Print Report
G443 Hawaiian Fumarole Group
Type Concept Sentence: Fumarole communities are vegetated by blue-green algae and bryophytes, with zonal distribution apparently related to temperature and chemical concentrations. This group is restricted to areas of ongoing volcanic activity on the island of Hawai`i near steam vents of the Kilauea caldera and rift zones, but may extend to near the summit of Mauna Loa caldera and rift zones
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hawaiian Fumarole Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Fumarole
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group is restricted to areas of ongoing volcanic activity on the island of Hawai`i near steam vents of the Kilauea caldera and rift zones, but may extend to near the summit of Mauna Loa caldera and rift zones. Steam from the relatively permanent vents has varying amounts of chemical output (largely sulfur dioxide or other sulfur-rich compounds), which is a driving variable for this group. Fumarole communities are vegetated by blue-green algae and bryophytes, with zonal distribution apparently related to temperature and chemical concentrations. In the hottest, sulfur-rich areas, a slimy aggregate of blue-green algae may be the only vegetation, but outward from the vent, various species of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) ring the vent in a manner analogous to algae in the intertidal zone. Finally, ferns and angiosperms from communities surrounding the vent appear at a variable distance from the vent, marking the transition out of the fumarole community. Substrates are recent volcanics, whether pâhoehoe, `a`â or overlain with cinder or ash.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Fumarole communities are poorly understood biological communities currently restricted to habitats directly in and around volcanic steam vents. Vegetation in these sulfur dioxide-affected areas is significantly sparser both in cover and diversity, and sites often appear barren. The surrounding vegetation is generally classified as a poor-condition version of an existing non-volcanic type until the degraded community becomes near barren, composed of only species that can tolerate exposure to volcanic fumes. Volcanic areas can be active for long periods of time, maintaining the depauperate plant community. The animal portion of fumarole communities includes mites and springtails (Collembola), some of which are known (to date) only from fumaroles. However, as only a very small portion of existing fumaroles have been sampled, the full distribution of fumarole animals cannot be predicted. In addition, the plants and animals of Hawaiian fumaroles cannot yet be compared to fumaroles in other volcanic areas of the world, because of inadequate biological sampling.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This group is restricted to areas of ongoing volcanic activity on the island of Hawai`i. Stands occur near steam vents of the Kilauea caldera and rift zones, but may extend to near the summit of Mauna Loa caldera and rift zones. Moisture in the vent is generally saturated where steam is escaping, but the overriding limiting features are high temperatures (on a gradient from above boiling to near ambient) and the presence of volcanic chemical compounds (generally sulfur-containing). Both of these features strongly limit the flora and fauna to a small set of adapted or tolerant plants and animals.
Climate: Climate is tropical, but precipitations varies greatly as this group occurs independently of moisture zone. It is found in a variety of the moisture zones from arid to moderately wet (Zones 1-6) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Vegetation in the wetter moisture zones is also impacted by fog, a mixture of volcanic gases (primarily oxides of sulfur) that react with sunlight, oxygen and moisture resulting in sulfuric acid and other sulfates that impact the local ecosystem. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are recent volcanics, whether pâhoehoe, `a`â lava or overlain with cinder or ash.
Climate: Climate is tropical, but precipitations varies greatly as this group occurs independently of moisture zone. It is found in a variety of the moisture zones from arid to moderately wet (Zones 1-6) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Vegetation in the wetter moisture zones is also impacted by fog, a mixture of volcanic gases (primarily oxides of sulfur) that react with sunlight, oxygen and moisture resulting in sulfuric acid and other sulfates that impact the local ecosystem. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are recent volcanics, whether pâhoehoe, `a`â lava or overlain with cinder or ash.
Geographic Range: This group is restricted to areas of ongoing volcanic activity on the island of Hawai`i near steam vents of the Kilauea caldera and rift zones, but may extend to near the summit of Mauna Loa caldera and rift zones.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860860
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.A Tropical High Montane Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S16 | 4.A |
| Formation | 4.A.1 Tropical High Montane Scrub & Grassland Formation | F022 | 4.A.1 |
| Division | 4.A.1.Od Polynesian High Montane Scrub & Grassland Division | D082 | 4.A.1.Od |
| Macrogroup | 4.A.1.Od.1 Hawaiian High Montane Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M251 | 4.A.1.Od.1 |
| Group | 4.A.1.Od.1.c Hawaiian Fumarole Group | G443 | 4.A.1.Od.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hawaiian Fumarole Communities (Gon 1988)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Gagne, W. C., and L. W. Cuddihy. 1990. Vegetation. Pages 45-114 in: W. L. Wagner, D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer, editors. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. 2 volumes. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.
- Gon, S. M., III. 1988. Hawaiian fumarole communities. Unpublished report on file. Hawai''i Biodiversity & Mapping Program, Center for Conservation Research and Training (CCRT), Pacific Biosciences Research Center (PBRC), University of Hawai''i, Honolulu.
- Mueller-Dombois, D., and F. R. Fosberg. 1998. Vegetation of the tropical Pacific islands. Springer-Verlag, New York. 733 pp.
- Price, J. P., S. M. Gon, III, J. D. Jacobi, and D. Matsuwaki. 2007. Mapping plant species ranges in the Hawaiian Islands: Developing a methodology and associated GIS layers. Hawai''i Cooperative Studies Unit. Technical Report HCSU-008. Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC), University of Hawai''i, Hilo. 58 pp., includes 16 figures and 6 tables.
- Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Volumes 1 and 2. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp.