Ohia Seed Banking (Rapid Ohia Death Response)
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros spp.), is the dominant, native canopy tree across the Hawaiian islands. While Hawaiian forests are incredibly diverse, ʻŌhiʻa is the most ubiquitous group, covering nearly one million acres of forest, making it essential to the health of nearly all native, terrestrial ecosystems and species. In 2013, a fungal pathogen known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, began spreading on the Island of Hawaii. Ultimately identified as being caused by 2 species of fungus in the genus Ceratocystis, this disease quickly kills entire stands of ʻŌhiʻa. Responding to the immense threat to native forests, a consortium of state, federal, academic, and non-profit agencies have developed a strategic conservation response plan. The disease is currently restricted to the Island of Hawaii but along with containing the disease and managing infected areas, collection and storage of seeds across the state is an essential part of this plan. Laukahi (The Hawaii Plant Conservation Network), is a non-profit alliance of statewide conservation agencies and groups, and is coordinating the management and tracking of these collections.
Genetic and Taxonomic Diversity
ʻŌhiʻa is complex entity, currently described as 14 taxa (5 species and 11 described varieties). However, the systematics of the group is not well-resolved. Attempts have been made to better understand the genetic diversity of ʻŌhiʻa, but has not resulted in taxonomy that fully reflects its variation. However, it is clear that despite its cryptic, polymorphic nature, great functional and ecological diversity is present within ʻŌhiʻa. This situation complicates the conservation value of collections, particularly when the goal is to collect for wide representation of genetic material that could be used to re-plant and restore forests across diverse ecosystems. This complexity necessitates criteria for collection goals beyond simply number of collections per described taxa.
ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros spp.), is the dominant, native canopy tree across the Hawaiian islands. While Hawaiian forests are incredibly diverse, ʻŌhiʻa is the most ubiquitous group, covering nearly one million acres of forest, making it essential to the health of nearly all native, terrestrial ecosystems and species. In 2013, a fungal pathogen known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, began spreading on the Island of Hawaii. Ultimately identified as being caused by 2 species of fungus in the genus Ceratocystis, this disease quickly kills entire stands of ʻŌhiʻa. Responding to the immense threat to native forests, a consortium of state, federal, academic, and non-profit agencies have developed a strategic conservation response plan. The disease is currently restricted to the Island of Hawaii but along with containing the disease and managing infected areas, collection and storage of seeds across the state is an essential part of this plan. Laukahi (The Hawaii Plant Conservation Network), is a non-profit alliance of statewide conservation agencies and groups, and is coordinating the management and tracking of these collections.
Genetic and Taxonomic Diversity
ʻŌhiʻa is complex entity, currently described as 14 taxa (5 species and 11 described varieties). However, the systematics of the group is not well-resolved. Attempts have been made to better understand the genetic diversity of ʻŌhiʻa, but has not resulted in taxonomy that fully reflects its variation. However, it is clear that despite its cryptic, polymorphic nature, great functional and ecological diversity is present within ʻŌhiʻa. This situation complicates the conservation value of collections, particularly when the goal is to collect for wide representation of genetic material that could be used to re-plant and restore forests across diverse ecosystems. This complexity necessitates criteria for collection goals beyond simply number of collections per described taxa.
Seed Zones
Considering the geographic and genetic diversity in ʻŌhiʻa that is not fully described by it’s taxonomic definitions, another tool is necessary to maintain the conservation value of collections. We have created seed zones, based on spatial topographic and climate variables to divide each island into ecologically similar zones. Collection goals will be set for each taxon and divided by number of seed zones within which each taxon is present.
In order to ensure zones best represent the genetic and ecological diversity of ʻŌhiʻa, seed zones were proposed based on various spatial data sources. Primarily, zones were drawn based on moisture zones, volcano, and topography. Each island presented unique challenges, reflecting the great variation in habitat over relatively small distances present in Hawaii (and reflected in ʻŌhiʻa’s morphological and ecological variation).
Implementation
Prior to the implementation of seed zones for collection goal setting, seed zones were distributed to a wide array of land managers representing all of the major conservation-related agencies on each island. The input of local professionals was critical to the quality of the finalized seed zones. While coarse geographic data allowed for a starting point, people on the ground shared numerous observations that allowed for fine tuning zones based on the best understanding of how ʻŌhiʻa varies over space. This process also helped many of the most likely collectors understand how and why collection goals were being set.
While research is ongoing studying many aspects of R.O.D., collections have already begun to build this genetic safety net. Laukahi is tracking these collections, communicating with collectors, and adjusting collection plans as necessary. Considering the multitude of challenges, such coordination is essential to the future of this critically important species.
Considering the geographic and genetic diversity in ʻŌhiʻa that is not fully described by it’s taxonomic definitions, another tool is necessary to maintain the conservation value of collections. We have created seed zones, based on spatial topographic and climate variables to divide each island into ecologically similar zones. Collection goals will be set for each taxon and divided by number of seed zones within which each taxon is present.
In order to ensure zones best represent the genetic and ecological diversity of ʻŌhiʻa, seed zones were proposed based on various spatial data sources. Primarily, zones were drawn based on moisture zones, volcano, and topography. Each island presented unique challenges, reflecting the great variation in habitat over relatively small distances present in Hawaii (and reflected in ʻŌhiʻa’s morphological and ecological variation).
Implementation
Prior to the implementation of seed zones for collection goal setting, seed zones were distributed to a wide array of land managers representing all of the major conservation-related agencies on each island. The input of local professionals was critical to the quality of the finalized seed zones. While coarse geographic data allowed for a starting point, people on the ground shared numerous observations that allowed for fine tuning zones based on the best understanding of how ʻŌhiʻa varies over space. This process also helped many of the most likely collectors understand how and why collection goals were being set.
While research is ongoing studying many aspects of R.O.D., collections have already begun to build this genetic safety net. Laukahi is tracking these collections, communicating with collectors, and adjusting collection plans as necessary. Considering the multitude of challenges, such coordination is essential to the future of this critically important species.
Rapid Ohia Death and Collections LinksRapid Ohia Death (CTAHR) - General Information about Rapid Ohia Death
Laukahi Seed Zone Maps- Maps of seed zones located here |