Hawai‘i Forest Bird Survey

In the mid 1970’s and early 80’s Dr. Mike Scott and others coordinated the Hawaiian Forest Bird Surveys to document the birds and their habitats.
The work is considered the first “gap analysis.”
They recommended further study and monitoring of established bird transects and the rainforest habitat.

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Notes:

In the mid 1970’s and early 80’s Dr. Mike Scott, Eugene Kridler and John Sincock conceived the idea to coordinated the Hawaiian Forest Bird Surveys to document the birds and their habitats. The research included all native forests above 1000 meter elevation on the ilsands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka`i, and Lana`i.

The goals of the research were to: 1) deveop, improve and continually evaluate forest bird survey techniques and teir statistical analysis; 2) determine the distribution of native habitat types; 3) compare land-use patterns and habitat stability in forested areas.

The principal objectives were to determine for each bird species studied:

1) distribution; 2) population size; 3) denstiy (birds/km2) by vegetation type and elevation; 4) habitat response; and 5) geographical areas where more detailed studies were needed.

The work led to what is considered the first “gap analysis,” to see if the endangered birds fell within protected areas. Most did not. They recommended further study and monitoring of established bird transects and the rainforest habitat.