Reducing Negative Effects of Introduced Animals on Native Biotas in Hawaii: What is Being Done, What Needs Doing, and the Role of National Parks

Abstract

The endemic Hawaiian biota, having evolved in nearly complete isolation from continental organisms, and lacking as it does many major continental groups, is highly vulnerable to introduced ungulate herbivores, vertebrate predators, predacious and parasitoid insects, predacious snails, and yet other animal and plant groups. Although most of the Hawaiian lowland biota has been obliterated by Man and his introductions, relatively intact ecosystems survive at higher elevations in Hawaii's national parks and elsewhere. Long-term survival of these native ecosystems will depend largely upon the quality, intensity, and endurance, of continuing active management.