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Hawai'i is home to many rare endemic plant species and a
complex array of terrestrial and marine environments that
have long supported a unique and ancient Pacific culture.
These attributes provide an unparalleled opportunity to study
the many facets of botany — including plant evolution,
ecology, conservation biology, ethnobotany, and alien plant
invasions. Environmental gradients are ubiquitous throughout
the islands and provide excellent opportunities to study ecology,
adaptation, and genetic differentiation.
The Department of Botany at the University of Hawai'i at
Mānoa (UHM) offers MS and PhD programs in a wide range
of botanical specialties. Emphasis of research programs is
placed on terrestrial and marine plant ecology, evolution,
systematics and ethnobotany. Many students learn and apply
techniques for DNA analysis to address questions relating
to plant ecology, population genetics, evolution or species
hybridization. Students can also receive advanced training
in molecular systematics and evolution.
 MS
graduates have found employment in the areas of private and
public research, land management, conservation, education
and business. Many MS graduates choose to continue their studies
in the PhD program at UHM or elsewhere. The PhD program is
for students who intend to make research and/or university
teaching their profession. PhD students acquire the skills
and knowledge needed to propose, conduct, present and publish
independent, innovative research in the botanical sciences.
In addition to teaching positions at colleges and universities,
PhD graduates often obtain employment with governmental agencies,
private consulting firms, or conservation organizations.
The department offers a variety of facilities for general
use in graduate research, including greenhouse space, growth
chambers, a herbarium, automated DNA sequencer and other molecular
biology tools, as well as computers for graphics and GIS.
Students are encouraged to provide their own computers; network
facilities are provided for Internet access. Research arrangements
may be made with the following organizations:
Although UHM has utilized facilities at the above organizations
and cooperative research is not uncommon with their researchers,
they are not affiliated with the university and permission
for usage of facilities at these sites and/or communication
with their researchers should be made directly to the individual
organizations.
Faculty members of the Department of Botany conduct cutting-edge
research in a variety of areas including the following:
- anatomy and morphology
- evolutionary biology
- conservation biology and resource management
- cytology and chromosome evolution
- ecology
- ethnobotany and ethnoecology
- hydrology
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- invasion biology
- marine biology
- molecular systematics
- mycology
- phycology
- physiological ecology
- population genetics
- taxonomy
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 The
department has recently established the Pahole Biological
Field Station (PBFS) in the northern Waianae Mountains on
O'ahu in a partnership with the State Division of Forestry
and Wildlife. The PBFS is positioned adjacent to three Natural
Area Reserves and is ideally located for conservation studies
of rare and endangered species, the ecology of native intact
forest, ecological restoration, and biology of invasive species.
The department is affiliated with the following organizations:
- Park Cooperative Unit, University of Hawai'i (PCSU Hawai'i
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- USGS Biological Resources Division (David D. Duffy, Professor
of Botany and Unit Leader)
- Pacific Island Ecological Research Center ([PIERC], William
M. Steiner, Director)
USGS and the University of Hawai'i have a cooperative research
program in Pacific Islands ecosystems administered through
the PCSU Hawai'i. The unit facilitates research efforts between
the university and Department of the Interior and other federal
agencies, departments of the State of Hawai'i and private
organizations.
 The
unit's primary focus is on the conservation of Hawai'i's natural
resources in protected habitats, such as national parks and
wildlife refuges and the state's natural area reserves. Studies
on cultural resources are also conducted particularly where
they interface with natural resource management, a not uncommon
situation in Hawai'i. Studies are also conducted in the National
Park of American Samoa, and War in the Pacific National Historical
Park in Guam and its associated unit in Saipan.
Current initiatives and accomplishments:
- Hawaii Ecosystems at Risk database on alien species, their
distribution and impact in the Hawaiian Islands. Databases
and briefing statements are being developed. Initial efforts
have been directed at alien plants. Attention is now being
directed at vertebrates and invertebrates. Bishop Museum
has established the standard for the taxonomy of all organisms
in the state under the auspices of their Hawai'i Biological
Survey. This program creates databases and standards for
monitoring and management information systems for the alien
species in the state.
- Long-term monitoring of native organisms, particularly
endangered species, is a special focus of management efforts
in the natural area reserves on Hawai'i and Maui, as well
as Haleakala and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Parks and adjacent
regions.
- Control and containment of weeds. This work has been a
primary focus of PCSU research and management efforts over
the last 20 years. Currently, PCSU is coordinating efforts
for various agencies to contain miconia on Maui and Hawai'i.
Many of the weed control strategies used in the natural
areas of the state have evolved from the studies at Hawai'i
Volcanoes National Park.
- Biological control of weeds. PCSU has marshaled funds
from different sources to sponsor the search for biological
control agents against strawberry guava, miconia, fayatree,
tibouchina in their native countries. Five potential agents
for strawberry guava have been found that do not attack
the common guava. They will be undergoing host screening
in the next few years. A fungus, a relative of the species
that attacks clidemia, has been proposed for release against
miconia. Work on fayatree is stalled due to export permit
problems. A preliminary assessment of the potential to control
Himalayan raspberry is in progress in China.
- Endangered species research and management. Studies of
Hawksbill turtles are a major component of these studies.
The PCSU is assisting state and federal agencies in the
research and implementation of management of endangered
birds at Hanawi and Hakalau.
- GIS assistance is being provided to Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park to develop a system for the national parks
in the state. This system is closely coordinated with other
state programs to ensure that they are compatible for cross-reference
when needed.
PCSU has long been involved in various aspects of feral ungulate
control. Minimal monitoring of feral goats and pigs continues.
We are beginning studies on axis deer particularly on Molokai.
Small mammals, mongoose and rats, studies are continuing.
Management technologies developed in the above programs are
regularly used to assist biologists of various government
(federal and state agency as well as military installations)
and non-government organizations.
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