86,58 (persons per sq. km) in 2022.

This map illustrates where infrastructure and population could be potentially impacted by a one meter sea level rise by the year 2100. Examples of infrastructure: airports, education establishments, medical facilities, and buildings. The pattern is shown along coastal areas by both tracts and counties. The sea level rise model comes from the Climate Mapping Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) portal. As you zoom into the map, you can see the pattern by where human settlement exists. This helps illustrate the pattern by where people live.Airport data: Airports (National) - National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) AirportsData can be accessed hereOpenStreetMap Data:BuildingsMedical FacilitiesEducation EstablishmentsPopulation data: ACS Table(s): B01001Data downloaded from: Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey Data can be accessed hereHuman Settlement data:WorldPop Population Density 2000-2020 100mData can be accessed hereAbout the CMRA data:The Climate Mapping Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) portal provides a variety of information for state, local, and tribal community resilience planning. A key tool in the portal is the CMRA Assessment Tool, which summaries complex, multidimensional raster climate projections for thresholded temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise variables at multiple times and emissions scenarios. This layer provides the geographical summaries. What's included?Census 2019 counties and tracts; 2021 American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian areas25 Localized Constructed Analogs (LOCA) data variables (only 16 of 25 are present for Hawaii and territories)Time periods / climate scenarios: historical; RCP 4.5 early-, mid-, and late-century; RCP 8.5 early-, mid-, and late-centuryStatistics: minimum, mean, maximumSeal level rise (CONUS only)Original Layers in Living Atlas:U.S. Climate Thresholds (LOCA)U.S. Sea Level Rise Source Data:Census TIGER/Line dataAmerican Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areasLOCA data (CONUS)LOCA data (Hawaii and territories)Sea level rise

Values represent island-means: CHL, WV and SSTL were obtained from satellite-derived sources [7] and represent long-term (9–25 yr.) averages of oceanic waters surrounding. HC and CX are visually-estimated by divers during fish surveys. Human population data per island comes from the 2010 US census (http://www.census.gov/2010census/). Area of

This data set provides the simulated results of releasing malaria-resistant Iiwi into existing populations of wild birds on the Island of Hawaii. Resistant birds are released into mid- and high-elevation forests at different densities at 10-year intervals from 2030 to 2070. Populations of both malaria-resistant and susceptible Iiwi are then predicted at 10-year intervals from release until 2100. Predictions are made based on 3 different climate change projections: A1B, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5. The goal of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of creating a successful population of Iiwi when faced with higher malaria infection predicted as a result of climate change. The model results presented here build upon two previous research studies published in 2011 and 2015 (see published articles in the cross-reference section below). The original input data and model descriptions can be found in these earlier papers. This data release concentrates on the 2019 model and its output

This CSV file contains landscape factors representing anthropogenic disturbances to stream habitats summarized within local and network stream catchments as well as the downstream main channel catchments of perennial and intermittent stream reaches of the five main islands of Hawai'i. The source datasets compiled and attributed to spatial units were identified as being: (1) meaningful for assessing fluvial fish habitat; (2) consistent across the entire study area in the way that they were assembled; (3) broadly representative of conditions in the past 10 years, and (4) of sufficient spatial resolution that they could be used to make valid comparisons among local catchment units. Variables summarized at the catchment scale include measures of anthropogenic land uses, golf courses, population density, roads, ditches, pipelines, dams, mines, point-source pollution sites, and locations of former plantation lands. In this dataset variable summaries are linked to the Hawaii Fish Habitat Partnership (HFHP) stream layer (Tingley et al. in prep) which is a modified version of the 1:24,000 National Hydrography Dataset that consists of 11,436 intermittent and perennial stream reaches across the five largest Hawaiian Islands (Hawai’i, Maui, Moloka’i, O’ahu, Kaua’i). Catchment attributes are available for both local catchments (defined as the land area draining directly to a reach; attributes begin with "L_" prefix) and upstream network catchments (defined by all upstream contributing catchments to the reach's outlet, including the reach's own local catchment; attributes begin with "N_" prefix). Downstream main channel variables for reaches are labeled using a "D_" prefix.

