Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology – Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology – Pacific Islands Regional SanctuaryPacific Islands Regional Sanctuary

RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPRESEARCH PARTNERSHIP

OBJECTIVE:Provide scientific research that informs ecosystem-based management of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Papahanaumokuakea

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Appropriate Scales for Appropriate Scales for management unitsmanagement units

Determine top predator home rangesDetermine top predator home ranges Determine scales of larval dispersalDetermine scales of larval dispersal

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Ecologically Sensitive AreasEcologically Sensitive Areas

Determine the spatial patterns of genetic Determine the spatial patterns of genetic diversity – are genetically diverse areas more diversity – are genetically diverse areas more resilient?resilient?

Identify ecologically relevant indicators of reef Identify ecologically relevant indicators of reef health.health.

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Define, Monitor, Protect Intact Define, Monitor, Protect Intact Ecological CommunitiesEcological Communities

Baseline measurements of community diversity at Baseline measurements of community diversity at species and genetic level.species and genetic level.

Identify threatsIdentify threats Monitor for change (40+ full time researchers)Monitor for change (40+ full time researchers) Bring findings to managers to inform management Bring findings to managers to inform management

strategies strategies

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Top predator movements

121 fish tagged 20 acoustic receivers

covering 8 islands & atolls in NWHI

Several surprising long- distance movements already recorded

Meyer & Holland, in prep.Meyer et al., 2007

121 fish tagged 20 acoustic receivers

covering 8 islands & atolls in NWHI

Several surprising long- distance movements already recorded

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Bird, Holland, Bowen & Toonen, in press.

Scales of larval dispersal & connectivity across the Hawaiian Archipelago

3b

456

1a

1b

23a

Cellana talcosa

Cellana exarataCellana sandwicensis

joannleo@hawaii.eduKobayashi (2006) Coral Reefs

MHI

MHI

NWHI

NWHI

Partners: NMFS,Pacific Islands FisheriesScience Center

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Johnston AtollFST

= 0.15, Nm ≈ 1.4

FST = 0,

Nm = ∞

FFS

Scales of larval dispersal & connectivity across the Hawaiian Archipelago

FST = 0.15, Nm ≈ 1.3

Holothuria atra

Oahu

MHI

NWHI

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Scales of larval dispersal & Main-NWHI connectivity, con’t.

• Results differ by species: Some show strong population structure across the archipelago, while others do not

• Suggests that larval dispersal and connectivity is highly variable among species

• Survey seeks to determine whether there are generalities that can be made

a)

c)

b)

Distribution & susceptibility of coral/symbiont types

103 corals sampled to date:• 7 type A• 96 type C

4 diseased colonies:• 4/103 overall (4%)

Disease frequency by symbiont type:• 4/7 type A diseased (60%)• 0/96 type C diseased (0%)

Stat & Gates, in prep

joannleo@hawaii.edu

Main Hawaiian Islands

Relative reef health status throughout Hawaii

Rodgers & Jokiel, in prep.

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

n = 122 n = 47

n = 151

Concepcion, Toonen, et al. in review

Invasive species

joannleo@hawaii.edu

SummarySummarySummarySummary

Johnston Atoll is the gateway to the Johnston Atoll is the gateway to the Hawaiian Archipelago. Hawaiian Archipelago.

Management units must be species Management units must be species specific.specific.

Ecosystem based management Ecosystem based management requires an understanding of all requires an understanding of all contributors to the ecosystem.contributors to the ecosystem.

NOAA-University partnerships are very NOAA-University partnerships are very effective. effective.

joannleo@hawaii.edu

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements Support from Hawaii Congressional OfficeSupport from Hawaii Congressional Office::

Senator Daniel K. InouyeSenator Daniel K. Inouye Senator Daniel AkakaSenator Daniel Akaka Congressman Neil AbercrombieCongressman Neil Abercrombie Congresswoman Mazie Hirono Congresswoman Mazie Hirono

PartnersPartners:: NOAA-NOS Sanctuary Program (Papahanaumokuakea MNM)NOAA-NOS Sanctuary Program (Papahanaumokuakea MNM) NOAA-NMFS (PIFSC, WesPac)NOAA-NMFS (PIFSC, WesPac) University of Hawaii SOEST and CNS.University of Hawaii SOEST and CNS.

Additional funding for Ecosystem Based Additional funding for Ecosystem Based ManagementManagement:: NSF/EPA/Hawaii state funding: NSF/EPA/Hawaii state funding: Faculty, staff salaries: Faculty, staff salaries: