Montane Dry System

Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion
This page last revised 23 August 2006 -- S.M.Gon III

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Although the 'amakihi is found in a variety of ecological systems, the montane dry system hosts remarkable populations of this endemic honeycreeper.

Montane dry forest adjacent to the subalpine system on Hawai‘i Island.

koa bug

Montane dry forest dominated by koa (Acacia koa) provide primary habitat for the endemic koa bug (Coleotichus blackburniae).

Montane Dry System

Natural communities between 1,000 and 2,000 m (ca 3,000 - 6,000 ft) elevation, receiving less than 50 inches annual precipitation, or otherwise bearing prevailingly dry substrate conditions comprise the montane dry system in the Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion. This system is restricted to the islands of Hawai‘i and Maui, and is best developed on the leeward side of the islands, for example, the south slope of Haleakalā and the Mauna Kea - Mauna Loa saddle of Hawai‘i Island just below the subalpine system, and above the montane mesic system. There are a number of natural communities described within this system, including a variety of grasslands, shrublands, and forests. Biological diversity is moderate in this system, relative to lower elevation systems, but specialized species occur there, such as Santalum haleakalae.

Haleakala sandalwood

The Haleakalā sandalwood (Santalum haleakalae), is endemic to the island of Maui, and restricted to high elevation dry forest and shrubland.

silversword

On Hawai‘i Island, the flycatcher ‘elepaio (Chasiempis
sandwichensis) is an important insectivore in montane
dry forest in Kona and Pōhakuloa - Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a.

Natural communities and species of this system are listed among nested targets via the appendices.

The Montane Dry System in Hawai‘i includes a variety of vegetation types, including leeward forests and woodlands dominated by ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros) and other xerophytic genera.

The Montane Dry System on Hawai‘i Island (red areas above) occurs in five conservation areas (Mauna Kea, Windward Mauna Loa, Ka‘ū-Kapāpala, Kona, and Pōhakuloa-Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a). It is best developed in the western (leeward) conservation areas.

The Montane Dry System on Maui (small red areas above) occurs as in the East Maui conservation area as small remnants along the leeward (south) flank of Haleakalā.

lehua blossom

	Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion This page last revised 23 August 2006 -- S.M.Gon III
Home Introduction Ecoregion Conservation Targets Viability Goals Portfolio TNC Action Sites Threats Strategies Acknowledgements ▫ Tables Maps & Figures CPT Database Appendices Glossary Sources . Although the 'amakihi is found in a variety of ecological systems, the montane dry system hosts remarkable populations of this endemic honeycreeper. Montane dry forest adjacent to the subalpine system on Hawai‘i Island. Montane dry forest dominated by koa (Acacia koa) provide primary habitat for the endemic koa bug (Coleotichus blackburniae).	Montane Dry System Natural communities between 1,000 and 2,000 m (ca 3,000 - 6,000 ft) elevation, receiving less than 50 inches annual precipitation, or otherwise bearing prevailingly dry substrate conditions comprise the montane dry system in the Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion. This system is restricted to the islands of Hawai‘i and Maui, and is best developed on the leeward side of the islands, for example, the south slope of Haleakalā and the Mauna Kea - Mauna Loa saddle of Hawai‘i Island just below the subalpine system, and above the montane mesic system. There are a number of natural communities described within this system, including a variety of grasslands, shrublands, and forests. Biological diversity is moderate in this system, relative to lower elevation systems, but specialized species occur there, such as Santalum haleakalae. The Haleakalā sandalwood (Santalum haleakalae), is endemic to the island of Maui, and restricted to high elevation dry forest and shrubland. On Hawai‘i Island, the flycatcher ‘elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) is an important insectivore in montane dry forest in Kona and Pōhakuloa - Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a. Natural communities and species of this system are listed among nested targets via the appendices.	The Montane Dry System in Hawai‘i includes a variety of vegetation types, including leeward forests and woodlands dominated by ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros) and other xerophytic genera. The Montane Dry System on Hawai‘i Island (red areas above) occurs in five conservation areas (Mauna Kea, Windward Mauna Loa, Ka‘ū-Kapāpala, Kona, and Pōhakuloa-Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a). It is best developed in the western (leeward) conservation areas. The Montane Dry System on Maui (small red areas above) occurs as in the East Maui conservation area as small remnants along the leeward (south) flank of Haleakalā.