Where stable source populations of at-risk species exist, translocation may be a reasonable strategy for re-establishing extirpated populations. However, the success rates of such efforts are mixed, necessitating thorough preliminary investigation. Stochastic population modeling can be a useful method of assessing the potential success of translocations. Here, we report on the results of modeling translocation success for the Hawaiian Common Gallinule (‘alae ‘ula; Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), an endangered waterbird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Using updated vital rates, we constructed a model simulating three existing extant (wild) source populations and a hypothetical recipient site on another island. We then projected the effects of six different translocation scenarios and sensitivity of the results to variation of three important demographic parameters on the probability of extinction (PE) of the reintroduced and donor populations. Larger translocations, of at least 30 birds, had low probability of extinction in the reintroduced population, but raised extinction risk of the smallest source population. Spacing out translocations in time (e.g., 10 birds translocated in total in three installments over nine years), led to lower PE than translocating all individuals at once (i.e., bulk translocations) for both the source and reintroduced populations. Brood size and hatch-year juvenile survival had a disproportionate impact on reintroduced population viability. Importantly, the reported juvenile survival rate is very near the threshold for population failure. This suggests that post-introduction and subsequent management of wetlands, particularly predator control, could be critical to reintroduction success. We recommend that individuals should be translocated from multiple, genetically distinct subpopulations to reduce the possibility of inbreeding depression. Based on this analysis, the recipient wetland should be sufficiently large that it can support at least 25 pairs of gallinules. Based on recent estimates of population densities on O‘ahu, such a wetland would need to be between 3.75-74.6 ha. Where stable source populations of at-risk species exist, translocation may be a reasonable strategy for re-establishing extirpated populations. However, the success rates of such efforts are mixed, necessitating thorough preliminary investigation. Stochastic population modeling can be a useful method of assessing the potential success of translocations. Here, we report on the results of modeling translocation success for the Hawaiian Common Gallinule (‘alae ‘ula; Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), an endangered waterbird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Using updated vital rates, we constructed a model simulating three existing extant (wild) source populations and a hypothetical recipient site on another island. We then projected the effects of six different translocation scenarios and sensitivity of the results to variation of three important demographic parameters on the probability of extinction (PE) of the reintroduced and donor populations. Larger translocations, of at least 30 birds, had low probability of extinction in the reintroduced population, but raised extinction risk of the smallest source population. Spacing out translocations in time (e.g., 10 birds translocated in total in three installments over nine years), led to lower PE than translocating all individuals at once (i.e., bulk translocations) for both the source and reintroduced populations. Brood size and hatch-year juvenile survival had a disproportionate impact on reintroduced population viability. Importantly, the reported juvenile survival rate is very near the threshold for population failure. This suggests that post-introduction and subsequent management of wetlands, particularly predator control, could be critical to reintroduction success. We recommend that individuals should be translocated from multiple, genetically distinct subpopulations to reduce the possibility of inbreeding depression. Based on this analysis, the recipient wetland should be sufficiently large that it can support at least 25 pairs of gallinules. Based on recent estimates of population densities on O‘ahu, such a wetland would need to be between 3.75-74.6 ha. Methods Reproductive rate data (HAGAVitalRates_9-10-23_Export) We acquired nest data from recent monitoring projects run through the state of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) on O‘ahu, and graduate dissertation work conducted at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kaua‘i (by BW). Nests on O‘ahu were located during routine weekly or biweekly surveys using an area-search survey. A team of 3–7 observers walked meandering transects with the goal of locating all nests in a given area. All nests were visually checked 2 times per week until hatching or failure. DOFAW nest monitoring continued throughout the annual cycle. A subset of Hawaiian Gallinule nests on O‘ahu was monitored from January through December 2020–2023. All nests were visually checked at least twice weekly, and a subset was monitored from January through December 2020–2023 using SPYPOINT Solar Dark (GG Telecom, Quebec, Canada) passive infrared cameras (trigger speed: 0.07 s) placed about 1 m from the nest, mounted on a 7.6 cm wide metal post 1.8 m long, fixed with a fully adjustable camera mount that allows a camera angle of 0–90. Cameras were programmed to take 2 images back-to-back immediately upon infrared motion activation. Cameras were programmed to take photos instantly for each activation (Instant setting recovery speed: 0.3 s). Cameras were checked weekly for battery life and SD card data retrieval and were removed either immediately after a nest wasconfirmed failed or after a nest was confirmed successful. A nest was considered successful if at least 1 egg hatched and was considered failed if the eggs all disappeared before the expected hatch date or if signs of predation (e.g., predator scat/tracks in the nest or destroyed eggs adjacent to the nest), flooding (e.g., intact eggs outside nest following an increase in water level or nest submerged under water), or abandonment (e.g., eggs cold to the touch in the morning, hot to the touch in the afternoon) were apparent. On Kaua‘i, nests were found by conducting systematic searches. In wetland units managed strictly for waterbirds, transects spaced 10 m apart were walked, while in taro that was grown on the refuge searches were done by walking the pond perimeter. Although Hawaiian Gallinules can nest year-round (Shallenberger 1977, Byrd and Zeillemaker 1981), searches were concentrated during the main breeding season. Nests also were found incidentally during regular activities by refuge staff and taro farmers. Nests on Kaua‘i were monitored with and without cameras (see Webber 2022 for details of monitoring and assessment of nest fates). All nests were checked every 3–5 d to monitor nest status; if the brood continued to use the nest after hatching and the camera was available, monitoring continued for brood survival data. Brood Survival Data (BroodDatabase_8-24-22) Due to some methodological differences in brood monitoring among datasets compiled in this study, we resampled data to a matching, lowest common temporal resolution. Brood data from Keawawa wetland (O‘ahu) were recorded via multiple daily surveys for the first 60þ d posthatch by a group of trained citizen science volunteers. Brood encounter data on Kaua‘i were collected based on 4 d encounter intervals, recording presence and number of chicks if the brood was detected on any day within the interval. All brood records in our Kaua‘i dataset were collected by BW, and they were monitored by surveying telemetered adults (see Webber 2022 for details). Territories with known nests were monitored starting at what was estimated to be mid-incubation, and visited at least once every 4 d. At James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge (O‘ahu), brood encounters were opportunistic. Except for data from Keawawa, most brood monitoring ended after the first month post-hatch. Based on these data formats, we reduced our combined data to 4 d intervals and the first 30 d post-hatch to avoid estimating parameters with a sparse dataset.

