Getting ahead of the crises: Developing an avian malaria disease management plan for Hawaiian forest birds
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Avian malaria is an existential threat to a majority of native Hawaiian forest birds. Climate change is facilitating the spread of malaria to historically disease-free areas, and despite the risk of native Hawaiian forest bird extinctions from malaria outbreaks, no comprehensive disease management plans exist for forest bird conservation areas. Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i, supports a thriving bird community in a historically disease-free area that is now vulnerable to malaria incursion. Drawing on the expertise of land managers and research scientists, we developed an approach that could be used to proactively address the risk of expanding malaria into the Refuge. The plan lays out a multi-level approach that includes options for monitoring and management actions depending on defined threat levels: Vigilant, High Alert, Disease Outbreak, and Crisis levels. Initial Vigilant and High Alert levels monitor bird populations, climate conditions, and mosquito occurrence for signs of possible disease outbreaks, with higher levels shifting toward more direct management responses. While specific actions will change as new tools become available, the proactive approach can help Refuge managers better respond to changing malaria levels in the future and provide a model for managing disease here in Hawai‘i and elsewhere.
Suggested Citation
Paxton, E.H., Naboa, E., Agorastos, N.R., Ball, D.L., Fortini, L., Cady, T., Camp, R.J., Hart, P.J., Kaye, S., Kendall, S.J., LaPointe, D.A., Lopez, R.D., McClure, K.M., and Navine, A.K., 2025, Getting ahead of the crises: Developing an avian malaria disease management plan for Hawaiian forest birds: Conservation Science and Practice, v. 8, no. 2, e70191, 15 p., https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70191.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Getting ahead of the crises: Developing an avian malaria disease management plan for Hawaiian forest birds |
| Series title | Conservation Science and Practice |
| DOI | 10.1111/csp2.70191 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication Date | December 10, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society for Conservation Biology |
| Contributing office(s) | Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center |
| Description | e70191, 15 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| Other Geospatial | Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge |