ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN

NO. 186

February

YF

^{5, 975}

ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN

186. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LISIANSKI ISLAND, NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Issued

by

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 186

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LISIANSKI ISLAND, NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

by Roger B. Clapp and William 0 . Wirtz,

II

Issued by

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

February 1 5 , 1 9 7 5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The A t o l l Research B u l l e t i n i s i s s u e d by t h e Smithsonian I n s t i t u t i o n as a p a r t o f i t s T r o p i c a l Biology Program. I t i s co-

sponsored by t h e Museum o f N a t u r a l H i s t o r y , t h e O f f i c e o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l and Environmental Programs, and t h e Smithsonian P r e s s . The Press

s u p p o r t s and h a n d l e s p r o d u c t i o n and d i s t r i b u t i o n . The e d i t i n g i s done by t h e T r o p i c a l Biology s t a f f , Botany Department, Museum of N a t u r a l H i s t o r y and by D . R . S t o d d a r t . Most o f t h e camera copy f o r t h i s i s s u e was p r e p a r e d i n t h e Department o f Geography, Cambridge, u s i n g funds

c o n t r i b u t e d by ARB r e a d e r s

.

The B u l l e t i n was founded and t h e f i r s t 117 numbers i s s u e d by t h e P a c i f i c S c i e n c e Board, N a t i o n a l Academy o f S c i e n c e s , w i t h f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t from t h e O f f i c e o f Naval Research. I t s pages were l a r g e l y devoted t o r e p o r t s r e s u l t i n g from t h e P a c i f i c S c i e n c e Board's Coral A t o l l Program.

The s o l e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r a l l s t a t e m e n t s made by a u t h o r s o f papers i n t h e A t o l l Research B u l l e t i n r e s t s with them, and s t a t e m e n t s made i n t h e B u l l e t i n do n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e p r e s e n t t h e views of t h e Smithsonian nor t h o s e of t h e e d i t o r s o f t h e B u l l e t i n .

Editors

F. R . Fosberg M.-H. S a c h e t

Smiths o n i a n I n s t i t u t i o n Washington, D . C . 20560 D . R . S t o d d a r t

Department o f Geography U n i v e r s i t y o f Cambridge Downing P l a c e

Cambridge, England

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF FIGURES

...

^{i i i}

LIST OF TABLES

...

^{v i i}

LIST OF APPEND= TABUS

...

^{i x}

INTRODUCTION

...

1

DESCRIPTION

...

²

GEOLOGY

. . . 1-3

C L N m

...

¹³

HISTORY

. . .

²¹

VEGETATION

. . .

35

FAUNA

. . . -49

I n t r o d u c t i o n

. . . .49

Mammals and R e p t i l e s

...

⁵⁰

B i r d s

... ⁵⁹

S p e c i e s ~ c c o u n t s

... 56

B i r d s

... 59

Diomedea n i g r i p e s , Black-footed A l b a t r o s s . .

. . . 59

Diomedea i m m u t a b i l i s , Laysan A l b a t r o s s

. . . -65

P t e r o d r o ma. hypoleuca, Bonin P e t r e l

. . . ^-69

Bulweria b u l w e r i i , Bulwer's P e t r e l

... ⁷⁴

mlweria f a l l a x , Jouanin's P e t r e l

...~... -75

P u f f i n u s p a c i f i c u s , Wedge-tailed Shearwater

... ^-75

P u f f i n u s n a t i v i t a t i s , Christmas Shearwater

... 81

Phaethon r u b r i c a u d a , R e d - t a i l e d T r o p i c b i r d

... .8:,

S u l a d a c t y l a t r a , Blue-faced Booby

. . . ⁹

S u l a l e u c o g a s t e r , Brown Booby

. . . ⁹³

-

S u l a sula, Red-footed Booby

. . .

¹⁰²

F r e g a t a minor, G r e a t F r i g a t e b i r d

...

^1.03

. . .

Anas ( ? ) s p . , Duck s p 113 Pandion h a l i a e t u s , Osprey

...

11

4

F a l c o p e r e g r i n u s , P e r e g r i n e Falcon

...

¹¹⁴

P o r z a n u l a p a l m e r i , Laysan R a i l

...

¹¹⁵

C h a r a d r i u s semipalmatus, Semipalmated P l o v e r

...

¹¹⁵

C h a r a d r i u s mongolus, Mongolian P l o v e r

... ¹¹⁶

P l u v i a l i s d ~ m i n i c a , Golden P l o v e r

... ¹¹⁶

S q u a t a r o l a s q u a t a r o l a , B l a c k - b e l l i e d P l o v e r

... 113

Numenius t a h i t i e n s i s , B r i s t l e - t h i g h e d Curlew-

... 119

Limosa l a p p o n i c a , B a r - t a i l e d Godwit

...

¹²²

H e t e r o s c e l u s incanum, Wandering T a t t l e r

...

¹²²

A r e n a r i a i n t e r p r e s , Ruddy Turnstone

...

¹²³

C r o c e t h i a a l b a S a n d e r l i n g _9-

...

¹²⁶

E r o l i a melanotos o r acuminata, P e c t o r a l o r S h a r p - t a i l e d S a n d p i p e r

...

¹²⁸

Larus a r g e n t a t u s , H e r r i n g G u l l

...

¹²³

L a r u s g l a u c e s c e n s , Glaucous-winged G u l l

...

^-129

Page

S t e r n a l u n a t a , Gray-backed Tern

. . .

¹²⁹

S t e r n a fuscata. Sooty Tern

. . .

¹³²

Anous s t o l i d u s . Brown Noddy

. . . 136

Anous t e n u i r o s t r i s . Black Noddy

...

^{1 4 1} Gygis a l b a . White Tern

...

¹⁴⁶

Mammals

...

¹⁵⁰

O r p t o l a g u s cuniculus. European Rabbit

...

¹⁵⁰

Rodent s p

...

¹⁵¹

Monachus s c h a u i n s l a n d i , Hawaiian Monk S e a l

...

¹⁵¹

R e p t i l e s

... 154

Chelonia mydas, Green T u r t l e

. . .

154

ACKNOWUDGMENTS

. . . ¹⁵⁷

LITERATURF CITED

...

¹⁵⁸

APPENDIX TABLES

. . .

¹⁶⁶

FIGURES

The Hawaiian I s l a n d s .

Aer i a 1 photograph o f L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d , J a n u a r y

1966.

U . S

.

Navy p h o t o g r a p h .

Map o f L i s i a n s k i I s la n d and s u r r o u n d i n g s h o a l , 1930-193 1.

M o d i f i e d f r o m USC&GS C h a r t 4186, i s s u e d December 1 9 4 2 . Rocky e a s t e r n beach n o r t h of l e d g e shown i n F i g u r e

5 .

^{T h i s}

a r e a and t h e r o c k l e d g e a r e much used f o r r o o s t i n g by s h o r e - b i r d s , p a r t i c u l a r l y Ruddy T u r n s t o n e s . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h , March

1965,

by W i l l i a m 0 . W i r t z , 1 1 .

Looking n o r t h a t r o c k l e d g e from n a r r o w e a s t e r n b e a c h , September

1967.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by R . B . C l a p p .

Immature B l u e - f a c e d Boobies r o o s t i n g on l o g a t edge o f e a s t b e a c h , September

1967.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by R . B C l a p p . View, l o o k i n g s o u t h , of e a s t beach a s it widens t o w a r d s t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n c o r n e r of t h e i s l a n d ,

19

J u n e

1966.

Young a l b a - t r o s s e s and a Brown Naddy i n l e f t f o r e and m i d d l e g r o u n d . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C . S h e l t o n .

View f r o m s o u t h e a s t e r n h i g h p o i n t of s m a l l c u t i n l a n d from b e a c h j u s t w e s t o f l a r g e s o u t h w e s t e r n b e a c h , 1 2 March

1964.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by A B

.