Understanding the influence of multiple ecosystem drivers, both natural and anthropogenic, and how they vary across space is critical to the spatial management of coral reef fisheries. In Hawaii, as elsewhere, there is uncertainty with regards to how areas should be selected for protection, and management efforts prioritized. One strategy is to prioritize efforts based on an area's biomass baseline, or natural capacity to support reef fish populations. Another strategy is to prioritize areas based on their recovery potential, or in other words, the potential increase in fish biomass from present-day state, should management be effective at restoring assemblages to something more like their baseline state. We used data from 717 fisheries-independent reef fish monitoring surveys from 2012 to 2015 around the main Hawaiian Islands as well as site-level data on benthic habitat, oceanographic conditions, and human population density, to develop a hierarchical, linear Bayesian model that explains spatial variation in: (1) herbivorous and (2) total reef fish biomass. We found that while human population density negatively affected fish assemblages at all surveyed areas, there was considerable variation in the natural capacity of different areas to support reef fish biomass. For example, some areas were predicted to have the capacity to support ten times as much herbivorous fish biomass as other areas. Overall, the model found human population density to have negatively impacted fish biomass throughout Hawaii, however the magnitude and uncertainty of these impacts varied locally. Results provide part of the basis for marine spatial planning and/or MPA-network design within Hawaii.

