| Description |
1 online resource : col. ill., col. maps. |
| Series |
Open-file report ; 2012-1192 |
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U.S. Geological Survey open-file report ; 2012-1192.
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| Note |
Title from title screen (viewed on Oct. 29, 2012). |
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Includes links to report (PDF ; 6.4 MB), appendix table guide (PDF ; 107 kB), appendix: species table (PDF ; 355 kB), and zipped packages (21 files ; 3.1 GB). |
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Appendix species table contains links to a total of 1,158 maps (272 kB with links to 3.5 GB of maps and 88 MB of shapefiles). |
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"Prepared in cooperation with the Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai`i at Hilo." |
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"First posted October 24, 2012." |
| Summary |
This report documents a methodology for projecting the geographic ranges of plant species in the Hawaiian Islands. The methodology consists primarily of the creation of several geographic information system (GIS) data layers depicting attributes related to the geographic ranges of plant species. The most important spatial-data layer generated here is an objectively defined classification of climate as it pertains to the distribution of plant species. By examining previous zonal-vegetation classifications in light of spatially detailed climate data, broad zones of climate relevant to contemporary concepts of vegetation in the Hawaiian Islands can be explicitly defined. Other spatial-data layers presented here include the following: substrate age, as large areas of the island of Hawai`i, in particular, are covered by very young lava flows inimical to the growth of many plant species; biogeographic regions of the larger islands that are composites of multiple volcanoes, as many of their species are restricted to a given topographically isolated mountain or a specified group of them; and human impact, which can reduce the range of many species relative to where they formerly were found. Other factors influencing the geographic ranges of species that are discussed here but not developed further, owing to limitations in rendering them spatially, include topography, soils, and disturbance. A method is described for analyzing these layers in a GIS, in conjunction with a database of species distributions, to project the ranges of plant species, which include both the potential range prior to human disturbance and the projected present range. Examples of range maps for several species are given as case studies that demonstrate different spatial characteristics of range. Several potential applications of species-range maps are discussed, including facilitating field surveys, informing restoration efforts, studying range size and rarity, studying biodiversity, managing invasive species, and planning of conservation efforts. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Subject |
Plant species -- Geographic information systems -- Hawaii.
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Plants -- Geographic information systems -- Hawaii.
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Vegetation mapping -- Geographic information systems -- Hawaii.
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Phytogeography -- Geographic information systems -- Hawaii.
|
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Geographic information systems -- Hawaii.
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| Added Author |
Price, Jonathan P.
|
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University of Hawaii (System). Sea Grant Extension Service.
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Geological Survey (U.S.)
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| Gpo Item No. |
0624-H (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
I 19.76:2012-1192 |
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