Common species shape environments, support webs of interaction, and contribute disproportionately to ecosystem function. Their decline can therefore reverberate far beyond a single species—even when they are not themselves rare.
ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is the dominant tree on each of Hawaiʻi’s six largest islands. We are investigating its demography across those islands to understand population dynamics and the factors associated with widespread decline. Preliminary results indicate very low seedling recruitment across most islands, while current experiments test whether drought and competition from invasive plants further limit recruitment.
6largest Hawaiian Islands surveyed
Lowseedling recruitment across most islands
1foundation tree supporting entire forests