The towed-diver method is used to conduct benthic surveys, assessing large-scale disturbances (e.g., bleaching) and quantifying benthic components such as habitat complexity/type and the general distribution and abundance patterns of live coral, CCA, macroalgae, and macroinvertebrates. Surveys are conducted in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas as part of the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). A suitable method for assessing relatively large areas of reef habitat, the method involves towing a pair of SCUBA divers—one benthic and one fish—behind a small boat for approximately 50 min following the ~15-m depth contour and covering about 2–3 km of habitat. Each diver is equipped with a towboard and attempts to maintain a constant elevation above the surface of the reef (~1 m) for the duration of the survey. A complete towed-diver survey is divided into 10, 5-min segments, with visual observations recorded by 5-min segment.

The visual estimate data provided in this dataset were collected during towed-diver surveys which includes percentage cover of total live hard corals, stressed hard corals, soft corals, sand, coralline algae, and macroalgae, and the number of individual macroinvertebrates (crown of thorns starfish (COTS), sea urchins, and giant clams). Benthic habitat complexity and type data are also collected as part of the survey with the following habitat type categories: continuous reef, spur and groove, patch reefs, rock boulders, pavement, rubble flat, sand flats, pinnacle, and wall.

The data were collected around the Hawaiian Archipelago as part of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) led mission in 2016. These data can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.

Understanding the influence of multiple ecosystem drivers, both natural and anthropogenic, and how they vary across space is critical to the spatial management of coral reef fisheries. In Hawaii, as elsewhere, there is uncertainty with regards to how areas should be selected for protection, and management efforts prioritized. One strategy is to prioritize efforts based on an area's biomass baseline, or natural capacity to support reef fish populations. Another strategy is to prioritize areas based on their recovery potential, or in other words, the potential increase in fish biomass from present-day state, should management be effective at restoring assemblages to something more like their baseline state. We used data from 717 fisheries-independent reef fish monitoring surveys from 2012 to 2015 around the main Hawaiian Islands as well as site-level data on benthic habitat, oceanographic conditions, and human population density, to develop a hierarchical, linear Bayesian model that explains spatial variation in: (1) herbivorous and (2) total reef fish biomass. We found that while human population density negatively affected fish assemblages at all surveyed areas, there was considerable variation in the natural capacity of different areas to support reef fish biomass. For example, some areas were predicted to have the capacity to support ten times as much herbivorous fish biomass as other areas. Overall, the model found human population density to have negatively impacted fish biomass throughout Hawaii, however the magnitude and uncertainty of these impacts varied locally. Results provide part of the basis for marine spatial planning and/or MPA-network design within Hawaii.

description: Belt transects along 1 or 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 19 sites at Hawaii Island in the Main Hawaiian Islands in February and March, 2005 from the NOAA vessel Oscar Elton Sette (OES05-02). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes, and visual estimation of percent cover. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m was included in the belt on each side of the transect liners (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).; abstract: Belt transects along 1 or 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 19 sites at Hawaii Island in the Main Hawaiian Islands in February and March, 2005 from the NOAA vessel Oscar Elton Sette (OES05-02). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes, and visual estimation of percent cover. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m was included in the belt on each side of the transect liners (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).

Strawberry guava (waiawī, Psidium cattleyanum O. Deg., Myrtaceae) is a small tree invasive on oceanic islands where it may alter forest ecosystem processes and community structure. To better understand the dynamics of its invasion in Hawaiian rainforests in anticipation of the release of a biocontrol agent, we measured growth and abundance of vertical stems >= 0.5 cm DBH for 16 years (2005-2020) in an intact Metrosideros-Cibotium rainforest on windward Hawai'i Island. Specifically, we compared the growth and abundance of both shoots (originating from seed or from the root mat) and sprouts (originating above ground from established stems) in four replicate study sites. Mean stem density increased from 9562 stems/ha in 2005 to 26,595 stems/ha in 2020, the majority of which were stems < 2 cm DBH. Mean annual rates of population growth (lambda) varied between 1.03 and 1.17. Early in the invasion, both density and per capita recruitment of shoots was greater than that of sprouts, but a..., Sites: We measured guava stem diameters annually between 2005 and 2020 at each of four replicate study plots selected to represent early stages of strawberry guava invasions in intact Metrosideros-Cibotium rainforest on windward Hawai'i Island (Juvik and Juvik 1998). Wet forests in Hawai'i are high priority conservation areas because of the biological diversity they harbor and their importance in the water economy of the islands (Jacobi and Warshauer 1992, Tunison 1992). Our study plots were established in the following conservation areas: Kahauale'a Natural Area Reserve (KAH, 19o10'N, 155o10'W), Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve (MAK, 19o34'N, 155o11'W), Ola'a Forest Reserve (OLA, 19o27'N, 155o11'W), and Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve (WAI, 19o35'N, 155o12'W). All sites are at approximately 900 m elevation and distances between sites are 2 to 17 km. Estimated annual rainfall is 3000-4000 mm at OLA and KAH and 4000-5000 mm at WAI and MAK (Giambelluca et al. 1996). Projected mean annual ..., , # Strawberry guava invasion of a Hawaiian rainforest: Changing population pattern

