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Determining the Influence of Kiawe and Milo on Nutrient Loads of Anchialine Ponds. Kehau Nelson-Kaula TCBES Water Resources Meeting Hilo, HI March 21, 2011. Litterfall. Nutrients in litter correlated w/ availability in ecosystem Nutrient source Particularly N Ecological subsidy
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Determining the Influence of Kiawe and Milo on Nutrient Loads of Anchialine Ponds Kehau Nelson-Kaula TCBES Water Resources Meeting Hilo, HI March 21, 2011
Litterfall • Nutrients in litter correlated w/ availability in ecosystem • Nutrient source • Particularly N • Ecological subsidy • May affect food webs Photo: Troy Sakihara
Kiawe vs. Milo • Kiawe (Prosopis pallida) • Invasive species • N-fixer • Milo (Thespesia populnea) • Indigenous species • Non N-fixer luirig.altervista.org Photos: Troy Sakihara
Hypothesis Kiawe will have a greater influence on the nutrient load of the anchialine ponds compared to milo. Kiawe : Nutrients Quantity
Methods • Quantifying potential nutrient inputs Leaf litter: • Quantity (g/m2/yr) • Quality (nutrient concentrations) • Determine potential nutrient loads from soil - Quantify N mineralization
Importance • Water quality • Impacts to native and non-native biota Photos: Troy Sakihara