The changing ecology of Hawaiian tropical forests
Stephanie Pau, Professor
Environmental Science, Policy and Management
Applications for Spring 2024 are closed for this project.
Phenology, “nature’s calendar”, refers to periodic life history events such as the timing of plant leafing or bird migrations. Changes in plant phenology have provided some of the strongest markers of climate change impacts on species and ecosystems. However, most of this evidence comes from temperate or high-latitude ecosystems. In the tropics, the year-round growing season and the diversity of plant species exhibiting distinct growth-timing strategies complicates our understanding of plant phenology. Identifying the different timing patterns of plant activity may help us predict the potential winners and losers of climate change. This project seeks to identify the phenological diversity of plants in two contrasting tropical forest habitats on the Island of Hawai‘i, part of a global biodiversity hotspot. To answer research questions about how tropical forests and species respond to climatic fluctuations and longer-term climate change, we have collected plant litter (leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds) from a tropical dry forest and a tropical wet forest on the Island of Hawai’i every month for approximately 10 years.
Role: Tasks: URAP students are needed to identify different plant species (from leaves and seeds), count seeds, weigh leaves, and enter data into spreadsheets. Data from this project will allow us to understand how different species within the forests are responding to environmental change over time, and the effects these changes may have on large-scale ecosystem processes. Students will have the opportunity to co-develop specific research questions.
Learning outcomes: Students will gain knowledge of tropical forest ecology, including Hawaiian and western knowledge systems, plant species identification, data management skills, ecological data analyses, and good laboratory techniques.
Qualifications: Highly motivated undergraduate(s) with an interest in plant diversity, ecology and/or conservation science. Students should have excellent attention to detail and organizational skills, as well as excellent communication skills (works well in teams, responsive to feedback).
Hours: 3-5 hrs
Related website: http://stephaniepau.weebly.com/
Biological & Health Sciences Environmental Issues