WILD UNGULATE IMPACTS ON RANCHLANDS IN HAWAIʻI

Lauren S. Katayama; University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; laurenk2@hawaii.edu; Derek R. Risch, Mark S. Thorne, Kyle C. Caires, Greg Friel, Karen M.M. Steensma, Carolyn L.W. Auweloa, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Jason D. Omick, Melissa R. Price, Lauren S Katayama

Introduced wild ungulates such as sheep, goats, and deer disturb native ecosystems where large-mammal herbivory is non-native. Islands often lack large predators to help control these ungulate populations, resulting in adverse environmental effects by overgrazing and sometimes proliferation and spread of disease on native and naturalized landscapes alike. In Hawaii, around one million acres are designated as pasture for livestock production, but in recent years, ranchers have been forced to reduce stocking rates by 25-30% due to competition for forage with axis deer, mouflon sheep, and feral goats. Impacts have also become exacerbated with an increased frequency of drought. This study aimed to understand the relationship between wild ungulate populations and pasture forage biomass on Hawaiian ranchlands using game cameras, grazing exclusion cages, and line-transect sampling. Preliminary findings show wild ungulates significantly reduce forage biomass and alter plant community composition. The results will inform a multi-criteria decision analysis for ranchers that will help determine sustainable wild ungulate populations for their lands and effective methods for management. This research contributes to the growing body of literature addressing the global impact of introduced ungulates and offers potential solutions to mitigate impacts while promoting thriving native ecosystems and sustainable food production.

Poster Session   Student Paper