COM 0686.000 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Flora, Fauna and Ecosystems Lkisling Environment The natural vegetation of this part of North Kona was most likely a lowland dry grassland community (Ga and Cuddihy 1990) dominated by `ohe makai (Reynoldsia sandwichensis), alahe`e (Psydrax odoraia), naio (Mvpor sandwicense), and lama (Diospyros sanchvicensis), and shrubs, herbs and vines such as maiapilo (Capparis xcmdu +ichiana), 'dima (S'ida fallax), and huehue (Cocculus orbiculatus). These original communities, however, have been heavily degraded by cattle grazing and colonization and competition by invasive species that now dominate the site. A walk - through botanical survey of the project site was performed by Reginald E. David on October 22, 2005. Of the 33 different plant species detected, just ten (30 %) are recognized as being native to the Hawaiian Island, with four of these endemic and seven indigenous to the islands. The project site contains individuals of ko`oko'olau (Bidens micranthu ssp. C7enophyllu), `ohe makai (Reynoldsia sandn'icensis) and maiapilo (Capparis sundw•ichictna), all of which are Species of Concern, All were located within or on the rim of the collapsed lava tube, where there is partial protection from goats and cattle. Although not protected by any State or federal laws, Species of Concern are considered rare and are important botanical and sometimes cultural resources. One other species, noni (Morinda curt] Oita), is considered to have been an early Polynesian introduction to the islands. The remaining 22 (67 %) species detected are alien species now considered to be naturalized in the islands. A resurvey in February 2008 by biologists Patrick Hart, Ph.D., and Ron Terry, Ph.D., confirmed the findings of the botanical survey. The large ko'oko'olau present on the mauka rim of the lava tube collapse feature appeared to be undergoing natural senescence and may not be alive by the time the project begins construction, The project site was surveyed for fauna by biologist Reginald E. David on November 23 and 26, 2005. While the majority of bird species observed during this survey were nonnative, including Common Myna (Acridothere.s tristis); Japanese White -Eye (Zosterops japonicas), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis em House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanucs) and Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punea several indigenous migratory waterfowl were also observed. These included the Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fidva), Wandering Tattler (Heteroscelus imam's), and the Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). The endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, or `ope'ape`a, as it is known in Hawaiian (Lasiurits cinereus semotus), which is the only non- marine mammal native to the Hawaiian Islands, may fly over the project site while foraging. The vegetation of the site does not offer suitable roosting habitat for bats.