Plant Extinction Prevention Program

The Plant Extinction Prevention Program follows a combination of steps to halt the high extinction rate of Hawaii’s plant ecosystems.

Protect Founders. Locating and protecting the remaining wild plants (founders) is their first priority. Founders contain the genetic diversity that provide a buffer against environmental conditions, giving the species the greatest chances of being restored. The PEP Program identifies and mitigates the threats to founders through fencing (to keep out pigs, sheep, goat, cattle), controlling smaller predators (rats, mice), and removing invasive non-native plants (competition for space, water, sun, nutrients). With the loss of each founder, genetic diversity is lost and the species takes one step closer to extinction, and in 2009, PEP staff protected 45 species (31 Endangered) through these controls.

Monitor Plants. Field Coordinators monitor the health of individuals and their threats. In 2009, the PEP Program monitored populations of 132 critically rare plant species.

Collect Propagules. Island coordinators collect propagules (fruit, seed, cuttings, pollen, leaf buds) from individuals and preserve them at off-site or ex-situ facilities. Ex-situ conservation relies on the concept that preserved genetic material is an essential tool that allows the time to plan and execute restoration programs, and to recover species that might otherwise become extinct. In 2009, the PEP program collected propagules from 89 rare plant species (38 Endangered).

Reintroduce Plants. The PEP Program seeks to increase the numbers by reintroducing nursery-grown plants into native areas to establish new populations. Because of the potential for disease or contamination, all reintroductions follow strict sanitation guidelines. In 2009, PEP reintroduced 10 critically rare species into their natural habitats on Maui, Moloka`i, and Hawai`i Island.

Discovery of New Plants. The discovery of additional founder plants can greatly increase the species’ chances of recovery. Surveys are conducted around already-known populations, and in 2009, they found 9 species on Kaua`i, 2 on O`ahu, 4 on Moloka`i, 19 on Maui, 4 on Lana`i, and 10 on Hawai`i Island.