The Biome of Hawaii - Essay Example

An Investigative Report in the Biome of Hawaii Introduction Hawaii is well-known with its diverse ecological features varying from the wild plants and animals in its rain forests, beautiful beaches, and the volcanoes highlighting its resources for both enthusiasts and scientists. I chose Hawaii as my biome of investigative report because its ecological characteristics offer a lot of opportunities to learn.The Biome of HawaiiThe State of HawaiiA chain of islands is what comprises the Hawaiian state in the Northern part of America.

This chain, is said to extend at about 2,600 kilometers between the island of Hawaii in the southeast and Kure Island in the northwest (Encarta, 2007).The Characteristics of HawaiiThe Hawaiian territory is regarded as a home for active volcanoes and the tallest sea mountain of the world, Mauna Kea (GoHawaii.com, 2007). In addition, the website provided the average temperature: 75 degrees to 88 degrees Fahrenheit from April to November, and 68 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit from December to March, with an average water temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to Encarta Online Encyclopedia (2007), eight main islands, namely Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Niihau and Kauai take almost the state's entire area of 28,311 square kilometer, with 98 sq. m. of inland water. The other part is composed of islets, coral reefs, and shoals. Thus, it is considered to be one of the smallest state in America. The Issues Affecting the General Environment Hawaii did not escape the bad effects of deforestation, pollution, global warming, and human selfishness.

The Nature Conservancy (2008) cries, "Climate change is already affecting our lives and the places we live, and has the potential to dramatically impact the lives of future generations." Specific Plants and Animals The plant life in the islands are mostly sets of coconut palm trees which are usually seen near the beaches, uncommon plants such as mesquite, koa haole, cactus, drought resistant grasses, wiliwili, naio, bastard sandalwood, niihau, kahoolawe, kukui, lantana, and alien weeds. Pine-juniper woodland that also occurs discontinuously from western Texas through northern Mexico to southern California, extending northward into New Mexico and Colorado to south-western Wyoming and westward through Utah and Nevada to northern California (Maina and Villa-Lobos) can be found here.

In the rain forest of Hawaii, ohia and koa trees are more prominent. Giant tree ferns, lobelias, and other native species are present in also (Encarta, 2007). The animal life in Hawaii is only comprised of insects, land snails, a single bat species, and numerous kinds of birds such as Hawaiia Hawk (io), Kauai Thrush (Puaiohi), Maui Parrotbill (kikekoa), Ou, Pueo, and Akialoa. EndangeredUnfortunately, Akialoa is said to be endangered, if not totally extinct according to The Nature Conversancy (2008).

Programs on Environment Preservation Eight national parks are maintained to preserve the history and culture of Hawaii (National Park Service). Moreover, The Nature Conservancy contributes in the advocacy with the Forest Recovery Project to initiate the restoration of the native forests, alongside partnering with the Earth Day Foundation, and other projects they continually promote.References:Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (2007). Hawaii is like no other place on earth. About Hawaii Introduction.

Retrieved April 9, 2008, from http://www.gohawaii.com/about_hawaii/learn/introductionMaina, S. & Villa-Lobos, J. North America: a regional overview (Smithsonian Institution, Department of Botany, NHB 166, Washington, DC 20560, U.S.A.). Centres of Plant Diversity. Retrieved April 9, 2008, from http://botany.si.edu/projects/cpd/na/na.htmMicrosoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia (2007). Hawaii (state). Retrieved April 8, 2008, from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761576663/Hawaii_(state).html#p54National Park Service. Hawaii. Retrieved April 10, 2008, from http://www.nps.gov/state/hi/The Nature Conservatory (2008).

Acting now for future Generations. Climate Change. Retrieved April 9, 2008, from http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/