The distribution of selected localized alien plant species in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Prior to this study, the alien plant control program at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was hampered by the paucity and quality of alien plant distribution maps. A systematic program to map important localized alien plants was conducted 1983-1985 to determine the need and feasibility of controlling key alien plant species, establish a baseline for assessing the spread of these species, infer range expansions, locate all populations of a target species to assure thorough treatment, and assess the effectiveness of control programs. Thirty-six species were mapped, with emphasis given to localized alien plant species and those listed as target species in the 1982 Resources Management Plan (National Park Service 1982). The studies focused on Ainahou Ranch, Kilauea Crater, and the Coastal Lowlands west of the 1%9-1974 Mauna Ulu flows. The species distributions were mapped on topographic maps at 1:24,000, 1:12,000, or 1:6,000 scales, although most species are displayed in this report on smaller scale maps. In addition, species profiles are provided. These characterize importance to management, significance as a pest in native ecosystems, effective treatment methods, and history of management. There were two important findings from the distribution studies. Eleven species, previously not targeted for management, were identified from mapping efforts to be invasive and require control efforts. These are Formosan koa, slash pine, loquat, sisal, orange pittosporum, oleaster, English ivy, paperbark, blackwood acacia, kudzu, and guavasteen. The second finding is that five target species were found to be much more widespread than previously thought. These include silky oak, koa haole, fountain grass, Russian olive, and raspberry. This finding lead to an approach in which control efforts on widespread species were carried out only in intensive management units called Special Ecological Areas. Additional distribution mapping studies are recommended for widespread species.National Park Service Contract No. CA 8004 2 000

Homologous Recombination within Large Chromosomal Regions Facilitates Acquisition of ?-Lactam and Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium

The transfer of DNA between Enterococcus faecium strains has been characterized by both the movement of well-defined genetic elements and by the large-scale transfer of genomic DNA fragments. In this work we report on the whole genome analysis of transconjugants resulting from mating events between the vancomycin-resistant E. faecium C68 strain and vancomycin susceptible D344RRF to discern the mechanism by which the transferred regions enter the recipient chromosome. Vancomycin-resistant transconjugants from five independent matings were analysed by whole genome sequencing. In all cases but one, the penicillin binding protein 5 gene (pbp5) and the Tn5382-vancomycin resistance transposon were transferred together and replaced the corresponding pbp5 region of D344RRF. In one instance, Tn5382 inserted independently downstream of the D344RRF pbp5. Single nucleotide variants (SNV) analysis suggests that entry of donor DNA into the recipient chromosome occurred by recombination across regions of homology between donor and recipient chromosomes, rather than through insertion sequence-mediated transposition. Transfer of genomic DNA was also associated with transfer of C68 plasmid pLRM23 and another putative plasmid. Our data are consistent with transfer initiated by a cointegration of a transferable plasmid with the donor chromosome, with subsequent circularization of the plasmid/chromosome cointegrate in the donor prior to transfer. Entry into the recipient chromosome occurs most commonly across regions of homology between donor and recipient chromosomes

The Vegetation and Environment of the Crater District of Haleakala National Park

A vegetation map of the Crater District of Haleakala National Park was produced at a scale of I : 24,000, which can be used as an overlay of the U.S. Geological Survey I : 24,000 topographic quadrangle maps. Fifty-three structural-floristic communities, which were grouped into four structural vegetation types, were mapped. Areas were calculated for each community using an electronic planimeter. Topographic vegetation profiles were constructed that show changes in vegetation types in relation to climatic gradients. Correlations were observed between certain substrates and community types. Phytosociological analysis of releve data by the synthesis table technique and the dendrograph technique resulted in ecologically meaningful groupings of the sample stands

Haleakala National Park Crater District resources basic inventory: vegetation map of the Crater District

