Understanding Climate Change and Invasive Species Impacts on Watersheds

Completion date March 31, 2014

(Credit: Tristan Schmurr, Flickr)

(Credit: Tristan Schmurr, Flickr)

Location: Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Islands)

Where should management be focused to protect watersheds?

Hawai‘i currently lacks management decision-support tools that integrate climate and invasive species effects on ecosystem services such as watershed function and native species health. Remote sensing, in-stream measurements, and detailed watershed modeling combine in the development of a decision-support tool for watershed managers. Using this tool, initially developed for the Hāmākua Coast of the island of Hawai‘i, managers can examine stream flows that would result from various combinations of vegetation or forest management actions and future climate scenarios.

Project partners: 

Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USDA Forest Service

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources

Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources

Hawai‘i Natural Area Reserve System

Kamehameha Schools

Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance

Michigan State University

National Science Foundation

REU Pacific Northwest Research Station

USDA Forest Service Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge

US Fish & Wildlife Service

US Geological Survey

University of Hawai‘i, Hilo

University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa