Natural Features & Ecosystems

Bird nest ferns in Haleakalā's rainforest.

NPS photh by Bryan Harry

 

Haleakalā, rising from the sea to a 10,023 foot summit, and exposed to both the windward moist tradewinds and leeward drying air, has a variety of natural ecosystems. From the top-

The alpine aeolian zone seems barren. The porous, rocky, dry surface has wide temperature range between day and night. Only a few species survive this tough environment. Silverswords stand out in this open landscape.

Subalpine shrublands cover broad areas below the alpine zone. Many native shrubs are dominant. Nēnē are locally conspicuous in the shrublands.

Lower, on the windward slopes with rainfall of 120 to 400 inches annually, rainforest prevails. Above 3,000 feet elevation the rainforest is largely native species with ʻōhiʻa and koa forming a closed canopy. This is habitat of the Hawaiʻi honeycreepers.

Below the shrub zone dry forest occupies the drier leeward slopes, with less than 60 inches of rain. Fire and alien ungulates have devastated most of Maui's dry forest. Only small patches are found within the park.

The ʻOheʻo stream ecosystem crosses several life zones. ʻOheʻo stream, with its entire length within the national park is one of very few completely natural riparian habitats in Hawaiʻi. Native fish and shrimp are stream residents.