxa, SCI, and threatened plant taxa (please note Laukahi native taxa lists and counts are based on terminal taxa). The status and conservation needs of SCI are reviewed annually by the Laukahi Network. This maintained list of species is crucial in ascertaining the achievement of all other Targets in the Hawai'i Strategy for Plant Conservation, as all metrics are measured against this number of species we hope to save. While we are close to meeting this Target, more support and capacity are needed to fully assess each of the Hawaiian native plants annually.

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI).

Collaboration such as partnerships allows for effective conservation of plants through efficient means across the state. The network understands that we will accomplish more together than acting as individual entities. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation links the success and progress of each Target with an effective network of institutions. Progress toward Target 16 is measured through the percentage of partnerships of network members.

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI).

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI).

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI).

In 2012, an assessment of ex situ plant conservation programs identified the most vulnerable and important species for protection. More than half of Hawai‘i's native plants were of the plant conservation community’s priorities. Laukahi focuses on these species and refers to them as Species of Conservation of Importance (SCI).