VEGETATION MAPPING

Vegetation mappin should be an jntegralpart of ongoing research and management e$fortsin Hawaiian ecosystems.
James

D. Jacobi

Vegetation maps are used to prcsent information on the s o m l ~ o s ~ t iand m .truiture (height, conop!. cover, and life rorm classcs) of plant eommunilies up011 in a two-dimen~ion~l iorn~at.Such map. proride s reg~onalr r a n ~ c w r k which ecologiall investiqrion~ individual species or hiolofiical communiof or ties (for either ~ildcrness other Lind mie) a n he habed. Cienerall), tne vegetation of 3n area is m:ipped on aerial photographs. with the mapped unitr verified during tield ~ ' ~ y In some c;t,es, h,~wevcr, m;q>ping1s June s . the completely from ground reconnaissance. Vegetation maps may be produced at various scales and for a great diversity of purposes (Kiichler 1967). The degree of detail that,can be expressed in a vegetation map is a function of both the mapping objectwe (that is, what components are to be displayed), and the scale at wh~ch map is to be the Mapping objectives may be quite variable for any one particular area, resulting in vew different maus, deuendine, on what components of theveeetation aie emphasized. For &ample, a foFester may foc6s on species comiposition and diameter class for a stand of trees, while a map roduced for pasture management may ignore the trees altogether hut disp ay the grassland cover in ereat detail. The most comolex veeetation maDs are those which ~. ~~r ~lescrihe both the structural and f l o r h u sokposit~on i 3 pl:m community o and mav :~dditionallvinclude informatim on other e c o l ~ ~ ~ lvariables, such cal as rainfall, substrate characteristics, temperature regime7and so forth. Scale-related limitations of maps pertain primarily to the size of units that can be visually resolved in a two-dimensional presentation (Table 1). A small-scale map is limited to units that are fairly large and generalized, and may include a great deal of heterogeneity in the delineated units. A largescale map, on the other hand, can theoretically display units that are qulte small and detailed in the field. and mav be relativelv homocleneous. Most vegec~tion maps at the sc& oi l:5,tlOd,000 ( I cm wi the m 6 ) = 5 km up the ~ r o u l ~or)sm.dler ;,re limited to diykwing potential or climax tuvegetat!on d (see cliinax communitv\ as inter~retkd &oromregional climates, soiis,
nrenared. r--r-.---.

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units with boundaries thai can realistically 6e identified in the field;

MAP SCALE

SCALE RANGE

TYPES OF INFORMATION THAT CAN BE DISPLAYED

MINIMUM UNIT SIZE (aooroximate)

Small Scale

> 1:l million

Generalized potential vegetation

>25W ha

Intermediate

1:l million to

Regional maps,
potential vegetation Generalized actual plant associations Dctailed plant associations, individual trces Foliage cover fur individual shrubs and herbaceous plants 2500 - 25 ha

1:1OO,OW 1:100,0~ to
1:1O,WO

Large

25 - 0.25 ha

Vcry Large

1:10,WO to 1:lOO

2500 m2 - 1 m2

Chart Maps

<1:100

< I m2

One of the biggest problems with vegetation maps is accuracy. Map ac& , accuracy must be considered in terms of curacy has two components: f the content of the interpreted units themselves. In other words, how real are the units that have been mapped. Second, there is the mechanical problem of accurately drawing a unit boundary onto the base map. Map accuracy is a crucial point, as it determines the actual use potential of the map. Accuracy is less of a problem with small-scale maps, as they are extremely generalized to begin with. However, with large-scale maps, the map units displayed can actually be determined and visited in the field. Many users attempt to relate field results to the vegetation maps they are using. If maps are inaccurate, their utility is limited, and the conclusions may be compromised.

