Arthropod biodiversity baseline survey and monitoring methodology for conservation and land management in high alpine Hawaiian ecosystems

The Mauna Kea Arthropod Diversity Project is focused on quantifying the biodiversity of Mauna Kea in the alpine and high sub-alpine ecosystems within and around the University of Hawaii Mauna Kea Science Reserve and other adjacent State lands.  Insect conservation is often hampered by the overwhelming diversity to be assessed for conservation status, species protection needs, and demonstrating the effectiveness of any conservation actions enacted.  In the high alpine ecosystems on Mauna Kea, we are surveying arthropod diversity with diverse sampling techniques to develop an efficient and scientifically rigorous survey and identification protocol.  Through species accumulation curves based on relative species abundance and sampling effort, we demonstrate efficient survey techniques for priority groups and general diversity metrics.  Additionally, new species descriptions of numerous new species are an integral component of the project.  Some examples of new discoveries include previously unknown species of Pupillidae snails, and three new species of Agrotis Noctuidae moths.  With an anticipated completion in 2015, these survey methods and baseline inventory will be used by the Office of Mauna Kea Management as part of their natural resource management program tasked with tracking conservation needs, actions, and outcomes.