Hawaiian Grasslands - Code: Ne7G

Hawaiian Grasslands are a formerly widespread habitat located on high mountain tops and arid lowlands on the leeward sides of islands. Principally occurring on Hawai’i and Maui, this habitat comprises two distinct subtypes. 
The Hawaiian Lowland Dry Grassland subtype is found in the rain shadows of towering volcanos on Hawaii and Maui, as well as on the small islands of Lâna`i and Kaho`olawe. This habitat is typically warm, sunny and dry. The lowland dry grasslands receive most of their annual rain during the winter months. Precipitation ranges from 4-30 in (100-800mm) annually, with precipitation increasing as you move upslope. Under natural conditions, this grassland was dominated by Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus) which grows in tussocks up to 5ft (1.5m) tall. There are scattered low shrubs like the native Broadleaf Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa) and Yellow ‘Ilima (Sida fallax) as well as the invasive Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana), Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Common Lantana (Lantana camara). Currently, invasive grasses like fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), whiskey grass (Andropogon virginicus), barbed-wire grass (Cymbopogon refractus), and guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) are a major part of this habitat. 
Hawaiian Subalpine Grasslands are found on the highest slopes of Hawaii and Maui. This environment is often cold and windy with blowing fog. Hawaiian Subalpine Grasslands range from mesic to semi-arid depending on their position on the mountain and rainfall can range anywhere from 16-90 in (400mm-2300mm), falling evenly throughout the year. This habitat is dominated by dense bunchgrasses and low shrubs, usually about 3ft (1m) tall. Important native species include Alpine Hairgrass (Deschampsia nubigena), Hawaiian Bracken Fern ( Pteridium aquilinum), Pukiawe (Styphelia tameiameiae), ʻāheahea (Chenopodium oahuense), dwarf ‘ohi’a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) and ʻōhelo ʻai (Vaccinium reticulatum) in wet areas. More xeric native grasslands are characterized by Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis atropioides) and Mountain Pili (Panicum tenuifolium) with broad overlap in shrubs. Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), Bufle Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), and European Gorse (Ulex europaeus) are a few of the invasive species that dominate this habitat. 
The Hawaiian Low Dry Grassland system has seen many changes to its natural fire regime from increased burning by native Hawaiians to fire suppression under European colonists and eventually increased fire due to invasive grasses. Currently this habitat is experiencing larger, more frequent and more intense fires due to invasive fire-adapted grasses. These fires threaten not only native grasslands but also adjacent Dry Mamane-Naio Forests.