2012_1: Dr. Jonathan Price "Origins of dry forest species in Hawai'i"
The Hawaiian Islands are isolated in the North Pacific Ocean nearly 4000 km from the nearest continent and nearly as distant from the closest high islands, the Marquesas. The endemic and indigenous plants and animals found here are the result of colonization from distant areas followed by extensive speciation once they arrived. Island sizes, environments, and geological histories have been central in shaping the flora and fauna of individual Hawaiian islands. Dr. Jon Price, University of Hawai’i Hilo, sets the stage for the 2012 Dry Forest Symposium by talking about origins of dry forest species in Hawai’i. He explains spatial patterns in biodiversity, including how these patterns have originated and how human activity has modified them.
This talk was presented at the 2012 Nahelehele Dryland Forest Symposium: "Connections" on February 24th, 2012 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The symposium highlight dryland forest ecology and restoration efforts in Hawai‘i.