One million plant and animal species are now in danger of extinction
— because of human activities.
- United Nations, May 2019
BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity refers to all the different kinds of living organisms within a given area. A place's biodiversity includes the plants, animals and other living things—everything from towering redwood trees to tiny, single-cell algae that are impossible to see without a microscope.
ENDANGERED SPECIES
A species that is in danger of extinction.
Examples of endangered species
Hawai'i: monk seal
California: kit fox
NATIVE SPECIES
A species that grows naturally in a region.
Examples of native species
Hawai'i: nene goose
California: coyote
ENDEMIC SPECIES
A species that is unique to one specific geographical location. An endemic species in Hawai'i means it can't be found anyplace else in the world.
Examples of endemic species
Hawai'i: i'iwi bird (pictured at top of the page)
California: California newt (lizard)
NON-NATIVE (ALIEN or INVASIVE) SPECIES
Non-native species are introduced from outside ecosystems and can be harmful to native species because they compete for the same resources. In Hawaii, there are about 5,000 non-native species.
Examples of invasive species
Hawai'i: mongoose
California: pampas grass
(NOT SO) FUN FACT
Feral cats have been added to Hawaii’s list of most impactful invasive species. They may be beloved pets, but feral and free-ranging domestic cats are a major threat to native amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals, many of which are endangered.
Hawai'i - A Place for Many Species to Grow
Hawai'i is in the middle of the ocean, over 2,000 miles from any other land mass. It's so far that all life forms were carried there by wind, ocean currents and seeds carried by birds and insects. The unthreatening environment (very few predators) and mild climate (no extreme weather) made it easy for many plant and animal species to grow safely on the islands. That means there is a lot of biodiversity.