https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dr7sqvb42 This file provides information on the contents of the file “Psicat Demog 2005-2020 values 20231203.csv†. It is intended to accompany the manuscript titled “Strawberry guava invasion of a Hawaiian rainforest: Changing population pattern†authored by J. S. Denslow, M. T. Johnson, N. L. Chaney, E. C. Farrer. C. C. Horvitz, E. R. Nussbaum, and A. L. Uowolo which appears In the journal Biotropica. Please see the “Methods†section of that paper for more detail.

The file provides diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.37 m) of vertical strawberry guava (Psidium cattleyanum O. Deg. f. lucidum) stems measured annually (2005-2020) at 4 study sites in rainforest on windward Hawai'i Island.

KAH: Kahauale'a Natural Area Reserve

MAK: Puu Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve

OLA: Ola'a Forest Reserve

WAI: Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve

The ...

Annual point counts are commonly used to monitor birds to track population densities across space and time. Palila (Loxioides bailleui) are surveyed annually in the first quarter, but we recently instituted quarterly sampling that offers a unique opportunity to improve estimator precision. We conducted point-transect distance sampling point counts during the first quarter of 2020 through 2024, and the second through fourth quarters in 2022 and 2023, and the second quarter in 2024. The reduced sampling intensity during the quarterly counts, however, requires model-based methods to estimate abundance to the entire sampling frame. We modeled spatial and temporal correlation using a soap film smoother within a generalized additive modeling framework, a density surface model, fitted to palila counts each quarter for the five-year timeseries to track changes in population abundances. Our results indicate that palila maintained a high-density hotspot throughout the five-year timeseries; however, the extent of the hotspot declined substantially over the timeseries while densities within the hotspot declined from about 3 birds/ha in 2020 to about 1 bird/ha in 2024, which resulted in a 66% decline in palila abundances over 5 years. Density surface model estimates give on average a confidence interval width that was 74.7% shorter than the associated distance sampling confidence interval widths. Our results indicate that palila may benefit most if management actions were applied within the remaining hotspot. Additionally, this temporally fine-grained sampling provides information on seasonal movement patterns and resource tracking, and population response to management and conservation actions. Our spatially explicit, model-based approach is applicable to a wide range of monitoring programs, particularly those with inconsistent, opportunistic spatial coverage.

