Ecology Kīlauea

ʻŌhiʻa (metrosideros polymorpha) growing on barren lava field dating 1986, formerly village of kalapana, hawaii. myrtle in picture, taken in 2009, may have since been covered over—fresh flows in 2010 partially re-covered area.

because of position more 2,000 miles nearest continental landmass, island of hawaiʻi 1 of geographically isolated landmasses on earth; in turn has influenced ecology. majority of species present on island endemic , can found else on earth, result of isolated evolutionary lineage sheltered external biotic influence; makes ecosystem vulnerable both invasive species , human development, , estimated third of island s natural flora , fauna has gone extinct.

kīlauea s ecological community additionally threatened activity of volcano itself; lava flows overrun sections of volcano s forests , burns them down, , volcanic ash distributed explosive eruptions smothers local plant life. layers of carbonized organic material @ bottom of kīlauea ash deposits evidence of many times volcano has wrought destruction on own ecosystem , of neighbor mauna loa, , parts of volcano present dichotomy between pristine montane forest , buried volcanic deserts yet recolonized.

kīlauea s bulk affects local climate conditions through influence of trade winds coming predominately northeast, which, when squeezed upwards volcano s height, results in moister windward side , comparatively arid leeward flank. volcano s ecology further complicated height, though not as other, far taller neighbors, , local distribution of volcanic products, make varied soil conditions. northern part of kīlauea below 1,000 m (3,281 ft) , receives more 75 in (191 cm) mean annual rainfall, , can classified lowland wet community; further south, volcano has squeezed out of precipitation , receives less 50 in (127 cm) mean annual rainfall, , considered lowland dry environment.

ecosystems

the amakihi (chlorodrepanis virens) 1 of many birds live on volcano s flanks

much of kīlauea s southern ecosystem lies within hawaiʻi volcanoes national park, a’e ferns, ʻōhiʻa trees (metrosideros polymorpha), , hapu’u of genus cibotium common. park hosts large variety of bird species, including apapane (himatione sanguinea), amakihi (hemignathus virens), iwi (vestiaria coccinea), ‘ōma’o (myadestes obscurus), ʻelepaio (chasiempis sp.), , endangered akepa (loxops coccineus), akiapola au (hemignathus munroi), nēnē (branta sandvicensis), ʻuaʻu (pterodroma sandwichensis), , ʻio (buteo solitarius) species. kīlauea coast hosts 3 of 9 known critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (eretmochelys imbricata) nesting sites on island.

some of area alongside kīlauea s southwestern rift zone takes form of unusual kaʻū desert. although not true desert (rainfall there exceeds maximum 1,000 mm (39 in) year), precipitation mixing drifting volcanic sulfur dioxide forms acid rain ph low 3.4, hampering regional plant growth. deposited tephra particulates make local soil permeable. plant life in region practically nonexistent.

kīlauea s northern lowland wet forest ecosystem partially protected puna forest reserve , kahauale`a natural area reserve. @ 27,785 acres (11,244 ha), wao kele in particular hawaiʻi s largest lowland wet forest reserve, , home rare plant species including hāpuʻu ferns (cibotium spp.), ie ie vines (freycinetia arborea), , kōpiko (psychotria mariniana), of play role in limiting invasive species spread. ʻopeʻapeʻa (lasiurus cinereus semotus) ʻio (buteo solitarius), common ʻamakihi (hemignathus virens), , nananana makakiʻi (theridion grallator) live in trees. there thought many more as-yet-undocumented species within forest. wao kele s primary forest tree ʻōhiʻa lehua (metrosideros polymorpha).