Operation Miconia



Mechanical Control of Miconia calvescens around Puna Forest
Annual Progress Report, thru June 2000

Kim Tavares
Information Coordinator, Operation Miconia Hawaii
16 E. Lanikaula St. – Hilo, Hawaii – 96720
office ph: (808) 974-4140  Hotline: (808) 961-3299 fax: (808) 974-4148
email: miconia@aloha.net

Miconia Distribution on the island of Hawaii

Miconia calvescens is a small tree native to central and South America.  This species was introduced to Hilo, Hawaii about 40 years ago.  The original plants grew to maturity and produced many viable seeds.  These seeds were propagated, and the distribution of Miconia in Hawaii began.  On Hawaii, most intentional plantings were in Hilo, Puna, and Kona.  We have relocated and destroyed more than 100 intentionally planted trees, but not before they matured and produced more plants.  By the mid 1990’s, tens of thousands of mature and near mature trees existed in the wild, along with hundreds of thousands of seedlings. Since birds are known to carry seeds away from the source trees, up to a mile in some cases, an individual mature tree with fruit could infest upwards of 800 acres.  The subdivisions on the northwestern and southeastern boundaries of Puna Forest are spotted with infestations.

Surveys, Control and Data Management

Miconia data collection began in 1995.   Control and distribution information were plotted onto commercial and taxkey maps.  This information, combined with road surveys, hotline calls, and other various reports were transferred to a geographic information system database (GIS).  This enabled us to look at the big picture, and to plan a strategic approach to an island-wide solution.  Industrial, residential and rural areas were already affected by miconia, and it became clear that we must make sure it does not invade the remote forests.

During the past year I have taken a closer look at the GIS data to figure out an easier way to track distribution and manage survey and control work results.  The former “management units” were good general guides in the past, but too large to manage specific tasks efficiently.  Miconia “sites” and “site blocks” now replace the larger management units.  The new sites are centered on isolated, remote, and distant plants.   The criteria for a new site is a distance of more than 2 kilometers from any previously plotted miconia.  Ninety-three sites were defined, and five of these are around Puna Forest.  (see Figure 1. Miconia Sites Near Puna Forest)

Sites Near Puna Forest

In upper Puna, two sites are directly adjacent to Puna Forest TMK: 3-1-2-10-2 on the northwestern boundary, and one lower Puna site is within a half mile.  Site 25, Jungle King is located at 2000 feet elevation where Fern Forest, Eden Roc, and Puna Forest intersect.  Site 27, Anthurium is located at the makai end of Fern Acres, at about 1600 feet elevation.  A third site follows this same boundary, but is still outside of Puna Forest, in Makuu Hawaiian Homestead Lands.  Site 28, Makuu was started by two intentional plantings in Ainaloa subdivision.  The higher elevation site, closest to Puna Forest, is at about 950 feet elevation, and a larger infestation exists at 800 feet.

The other two sites are near the east-southeast boundary of Puna Forest.  Site 60, Pahoa is the farthest away, being almost 3 miles from the southeast boundary of TMK: 3-1-2-10-2 & 3.  The nearby site 29, Keahialaka, originated at Leilani Estates.  Several mature miconia were found and destroyed less than a mile from the eastern tip of the Puna Forest parcel TMK: 3-1-2-10-1.
 
 
 

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Big Island Invasive Species Committee/Operation Miconia
16 East Lanikaula Street  -  Hilo, Hawaii  -  96720
Ph:  (808) 961-3299 - Hotline & Voice Mail
Alt. Ph:  (808) 974-4140 - Office & Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture Reception Desk
FAX:  (808) 974-4148

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