Why Protect Wetlands? Native Wetland Species Threats to Wetlands You Can Help Wetlands! Wetlands provide many functions that Hawai‘i has 51 rare plant species and 11 rare animal Today, native species are outnumbered by introduced and Recognize that some wetland areas are open to the public, but contribute to watershed health and species that are dependent on wetlands. Six federally-listed invasive species in Hawaii’s wetlands. As introduced species some require access permission or permits. benefit human communities. These endangered waterbird species use wetlands, and most invade , they dramatically reduce biodiversity, • Learn about wetlands. Visit the websites important wetland functions are “free” depend on Hawaiian wetlands for their survival. These biological productivity, and ecological function. below to learn more.

services from nature in the form of species are endemic to Hawai‘i; they are found nowhere else Invasive Species Challenges “green infrastructure.” • Support local wetland conservation. on earth. Non-native predators. Feral cats, mongooses, rodents, Volunteer. Work with your local Land Trust Flood Protection. Wetlands can store • Hawaiian coot; ‘alae ke‘oke‘o cattle egrets, and common barn owls eat native ground- or other conservation organizations. Join a large amounts of water during storms • Hawaiian moorhen; ‘alae ‘ula nesting birds and their chicks. Bullfrogs and cane toads eat “Friends of: wetland nearest you.” Pick up trash and remove invasive plants. Pinao, C. Tucker and heavy rainfall, reducing flood • Hawaiian Stilt; āe‘o fish eggs, native insects, and even young waterbirds. These impacts to roads, parking lots and • Hawaiian duck; koloa maoli predators can decimate native bird populations. • Prevent pollution. Dispose of your waste properly. Avoid using Nēnē, S. Reilly homes. • Laysan duck Non-native plants such as California grass and non- fertilizer and pesticides on lawns and gardens. These chemicals wash into ecosystems and damage them. Surface and Groundwater Supply. Wetlands absorb • Hawaiian goose; nēnē Laysan duck, J. Breeden, USGS native pickleweed out-compete native plants, and can and release water; they capture the abundance during heavy quickly create single species colonies in wetlands, • Don’t release exotics. Exotic fish and aquatic plants should Fossil records show that at least 13 species of endemic rains and slowly release it during droughts. This helps reducing wetland plant diversity and ecological function. never be dumped or introduced into streams or wetland areas. recharge groundwater , which provide nearly all of Hawaiian waterfowl used wetlands. Of these, only three Call 808-643-PEST or your local Humane Society to find out Non-native fish prey on native damselflies and devour Hawaii’s residential and commercial freshwater. remain (the ducks and goose listed above). Other wetland where to take your unwanted pets. species include ‘auku‘u (Black-crowned night heron) and wetland vegetation, reducing food availability for waterbirds. Water Quality & Sediment Filtration. Wetlands can • Care for wetlands on your property. If you own a wetland area, kōlea (Pacific golden-plover). Hybridization. The endangered, endemic koloa maoli contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department store, filter, and absorb excess nutrients, sediments, and duck, found only in Hawai‘i, is currently at risk of of Land and Natural Resources, or Hawai‘i Wetland Joint Venture stormwater pollutants. As a result, less of this material ends ‘O‘opu ‘akupa, an endemic fish, extinction due to cross-breeding with feral mallards. to get technical assistance for restoration and management. up in streams and marine areas where it damages these is found in lowland streams fragile ecosystems. and on all of the main • Prevent bird predation. Keep cats indoors and dogs away from Hawaiian . Native shrimp, wetlands and endangered bird species. Biodiversity. The biodiversity of natural such as ‘ōpae ‘oeha‘a, ‘ōpae huna, • Keep feral mallards out of Hawaii’s wetlands. Feral mallards wetlands often exceeds that of terrestrial and ‘ōpae ‘ula feed on algae and are not native to Hawai‘i. In the wild, they interbreed with native ecosystems, because wetland edges are ‘O‘opu ‘akupa, M. Ramsey can live up to 20 years. koloa, compete with native birds for food and habitat, and are ecotones; important areas where biological Over 30 species of dragonfly (pinao) and damselfly (pinao potential vectors for disease. If you own a mallard, keep it penned communities blend. Diversity of species adds or clipped. to the wetland’s ability to adapt to change. ‘ula) are endemic to Hawai‘i. Most depend on wetlands to complete their life cycle. The most common species of pinao • Remember: Wild birds need wild food. Feeding wild birds Wildlife Habitat. Approximately 60 is the globe skimmer, a large, often red dragonfly. human food prevents them from getting vital nutrition from species of migratory waterbirds and Pinao, B. Gagné native plant sources. This can lower birds’ life expectancy, birds travel thousands of miles over the Seeds of wetland sedges, grasses and rushes are a affect their ability to reproduce, make them more vulnerable primary food source for many wetland birds. Makaloa, an Pacific to winter in Hawai‘i and depend on Hawaii’s ‘Aimakapā , Hawai‘i (estuarine wetland), K. Uyehara to predators and cause indigenous sedge, grows in coastal wetland areas, and was wetlands for resting, immediate refueling, and survival. conflicts with humans. used to make the fine woven sleeping mats used by the ali‘i; Numerous bird species use wetlands in Hawai‘i for feeding, Human Induced Challenges • Be a wetland advocate. breeding, and over wintering. Many native Hawaiian plant Hawaiian royalty. Pollution. Non-point source pollution from agricultural Contact your local, state, and animal species evolved to take advantage of runoff, seepage from septic wastewater, and contaminated and national government Hawaii’s unique wetlands. See “Native Wetland Species.” stormwater can overwhelm the filtering capacity of wetlands, representative and ask impacting downstream coastal waters. them to support wetland Recreation and