Mapping plant species ranges in the Hawaiian Islands: developing a methodology and associated GIS layers

• DOI: 10.3133/ofr20121192
• Publication Date: 2018-08-15T19:33:42Z
• Authors: Jonathan P. Price; James D. Jacobi; Samuel M. Gon; Dwight Matsuwaki; Loyal Mehrhoff; Warren Wagner; Matthew Lucas; Barbara Rowe
• Keywords: Species distribution; Vascular plant

This report documents a methodology for projecting the geographic ranges of plant species in Hawaiian Islands. The consists primarily creation several information system (GIS) data layers depicting attributes related to species. most important spatial-data layer generated here is an objectively defined classification climate as it pertains distribution By examining previous zonal-vegetation classifications light spatially detailed data, broad zones relevant contemporary concepts vegetation Islands can be explicitly defined. Other presented include following: substrate age, large areas island Hawai'i, particular, are covered by very young lava flows inimical growth many species; biogeographic regions larger islands that composites multiple volcanoes, their restricted given topographically isolated mountain or specified group them; and human impact, which reduce range relative where they formerly were found. factors influencing discussed but not developed further, owing limitations rendering them spatially, topography, soils, disturbance. A method described analyzing these GIS, conjunction with database distributions, project species, both potential prior disturbance projected present range. Examples maps case studies demonstrate different spatial characteristics Several applications species-range discussed, including facilitating field surveys, informing restoration efforts, studying size rarity, biodiversity, managing invasive planning conservation efforts.