In this study, we quantify the effects of leaf traits and dispersal attributes on species responses to pig soil disturbance at two spatial scales – 0.5 m2 patches embedded along 20 m transects within sites – across a gradient of pig density in a Hawaiian montane wet forest using Bayesian mixed models. Native and non-native species demonstrated divergent responses, with increasing presence and abundance of non-native species in the understory as soil disturbance within patches and sites increased. Dominant patterns in measured traits tracked the leaf economic spectrum (LES), with non-native species tending toward resource-acquisitive traits. Species with resource-acquisitive traits, regardless of identity, were favored with disturbance and responded positively to light availability in disturbed sites. Models showed species primarily dispersed by wind were more prevalent in disturbed patches and sites than those dispersed by endozoochory, while seed mass had no effect., From Methods outlined in the publication: Data Collection The impacts of pig activity and disturbance vary by scale, and effects on community composition are mediated in part by differences in establishment success due to disturbance within habitat patches. To capture these effects, we used a hierarchical design incorporating pig density at the zone level, our broadest spatial scale, and pig soil disturbance (i.e. physically overturned soil as a result of pig activity) at two consecutively smaller scales: (i) within sites nested within zones (hereafter, Dsite), and (ii) within habitat patches nested within sites (hereafter, Dpatch). Four zones with 1-km radii, roughly equal to conservative estimates of pig home-range size in Hawaiian forests, were established within the study site (Fig. 1A) (Diong, 1982). To capture patterns in understory composition and soil disturbance at the site- and patch-scale, we surveyed 30 sites within each zone using a stratified-random design (1 additional si..., , # Feral pig (Sus scrofa) disturbance facilitates establishment of resource-acquisitive species in Hawaiian forest understories

Datasets Included:

1) abundance ('hits' from point-intercept estimates) of understory plant species at sites (named "Site-scale.csv"):

• Site: Site where data were collected (treat as a factor)
• Dsite: site-scale disturbance given by summed lengths of transect segments intersecting disturbance at each site (in meters)
• NLsite: nurse log given by summed lengths of transect segments intersecting nurse logs (in meters)
• Pig_Density: population density estimates given by REM (individuals per km2)
• Lightsite: canopy openness from 3 hemispheric photographs averaged across the site (%)

The species-level abundances are in the remaining columns, given as 'hits' from point-intercept approach.

2) presence/absence of plant species rooted in patches (named "Patch-scale.csv"):

• Site: Site where data were collected (treat as a factor)
• Patch: Patc...

When sexual signals are perceived during growth and development they can provide information regarding the social conditions likely to be encountered as an adult. Perception of cues related to the presence and density of future mates and potential competitors can result in altered adult phenotypes. Previous studies have shown that adult male Teleogryllus oceanicus field crickets from a Kauai, Hawaii population reared alone and without hearing conspecific song are more phonotactic than those reared with song. These naïve males also reduce investment in body size and immunity. Here we examined whether another source of population density information, the presence of other males, affects behavior, size, and immunity. Specifically, we examined satellite behavior as evidenced by strength of phonotaxis, body condition, and immune response in males reared singly and in groups in the presence and absence of conspecific song. Body condition did not vary with rearing density, and immune response did not vary with either acoustic environment or rearing density. Interestingly, group-housed males were more phonotactic than singly-housed males. This pattern was largely driven by the low levels of phonotaxis exhibited by males that were singly-housed in the presence of conspecific song. These findings suggest that males respond to social cues in addition to conspecific song, but that these cues do not necessarily provide concordant information.

Aim: Species ranges provide a valuable foundation for resolving biogeographic regions, evolutionary processes, and extinction risks. To inform conservation priorities, here we develop the first bioregionalization based on reef fish abundance of the Hawaiian Archipelago, which spans nearly 10° of latitude across 2,400 km, including 8 high volcanic islands in the populated main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), and 10 low islands (atolls, shoals, and islets) in the remote northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI)..

Location: The Hawaiian Archipelago.

Taxon: Fishes (276 taxa).

Methods: We compiled 5,316 visual fish surveys at depths of 1-30 m from throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. Geographic range (km2) for each species was measured as extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occurrence (AOO). PERMANOVA and PCO were used to investigate drivers of fish assemblage structure. Distance-based multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between fish assemblage structure and predictor variables including latitude, reef area, temperature, chlorophyll-a, wave-energy, and human population density.

Results: Distinct fish assemblages exist in the MHI and NWHI, with two additional faunal breaks driven primarily by endemic species abundance. Latitude explained 37% of the variability in fish assemblages, with reef area accounting for an additional 9%. EOO showed a significant correlation with latitude. Endemics comprised 52-55% of the numerical abundance at the northern end of the archipelago but only 17% on Hawai‘i Island in the extreme south. Maximum size and activity regime (day vs. night) explained the most variation in the abundance of endemics.