^{Amerson, Jr}

^.

Looking t o w a r d s s o u t h p o i n t a l o n g s t e e p beach a t e a s t e r n e d g e of s o u t h b e a c h , September 1967. POBSP photograph by R.B.

C l a p p

.

Looking west t o w a r d s t h e b r o a d s a n d y beach a t t h e s o u t h p o i n t o f t h e i s l a n d , 1 2 March

1964.

I n September 1967, t h i s b e a c h a p p a r e n t l y e x t e n d e d f u r t h e r s o u t h t h a n i s shown i n t h i s photo- g r a p h . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by A . B

.

Amerson, Jr

.

Looking n o r t h a l o n g west cove toward C a s u a r i n a t r e e s , O c t o b e r

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . J . Gould

.

Looking s o u t h f r ~ m t h e n o r t h e r n p o r t i o n o f t h e w e s t b e a c h , J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C . S h e l t o n .

Looking n o r t h e a s t from t h e w e s t s i d e o f t h e i s l a n d ,

19

J u n e

1966.

Note r e l a t i v e l y s p a r s e growth of S c a e v o l a . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P.C. S h e l t o n .

P a g e Clump of low S c a e v o l a i n i s l a n d i n t e r i o r , l o o k i n g e a s t ,

18

J u n e

1966.

Coconut t r e e s and e a s t e r n g r o u p of C a s u a r i n a

t r e e s i n background. POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C . S h e l t o n . 1 2 I n t e r i o r of i s l a n d , showing d e n s e growth of b u n c h g r a s s ,

March

1965.

Looking from s o u t h of e a s t e r n g r o u p o f ironwood t r e e s toward s o u t h ironwood t r e e . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by W.O.

W i r t z , 11. 14

Map o f L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d i n 1905. Redrawn and m o d i f i e d from L i s i a n s k y ( 1 8 1 4 ) . 15

Map of L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d i n 1923. Modified a f t e r Bryan

(1938).

^1-6

The mode of t h e monthly means f o r a t e n - y e a r p e r i o d ,

1953- 1963,

and t h e r a n g e o f t h e maximum and minimum modes o f

t e m p e r a t u r e f o r Midway A t o l l . 1"

Mean monthly p r e c i p i t a t i o n i n i n c h e s ( h i s t o g r a m s ) and mean number of d a y s w i t h m e a s u r a b l e p r e c i p i t a t i o n ( l i n e g r a p h ) f o r

Midway A t o l l ,

1953-63. 1-9

Wind d i r e c t i o n and speed a t Midway A t o l l ,

1953-63.

Length of d i r e c t i o n a l l i n e i n d i c a t e s p e r c e n t of o b s e r v a t i o n s f r o m t h a t d i r e c t i o n ; f i g u r e a t end o f t h e d i r e c t i o n a l l i n e i s ,mean wind

s p e e d i n k n o t s . A z0

A e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h of L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d , May

1943.

Assembled

f r o m U.S. A i r F o r c e p h o t o g r a p h s .

3 7

Ipomoea i n d i c a and B o e r h a v i a r e p e n s i n a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h E r a g r o s t i s , i n t e r i o r of i s l a n d , l o o k i n g s o u t h ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h b] P.C. S h e l t o n .

37

Cocos growing on n o r t h e a s t e r n p o r t i o n o f i s l a n d , F e b r u a r y

1963.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by W.O. W i r t z , 11.

3 9

C a s u a r i n a t r e e s a t t o p o f n o r t h w e s t b e a c h . Young B l a c k - f o o t e d A l b a t r o s s i n f o r e g r o u n d ,

6

^{J u n e}

1967.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by

R.L. DeLong.

40

C a s u a r i n a t r e e s n e a r palms on n o r t h e a s t p o r t i o n of i s l a n d ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P.C. S h e l t o n .

4

0 L i v e and dead C a s u a r i n a t r e e s on s o u t h w e s t p o r t i o n of i s l a n d ,

1 2 March

1964.

By September

1967

many of t h e b r a n c h e s had f a l l e n from t h e dead t r e e and it had become h e a v i l y overgrown

w i t h Ipomoea i n d i c a . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by A . B . Amerson, J r .

4

1

v Page 2 7 . Almost p u r e s t a n d of B o e r h a v i a i n E r a g r o s t i s a s s o c i a t i o n i n

t h e n o r t h c e n t r a l i n t e r i o r . Young Laysan A l b a t r o s s i n mid- ground

.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h

, 19

J u n e

1966,

b y P

.

C

.

She lt o n . 2 8 . P o r t u l a c a l u t e a a n d E r a g r o s t i s , t o p of w e s t b e a c h ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P.C S h e l t o n .

2 9 . T r i b u l u s i n d e c a d e n t S c a e v o l a n e a r t h e n o r t h s h o r e ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h b y P.C ^- S h e l t o n .

3 0 . Ipomoea i n d i c a g r o w i n g o v e r S c a e v o l a ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C

.

S h e l t o n .

3 1 . P u r e s t a n d of Ipomoea i n d i c a w i t h i n E r a g r o s t i s a s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e i s l a n d ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h b y P.C. S h e l t o n .

3 2 . Nama s a n d w i c e n s i s v a r

.

l a y s a n i c u m b e l o w t h e f r i n g e of S c a e v o l a on t h e n o r t h e a s t s h o r e ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C . S h e l t o n .

33. Solanum nigrum n e a r c e n t e r o f . i s l a n d ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P

.

C

.

S h e l t o n .

3 4 . S i c y o s g r o w i n g w i t h T r i b u l u s and i n S c a e v o l a ,

19

J u n e

1966.

Young Laysan A l b a t r o s s i n f o r e g r o u n d . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P.C. S h e l t o n .

35.

Dead S i c y o s and S c a e v o l a n e a r t h e n o r t h e a s t s h o r e ,

19

J u n e

1966.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C . S h e l t o n .

30. Lush S c a e v o l a on s o u t h e a s t e r n p o r t i o n o f i s l a n d , 1 2 March

1964.

Looking e a s t - n o r t h e a s t f r o m t h e s o u t h e a s t h i g h p o i n t of t h e i s l a n d . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by A .B. Amerson, J r .

3 7 . Bonin P e t r e l r e s t i n g on sand n e a r b u r r o w u n d e r Ipomoea, September

1967.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by R.B. Clapp

.

^.

38.

Bonin P e t r e l n e s t a n d e g g on s u r f a c e of ground u n d e r d e n s e S c a e v o l a ,

14

F e b r u a r y

1963.

POBSP p h o t o g r a p h .

39.

P a i r of W e d g e - t a i l e d S h e a r w a t e r s n e a r mouth of b u r r o w j S e p t e m b e r 1 9 6 7 . POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by R.B. C l a p p .

4 0 . W e d g e - t a i l e d S h e a r w a t e r s n e a r b u r r o w s i n s a n d a r e a a t e d g e of B o e r h a v i a - E r a g r o s t i s a s s o c i a t i o n ,

19

J u n e

1966.

Young L a y s a n A l b a t r o s s i n mid-ground. POBSP p h o t o g r a p h by P . C . She l t o n .

Wedge-tailed Shearwater c h i c k a t b a s e of s o u t h w e s t e r n Casuar i n a t r e e , September 1967. POBSP photogra.ph by R

.

B . C l a p p

.

C h r i s t m a s S h e a r w a t e r c h i c k i n n e s t s i t e under S c a e v o l a

a l o n g t h e n o r t h e a s t b e a c h , September 1967. POBSP photograph

by R . B . Clapp.

33

R e d - t a i l e d T r o p i c b i r d on n e s t under S c a e v o l a ,

6

J u n e 1967.

POBSP photograph by Robert L

.