SOME PREVIOUS VEGETATION MAPS FOR HAWAI'I

Over 35 different maps have been prepared to show the dis!ributinn of aspects of the vegetation of the Hawaiian Islands. These maps lnclude small-scale maps ( > 1:l million) through very large-scale maps ( < 1:10,000) and depict units ranging from generalized potentla1 vegetation zones (see

. . . .. . . .

vegetati& 2onks of ~ a f i i ' i This mip fit&to the intermediate-kale ' , range of maps, with all of the Islands except Hawai'i mapped at 1:500,000 (Th; island bf Hawai'i was m a ~ ~ at d e thexale of 1:l.S million.) Rimerton
ing vegetation, climatic patterns, and topography. Two other intermediate-scale maps were prepared by Lamooreux (1983) and Knapp (1965). Lamoureux's map is very sim~lar Ripperton and to Hosaka's (1942) and also displays generalized vegetation zones for all of the Islands. This ma is readily available in the popular Atlus of Hawai'i (Arm~trong 19837. Knapp's map delineates major vegetation zones, primarily based on moisture and tem erature regimes. In the mid 1960s, the 8s. Forest Service and the Hawaii State Division of Forestry produced the "Hawai'i Forest Type Maps" at the scale of 1:62,500, based on aerial photographs taken between 1950 and 1954 (Nelson 1967). These maps were prepared for all forested areas except National Park Service lands on ali the major Hawaiian Islands. The Hawai'l Forest Type Map units provide information on 1) land use class, 2) forest type (that is, tree species composition), 3) density of tree cover, and 4) tree stand size class in terms of sawtimber (marketable trees) classes. Despite the greater level of mapping detail at this large scale, the Hawai'i Forest Type maps were prepared at the reconnaissance level, with only a limited amount of unit verification in the field. Several other detailed vegetation maps have been prepared for smaller areas on many of the Islands. A map by Mueller-Domhois and Fosberg (1974) displays vegetation types within and adjacent to Hawaii Volcanoes Natmnal Park on the island of Hawai'i. This map, at the scale of 152,000, presents a detailed as well as accurate description of the dominant trees and understmy plant associations in the Park. Whiteaker (1983) prepared a similar map of the plant communities in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui. Other recent vegetation ma 5 of relatively small areas include those by Smathers (19671, Harrison 8$72), Higashino and Mizuno (1976), Jacobi (1978), and McEldowney (1983). A new set of veeetaiion maps. covering upland veeetation on the islands

a habitat base for the U.S: Fish and Wildlife Service's sufievi of Hawaiian f ~ ~ r ebirds (S.wtt v r d I ,Is 11, :in2 im .tuJic> oi tlrc <I\ I~:IIIII;. 01 1l1c.~,III',I st ( I / ~ t r n ~ i ~ l ~ ~ rp/1~1~ p o c ~ >i n J~ . i tthruu;h I:W I301:11iyDepartnicnt r f ~ ,it~red ~ ? ~ e d ~ ~ 1r I',&~I.Thc ni:rp> h d ; , v t h ? nirhc ~ . ' n i w r \ ~(r 1 H;rn;~iir\lucllc~r-I>oml>~~~~ vegetation at twh levels of generalization. The mosidetailed ;ere pro-a duced at the scale of 1:24,000 and provide information on tree canopy cover, tree height, and plant species composition. The second set of maps is at the scale of 1:100,000, with the detailed vegetation units grouped into lar er and more generalized units. The 1:24,000-scale maps provide detailed inkrmation that mav be a~plicable research or management Droerarns of relatively to

FUTURE NEEDS
\'r.get;~tion nlspl~ing h o u l hc :!I! intcgrsl part of ongoing rehearill and ~ ~l n~;~n:tgcmr~t effort\ i n lls\raiisn ecoyslerns. Although [he \cgctatlnn map. ~roJuced durin,! thc I.'.S. li\h xnd \\'lldliie Service wrvevs are ouite detailed. ihey do not inchde all areas of native vegetation in the ~ k e ~hditional . maps need to he produced for areas not covered previously by the detailed mapping, and all of the maps need to he updated periodically to delineate communities that have been altered by land-use changes or natural phenomena (for example, new lava flows, plant invasion, ecological succession, and so forth). Today, digital image processing of data gathered with multispectral sensors on earth-orbiting satellites, coupled with rapid computer data analysis capabilities, provide an additional set of mapping tools that could scarcely have been imagined by the scientists who produced the first maps of Hawaiian plant communities. We are quickly approaching the point where detailed vegetation maps can he easily and rapidly produced for even extremely remote areas of the earth. The ao~lication new techniaues to reeularlv u ~ d a t e of our , knot<ledgc:r.i the cmnpo>ition,di.tr~huti~m. cliang~;s 1 ls\r...'. eco2nd in .toan ' wtcrn>LA i l l grcatlv enhsnze c ~ u c ~ n ~ e n . ; ~ tof t h e e ~rrcpl:~ceshlc r ion n:!tursl