Main conclusions: The Hawaiian fish assemblages are strongly influenced by endemic species, affirming the archipelago as a biodiversity hotspot of high conservation value. The higher abundance of endemics in the NWHI may represent preadaptation to oceanic (oligotrophic) conditions. Resolution of distinct bioregions across the archipelago provides a better understanding of reef fish macroecology, with implications for management at the archipelago scale.

Methods Fish surveys were conducted throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago from 2007 to 2016 by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ecosystem Sciences Division, using a stratified random sampling design (Heenan et al., 2017). A total of 5,316 surveys were conducted at 2,108 locations, across a depth range of 1 – 30 m. Only forereef locations were used to control for differences in habitat types. Each survey consisted of 2 divers, collecting data at adjacent survey areas using a modification of the paired stationary point count (SPC) method (Heenan et al., 2017). For the SPC, the divers conducted simultaneous counts in estimated 15 m diameter cylinders extending from the substrate to the limits of vertical visibility. Each SPC consisted of two components: a 5-minute species enumeration period in which divers recorded all species present or moving through their cylinder, followed by a tallying portion, in which divers systematically recorded the number and size (total length to nearest cm) of each taxon on their list. The tallying portion was conducted as a series of rapid visual sweeps, with one species grouping counted per sweep.

Heenan, A., Williams, I.D., Acoba, T., DesRochers, A., Kosaki, R.K., Kanemura, T., Nadon, M.O. & Brainard, R.E. (2017). Long-term monitoring of coral reef fish assemblages in the Western central pacific. Scientific Data, 4(1), 1-12.

description: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 2 sites at Necker in the NW Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) during 1 September - 4 October 2006 in the NOAA Hi'ialakai Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise (HI0611). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes by genus, and determination of benthic cover using the line-intercept method. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m on each side of the transect lines was included in the belt (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).; abstract: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 2 sites at Necker in the NW Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) during 1 September - 4 October 2006 in the NOAA Hi'ialakai Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise (HI0611). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes by genus, and determination of benthic cover using the line-intercept method. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m on each side of the transect lines was included in the belt (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).

