NO KA LĀHUI: USING IUCN DATA TO INFORM RECOVERING IMPERILED SPECIES OF HAWAI'I, FOR HAWAI'I

Brissa K Christophersen; University of Hawai'i at Mānoa; brissa@hawaii.edu; Kristen Harmon, A. Nāmaka Whitehead, Melissa R. Price

Extinction rates have been increasing over the past century, a trend that is likely to continue with the increasing prevalence of threats such as climate change and invasive species. Unfortunately, Hawai'i has earned the moniker of “extinction capital of the world,” with 586 species listed as either threatened or endangered according to state and international listings. Collaborative efforts that integrate multiple knowledge systems, communities and approaches are critical to recovering endangered species, yet conservation efforts are often siloed among taxonomic groups, ecosystems, and land owners, limiting potential for collaboration and increased efficiency in resource allocation when addressing threats that impact multiple taxonomic groups. I hypothesize that potential synergies and collaborative solutions exist across taxonomic groups to better inform proactive conservation management. To achieve this, I will utilize the IUCN Red List data regarding imperiled species in Hawai'i to: (1) evaluate threats and potential solutions across taxonomic groups; (2) discern whether recovery actions explicitly address the threat of climate change; (3) explore the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and values within existing or proposed conservation action. Expected outcomes will allow resource managers to improve allocation of limited resources to achieve 'āina momona (thriving and abundant landscapes and communities).

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