Western Region, National Park Servic

The distribution of Myrica faya Ait. in the state of Hawaii

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.The objective of this study was to map the distribution and abundance of Mvrica faya (firetree) in the State of Hawai’i. Reconnaissance data were used to map 34,365 total hectares (85,912 acres) of infestation, categorized into three density classes, throughout the state. Infestations of 28,906 hectares (72,265 acres) occur on the island of Hawai’i 1908 hectares (4770 acres) on Maui, 1007 hectares (2518 acres) on Lana’i 174 hectares (435 acres) on O’ahu, and 2370 hectares (5925 acres) on Kaua’i. Distribution ranges in elevation from as low as 425 m (1400 feet) on Lana’i to as high as 1940 m (6400 feet) on the slopes of Haleakala on Maui. Mvrica faya occurs on recent, thin ash over pahoehoe lava as well as on deep, well developed silty clay loam soil. It is found in montane rain forest habitats and in dry scrub marginal to submontane seasonal forest. Examination of the distribution patterns of M. faya implies that this species has not yet reached the limits of its potential distribution in Hawai’i.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement CA 8004 2 000

The phenology and stand structure of Myrica faya Ait. in Hawai’i

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.The objectives of this study were to observe the phenological cycles of Myrica faya in Hawaii and to sample the stand structure of sites that have been invaded by this species. Observations on the phenology of M. faya were made at 2-week intervals from March 1983 through March 1985. Data were taken at three sites and were related to the data from nearby weather stations. Data collected included information on flowering, fruiting (mature and immature), leaf flushing, leaf fall, and fruit drop. Analysis of the phenologic patterns observed showed flowering, fruiting, and fruit drop to be endogenously controlled while leaf flushing and leaf fall were influenced by environmental variables. Radial growth of nine trees at two of the sites was monitored with a microdendrometer. Stand structure data were collected at two sites in 10 m wide belt transects. Basal diameters of all tree species were measured. One site showed M. faya to be well established and reproducing abundantly while the other site had relatively few individuals of M. faya in the two smallest size classes.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement No. CA 8004 2 000

The vegetation and environment in the Crater District of Haleakala National Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.A vegetation map of the Crater District of Haleakala National Park was produced at a scale o f 1:24,000 which can be used as an overlay of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangle maps. Fifty-three structural-floristic communities were mapped which were grouped into four structural vegetation-types (forest, scrub, grassland, and high altitude desert). Areas were calculated for each community using an electronic planimeter. The total area mapped was 7544.8 ha (18,643 acres). Topographic vegetation profiles were constructed which show changes in vegetation-types in relation to climatic gradients. Also, matching correlations were observed between certain substrates and community-types. Phytosociological analyses of releve (vegetation sample) data by the synthesis table technique and the dendrograph technique resulted in ecologically meaningful groupings. Both analyses produced similar groupings though detailed comparison of the results of the two methods revealed interesting minor variations. Some releves were left ungrouped. These were interpreted as unique community types within the sampling area. The hypothesis that the community-types that are characteristic of other tropical alpine and subalpine ecosystems occur in the Crater District of Haleakala National Park was partially supported by the map units and phytosociological analyses of the releve data. Ericaceous (pukiawe-type) scrub, tussock grassland, and high a1titude desert occur as mappable vegetation units. Only arborescent and rosette life-forms did not occur as mappable units. However, a rosette life-form, Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC. (silversword), does occur in the study area and may have had a wider and more abundant distribution in the past. The hypothesis that the vegetation map of the Crater District of Haleakala National Park has similar vegetation units and vegetation-types as those mapped by Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg (1974) for the tropical alpine and subalpine ecosystem on the slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was supported by a comparison of the two maps. Variation of the vegetation within the study area was associated with variations in climate, substrate, mechanical influences, and the effects of exotic plant species. Climate diagrams confirmed the tropical high mountain character of the study area, while they also illustrated the considerable variation of climate within the Crater as well as its seasonal variation. It was concluded that the diurnal (daily) frost boundary, as indicated by the vegetation, should be used to define the lower limit of the alpine zone in tropical high mountain areas. This conclusion implies that the subalpine zone be defined as those are as below the diurnal frost boundary and above the montane forests and grasslands.National Park Service Contract No. CX 8000 7 000