Cooperative Agreement G24AC00540

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) was awarded a $113,218 Cooperative Agreement grant by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the USGS Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) to conduct a field experiment in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The project's primary objective is to address habitat restoration challenges in Hawaii through a combined approach of synthesis and experimentation, with the overarching aim of enhancing innovation and success in forest restoration while also testing strategies to mitigate the impacts of intensified drought. The field experiment will evaluate the performance of nursery-grown seedlings from various seed sources under varying precipitation levels and assess the influence of competition, involving techniques such as grass removal, microclimate monitoring, and comprehensive plant measurements over a 5-year period from September 2024 to August 2029. The project seeks to foster a thriving restoration community in Hawaii and bolster the adaptive capacity of restoration organizations and the ecosystems they oversee.