Research on Conservation of Hawaiian Species
Our research in Conservation of Hawaiian species focuses on the lack of knowledge concerning the Hawaii’s endemic and endangered flora. We are currently studying the taxonomy, ecology, physiology, and natural history of Hawaiian species to provide conservation managers with tools to implement appropriate management measures to ensure the survival of these rare endemics. We are using molecular sequence data and population genetics to better understand variation and adaptability in Hawaii's native species.
Potential Gene Flow from Genetically Engineered Crops to Native Species
The use of genetically engineered (GE) crops in Hawaii has raised concerns that transgenes may spread into the native plants with negative effects on the islands fragile and unique flora. Our lab is looking at the likelihood that this will occur.
There is risk of pollen flow from agricultural crops to closely related plants in the environment. Our initial research evaluated the risk for hybridization of conventional or GE agricultural crops with native species. Phylogenetic relationships were used to infer the relatedness between genera or species with relationship at the tribe, family, and order level. With this information we were able to make a comparison between the agriculturally relevant crops and the native plant species to find those which are closely related enough for hybridization to be possible.
Four tribes were seen to have an overlap between agricultural crops and native plant species: Heliantheae, Gossypieae, Solaneae, and Phaseoleae. Of these, plant and pollen dispersal characteristics indicated low risk with the exception of Gossypium tomentosum (cotton) .. The probability of gene flow from cultivated cotton to G. tomentosum is high, and has in fact been shown to occur. This result indicated the need for further research to determine the viability of plants created through cross-pollination.
Genetic Structure and Diversity of a Rare Hawaiian Endemic, Lobelia villosa (Campanulaceae: Lobelioidae)
The Hawaiian lobeliads make up one-ninth of the Hawaiian flora with 6 genera and 124 species. Since its discovery by western science, nearly 25 percent have gone extinct. Lobeliads are one of the most striking examples of adaptive radiation in flowering plants. Unpublished cpDNA phylogeny by T. Givnish and colleagues indicate that the Hawaiian lobeliads arose from a single colonization 13 million years ago. Lobeliads currently have more species on the U.S. lists of endangered and threatened taxa than any other lineage of plants or animals. This could be due to loss of habitat, impact of non-native animals and plants, small population sizes, and loss of pollinators.
The endemic Lobelia villosa, occurs in wet forests, shrublands, montane bogs between 1,200-1,580 meters elevation in the Alakai Swamp and Mt. Waialeale of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Plants have multiple woody stems, leaves are lanceolate to oblong and are pubescent, and flowers are yellowish to greenish white with purple veins. According to the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 2006, L. villosa is listed as a species of concern and the number of occurrences and number of plants are unknown. The threat to this species has led to an interest in genetic studies; we are hoping to elucidate the genetic variability and the level of gene flow within and between populations of this specie by using microsatellite markers.
The Genus Plantago
Dr Wieczorek has collaborated with Stephanie Dunbar, Ph.D. on research that focuses on the evolution and conservation of the native Hawaiian species of Plantago. Unfortunately, like many Hawaiian plant and animal groups, most of the species in this group are endangered. Despite this threat of extinction, the Hawaiian Plantago species remain poorly understood biologically.
To improve this situation, we are using molecular sequence data in combination with morphological, ecological, and physiological data to better our understanding of the group’s evolution, and in turn, to improve our ability to conserve these species. This information will not only be used to motivate and direct conservation efforts for the Hawaiian Plantago species, but may also act as a template for studying the many other overlooked species in the Hawaiian flora.