^{DeLong. 37}

T y p i c a l Blue-faced Booby n e s t w i t h egg and r e c e n t l y h a t c h e d

young, 12 March 1964. POBSP photograph by A . B . Amerson, Jr

. ⁹

2 Blue-faced Booby b r o o d i n g young i n n e s t a t edge of v e g e t a -

t i o n , February

1903.

POBSP photograph

. ³²

Club of r o o s t i n g Blue-faced Boobies on t h e s o u t h p o i n t , September 1967. Brown Boobies ( n o t e f i f t h b i r d from r i g h t )

o c c a s i o n a l l y r o o s t i n such c l u b s . POBSP photograph by

R.B. Clapp. 9 3

Red-footed Boobies an n e s t s i n Scaevola., 12 March

1964,

POBSP photograph by A .B. Amerson, J r . 10

4

A d u l t female and s e v e r a l young G r e a t F r i g a t e b i r d s on n e s t s i n Scaevola a l o n g t h e w e s t s i d e of t h e i s l a n d , 19 J u n e 1966.

POBSP photograph by P.C. S h e l t o n . 110

P r e b r e e d i n g Sooty T e r n s on ground among E r a g r o s t i s clumps n e a r t h e n o r t h end of t h e i s l a n d ,

18

J u n e 1966. POBSP photograph

by P.C. S h e l t o n .

134

Brown Noddy i n c u b a t i n g egg i n n e s t under S c a e v o l a , 19 J u n e

1966. POBSP photograph by P.C. S h e l t o n . 139

R e c e n t l y h a t c h e d Black Noddy c h i c k i n n e s t i n C a s u a r i n a ,

1 2 March 1964. POBSP photograph by A .B .Amerson, Jr

. ^{1 4 3}

R e c e n t l y h a t c h e d White Tern c h i c k on n e s t s i t e i n C a s u a r i n a ,

12 March 1904. POBSP photograph by A . B . Amerson, J r

. ¹⁴⁷

v i i TABLES

P a g e R e c e n t s u r v e y s o f L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d b y t h e POBSP a n d BSFW.

34

The a v i f a u n a o f L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

5

1

B r e e d i n g c y c l e s o f s e a b i r d s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d compared

w i t h b r e e d i n g c y c l e s on L a y s a n I s l a n d .

5 4

Months o f o c c u r r e n c e o f n o n - b r e e d i n g b i r d s on L i s i a n s k i

I s l a n d .

5 6

B a n d i n g t o t a l s , b y y e a r , o f b i r d s b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i b y

t h e POBSP and BSFW.

50

I n t e r i s l a n d movements o f banded b i r d s i n v o l v i n g L i s i a n s k i

I s l a n d .

5

1

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f B l a c k - f o o t e d A l b a t r o s s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

6 3

B l a c k - f o o t e d A l b a t r o s s banded on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

55

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f L a y s a n A l b a t r o s s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

67

S p e c i m e n s o f L a y s a n A l b a t r o s s f r o m L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

6 9

L a y s a n Alba1;ross b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

69

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f Bonin P e t r e l s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

73

S p e c i m e n s o f B o n i n P e t r e l s f r o m L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

i' 4

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f W e d g e - t a i l e d S h e a r w a t e r s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

80

S p e c i m e n s o f W e d g e - t a i l e d S h e a r w a t e r s f r o m L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

8

1 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f C h r i s t m a s S h e a r w a t e r s o n L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

9 4

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f R e d - t a i l e d T r o p i c b i r d s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

8 8

R e d - t a i l e d T r o p i c b i r d s banded on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d

. ³⁹

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f B l u e - f a c e d B o o b i e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

94

L o c a t i o n s a n d s i z e s o f B l u e - f a c e d Booby c l u b s on L i s i a n s k i

I s l a n d .

9 ₆

B l u e - f a c e d B o o b i e s banded on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

9 7

22. O b s e r v a t i o n s o f Brown B o o b i e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 10 0

Page S p e c i m e n s of Brown B o o b i e s f r o m L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . LO 1

Brown B o o b i e s banded on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 13 1

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f R e d - f o o t e d B o o b i e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 13

5

H e i g h t s o f R e d - f o o t e d Booby n e s t s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 1G7 R e d - f o o t e d B o o b i e s b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 10

3

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f G r e a t F r i g a t e b i r d s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . L i l G r e a t F r i g a t e b i r d s b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 113 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f G o l d e n P l o v e r s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d

.

¹¹⁷

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f B r i s t l e - t h i g h e d C u r l e w s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 120 Br i s t l e - t h i g h e d C u r l e w s b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d

.

1 2 1 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f W a n d e r i n g T a t t l e r s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 1 2 3 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f Ruddy T u r n s t o n e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 1 2 5 S p e c i m e n s o f Ruddy T u r n s t o n e s f r o m L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 126 Ruddy T u r n s t o n e s banded on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 1-26 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f S a n d e r l i n g on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 127 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f Gray-backed T e r n s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . l 3 1 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f S o o t y T e r n s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

135

S o o t y T e r n s banded on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

136

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f Brown N o d d i e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

140

O b s e r v a t i o n s of B l a c k N o d d i e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

1 4 4

B l a c k N o d d i e s b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

1-45

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f W h i t e T e r n s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 148 W h i t e T e r n s b a n d e d on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

1 4 ~

O b s e r v a t i o n s o f H a w a i i a n Monk S e a l s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d . 1:,2 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f G r e e n T u r t l e s on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

155

APPENDIX TABLES

S c i e n t i f i c v i s i t s t o L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d , 1828-1969.

R e s u l t s of s c i e n t i f i c v i s i t s t o L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d , 1828-1969.

P u b l i c a t i o n s on c o l l e c t i o n s and s t u d i e s ( w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of b i r d s ) made on L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d , 1828-1969.

Movements of Black-f ooted A l b a t r o s s from L i s i a n s k i

.

Movements of Black-footed A l b a t r o s s t o L i s i a n s k i . Movements of Laysan A l b a t r o s s from L i s i a n s k i . Movements of Bonin P e t r e l s from L i s i a n s k i .

Movements of Wedge-tailed S h e a r w a t e r s from L i s i a n s k i . Movements of Blue-faced Boobies from L i s i a n s k i .

Movements of Blue-faced Boobies t o L i s i a n s k i

.

Movements of Brown Boobies t o L i s i a n s k i

.

1 0 a . Movements of Red-f ooted Boobies from L i s i a n s k i

.

l o b . Movements of Red-footed Boobies t o L i s i a n s k i . l l a . Movements of G r e a t F r i g a t e b i r d s from L i s i a n s k i . l l b

.

Movements of G r e a t F r i g a t e b i r d s t o L i s i a n s k i . 1 2 . Movements of Golden P l o v e r s from L i s i a n s k i .

13.

Movements of Ruddy Turnstones t o L i s i a n s k i .

14a.

Movements of S o o t y Terns from L i s i a n s k i . 1 4 b . Movements of S o o t y Terns t o L i s i a n s k i .

15.

Movements of Brown Noddies t o L i s i a n s k i . 1 6 a . Movements of Black Noddies from L i s i a n s k i . 16b. Movements of Black Noddies t o L i s i a n s k i

.

