An investigation was conducted in April, 2014 by students of Mililani High School where 5-meter quadrats were used to assess the plant species within given land plots. Surprisingly, after the investigation it was found that there was more native than non-native species, the same result of the previous year. Now although some plots had a greater variance of one species than the other, when you look at it as a whole, there were more native plants than invasive, which is a good sign of forest revival and biodiversity. Another interesting finding from this year’s investigation was a decrease in the amount of Hawaiian Forest Snails found this year than the previous. The 2013 investigation revealed that there was five Native Tree Snails and one invasive Rosey Wolf Snail. However in 2014, only one native snail was found along with an invasive snail.
There has been a great amount of evidence found to support that the preservation practices have overall helped the forest regain some of its native species. Data that supports this statement is the continual conclusion that there is more native than non-native species found in the forest. Other efforts such as the clearing of the invasive Guava has also been seen in the data, because without the clearing of these plants, it has allowed native species to grow without being torn up by the ruthless invasive or die from lack of water because of the amount of water used up by the plant. Overall, these are good findings because it proves that whatever efforts are being conducted to protect native species, is ultimately working.
In October, 2012 the percentage of native species were 57.2% and 42.5% of non-native species. Another group in April 2013 had gone to do the same testing in the same location in the Pahole Mountains and their results were opposite of what the other team had resulted in with 42.3% for native species findings and 57.7% for non-native species found. A year later in April 2014, the same tests, same location were tested the same way the past two teams had tested the forest. Resulting in 56.5% findings of native species and 43.5% finding in non-native species.
In October, 2012 the percentage of native species were 57.2% and 42.5% of non-native species. Another group in April 2013 had gone to do the same testing in the same location in the Pahole Mountains and their results were opposite of what the other team had resulted in with 42.3% for native species findings and 57.7% for non-native species found. A year later in April 2014, the same tests, same location were tested the same way the past two teams had tested the forest. Resulting in 56.5% findings of native species and 43.5% finding in non-native species.