Interactions of Fire and Nonnative Species Across an Elevation/Plant Community Gradient in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

A study in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park revealed that invasive species, particularly nonnative ferns and grasses, can significantly hinder the recovery of native tropical forests following wildfires. The research, conducted over two years post-2003 fires, found that while Metrosideros polymorpha trees often survived via basal sprouting, their growth was stunted in areas where invasive understory species rapidly established. This suggests that fire and nonnative species interactions can maintain shrublands dominated by fire-resilient, nonnative plants, potentially threatening native biodiversity. The study documented stand-replacing fires across elevation gradients, highlighting the complex dynamics between fire regimes and invasive species in tropical ecosystems.

Ainsworth, A., & Kauffman, J. B. (2010). Interactions of Fire and Nonnative Species Across an Elevation/Plant Community Gradient in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Biotropica, 42(6), 647–655. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00636.x