Page

166

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LISIANSKI ISLAND, NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS '

by Roger B. Clapp'2

and

William 0. Wirtz,

II

3

INTRODUCTION

L i s i a n s k i , a low s a n d y i s l a n d i n t h e Northwestern Hawaiian I s l a n d s ( ~ i ~ u r e l ) , i s l o c a t e d a t 26'02' N o r t h and 1 7 4 " 0 0 1 West ( O f f . o f Geog.,

1556:

4 7 ) , a p p r 3 x i m a t e l y 905 n a u t i c a l m i l e s n o r t h - west 3f H o n o l u l u ( ~ r y a n , 1942: 1 9 0 ) . The i s l a n d i s s i t u a t e d a t t h e n o r t h e r n e d g e g f a l a r g e r e e f bank w h i c h l i e s between 25'26' and 25'25' n o r t h l a t i t u d e and between 1 7 3 ' 5 2 ' a n d 1 7 4 ' 0 1 ' w e s t l o n g i t u d e

P r e v i 2 u s knowledge 3f t h e h i s t o r y and b i o t a 2 f t h e i s l a n d i s r e m a r k a b l y s c a n t c m s i d e r i n g L i s i a n s k i ' s r e l a t i v e l y c l o s e p r 3 x i m i t y t o H ~ n d u l u . Most o f what i s now k n ~ w n a b o u t t h e i s l a n d s t e m s f r m work d m e by t h e T a n a g e r E x p e d i t i o n i n 1 9 2 3 . P u b l i c a t i o n s r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h a t v i s i t d e a l t p r i m a r i l y w i t h v a s c u l a r p l a n t s , f i s h , a r t h r 3 p o d s , and m a r i n e i n v e r t e b r a t e s . I n f o r m a t i m on t h e t e r r e s t r i a l b i a t a g a t h- e r e d by t h e T a n a g e r E x p e d i t i o n was n e c e s s a r i l y s l i g h t , however, s i n c e t h e f l o r a , and c o n s e q u e n t l y , f a u n a , had b e e n g r e a t l y r e d u c e d due t o t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f v e g e t a t i o n by r a b b i t s i n t m d u c e d e a r l i e r i n t h e 2 0 t h C e n t u r y .

O t h e r p r i m a r y s o u r c e s of i n f x m a t i o n o n L i s i a n s k i p r i o r t o r e c e n t i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a r e M u n t e r ' s

(1915)

o b s c u r e and l i t t l e known r e p o r t o f a v i s i t made i n March

1915

and B r y a n ' s ( 1 9 4 2 ) a c c o u n t - - t ~ d a t e t h e b e s t d e s c r i p t i v e and h i s t o r i c a l summary o f t h e i s l a n d .

I n

1963

t h e Smit h s o n i a n I n s t it u t i o n ' s P a c i f i c Ocean B i o l o g i c a l S u r v e y Program ( h e r e a f t e r POBSP), d i r e c t e d by D r . P h i l i p S. Humphrey, began a s e r i e s of e x t e n s i v e s u r v e y s o f C e n t r a l P a c i f i c i s l a n d s . D u r i n g t h e s t u d y p e r i o d ( 1 9 6 3 - 1 ~ 6 9 ) , L i s i a n s k i was v i s i t e d t h i r t e e n t i m e s by POBSP p e r s o n n e l . On f o u r ' o f t h e s e v i s i t s POBSP p e r s o n n e l accompanied

'paper Number 77, P a c i f i c Ocean B i o l o g i c a l S u r v e y Program, S m i t h s o n i a n I n s t it u t ion, Washington, D. C.

' p r e s e n t a d d r e s s : B i r d and Mammal L a b o r a t o r i e s , B u r e a u of S p o r t F i s h - e r i e s and W i l d l i f e , N a t i o n a l Museum of N a t u r a l H i s t o r y , Washington, D.C. 20560.

3 ~ r e s e n t a d d r e s s : Department of Zoolggy, Pomona C o l l e g e , Claremont, C a l if o r n i a 91711.

p e r s o n n e l from t h e Bureau of S p o r t F i s h e r i e s and W i l d l i f e ( h e r e a f t e r BSFW), who, t h r o u g h

1969,

had made e i g h t v i s i t s t L i s i a n s k i

a able

¹⁾

From

1963

t h r o u g h

1969

a b o u t 27 d a y s were s p e n t :sn t h e i s l a n d by b o t h a g e n c i e s . Data o b t a i n e d on t h e s e v i s i t s form t h e p r i m a r y b a s i s o f o u r r e c e n t knowledge of t h e i s l a n d .

A l s o i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t i s a c o n s i d e r a b l e amount of un- p u b l i s h e d d a t a f r 3 m e a r l i e r v i s i t s t o L i s i a n s k i , most n o t a b l y t h e i n f s r m a t i s n g a t h e r e d o n t h e b i r d l i f e i n 1923 by Alexander Wetmore.

The p u r p o s e s o f t h i s r e p o r t a r e s e v e r a l . On t h e one hand, we w i s h t o compile f r s m d i v e r s e s o u r c e s a s c o m p l e t e and a s a c c u r a t e a summary o f a v a i l a b l e inf'ormat i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e i s l a n d a s p o s s i b l e . On t h e o t h e r , we w i s h t o r e p o r t o u r r e c e n t s t u d i e s , which have d e a l t p r i m a r i l y w i t h t h e b i r d l i f e s f L i s i a n s k i . We hope t h a t t h i s r e p o r t , one of a s e r i e s on t h e N o r t h w e s t e r n Hawaiian I s l a n d s , w i l l a c c o m p l i s h t h e s e aims a s w e l l a s

p o i n t .sut a r e a s where o u r knowledge a f t h e b i o t a i s s t i l l i n a d e q u a t e r i n c o m p l e t e .

The f i n a l d r a f t was l a r g e l y completed by l a t e 1 5 7 0 and few emenda- t i o n s o r a d d i t i o n s have b e e n made s i n c e t h e n . Data r e p o r t e d h e r e i n

i n c l u d e s o n l y t h a t a v a i l a b l e t h r o u g h

1969.

DESCRIPTION

L i s i a n s k i ( F i g . 2 ) i s a low s a n d and c o r a l i s l a n d of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 450 a c r e s (Freeman,

1951: 331).

It is s i t u a t e d a t t h e n o r t h e r n end of a l a r g e r e e f bank ( F i g .

3 )

which is a b o u t

65

s q u a r e m i l e s or 41,322 a c r e s

i n a r e a . The i s l a n d , somewhat r e s e m b l i n g a p a r a l l e l o g r a m , is a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 , 0 0 0 y a r d s l o n g , n s r t h t o s o u t h , and 1 , 1 0 0 y a r d s wide, b e i n g s.smewhat w i d e r t o t h e n ~ r t h. I t s c i r c u m f e r e n c e is about 3 . 2 3 s t a t u t e m i l e s .

The e a s t e r n b e a c h is dominated by a n exposed l e d g e o f r e e f r o c k , w i t h s m a l l t i d a l p s o l s , b e h i n d which a narrow, r o c k y b e a c h r i s e s f o r ab,ut t e n f e e t t o t h e v e g e t a t e d i n t e r i o r ( F i g . 4 ) . S o u t h o f t h e r o c k l e d g e a low c u r v i n g beach e x t e n d s t o t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n c o r n e r ( F i g .

5 ) .

T h i s beach r i s e s s h a r p l y f o r a b o u t t h r e e t o f i v e f e e t t o t h e v e g e t a t e d i n t e r i o r . A t t h e edge of t h i s beach, a b o u t 3 0 0 y a r d s s o u t h of t h e r o c k l e d g e , is t h e c r o s s - s e c t i o n of a l o g , p r o b a b l y a redwood, t h a t i s much used a s a r o o s t i n g s i t e by B l u e - f a c e d B o s b i e s ( F i g .

6 ) .

The beach widens ( F i g . 7 ) a s one m3ves toward t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n c o r n e r where a l a r g e u n v e g e t a t e d c u t , a b o u t 225 f e e t a c r . x s a t i t s mouth, e x t e n d s i n l a n d f o r a somewhat g r e a t e r d i s t a n c e . B e g i n n i n g j u s t beyond t h i s c u t i s a wide t r i a n g u l a r s a n d y beach, t h e p o i n t o f which i s t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n m o s t p a r t of t h e i s l a n d . To t h e n o r t h of t h e c u t t h e t e r r a i n a b ~ s v e t h e b e a c h i s f a i r l y l e v d , w h i l e t o t h e s o u t h t h e t e r r a i n is com- posed o f r o l l i n g s a n d dunes d e n s e l y covered w i t h S c a e v o l a . The l a r g e c u t and a s m a l l e r one ( F i g .

