Na'ena'e facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Na'ena'e |
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D. herbstobatae
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| Dubautia herbstobatae G.D.Carr
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Railliardia herbstobatae |
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The Dubautia herbstobatae is a special type of shrub found only on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. People also call it Na'ena'e or Keaau Valley dubautia. It is an endangered species, meaning there are not many of these plants left in the world.
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What it Looks Like and Where it Grows
The Dubautia herbstobatae is part of a group of plants called the silversword alliance. It is a spreading shrub that grows pretty yellowish-orange flowers. Its leaves can look different from one plant to another.
This shrub likes to grow in wet places, especially on ridges and steep slopes. You can often find it on open, rocky areas that face north. The areas where it grows usually have only a few shrubs and small trees.
Where it is Found
This plant is only found in two specific places on Oahu: Ohikilolo Ridge and Keaau Valley. Both of these spots are in the Waianae Mountains.
The Hawaiian Islands are very far away from other big land masses. This isolation means that many plants and animals found there, like the Dubautia herbstobatae, are unique. However, this also means they have a limited amount of space to live. This is one reason why this plant is on the Endangered Species List.
Protecting the Plant
The Dubautia herbstobatae was officially listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Government in 1991. Back then, there were fewer than 100 of these plants left. Thanks to a special plan to help them, the number grew to about 500. Today, there are an estimated 1,200 plants, which is great news!
What Harms the Plant
The two biggest dangers to the Dubautia herbstobatae are:
- Habitat destruction: This means their natural home is being damaged or destroyed, often by wildfires.
- Introduced animals: Animals that are not native to Hawaii, like feral hogs (wild pigs) and goats, eat the plants or damage their habitat.
Unexpected events can also harm small groups of these plants. These include things like too many tourists walking through their habitat, or natural disasters like fires and landslides.
How We Help the Plant
Scientists are working hard to protect the Dubautia herbstobatae. They are:
- Counting how many plants there are.
- Estimating how much damage is happening.
- Checking how well plants grow when they are put back into their natural home.
- Studying how the threats to the plant are changing.
The Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, which is part of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, has a plan to watch over this endangered plant. They have set aside special areas on Oahu, totaling about 198 acres (0.8 square kilometers), as critical habitat for the plant. These areas are easier to watch for dangers.
The goal is to have at least three groups of plants that can reproduce naturally. When this happens, the species will be considered stable. Here are some of the actions being taken:
- Collecting seeds: Seeds are gathered and stored to protect the plant's genes for the future.
- Building fences: Fences are put around some groups of plants to protect them from animals.
- Looking for new plants: People search for plants in old locations and new suitable places.
- Studying the plants: Scientists learn about their size, how they are spread out, when they flower, how their seeds are spread, how long they live, and what they need to survive.
- Reintroducing plants: Young plants are put back into suitable habitats to help the population grow.
The U.S. Army is also helping to manage areas like the Makua Valley and the Makaha side of Kamaileunu Ridge. Their main goal is to get rid of the goats in these areas, as goats can harm the plants. The Army has even built a fence to stop goats from entering the Makua Valley from nearby areas.
