RESEARCH
Assessing the impact of future climate on Hawaii’s aquatic ecosystems
Stream systems of Hawai‘i are unique and home to highly endemic fauna. Native freshwater species have amphidromous (migratory) life cycles, with an obligate marine larval phase. Recent studies also show a decline in rainfall in many regions of Hawai‘i. However, the response of stream hydrology to changing climate in Hawai‘i is a highly uncertain and challenging ecohydrological issue.
Stream systems of Hawai‘i are unique and home to highly endemic fauna. Native freshwater species have amphidromous (migratory) life cycles, with an obligate marine larval phase. Recent studies also show a decline in rainfall in many regions of Hawai‘i. However, the response of stream hydrology to changing climate in Hawai‘i is a highly uncertain and challenging ecohydrological issue.
Our goals are to: 1) understand flow dynamic patterns through stream flow simulation; 2) assess the impact of changes in climate on habitat usages and distribution of native aquatic species; and 3) adapt the “Ridge to Reef” concept to build an assessment framework for prioritizing conservation effort for Hawaii aquatic ecosystems. This study will advance our understanding of how climate change will impact stream flow and native stream species in Hawai‘i. Such information can be used to better inform habitat management and conservation.
Use of stable isotopes and otolith analysis to investigate the importance of hydrological connectivity for freshwater Hawaiian fishes.
Hawaiian streams and their native migratory fauna are threatened by stream flow changes due to water diversions that interrupt longitudinal connectivity. This study is using otolith microchemistry to provide a history of movements between freshwater and ocean environments, and a means to assess the importance of upstream-downstream hydrological connectivity for migratory fishes.
Hawaiian streams and their native migratory fauna are threatened by stream flow changes due to water diversions that interrupt longitudinal connectivity. This study is using otolith microchemistry to provide a history of movements between freshwater and ocean environments, and a means to assess the importance of upstream-downstream hydrological connectivity for migratory fishes.