8)

j u s t t o t h e s o u t h w e s t o f t h e d e n s e s t a n d o f S c a e v o l a and t h e s s u t h e a s t and s o u t h b e a c h e s a r e t h e a r e a s i n which t h e d e n s e s t c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of n e s t i n g B l a c k - f o o t e d A l b a t r s s s e s a r e f o u n d . T h e r e i s a s e v e n f o o t v e r t i c a l d r o p f r o m t h e v e g e t a t e d i n t e r i o r t o t h e

F i g u r e 2. A e r i a l photograph of L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d , January

1966.

U.S. Navy photograph.

nautical miles

0 I 2

LISIANSKI ISLAND

1930 -1931

N E V A S H O A L

F i g u r e

3.

Map of L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d and surrounding s h o a l , 1930-1931.

Madif i e d f r o m USC&GS Chart

4186,

i s s u e d December 1942.

F i g a r e

4.

R ~ c k y e a s t e r n b e a c h n o r l h of Ledge shswn i n F i g u r e

5.

T h i s a r e a a n d t h e r o c k l e d g e a r e much u s e d f3r r 3 ~ s t i n g by s h ~ r e b i r d s , p a r t i c u l a r l y Ruddy T u r n s t z z e s . F'OBSF p h o t o g r a p h , V l r c h

1965,

by W i l l i a m 0. W i r t z . 11.

F i g u r e

5 .

F i g u r e

6.

L s o k i n g n o r t h s t rock l e d g e f r a r c narrow e a s t e r n b e a c h . September

1967.

POBSP p h a t a g r a p h by R.B. C l a p p .

I m n a t u r e B l u e - f a c e d B z ~ ~ b i e s r o o s t i n g s n l o g a t e d g e o f e a s t b e a c h , September

1967.

POBSP p h 3 t o g r a p h by H.B. C!.ap~.

b e a c h a t t h e e a s t e r n c o r n e r o f t h e s o u t h e r n beach ( F i g .

9 ) .

A s h o r t d i s t a n c e west of t h i s a r e a a s e r i e s o f dunes r i s e s t o 20 f e e t o r more, t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n h i g h p o i n t o f t h e i s l a n d . These r o l l i n g dunes, t h i c k l y c o v e r e d w i t h S c a e v o l a , g r a d u a l l y d e c r e a s e i n h e i g h t a c r o s s t h e s o u t h end o f t h e island-0).

The s o u t h w e s t beach, r e l a t i v e l y broad, forms two s m a l l c o v e s ( s e e F i g . 2 ) . The beach a l o n g t h e west s i d e pf t h e i s l a n d is f a i r l y s t e e p and t h e r e i s a s l i g h t v e r t i c a l c u t and overhang a t t h e edge o f t h e v e g e t a t e d a r e a where e r o s i o n h a s o c c u r r e d .

A s m a l l cove, p r e s e n t n e a r t h e middle o f t h e w e s t beach, i s d e s i g n a - t e d a s a s m a l l b o a t l a n d i n g on t h e h y d m g r a p h i c c h a r t s . T h e r e a r e o n l y a few small c o r a l heads i n t h e l a g o o n a r e a west o f t h i s l a n d i n g and a l a r g e a r e a o f c l e a r g r e e n w a t e r l i e s between t h e l a n d i n g and t h e r e e f r o c k t o t h e w e s t . Towards t h e n o r t h end of t h i s cove i s a g r o u p o f C a s u a r i n a t r e e s ( F i g . ll), under 3r about which were t h e c a m p s i t e s of most r e c e n t BSFW and POBSP s u r v e y p a r t i e s . (on two v i s i t s , March

1965

and September 1967, t h e c a m p s i t e was on t h e e a s t s h o r e o f t h e i s l a n d , a few hundred f e e t t o t h e s o u t h o f t h e l e d g e s h ~ w n i n F i g u r e

5.

)

N o r t h of t h i s cove t h e beach c u r v e s toward t h e n o r t h w e s t ( F i g . 1 2 ).

The n o r t h w e s t beach ( s e e F i g . '2) i s 2 0 t o 3 0 f e e t wide and s l i g h t l y i n - c l i n e d up t o t h e v e g e t a t e d i n t e r i o r . C o r a l r u b b l e is s c a t t e r e d i n t h e s a n d and s e v e r a l l a r g e t r e e t r u n k s a r e b u r i e d i n t h e b e a c h h e r e . A e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h s f r 3 m

1943

and 1957 show t h a t t h e s o u t h w e s t e r n end o n t h i s

b e a c h was once s e v e r a l hundred f e e t f r o m i t s a p e x t o t h e v e g e t a t e d i n t e r i o r . To t h e e a s t of t h e s t r a i g h t n o r t h w e s t beach is a c r e s c e n t - s h a p e d beach, 2 0 t o 3 0 y a r d s wide, w i t h c o r a l r u b b l e and a b o u t 1 0 0 y a r d s l o n g . T h e r e i s a s l i g h t d r o p f r o m t h e i n t e r i o r t o t h e beach h e r e .

The n o r t h e a s t beach, f . 3 r t h e mst p a r t y sandy, r i s e s g e n t l y t o t h e i n t e r i o r , and i s a b o u t

15

y a r d s wide. A t t h e t o p 3f t h i s beach t h e r e i s more c o r a l r u b b l e mixed w i t h s a n d . The beach becomes s t e e p e r and n a r r 3 w e r a s it a p p r o a c h e s t h e r o c k y e a s t beach.

I s l a n d I n t e r i o r

A r i m o f S c a e v o l a grows a l o n g t h e e n t i r e p e r i m e t e r w i t h most d e n s e g r o w t h f r o m t h e n o r t h p o i n t o f t h e i s l a n d , s o u t h a l o n g t h e e a s t beach and a c r o s s t h e s o u t h end of t h e i s l a n d . The l e a s t d e n s e growth is found a l o n g t h e n o r t h e r n t h i r d of t h e w e s t beach and behind t h e n o r t h w e s t b e a c h . Com- p a r i s o n o f e a r l i e r a e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h s w i t h F i g u r e 2 r e v e a l s t h a t t h e S c a e v o l a has been p r o g r e s s i v e l y i n v a d i n g t h e i n t e r i o r , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e n o r t h e a s t a n d s o u t h w e s t p o r t i o n s of t h e i s l a n d . The g r o w t h i n t h e n o r t h e a s t s e c t o r

i s l u s h e r t h a n t h a t on t h e s o u t h w e s t p o r t i o n of t h e i s l a n d ( F i g .

1 3 ) .

Oc- c a s i o n a l p a t c h e s of S c a e v o l a a r e t o be found i n t h e i n t e r i o r but most a r e low, seldom e x c e e d i n g

3

t o

4

f e e t i n h e i g h t ( F i g .

1 4 ) .

The i n t e r i o r o f t h e i s l a n d i s c o v e r e d p r i m a r i l y w i t h a 1,ush g r o w t h o f b u n c h g r a s s ( ~ r a ~ r o s t i s ) growing t o a h e i g h t o f

3

f e e t o r more, w i t h

F i g u r e

9.

h o k i n g t o w a r d s s o u t h p i n t a l s n g s t e e p b e a c h a t e a s t e r n e d ~ e of s x t h b e a c h , Zeptenlber

1.967.

I-OBSP p h o t 3 g r a p h by R.B. CLapp.

F i g u r e 10. L m k i n g west t o w a r d s t h e b r ~ a d s a n d y b e a c h a t t h e sout'n r : ~ i n t

~ f . t h e i s l a n d , 1 2 March

l$h.

