Northwestern Hawaii scrub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northwestern Hawaii scrub |
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Location of the ecoregion
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| Ecology | |
| Realm | Oceanian |
| Biome | tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands |
| Geography | |
| Area | 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi) |
| Country | United States |
| States | Hawaii and Midway Atoll (territory) |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Protected | 100% |
The Northwestern Hawaii scrub is a special natural area, also called an ecoregion. It is found on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This ecoregion has tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, which means it has warm weather and lots of grasses, small trees, and bushes.
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Exploring the Geography of the Islands
This ecoregion covers the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These are a long chain of small, low islands and atolls. They stretch about 1350 kilometers (840 miles) northwest from the main, taller volcanic islands of Hawaii.
How the Islands Formed
These islands are what's left of very old volcanic islands. They were made by a geologic hotspot. This is a place deep under the Earth where hot rock rises up. It's the same hotspot that created all the islands in the Hawaiian chain.
Over millions of years, the Pacific Plate (a huge part of the Earth's crust) slowly moved. As it carried the volcanic islands away from the hotspot, the volcanoes stopped erupting. The islands then started to wear away and sink into the ocean.
Coral Reefs and Sand Islands
As the old islands sank, hard corals grew on top of them. These corals built up thick layers of rock called coralline limestone. This created a protective barrier reef around a shallow lagoon, where the main island used to be. Over time, wind, waves, and tides helped to build small islands made of coral sand on these reefs.
Most of this ecoregion is part of the state of Hawaii. However, Midway Atoll, which is near the far northwestern end of the island chain, is a territory of the United States.
Unique Plants of the Northwestern Hawaii Scrub
This ecoregion is home to some very special plants. Five plant species found here are endemic, meaning they grow naturally only in this area. They are also listed as endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever.
Endangered Plant Species
Three of these plants are native to Nihoa Island. They are the Nihoa fan palm (Pritchardia remota), Schiedea verticillata, and Amaranthus brownii. The Nihoa fan palm has also been planted on Laysan Island.
Another plant, Cyperus pennatiformis ssp. bryanii, is only known to grow on Laysan Island. Sadly, Cenchrus agrimonioides var. laysanensis used to grow on Laysan Island, Midway Atoll, and Kure Atoll. But it has not been seen since about 1980 and might now be extinct, meaning it no longer exists anywhere.
The endangered Sesbania tomentosa, also called ‘ohai, is native to Nihoa, Necker, and the larger Hawaiian Islands.
Amazing Animals of the Northwestern Hawaii Scrub
The Northwestern Hawaii scrub is home to many unique animals. Some of them are found nowhere else in the world.
Special Mammals and Birds
One important animal here is the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi). This ecoregion is also home to three bird species that are endemic (found only here): the Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis), the Laysan finch (Telespiza cantans), and the Nihoa finch (Telespiza ultima). There is also a special type of bird called the Nihoa millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris kingi), which is an endemic subspecies.
A Home for Seabirds and Sea Creatures
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are very important for many types of seabirds, sea turtles, and cetaceans (like whales and dolphins). These islands provide crucial places for them to feed, nest, and raise their young.
Every year, about 5.5 million seabirds build their nests on these islands. An amazing 14 million seabirds live here during certain seasons. This area is the largest tropical seabird rookery (a place where many birds gather to breed) in the world.
Almost all of the world's Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) (99%) and nearly all of the world's black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) (98%) come to these islands to breed.
Protecting the Northwestern Hawaii Scrub
It's great news that the entire Northwestern Hawaii scrub ecoregion is part of protected areas. This means that special rules are in place to keep its unique plants and animals safe.
In 2006, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was created. This monument protects not only the islands themselves but also the vast ocean areas around them. This protection helps to ensure that this special place and its wildlife can thrive for many years to come.
