SUCCESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF A HAWAIIAN MONTANE GRASSLAND

Substrate and elevation fundamentally affect the primary successional fate of plant communities on Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai'i. Native perennial grasslands dominated by Deschampsia nubigena form after initial forest development within well-defined elevational limits on pahoehoe lava flows. Woody vegetation continues to dominate at both higher and lower elevations. Woody vegetation is also dominant at all elevations of 'a'a flows. The exotic perennial grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum, has invaded sites where D. nubigena is a major component of the vegetation.