Research Projects

PI-CASC supports research that generates actionable climate science within several key focus areas defined by regional stakeholder needs.

Underwater scene of colorful corals and fish

Sea-level rise impacts on coral reef and mangrove interactions and resulting coastal flooding hazards

PI: Curt Storlazzi, Research Geologist, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Co-I: Karen Thorne, Research Ecologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center
Funded: FY2021
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Plant seedlings grow in small black buckets

Vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to increased salinity from climate change

PI: Kasey Barton, Associate Professor of Botany, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Anna McCormick, Department of Botany, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
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Students examine rocks and marine life at the oceanʻs edge.

He ala ʻae kai – The Path Near the Sea: Climate Inflictions Upon Intertidal

PI: John Burns , Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-PI: Lauren Kapono , Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo; Haunani Kane, Post-doctoral Researcher, Marine Science Department, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
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A small reef fish, with bright yellow rings around the eyes.

How will changing reefscapes affect the prevalence of ciguatera on Hawaiian reefs?

PI: Tim Grabowski, Fish Biologist, Hawai‘i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, USGS/Adjunct Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-PI: Nikola Rodriguez, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
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A small, brown bird sits on the branch of a tree

Development of an early warning system for climate-change related invasion by mosquitoes into Hakalau Forest NWR

PI: Patrick Hart, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
Co-PI: Stephanie Mladinich, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
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Image looking up the trunk of a light-barked tree

Comparing arbuscular mycorrhizal diversity among different life stages of Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) Kuntze in Guam’s Limestone Forests

PI: Alexander Kerr, Professor of Marine Biology, University of Guam
Co-PI: Charles "CJ" Paulino, Environmental Science, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
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A dry grassy landscape of gently rolling hillocks and occasional trees.

Optimizing techniques to restore forest to increase endangered species habitat and mitigate future drought

PI: Jonathan Price, Professor of Geography , UH Hilo
Co-PI: Amberly Pigao, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
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An inner slope of the cone shows grass and sparse trees

Understanding plants of the past to inform community reforestation efforts in the future

PI: Jonathan Price, Professor of Geography , UH Hilo
Co-PI: David Russell , Restoration & Outplanting Field Assistant, Nāpuʻu Natural Resources Management
Funded: FY2020
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Predicting the Effects of Climate Change on the Spread of Fire-Promoting Plants in Hawai‘i

PI: Curt Daehler, Professor of Botany, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Lucas Fortini, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center; Clay Trauernicht Associate Fire Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2019
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A hiker steps off a boradwalk snaking through a swampy area

Assessing mosquito populations in Kauaʻi to help limit the spread of avian disease and inform the conservation of Hawaiian forest birds

PI: Dennis LaPointe, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Funded: FY2019
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Two men stand amidst elevated root systems of mangrove trees, watching another installing an instrument.

The future resiliency of mangrove forests to sea-level rise in the Western Pacific

PI: Karen Thorne, Research Ecologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center
Co-PI: Richard MacKenzie, Research Ecologist, US Forest Service
Funded: FY2019
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Man lays a small fish along a ruler, with more fish in a tray nearby.

E Hui Pū: a collaborative approach to understand climate change impacts on traditional Hawaiian ‘ōpelu…

PI: John Burns, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-Is: Tim Grabowski, Research Fish Biologist, Hawai‘i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, USGS/Adjunct Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo; Courtney Hurt, Consultant, Conservation International
Funded: FY2018
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Green bushes dot a brown, scrubby landscape looking toward distant coastal clouds.

Effectiveness of high-elevation habitat restoration for increasing resiliency of the palila honeycreeper

PI: Pat Hart, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
Co-I: Kahua Julian, Department of Agriculture, UH Hilo & Technician, Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project
Funded: FY2018
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Large horned mammals run across the field of view, backed by Hawaiian forest plants.

Managing non-native game mammals to reduce future conflicts with native plant conservation in Hawaiʻi

PI: Steve Hess, Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center
Funded: FY2018
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Close-up of many fresh green sprouts against dark soil

Impacts of climate changes on a native and an invasive Hawaiian plant using a newly developed Intelligent Plant growing System (IPS)

PI: Camilo Mora, Assoc. Professor of Geography, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Devon DeBevoise, Department of Botany, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2018
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