The massive barrier, the Pacific Ocean, separates the Hawaiian islands about 2,500 miles from the nearest continent. Native species are thus more vulnerable to disturbance. Teaching Suggestions 1. Native plants and animals are either indigenous or endemic. Indigenous organisms are those that occur in Hawai i and else where.
Many coastal plants are indigenous like naupaka kahakai .
Hawai i. Areas can be as great as the entire Hawaiian Chain to specific regions like a single gulch like Pa-hole. Explain the Hawaiian environment lacked grazing and browsing hoofed mammals and this encouraged the loss of defense mechanisms including the ability to disperse over wide ranges, thorns, toxins, and scents. Most endemic species reside in specific regions and have specialized habitats making them more suseptable to disturbance and extinction. Explain that non-native organisms are those that were introduced by humans. Many non-native organisms are threats to native plants and animals.