Habitat suitability and ecological associations of two non-native ungulate species on the Hawaiian island of Lāna‘i

The ability to effectively manage game species for specific conservation objectives is often limited by the scientific understanding of their distribution and abundance. This is especially true in Hawai‘i where introduced game mammals are poorly studied and have low value relative to native species in other states. We modeled the habitat suitability and ecological associations of European mouflon sheep (“mouflon”; Ovis musimon) and axis deer (Axis axis) on the island of Lāna‘i using intensive aerial survey and environmental data that included climate, vegetation, and topographic variables. We conducted diagnostic tests on a suite of primarily categorical predictors and determined most were highly correlated. We...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation

Final Report: Managing non-native game mammals to reduce future conflicts with native plant conservation in Hawaiʻi

Across the Hawaiian Islands, effective management of at-risk species often relies on fine-scale actions by natural resource managers. However, balancing these actions with competing land use objectives concurrently can be challenging, especially in the context of a shifting climate. One example is the challenge of managing for hunting of non-native ungulates for subsistence and recreation, which often conflicts with the conservation of native species, and there is little reliable data to guide effective management. To address this issue, we modeled the habitat associations of axis deer and mouflon sheep on the Island of Lānaʻi. We found that both species occupy habitat different from their native environment, and...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation