Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered or Threatened Status for 24 Plants From the Island of Kauai, HI

Resumo

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for 21 plant taxa and threatened status for 3 plant taxa. All but seven of the taxa are endemic to the island of Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. The exceptions are found on the islands of Niihau, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and/or Hawaii, as well as Kauai. The 24 plant taxa and their habitats have been variously affected or are currently threatened by 1 or more of the following: habitat degradation by animals (e.g., goats, pigs, axis and mule deer, cattle, and red jungle fowl); competition for space, light, water, and nutrients by naturalized, introduced vegetation; erosion of substrate produced by weathering, or human or animal caused disturbance; recreational and agricultural activities; habitat loss from fires; and predation by animals (goats and rats). Due to the small number of existing individuals and their very narrow distributions, these taxa and most of their populations are subject to an increased likelihood of extinction and/or reduced reproductive vigor from stochastic events. This rule implements the protection and recovery provisions provided b