I n S e p t e m b e r

1967.

t h i . s b e a c h a p p a r e n t l y e x t e n d e d f u r t h e r s n u t h t.han i s sh3wn i n t h i s

s hot^-

g r a p h .

POBSP

p h o t a g r a p h by A . 3 . A c l e r s o n , J r .

F i g u r e 11. L m k i n g n o r t h a l o n g w e s t 2ove t 3 w a r d C a s u a r i n a t r e e s , O c t 3 b e r

1366.

POBSP phckograph by F.J. G ~ u l d .

F i g u r e 1 2 . h o k i n g s o u t h f r m t h e n o r t h e r n p x t i o n o f t h e w e s t b e a c h , J u n e

1966.

I'OBSP p h 3 t 3 g r a p h by T1.C. S h e l t o n .

F'izure 13. Lo3king n o r t h e a s t from t h e west s i i e of t h e i . s l a n d , 19 June 1966. N3te r e l a t i v e l y s p a r s e growth of Scaevola

.

^1,OBSP

ph3tagraph by

P.C.

SheLton.

F i g u r e L L . Clunp c~f Low Scaevola i n i s l a n d i n t e r i m , l o o k i n g e a s t ,

13

June 1966. Cocanut t r e e s 2nd e a s t e r n group of' Casuarina t r e e s i n b a c k g r ~ n d . FOBSP ~ h o t o g r a p h by F.C. She i t o n .

s e v e r a l 3 t h e r a s s o c i a t e d p l a n t s . There a r e s e v e r a l l a r g e n e a r l j pure s t a n d s of morning-glory ( ~ p o m o e a ) , n o t a b l y i n t h e s o u t h i n t h e c e n t r a l d e p r e s s i o n , and a t t h e n o r t h end, i n t e r s p e r s e d w i t h t h e bunchgrass ( F i g . 1 5 ) . Two l a r g e palm t r e e s grow i n l a n d from t h e beach i n t h e n o r t h e a s t s e c t i 3 n and a few hundred f e e t s o u t h of them grows a s m a l l g r ~ u p 3f ironwmd t r e e s ( ~ a s u a r i n a ) . S e v e r a l o t h e r l i v e Casuarina a r e a l s 3 p r e s e n t : t h e gr3up a t t h e n o r t h end of t h e west c3ve mentioned p r e v i o u s l y ; two, one l i v e and one dead, found t o g e t h e r towards t h e s o u t h end 3f t h e i s l a n d ; and a l a r g e dead ironwood, much used f o r r o m t ing by R e d - f m t e d B o ~ b i e s and f r i g a t e b i r d s , which i s t o t h e southwest 3f t h e l a t t e r group.

Acc3rding t 3 a s t u d y by t h e U.S. C3ast and G e ~ d e t i c Survey i n 1931 ( s e e F i g .

3 ) ,

t h e topography of t h e i s l a n d i s dominated by a c r e s c e n t - shaped r i d g e which e x t e n d s fr3m t h e n ~ t h e a s t s i d e 3f t h e i s l a n d around t h e n ~ t h and d3wn t h e west s i d e t 3 t h e southwest c o r n e r . Judging fr3m L i s i a n s k y ' s d e s c r i p t i o n a f t h e i s l a n d , t h i s a r e a has been m3re o r l e s s e l e v a t e d s i n c e

1805

( F i g . 1 6 ) . A second r i d g e a l o n g t h e s o u t h e r n s i d e 3f t h e i s l a n d which c u r v e s northward a t t h e southwest and s o u t h e a s t c o r - n e r s is c u r r e n t l y ~ b v i o u s , and i s f i g u r e d 3n a map of t h e i s l a n d made i n 1912 ( F i g . 1 7 ) .

W e t m ~ r e (ms.) d e s c r i b e d t h e i s l a n d i n May 1923 a s a b s o l u t e l y devoid of v e g e t a t i o n except f o r a narrow s t r i p of g r a s s and pigweed about two a c r e s i n a r e a a l o n g t h e r i d g e a t t h e northwest c o r n e r of t h e i s l a n d . "It

i s r a u g h l y a p a r a l l e l o g r a m a n a u t i c a l m i l e l o n g by s l i g h t l y l e s s t h a n a h a l f m i l e wide. A low r i d g e 3n t h e n o r t h e a s t marks t h e h i g h e s t p o i n t and t h e r e i s a c e n t r a l d e p r e s s i o n bounded by a r a i s e d r i m p r o t e c t i n g it from t h e Dcean t h a t m u s t i n an e a r l i e r s t a g e of development have been t h e b a s i n of a l a g a m s i m i l a r t o t h a t a t Laysan. "

GEOLOGY

The Hawaiian I s l a n d s a r e t h e s u m m i t s of a r a n g e of v o l c a n i c mountains t h a t s t r e t c h e s f o r more t h a n 1 , 5 0 0 n a u t i c a l m i l e s i n a s o u t h e a s t - n o r t h w e s t d i r e c t i o n a c r o s s t h e f l o o r of t h e North P a c i f i c Ocean. The e n t i r e c h a i n

i s normally d i v i d e d i n t o two g r o u p s . The i s l a n d s ' f r o m Niihau and Kauai s o u t h e a s t t o Hawaii a r e c o n s i d e r e d t h e main o r windward group, w h i l e t h e t i n y p o i n t s 3f p r o t r u d i n g l a n d from Nihoa northwest t Kure a r e c a l l e d t h e leeward group. S t e a r n s (1966) i s t h e most r e c e n t and comprehensive of t h e s e v e r a l papers d e a l i n g w i t h t h e g e o l o g i c a l h i s t o r y of t h e group, and t h e f o l l o w i n g summary is based on t h a t book. There a r e no p a p e r s t h a t d e a l s p e c i f i c a l l y w i t h t h e geology of L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d .

G e d o g i c a l evidence s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e r a n g e was formed d u r i n g t h e T e r t i a r y P e r i o d , and t h a t t h e peaks a t t h e n ~ r t h w e s t e r n end of t h e c h a i n were formed e a r l i e r t h a n t h o s e t o t h e s o u t h e a s t . The i s l a n d s were b u i l t

3f s u c c e s s i v e f l o w s of b a s a l t s and v o l c a n i c p r o d u c t s t h r o u g h a f i s s u r e i n t h e ~ e a n b3t tom, s ~ m e 15,000 t o 18,000 f e e t below t h e p r e s e n t s u r f a c e .

F i g a r e

17.

Map ~f

Lisianski Island

i n

1923.

M s d i f i e d a f t e r

Bryan (1933).

I

The format i 3 n of t h e s e v o l c a n i c i s l a n d s o c c u r r e d i n s e v e r a l s t a g e s . During t h e submarine s t a g e , development i s due p r i m a r i l y t o t h e a d d i t i o n 3f q u a n t i t i e s of p i l l o w l a v a and t h e p r z ~ d u c t i o n of a s h and pumice a s a r e s u l t of t h e c o n t a c t of magma w i t h s e a w a t e r . The s o f t cone is e a s i l y eroded by t h e s e a when t h e peak r e a c h e s s e a l e v e l . A s h i e l d s h a p e d d3me i s b u i l t f r m t h i n s h e e t s of h i g h l y f l u i d o l i v i n e b a s a l t s once t h e cone r e a c h e s sea l e v e l . The volcano g r a d u a l l y c o l l a p s e s o v e r t h e vent a r e a s t o form a c a l d e r a on t h e summit, and a s f r e s h l a v a pours from t h e cone t h i s c a l d e r a i s o b l i t e r a t e d . E r o s i o n p a r t l y d e s t r o y s t h e v o l c a n i c dome, and submergence may dmwn t h e dome and p r 3 v i d e a n environment s u i t e d t o t h e development of c o r a l r e e f s . R e j u v e n a t i o n of v o l c a n i c a c t i v i t y may d e s t r 3 y c o r a l l i n e growth and t h e i s l a n d may c o n t i n u e t 3 emerge, a s i n t h e c a s e of t h e main i s l a n d s . O r submergence o r e r o s i o n may cont inue w i t h t h e subsequent development of a n a t o l l .

