Design of Natural Area Preserves in Hawai'i

Preserves, especially in Hawai!, must be protectable and manageable. Elements in preserve design include defining objectives, determining minimal area requirements, identifying external threats, and identifying management activities to be conducted. Biological, economic, and social priorities must be considered. There is no substitute for detailed ecological knowledge and practical experience, but ecological compromises are essential. Land use on surrounding areas, successional processes, and life expectancies of preserves must be seriously considered, as well as special problems such as large or migratory animals. In Hawaii, threats from introduced organisms, destruction and fragmentation of native ecosystems, and the abundance of rare taxa make decisions about preserve objectives and design especially critical. Intensive management of established preserves and accumulation of sufficient knowledge to accomplish this effectively and efficiently are crucial.