Aesthetics. programs. Wetlands are scenic landscapes Climate Change. Increases in global temperatures Koloa maoli, B. Zaun USFWS that hold both historical and contribute to sea level rise, which will impact coastal cultural significance. Wetland wetland systems. Future changes in local precipitation and W etlands on the Web: higher temperatures will impact montane bogs at higher www.fws.gov/wetlands areas provide opportunities for www.malamahawaii.org/koloa elevations, and ephemeral (seasonal) wetlands may dry up. www.hiwetlands.com outdoor recreation and nature www.wetland.org ahahui.wordpress.com activities such as photography, Development. Many wetlands in Hawai‘i have been drained www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw www.hamakuamarsh.com bird watching, nature study, or filled for agriculture production, resort development and www.pcjv.org www.kawainuimarsh.com walking trails and fishing. community expansion. www.nrcs.gov www.projectwet.org ‘Alae ‘ula, USDA NRCS Honouliuli marsh, Oahu (palustrine wetland) and ‘auku‘u, C. Tucker www.hear.org websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov Wetlands in Hawai‘i What is a Wetland? Hawaii’s Wetlands awaii s atural wetlands* most common in awai i 1 H ’ Wetlands are lands that are periodically covered or saturated N H ‘ : by fresh or salt water. Three main elements that characterize Riverine wetlands are found along the quiet edge of wetlands are: rivers or streams. These freshwater wetlands are fed by surface flow and are important to the endemic koloa maoli. Wetlands Hydrology: Water creates and main- tains all wetlands, and can derive from Palustrine wetlands are found in depressions where rainfall precipitation, surface flow (tidal action or groundwater collects. Some common names are marshes or streams) or shallow groundwater. and bogs. Vegetation includes trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Hawaii’s rare montane bogs take millions of years Soils: Wetland soils are poorly drained to form and are found in high elevation, high rainfall areas. 2 5 and are saturated or covered with water 3 for at least two weeks per year. Estuarine wetlands occur on where streams empty into the ocean. Affected by the , these brackish Vegetation: Wetland plants are adapted systems contain both fresh and salt water. These wetlands 4 to grow, reproduce, and persist in water are nursery grounds for young fish and shellfish. Āe‘o, C. Tucker or saturated soils. exposed by the tide offer rich feeding areas for waterbirds. 6 7 Wetlands are complex ecosystems, often with both technical Marine wetlands are salt water systems, such as tide- and legal definitions. Wetlands in Hawai‘i can be seasonal pools, intertidal shorelines, or seagrass beds. These areas or permanent, and are found in many landscapes, including provide habitat for many species harvested by humans for food. 1. Montane bog 2. Aquacultural 3. Riverine 4. Estuarine depressions (craters or shallow pools); coastal mudflats; 5. Palustrine Marsh 6. Anchialine pool 7. Marine fringes along running or standing water (such as streams or tidal waters); and in Hawaii’s unique cloud forests. The Ahupua‘a or watershed drainage Traditionally, ahupua‘a was a subdivision of the moku () that went from the mountaintop to the sea following the banks of streams, much like a watershed. Ahupua‘a encompass the land, water, and elements in the sky from the mountain to the sea, and also integrate cultural, human, and spirit resources. All types of wetlands in Hawai‘i can be found within the ahupua‘a: bogs in the upper reaches of the Mauka to Makai mountains, marshes in the lowlands, and anchialine pools and Tidepool, O‘ahu Hanalei River, Kaua‘i estuaries near the sea. An Introduction to Wetlands in Hawai‘i (marine wetland) C. Tucker (riverine wetland) K. Uyehara

*Wetland Classification Other Aquatic Habitats in Hawai‘i The Cowardin Classification System is a descriptive method Aquaculture Habitats are wet areas created developed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service that categorizes and or modified for the growing of food. These defines wetlands according to their landscape position and water include traditional wet taro (kalo) grown Montane Bog, Hawai‘i (palustrine wetland), K. Uyehara source. Within these broad classes fall types of wetlands known by in a lo‘i (paddy) and fish , which are common names, such as marshes, bogs, swamps, and mudflats. For Within Hawaii’s watersheds, wetlands provide important both very important to Hawaiian culture. more info, visit: www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wetlands/classwet. These areas are used by native species, but functions such as flood protection, improved water quality, usually lack the full range of biodiversity and Taro (kalo), Credits: Wetland illustrations (front and back covers): Naomi Swenson. and habitat for native birds, insects and plants. Wetlands are habitat functions found in natural wetlands. C. Tucker Cover photos: Hule‘ia National Wildlife Refuge, Kaua‘i, A. Henry. biologically productive habitats and are home to almost one Bottom row, L to R: ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o (C. Tucker), Pinao (B. Gagné), third of the threatened and endangered species in the U.S. Anchialine pools are ‘O‘opu nōpili (G. Smith, USFWS), ‘Alae ‘ula (C. Tucker). land-locked systems formed In the Hawaiian language, wai Special thanks to: Adonia Henry, Ati Jeffers-Fabro, Betsy Gagné, in porous lava or Diana King, Fern Duvall, J. Rubey, Kimberly Uyehara, Michael Silbernagle, means water. Many places in on coastal shorelines. These Norma Bustos, Pauline Sato, Robert Nishimoto, and Terrell Erickson. Hawai‘i are named for nearby rare and declining ecosystems wetlands and the species that are connected underground to Produced by State of Hawai‘i live there: Waikīkī, Wai‘alae, fresh and salt water, and are Department of Land and Natural Resources Waikoloa, Waiāhole, Waipi‘o, home to native shrimp like Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 2009. Funded by Pacific Joint Venture. Waimea and countless more. ‘ōpae ‘ula. Right: Anchialine pool, Maui Koloa maoli, © J. Denny and ‘ōpae ‘ula, M. Ramsey