E r 3 s i m by wind, waves, and r a i n r e a c h e d i t s maximum i n t h e f l u c - t u a t i n g s e a s of t h e P l e i s t ~ e n e , when s e a l e v e l may have dropped t o 1 , 0 0 0 f e e t lower t h a n it i s today, and r i s e n t o

95

f e e t h i g h e r . Sea t e m p e r a t u r e s d u r i n g g l a c i a l maxima dropped s a 1 3 w , c o r a l s b a r e l y s u r v i v e d

i n Hawaiian w a t e r s . But d u r i n g i n t e r g l a c i a l s and a f t e r t h e l a s t g l a c i a l r e t r e a t , c m d i t i o n s were f a v o r a b l e f o r growth of c o r a l s and t h e c x a l l i n e a l g a e n e c e s s a r y t o bind t h e more f r a g i l e c o r a l s i n t o a r e s i s t a n t mass.

The i s l a n d s of t h e n ~ t h w e s t c h a i n r e s u l t from accumulation of t h i s m a t e r i a l some hundreds of f e e t t h i c k , o v e r l y i n g t h e v o l c a n i c b a s e s . The forms we s e e of t h e i s l a n d s a r e r e l a t i v e l y t r a n s i t o r y i n terms of g e o l o g i c a l time, and depend upon t h e s t a g e of submergence o r emergepce, and on e x i s t i n g wind and c u r r e n t p a t t e r n s . The most r e c e n t e v e n t i n t h e northwest c h a i n was a n emergence of 1 t o 2 meters, a s measured a t Kure, Midway, and P e a r l and Hermes Reef, where emergent r o c k l e d g e s c 3 m p ~ e d of c o r a l aged by c a r b m - 1 4 a t between 1 , 2 0 0 and 2,400 y e a r s occur ( ~ r o s s e t a l . , 1969: 2 2 ) .

Such l e d g e s d3 not o c c u r 3n L i s i a n s k i , a t l e a s t not s e p a r a t e d fram t h e i s l a n d . I f any e x i s t e d f 3rmerly t h e y were er3ded away. L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d i t s e l f is a s m a l l emergent p o r t i o n of a c x a l p l a t f o r m s e v e r a l m i l e s a c r 3 s s . There i s n3 e n c l ~ s e d lag33n, but t h e i s l a n d a p p e a r s t o have had a s m a l l c e n t r a l lag3311 which has been f i l l e d i n w i t h sand.

S 3 i l s 3n L i s i a n s k i r a n g e fr3m pure sand and c ~ a l l i n e g r a v e l on t h e beaches, t h r o u g h c o a r s e c o r a l r o c k a r e a s above t h e beach zone, t o humus- sandy m i x t u r e s i n t h e v e g e t a t e d a r e a s . E l s c h n e r

(1915:

5'1) r e p 3 r t e d t h a t t h e s u r f a c e was bleached sand t o 4 ^3r

5

c e n t i m e t e r s , and t h a t t h e d e e p e r s t r a t a were moist and g r a y . There a r e no more r e c e n t s o i l d e t e r m i n a t i 3 n s f o r t h e i s l a n d .

E l s c h n e r ( i b i d . ) r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e e n t i r e s u r f a c e was p a r t i d l y ph3sphatized, t h e r e b e i n g a more 3r l e s s f i n e f i l m 3f ph3sphates on a l l sand p a r t i c l e s . He noted t h a t t h e b e s t guano was found i n t h e c e n t r a l b a s i n , supposed by him t 3 have 3nce been a lago3n. Phosphate determina- t i m s ( a s Ca3P208 i n t h e o r i g i n a l ) by E l s c h n e r v a r i e d from 2.12 t 3 1 1 . 1 2 p e r c e n t i n s u r f a c e sand and fr3m 14.24 t o 62.17 p e r c e n t i n t h e a r e a of

he former lagoon.

CLIMATE

C l i m a t i c d a t a f s r t h i s a r e a o f t h e P a c i f i c a r e a v a i l a b l e o n l y f r s m t h e Midway Naval S t a t ion, 255 m i l e s n 3 r t hwest o f L i s i a n s k i . No s i g n i f i- c a n t d i f f e r e n c e i s t o be e x p e c t e d between t h e g e n e r a l w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s s f t h e two i s l a n d s . The d a t a used i n t h i s s e c t i o n a r e f r o m a summary o f t h e y e a r s

1953-1963

( ~ i r Weat h e r S e r v i c e [MATS] C l i m a t i c C e n t e r , USAF)

.

C l i m a t e i n t h i s r e p i s n o f t h e P a c i f i c i s m a r i n e , i n f l u e n c e d by m a r i n e t r o p i c a l o r m a r i n e P a c i f i c a i r masses d e p e n d i n g up3n t h e s e a s o n . D u r i n g summer t h e P a c i f i c High bec3mes d s m i n a n t , w i t h t h e r i d g e l i n e ex-

t e n d i n g a c r s s s t h e P a c i f i c n x t h 3f Midwa). T h i s p l a c e s t h e r e g i o n under t h e i n f l u e n c e s f e a s t e r l i e s w i t h m a r i n e t r 3 p i c a l and t r a d e w i n ~ ~ s p r e v a i l - i n g . During t h e w i n t e r , e s p e c i a l l y f r o m N3vember t hr3ugh J a n u a r y , t h e A l e u t i a n L3w m3ves s 3 u t hward 3 v e r t h e N o r t h P a c i f i c , d i s p l a c i n g t l,e P a c i f i c

High bef31-e i t . The Midway r e g i s n i s t h e n a f f e c t e d by e i t h e r m a r i n e p a c i f i c o r m a r i n e t r 2 p i c a l a i r , d e p e n d i n g upon t h e r e l a t i v e i n t e n s i t y o f t h e A l e u t i a n Lsw and t h e P a c i f i c High.

Msnt h l y maximum, minimum, and mean t e m p e r a t u r e s f o r a 1 0 - y e a r p e r i s d a r e shown i n F i g u r e 18. The t e m p e r a t u r e v a r i a t i o n shown i s i n d i c a t i v e o f a m a r i n e e n v i r o n m e n t . The mean a n n u a l r a n g e i s 1 6 ° F . From December t h r o u g h A p r i l t h e means r a n g e between 66°F and 69"F, and d u r i n g t h e r e - mainder of t h e y e a r between 7 0 ° F and 8 1 " ~ , t h e warmest m3nt hs b e i n g J u l y , August a n d September, a n d t h e c o o l e s t J a n u a r y , F e b r u a r y , a n d A p r i l . An

i n e x p l i c a b l e d e p a r t u r e f m m t h e normal c u r v e 3 c c u r s i n maximum, minimum a n d mean f i g u r e s f o r A p r i l . A 37 d e g r e e d i f f e r e n c e e x i s t s between t h e a b s o l u t e h i g h of 8 9 " ~ and t h e a b s o l u t e l 3 w ,sf 5 2 ° F f o r t h i s 1 0 - y e a r p e r i o d .

Mean monthly p r e c i p i t a t i 3 n and t h e number s f d a y s w i t h m e a s u r a b l e p r e c i p i t a t i o n a r e t a b u l a t e d i n F i g u r e

19.

