HSPC Objective 1

Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognized (Targets #1-4)

1: An online Flora of native Hawaiian plants. (GSPC-1)

The Smithsonianʻs Flora of the Hawaiian Islands website and the Bishop Museumʻs Native Plant Checklist are excellent resources for the latest taxonomic and geographical information. Other information can be found at the University of Hawai‘i Botany Departmentʻs website for Native Plant Genera.

2: An annual assessment of the conservation status (in situ and ex situ) of all native plants, as far as possible, to guide conservation action. (GSPC-2)

In 2012, the status of over 700 native plant species of conservation importance was reported in Laukahiʻs assessment of how well the remaining wild populations were represented in collections at botanical gardens, seed banks and other specialized facilities statewide. Laukahi will repeat the assessment in 2016 to determine what progress has been made towards HSPC goals and inform our priorities for the next four years.

3: An access-restricted central information management system for compiling and administering geospatial and tabular datasets on biological data

A primary goal for Laukahi is to develop and host an information management system that will enable efficient sharing of biological data. When structured correctly, the latest observations from the field can be combined with updated inventories of seed banks and gardens to show progress in meeting goals measured on national and global scales. Progress reports derived from data uploaded by Laukahi partners will be accessible in real-time, but masked to protect sensitive information about fragile natural areas.

4: Increased research on the pollination & seed biology, genetic analysis, life history, phenology and limiting factors of native plants to facilitate restoration efforts and inform conservation practice. (GSPC-3)

Laikahi aims to increase coordination between conservation practitioners and researchers by building a Research Network for Hawaiian Plants. In the short-term, we have compiled a list of literature on topics related to Hawaiian plant conservation that will be available soon on our website. Next steps include: posting research topics identified and prioritized by conservation groups on specific species they manage, building a hui of scientists interested in topics needed to guide conservation practice, developing a phenology database, compiling records on restoration outplanting techniques and support for increased molecular research.

HSPC Objective 2

Plant diversity is urgently and efficiently conserved (Targets #5-13)

5: At least 15% of each ecological region or vegetation type is secured through effective management and/or restoration. (GSPC-4)

The World Wildlife Foundation has identified five ecoregions in Hawai’i. They are: Hawai‘i Tropical Moist Forests, Hawai‘i Tropical Dry Forests, Hawai‘i Tropical Low Shrublands, Hawai‘i Tropical High Shrublands, and Northwestern Hawai‘i Scrub. The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i has identified ten ecological systems that share similar biogeoclimatic conditions. They are Alpine, Subalpine, Montane Dry, Montane Mesic, Montane Wet, Wet Cliff, Lowland Wet, Lowland Mesic, Lowland Dry and Dry Cliff Systems. Laukahi is working with our partners to identify how much of each of these regions are secured through effective management and will report results on our website.

6: At least 75% of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region protected with effective management are in place for conserving plants and their genetic diversity. (GSPC-5)

Important areas within each ecological region must be protected with management that controls threats to Hawaiian plant. Laukahi is working with our partners to identify the threats that should be controlled for each region (ungulates, rodents, weeds, arthropods, etc.) and the footprint of management for each threat. Once these results are known, they will be published on our website.

7: At least 75% of known threatened plant species are conserved in situ. (GSPC-7)

The primary intention of plant conservation projects in Hawai‘i is to restore thriving populations within protected habitat to resume their roles in native ecosystems. The recovery of native plant species and habitats is the ultimate goal. Laukahi is working with our partners to identify where SCI are being conserved in situ and where more management is needed to secure habitat for restoration of viable populations. Results will be reported on our website.

8: At least 75% of SCI are secured with adequate ex situ collections by 2020. (GSPC-8)

In 2012, an Assessment identified 724 Species of Conservation Importance (SCI) in Hawai‘i and found that collections of 528 (73%) plants were being held or grown in at least one of the twenty ex situ facilities interviewed. These results highlight the efforts of many dedicated field botanists, botanical garden and seed bank staff over the last few decades. However, as wild populations continue to decline, it is becoming increasingly important to secure collections for each SCI that are large enough and have a high conservation value. The 2012 Assessment found that only 189 plants met this goal, while collections of 389 plants were made from only 10% or less of the remaining plants.

9: Collections of at least 20% of SCI are available for rare species recovery, habitat restoration and watershed protection projects. (GSPC-8)

Collections from SCI should be large enough to allow for their use in restoration and recovery programs. Laukahi is working to identify SCI where collections can be used for propagating plants for use in outplanting projects. A comprehensive list of SCI being outplanted for restoration of wild populations is being developed in order to measure progress towards this goal and results will be published here in the coming year.

