Maui Forest Height Map Has Implications for Water, Fire and Carbon

Maui is known for its stunning natural beauty, but did you know that its forests are also changing the world?

A new study by a University of Hawai'i at Mānoa geography professor has revealed that the trees on the Valley Isle are taller than previously thought, and that this has significant implications for water yields, fire risk, and more.

In this article, we will explore how this groundbreaking research was conducted, what it means for Maui's environment, and why it matters for the global community.

A New Way of Measuring Forest Height

(Photo : PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

The study, led by Qi Chen, used a novel approach to measure the height of Maui's forests. Chen used cutting-edge remote sensing technology, called airborne lidar, to collect high-resolution data on the elevation and structure of the vegetation.

He then used satellite imagery to train models that could estimate the forest height across the entire island, with a resolution of 30 meters.

The result was a new map that showed the forest height of Maui in unprecedented detail. The map revealed that the trees on the island were taller than previously estimated, especially in the higher elevations.

For example, the map showed that the average forest height in the Haleakalā National Park was 12.8 meters, compared to the previous estimate of 9.6 meters. This means that the forest canopy in the park is about 33% higher than previously thought.

Implications for Water Yields and Fire Risk

Why does forest height matter? Because it affects how much water the forest can capture from the clouds, and how vulnerable it is to fire. Both of these factors are crucial for the sustainability of Maui's environment and economy.

Water yields are the amount of water that flows from the forest to the streams, rivers, and aquifers. They depend on how much rainfall the forest receives, how much water the trees use for photosynthesis, and how much water evaporates from the leaves.

Taller trees tend to intercept more rainfall, use more water, and lose more water to evaporation, which means they have lower water yields than shorter trees.

Therefore, the new map suggests that Maui's forests may be producing less water than previously assumed, which could have implications for the island's water supply and management.

Fire risk is the likelihood of a wildfire occurring and spreading in the forest. It depends on how dry and flammable the vegetation is, how windy and hot the weather is, and how frequent and intense the ignition sources are.

Taller trees tend to have more biomass, which means they have more fuel for fire.

They also tend to create more shade, which means they reduce the moisture and temperature of the understory, making it less flammable.

Therefore, the new map suggests that Maui's forests may have a mixed effect on fire risk, depending on the location and condition of the forest.

Also Read: Maui Survivors Bracing For High Rainfall Due To Tropical Cyclone Fernanda While Rehabilitation Efforts Ongoing

Why It Matters for the World

The new map is not only important for Maui, but also for the world. It is one of the first examples of using remote sensing technology and satellite imagery to create high-resolution maps of forest height, which could be applied to other regions and ecosystems.

Such maps could provide valuable information for environmental monitoring, conservation planning, and climate change mitigation.

For instance, forest height is related to carbon storage, which is the amount of carbon that the forest sequesters from the atmosphere and stores in its biomass.

Carbon storage is a key indicator of the forest's role in mitigating climate change, as it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

By measuring forest height, researchers could estimate carbon storage more accurately, and track how it changes over time and space.

Moreover, forest height is related to biodiversity, which is the variety and richness of life in the forest. Biodiversity is a measure of the forest's health, resilience, and function, as it supports ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, and soil formation.

By measuring forest height, researchers could assess biodiversity more effectively, and identify areas of high conservation value and priority.