"From Ridge to Reef: Efforts Behind Conservation in Mau’i, Hawai’i"

From coral reefs to volcanoes to rainforests, Mau’i, Hawai’i is extremely geographically diverse and has many delicate ecosystems. Much of the landscape can be described as

“mauka-to-makai, ” a Hawaiian phrase for “ridge-to-reef. ”

Mountains and oceans are in close proximity on many Hawaiian islands, specifically Mau’i, which affects the local ecology and conservation efforts. The geological and ecological variety, as well as sociocultural factors, play important roles when implementing methods to conserve and restore ecosystems in Mau’i.

A recent 2022 study by Ella

Wilmot and her team at the

University of Hawai’i at Mānoa conducted research using zonation spatial planning software to measure the conservation priority level of various areas in Mau’i. The priority levels were determined by how these areas affect the aquatic ecosystems through measuring factors such as habitat, future projected rainfall, indigenous species, coral and fish biomass near the shore, and effect on humans. The ridge-to-reef geography allows for the continuous integration of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, so a holistic view of the island is required for efficient research and analysis of conservation priorities.

The results of the study varied based on current and future

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by Amanda Beneventano

California, USA

conditions, as well as on sociocultural factors considered and sociocultural factors not considered.

The results of the study convey that,

“The identified high priority areas are representative of favorable wet areas that support aquatic ecosystems and well-being of both human and wildlife into the future. ” Specifically, the study concludes that east Mau’i has a high conservation priority due to its more natural setting; east Mau’i is much less developed than other areas on the island, so it is essential to conserve this area to keep it in its original, healthy state. Events happening thousands of kilometers away on land also have great effects on coral reefs in Mau’i and across the globe.

Additionally, west Mau’i also has a high conservation priority because it has high socio-cultural value due to its popularity for tourism and access to recreational beaches and diverse coral reefs. East Mau’i is highly valued for preservation so that it can continue to sustain healthy ecosystems in its authentic state. On the other hand, west Mau’i has more value in the ways that it benefits humans, so the main conservation goal for this area is to keep it conserved so that it can be ecologically healthy while still maintaining its economic value.

Looking into the future of Mau’i, management of the island is critical for conservation to take place. Balancing management of natural resources as well as coastal, urban, and agricultural management is key to protecting high-priority areas. Though certain areas call for more intervention than others, processes occurring in one area of the island directly affect what occurs in another part of the island. For example, freshwater ecosystems in Mau’i are responsible for much of

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by Amanda Beneventano

California, USA

this integration as stated,

“inland management and activities directly impact coastal areas through the transfer of nutrients and species by water. ” Water is a driving factor in ridge-to-reef connectivity, affecting the habits of many native migratory fish species.

Due to ever-changing climate conditions, creating priority models for future projections based on changes in factors like rainfall is key as it directly impacts aquatic ecosystems, which in turn will affect ecosystems throughout the entire island because of ridge-to-reef connectivity. Additionally, there are outstanding variables that were not accounted for in this study that also highly impact Mau’i. Elements like “climate impacts such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, and increasing temperatures” were not considered but “are important to consider in future aquatic conservation. ”

When it comes to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs, efforts made on land can be equally or even more important than those made by the ocean. Though there is immense ecosystem integration in Mau’i that contributes to the degradation of coral reefs, events happening thousands of kilometers away on land also have great effects on coral reefs in Mau’i and across the globe. Climate change, specifically rising ocean temperatures, is the main driver of coral bleaching and, in many cases, the complete death of corals. Local conservation efforts are key to mitigating the effects of climate change on coral reefs. Further research in areas similar to that conducted in this study is essential for the future health of coral reef ecosystems so that positive change can be made both locally and globally.

Works Cited/Image Credits

Ella Wilmot, et. al. 2022.

“Characterizing Maukato-Makai Connections for Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation on Maui, Hawaiʻi. ” Ecological Informatics 70 (2022): 101704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101704

Both figures from Wilmot et al.

by Amanda Beneventano

California, USA