Montane Mesic System

Natural communities between 1,000 and 2,000 m (ca 3,000 - 6,000 ft) elevation, receiving between 50 and 75 inches annual precipitation, or otherwise bearing prevailingly mesic substrate conditions comprise the montane mesic system in the Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion. This system is found on the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, and Kaua‘i, and is best developed on the leeward side of the islands, for example, the south slope of Haleakalā, the Kona flank of Hawai‘i, and the west slopes of Kaua‘i. It typically lies just below the subalpine system and montane dry system, and above the montane wet 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 plants and animals occur there, such as ‘io, the Hawaiian hawk (Buteo solitarius) and hō‘awa (Pittosporum hosmeri). This system is important habitat for the forest bird concentration.

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

Maps depicting the distribution of the Montane Mesic System in the Hawaiian High Island Ecoregion are presented below:

Montane mesic system on Moloka'i

The Montane Mesic System on Moloka'i Island (red area above) occurs in a restricted band below the montane wet summit area, on the leeward (southwest) slope of the East Moloka'i volcano.

Montane mesic on Kaua'i

The Montane Mesic System on Kaua'i Island (red areas above) occurs along the leeward (western) slopes below the montane wet summit area.

	Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion This page last revised 31 August 2006 -- S.M.Gon III
Home Introduction Ecoregion Conservation Targets Viability Goals Portfolio TNC Action Sites Threats Strategies ▫ Tables Maps & Figures CPT Database Appendices Glossary Sources . The Hawaiian hawk is an important predator in montane mesic communities. Montane mesic system plants such as hō'awa (Pittosporum hosmeri) occur in forests of the Kona conservation area. Mesic and dry ecological systems are best developed on the Island of Hawai'i.	Montane Mesic System Natural communities between 1,000 and 2,000 m (ca 3,000 - 6,000 ft) elevation, receiving between 50 and 75 inches annual precipitation, or otherwise bearing prevailingly mesic substrate conditions comprise the montane mesic system in the Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion. This system is found on the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, and Kaua‘i, and is best developed on the leeward side of the islands, for example, the south slope of Haleakalā, the Kona flank of Hawai‘i, and the west slopes of Kaua‘i. It typically lies just below the subalpine system and montane dry system, and above the montane wet 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 plants and animals occur there, such as ‘io, the Hawaiian hawk (Buteo solitarius) and hō‘awa (Pittosporum hosmeri). This system is important habitat for the forest bird concentration. Natural communities and species of this system are listed among nested targets via the appendices. Maps depicting the distribution of the Montane Mesic System in the Hawaiian High Island Ecoregion are presented below: The Montane Mesic System on Moloka'i Island (red area above) occurs in a restricted band below the montane wet summit area, on the leeward (southwest) slope of the East Moloka'i volcano. The Montane Mesic System on Kaua'i Island (red areas above) occurs along the leeward (western) slopes below the montane wet summit area.	The Montane Mesic System in Hawai‘i includes rich forest communities such as this example in Manukā Natural Area Reserve, Hawai'i Island. The Montane Mesic 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). The Montane Mesic System on Maui (red areas above) occurs in the East Maui conservation area (right) in a relatively narrow zone below the subalpine system, and on a few high peaks in the leeward (southern) half of the West Maui conservation area (left).