description: To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 16 October - 14 November 2008, belt transect surveys of coral population and diseases quantitative assessments were conducted, as a part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise OES0810 in the Main Hawaiian Islands at biennial intervals by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). During the cruise, there were 6 surveys in total conducted at REA sites around Oahu Island in the Main Hawaiian Islands. At the specific REA sites, coral biologists along with fish biologists, algal biologists and marine invertebrate zoologist entered the water and conducted a fine-scale (~300 m2) and high degree of taxonomic resolution REA survey to assess and monitor species composition, abundance, percent cover, size distribution, diversity, and general health of fish, corals, macro-invertebrates, and algae in shallow-water (< 35 m) habitats. As a part of REA surveys, the coral belt surveys were focused on quantifying the diversity, abundance, density, and size-class distribution of the anthozoan and hydrozoan corals as well as the condition and health state of the coral reef populations. The surveys were conducted along two consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines. The belt width was dictated at the beginning of each dive by subjective perceived colony density: 1-m width was used in high density areas, while 2-m width was used in low density areas. Within each 25m transect, five 2.5-meter segments were surveyed (beginning at points: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters), whereby in each segment, all coral colonies whose center fell within 0.5m of either side of the transect line were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible (genus or species) and two planar size metrics were collected: maximum diameter and diameter perpendicular to the maximum diameter. In addition, the extent of mortality, both recent and old, was estimated for each colony. Observers paid special attention to identifying as best as possible the extent of the former live colony. When a coral colony exhibited signs of disease or compromised health, additional information was recorded including type of affliction (bleaching, skeletal growth anomaly, white syndrome, tissue loss other than white syndrome, trematodiasis, necrosis, other, pigmentation responses, algal overgrowth, and predation), severity of the affliction (mild, moderate, marked, severe, acute), as well as photographic documentation and sometimes tissue samples. Tissue samples were catalogued and fixed in buffered zinc-formalin solution for further histopathological analyses. Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts per taxon, size (width and length), mortality, predation, and health status. A surveyed area was ranging from 10m2 to 25m2 per site.; abstract: To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 16 October - 14 November 2008, belt transect surveys of coral population and diseases quantitative assessments were conducted, as a part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise OES0810 in the Main Hawaiian Islands at biennial intervals by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). During the cruise, there were 6 surveys in total conducted at REA sites around Oahu Island in the Main Hawaiian Islands. At the specific REA sites, coral biologists along with fish biologists, algal biologists and marine invertebrate zoologist entered the water and conducted a fine-scale (~300 m2) and high degree of taxonomic resolution REA survey to assess and monitor species composition, abundance, percent cover, size distribution, diversity, and general health of fish, corals, macro-invertebrates, and algae in shallow-water (< 35 m) habitats. As a part of REA surveys, the coral belt surveys were focused on quantifying the diversity, abundance, density, and size-class distribution of the anthozoan and hydrozoan corals as well as the condition and health state of the coral reef populations. The surveys were conducted along two consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines. The belt width was dictated at the beginning of each dive by subjective perceived colony density: 1-m width was used in high density areas, while 2-m width was used in low density areas. Within each 25m transect, five 2.5-meter segments were surveyed (beginning at points: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters), whereby in each segment, all coral colonies whose center fell within 0.5m of either side of the transect line were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible (genus or species) and two planar size metrics were collected: maximum diameter and diameter perpendicular to the maximum diameter. In addition, the extent of mortality, both recent and old, was estimated for each colony. Observers paid special attention to identifying as best as possible the extent of the former live colony. When a coral colony exhibited signs of disease or compromised health, additional information was recorded including type of affliction (bleaching, skeletal growth anomaly, white syndrome, tissue loss other than white syndrome, trematodiasis, necrosis, other, pigmentation responses, algal overgrowth, and predation), severity of the affliction (mild, moderate, marked, severe, acute), as well as photographic documentation and sometimes tissue samples. Tissue samples were catalogued and fixed in buffered zinc-formalin solution for further histopathological analyses. Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts per taxon, size (width and length), mortality, predation, and health status. A surveyed area was ranging from 10m2 to 25m2 per site.

description: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 9 sites at Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in October, 2004 from the NOAA vessel Hi'ialakai (Hll04-01... Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes, and visual estimation of percent cover. Either 0.5m or 1m on each side of the transect lines were included in the belt (for a total of 50m2 or 100m2 per site), depending on colony density.; abstract: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 9 sites at Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in October, 2004 from the NOAA vessel Hi'ialakai (Hll04-01... Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes, and visual estimation of percent cover. Either 0.5m or 1m on each side of the transect lines were included in the belt (for a total of 50m2 or 100m2 per site), depending on colony density.

description: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 9 sites at Kure Atoll in the NW Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) during 1 September - 4 October 2006 in the NOAA Hi'ialakai Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise (HI0611). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes by genus, and determination of benthic cover using the line-intercept method. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m on each side of the transect lines was included in the belt (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).; abstract: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 9 sites at Kure Atoll in the NW Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) during 1 September - 4 October 2006 in the NOAA Hi'ialakai Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise (HI0611). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes by genus, and determination of benthic cover using the line-intercept method. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m on each side of the transect lines was included in the belt (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).

description: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 10 sites at French Frigate Shoals in the NW Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) during 1 September - 4 October 2006 in the NOAA Hi'ialakai Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise (HI0611). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes by genus, and determination of benthic cover using the line-intercept method. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m on each side of the transect lines was included in the belt (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).; abstract: Belt transects along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines were surveyed as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 10 sites at French Frigate Shoals in the NW Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) during 1 September - 4 October 2006 in the NOAA Hi'ialakai Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise (HI0611). Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts and size classes by genus, and determination of benthic cover using the line-intercept method. Depending on colony density, 0.5 or 1 m on each side of the transect lines was included in the belt (for a total of 25-100m2 per site).