10: Collections are duplicated whenever possible and held at facilities either on- island, within state, nationally or internationally. (GSPC-8)

The Hawai‘i Seed Bank Partnership (HSBP) is working to exchange collections between facilities to provide additional security against stochastic events. The HSBP includes facilities on Kauai, O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island where collections can be stored. A comprehensive list of these collections is being developed to report on progress towards this goal. In addition, partnerships with the USDA National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation and Kew Gardenʻs Millennium Seed Bank project will provide more opportunities to secure collections from certain SCI outside of Hawai‘i, providing additional security from hurricanes and other catastrophes.

11: Conservation plans are developed for SCI to help guide efforts and engage partners to implement habitat protection and secure collections.

The Hawai‘i Strategy for Plant Conservation includes a template of a Species Conservation Plan using the fields below. Examples for Gardenia brighamii and Acacia koa are provided here: LINK . For plants listed as Threatened or Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before 2010, Recovery Plans are available by searching here: ECOS.FWS.GOV. Species Conservation Plans for plants managed by the O‘ahu Army Natural Resources Program can be found here: OANRPlants.

Species Description: biology, distribution, habitat, conservation status and taxonomic notes
Photo Gallery: habitat, habit, morphology, size classes and stages of maturing fruit and seed, etc.
Reproductive Biology: phenology, suspected/known pollinator, pollinator syndromes, mating system, breeding system, seed biology
Habitat Characteristics: abiotic data and associated species from field observation forms
Research: ongoing, proposed and needed studies on biology, ecology, threats and the researchers involved
Populations: to delineate groups of plants using standard methods and labeling
Population Structure & Estimates: summary of population demography and numbers of plants reported on field observation forms and agency reports
Threats and Control Methods: from in situ observations and management reports
Ex situ Goals: for the number of propagules needed to secure each plant and population
Collection Protocols: optimal harvest time, mature fruit characteristics, seed set and vegetative propagation methods, treatment and transport of the propagules
Collection Sampling Strategy: number of plants, population occurrences, and regions to collect
Propagule Viability Maintenance: optimal storage conditions, re-collection intervals and regeneration strategies
Restoration: reintroduction design, including the number of sites, number of plants, provenance of stock, number of founders, etc.
Conservation Partners: lead agency, collectors, land managers, landowners, ex situ facilities, etc.
Logistical Considerations: access to field sites, coordinating research, transporting propagules
Estimated Time and Supplies: staff, transportation, transferring propagules, data management, etc.
Action Plan: organizations involved, objectives, actions, timeline and measures of success

12: Effective management plans and biosecurity measures are in place to prevent new biological invasions. Biosecurity Measures

In Hawai‘i, biosecurity topics relating to natural resource management are addressed by the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), and the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC).

13: Manage important areas for plant diversity negatively impacted by biological invasions. (GSPC-10)

Members, partners, and field crews of the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC), Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), National Parks (HALE), State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Hawai‘i Association of Watershed Partnerships (HAWP), and many others are actively engaged in controlling invasive species across our state.

HSPC Objective 3

The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the strategy have been developed (Targets #14-16)

14: Trained people working in facilities, according to local needs are sufficient to achieve the goals of the Hawai‘i Strategy for Plant Conservation.

15: Increase the capacity to provide adequate infrastructure for ex situ facilities. Improve access to ex situ facilities and facilitate inter-island transport of germplasm and plants.

In order to conserve native plant diversity, we in Hawai‘i need a variety of ex situ spaces and methods to grow ferns, shrubs and trees that are adapted to specific climates and ecosystems. Each island needs access to seed banks, nurseries, botanical gardens and highly-specialized cryo-preservation and micropropagation facilities. Laukahi aims to expand and improve existing seed banking facilities to provide adequate space to secure duplicate collections through the Hawai‘i Seed bank Partnership (HSBP). This group collaborates on grant applications to upgrade equipment, increase germplasm storage capacity and enhance research capabilities. Although nursery facilities are available for holding living collections and producing plants for restoration outplantings on most islands, gaps do exist on the islands of Moloka‘i and Hawai‘i. New facilities are needed there. Our local network of botanical gardens, many of which are members of the Center for Plant Conservation can build their living collections to better support in situ conservation efforts. The most effective way Laukahi can contribute to facilitating this partnership is by developing transport to improve access to and from all facilities. Because access to each of the facilites is needed on each island, the best way for Laukahi to contribute is to support the transport of plants and important collections between our islands.

16: Partnerships for plant conservation are established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels.

HSPC Objective 4

Outreach and Education: Promote education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods, and importance to all life (Targets #17-18)