Important References
Armstrong, R.W. (ed.). 1983. Atlor ofHawoii. 2nd edition. Univ. Hawaii Prcss, Honolulu. Cuddihy, L.W. [this volume] Vegetation zones of the Hawaiian Islands. Harrison, B.C. 1972. Thevegetation of Waihoi Valley. Pp. 94-136 IN J.I. Kjargaard (ed.), Scientific report of the Waihoi Valley Project (unpublished report). Higashino, P.K., and G. Mizuno. 1976. Vegetation mapping and vascular plant check list. Pp. 41.120 IN D. Pcterson (ed.), Scientific report of the Manawainui Rescarch Project (unpublished report). Jacobi, I D . 19711 Ve8clalion Mop of the Kalc F o r m Reserve and Adjacotl Lands, 1sla11do f Howoi'i. U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Resource Bulletin PSW-16. Jacobi, J.D. In prep. Vegetation maps of tho upland plant communities on the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, Molaka'i, and Lana'i. Files, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Scrvice Hawaii Research Station. Knapp, R. 1965. Die Vegetation von Nord- und Mittelamerika und der Hawaii-lnseln. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. Translation of the section on Hawai'i by A.Y. Yoshinaga and H.H. Tltis. Hawaiian Botanical Society hrcwsletrer 14:95-121. KUchlcr, A.W. 1967. Vegelatio,t Mapping. Thc Ronald Prcss Company, Ncw York. L a m o u r e q C.H. 1983. Vegetation zones. Pp. 70-71 IN R.W. Armstrang (ed.),Alln.s of Hawai'i. 2nd edition. Univ. Hawaii Press, Honolulu. McEldowney, H. 1983. A description of major vegetation patterns in the Waimea-Kawaihae region during the early historic period. Pp. 407-448 IN J.T. Clark and P.V. Kirch (eds.), Alchaeolo~col i,tvesfiaalions of Nte Mudlane- Woinrea-Kawoihoe Road Com'dor, Island of " " Hawaii: An Inlerdisciplinaty Smdy ofan Environmental Trorrsecf. B.P. Bishop Museum Anthropology Dept. Report Series 83-1, Honolulu.

Mueller-Dnmhii, D. 19XS. 'Ohi'a dieback and protection maoagemcnt of the Hawaiian rain forcst Pp. 403-421IN C.P.Stone and J.M. Scott (eds.), Hawoi'i's Tereslrial E c o s y s t ~ ~ P4sen~aliolr Manapenma. Univ Hawaii Press lor Univ Hawaii s: and " Cooperative National Park Resourcca Studies Unit, Honolulu. f . Mueller-Domboi~ and H. Ellenber~.1974. Aims and Me1lzod.r o. Veyelalio,r Ecoiom. D., . John Wiley and Sons,New York. Mop Mucller-L'ombois. D., and F.R. Fcrsherg. 1974. VegeIaIiiro~~ oJHowoii Volcmoes Nolio,zol Pork (a:2200. Univ Hawaii Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit ZS,,0) Technical Report 4. Botany Dept., Univ. Hawaii Honolulu. Nelson, R.E. 1967. Records andMops of Forest npes it! Hawaii. U.S. Depl. Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Cxpcrimcnt Station, Resource Bulletin PSWB. Zones nfHawuii. Hawaii Agricultural Ripperton, J.C., and E.Y. Hosilka. 1942. Vegefatio~t Experiment Station Bulletin 89,Honolulu. Scott, J.M., J.D. Jacobi, and F.L. Ramsoy. 1981. Anan survcys ol large gcugraphicd areas: a systematic approach. Wild/~j% Sociery Bull& 9(3):190-200. Smathers, G.A. 1967. A preliminary survey of the phytoycography of Kipahulu Valley. Pp. 55-70 + maps IN R.E. Warner (ed.), Scientific Reporl of the Spahulu Valley Expcdition. (Unpublished report to The Nature Conservancy.) Whikaker, L.D. 1983. The vegetation and environment of the Crater District of Haleakala National Park. Pacific Science 37:1-24.
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