^{R a i n} sr d r i z z l e s c c u r most f r e q u e n t l y f r o m December t h r o u g h May, a n d l e a s t f r e q u e n t l y i n J u n e and J u l y . The mean a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i s n f o r t h e p e r i o d i s 4 2 . 5 9 i n c h e s , w i t h a maximum o f 5 . 0 7 i n c h e s o c c u r r i n g i n J a n u a r y and August, and a minimum s f 2 . 0 3 i n c h e s i n N2vember. A sec3ndar-y maximum 2f 4.92 i n c h e s o c c u r s i n Oct 3 b e r . Csmbining am3unt of p r e c i p i t a t i o n and d a y s w i t h m e a s u r a b l e p r e -

c i p i t a t i a n shgws May and J u n e t s be t h e d r i e s t msnt hs 3f t h e y e a r . D u r i n g t h e r e m q i n i n g msnths m e a s u r a b l e r a i n f a l l s on f r 3 m 1 0 t o l ( d a y s . Thun- d e r s t o r m s have been r e c 3 r d e d i n a l l months e x c e p t F e b r u a r y , March, and A p r i l b u t peak a c t i v i t y seems t o o c c u r d u r i n g August, September, and Nsvem- b e r . The a n n u a l a v e r a g e r e l a t i v e h u m i d i t y i s

'(6

p e r c e n t w i t h a h i g h

m m t h l y mean s f

89

p e r c e n t and a l s w o f 62 p e r c e n t .

During t h e p e r i s d s f sr which d a t a a r e a v a i l a b l e , n2 t r o p i c a l s t o r m o r t y p h o s n h a s p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h e a r e a , t h o u g h s t o r m s o f t m p i c a l c h a r a c t e r have p a s s e d w i t h i n 5 0 0 m i l e s , c a u s i n g a n o t i c e a b l e i n c r e a s e i n p r e c i p i t a - t i s n and winds, e s p e c i a l l y i n S e p t e m b e r o f 155'1,

1958

and

1559,

O c t o b e r a n d Navember 1962, and December 1 9 6 4 .

S u r f a c e wind s p e e d s and d i r e c t i 3 n s a r e shown i n F i g u r e 20. The p r e v a i l i n g wind d i r e c t i o n 1 0 months o f t h e y e a r is e a s t e r l y , and d u r i n g

b ' i g u r e

18.

F i g u r e

19.

L ; I I

Jaq. Feb. Mor Apr. May June J& A;~. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

85

80

75

Temp..

(OF)

The mode ~f t h e monthly means f3r a t e n - y e a r p e r i z ~ d , 195:-

1963,

a n d t h e r a n g e 3f t h e maximm and minimum modes 3f t e m p e r a t u r e f o r Midway A t o l l .

-

--

--

Mean monthly p r e c i p i t a t i m i n i n c h e s ( h i s t o g a m s ) a n d mean number ~3' d a y s w i t h m e a s u r a b l e p r e c i p i t a t i m (!.ine grai:h) f 3 r Midway A t o l l , 1953-63.

December and J a n u a r y w e s t e r l y . The a n n u a l mean wind speed i s 1 0 k n o t s w i t h a r a n g e of

5

k n o t s . Winds of o v e r

4

k n o t s g e n e r a l l y r a n g e from n o r t h e a s t t o s o u t h e a s t , w h i l e g r e a t e s t mean wind s p e e d s a r e r e c o r d e d from s o u t h - s o u t h w e s t t o w e s t - n o r t h w e s t

.

The maximum s u s t a i n e d wind r e c o r d e d f o r Midway i s

44

k n o t s i n J a n u a r y . Maximum winds a r e l o w e s t i n J u n e , J u l y and August, and h i g h i n September and December, and a l s o low i n O c t o b e r . Maximum winds occur g e n e r a l l y from t h e e a s t from J u l y t h r o u g h O c t o b e r , and from t h e w e s t t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e y e a r . Peak g u s t s of

77

and

67

k n o t s have been r e c o r d e d

i n December and J a n u a r y r e s p e c t i v e l y , d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d of p r e v a i l i n g w e s t e r l i e s . From May t h r o u g h August peaks r a n g e from

35

t o

4 1

k n o t s and

i n t h e r e m a i n i n g months from $ 2 t o

55

k n o t s . G u s t s a r e g e n e r a l l y f r o m t h e w e s t .

The mean t e n t h s of t o t a l s k y cover i s f a i r l y u n i f o r m t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r , r a n g i n g from a low of

5.3

i n August t o a h i g h of

7.3

i n March.

The y e a r l y mean i s

6.2.

The o c c u r r e n c e of f o g and h a z e i s n e g l i g i b l e , b u t h i g h e s t i n J a n u a r y and March. C o n d i t i o n s w i t h v i s i b i l i t y of l e s s t h a n

one m i l e occur r a r e l y ( 2 p e r c e n t ) a t Midway, b u t most o f t e n from December t h r o u g h A p r i l , when due t o r a i n .

F i g u r e 29. Wind d i r e c t i 3 n and speed a t Midway A t o l l . ~ 9 5 3 - 6 3 . Length 3f d i r e c t i 3 n a l Line i n d i c a t e s p e r c e n t 2f 3 b s e r v a t i m s f r ~ m t h a t d i r e c t i 2 n ; f i g u r e a t end 2f t h e d i r e c t i s n a l l i n e i s nean wind speed i n k n 3 t s .

HISTORY

D i s c g v e r y 3f L i s i a n s k i I s l a n d

L i s i a n s k i was d i s c g v e r e d when t h e R u s s i a n e x p l o r i n g v e s s e l

-,

Neva c a p t a i n e d by Urey L i s i a n s k y , g r g u n d e d o n a n e a r b y r e e f . A t t h e t i m e t h e Neva was s a i l i n g f r o m S i t k a t g r e n d e z v o u s a t Macao w i t h t h e Nadeshda, h e r

-

companign on t h e f i r s t R u s s i a n c i r c u m - g l o b a l e x p e d i t i o n ( ~ u c k ,

1953:

7 2 ) .

The Neva r a n a g r o u n d a t 2200 on

15

O c t o b e r 1805 b u t t h e crew was a b l e t o r e f l o a t t h e v e s s e l by t h r g w i n g cannons and o t h e r heavy o b j e c t s o v e r - b o a r d . A t dawn t he crew o b s e r v e d a low s a n d y i s l q n d t o t h e w e s t . S h g r t l y t h e r e a f t e r t h e s h i p was d r i v e n m t o a n o t h e r r e e f by a s u d d e n s q u a l l b u t was r e f h a t e d by 1 7 O c t o b e r when c a b l e s , a n c h g r s , and a l l r e m a i n i n g heavy i t e m s were thrgwn o v e r b o a r d .

T h a t e v e n i n g some ^3f t h e s h i p ' s o f f i c e r s l a n a e d 3n t h e i s l a n d and r e t u r n e d w i t h f o u r l a r g e s e a l s t h a t had b e e n k i l l e d w i t h hand s p i k e s . On t h e 1 8 t h t h e crew r e t r i e v e d t h e i t e m s t h a t had been thrown 3 v e r b o a r d a n d went a s h g r e . They f.3und b i r d s very numerous; a t a l m o s t e v e r y s t e p t h e y

s a n k almrsst ^{t 3} t h e i r k n e e s i n burrgws dug by t h e b i r d s . They saw s e a l s and t u r t l e s b u t d i d n o t f i n d w a t e r . A t a l l p d e was f i x e d i n t h e s a n d , and a b g t t l e c o n t a i n i n g a n a c c g u n t 3f t h e i s l a n d was b u r i e d n e a r i t .

L i s i a n s k y (1814: 2 5 6 ) c o n c l u d e d h i s comments gn t h e i s l a n d by s t a t i n g t h a t " t h i s i s l a n d p r o m i s e s n g t h i n g t o t h e a d v e n t u r o u s vgyager b u t c e r t a i n d a n g e r . .

.

. t o t h e s g u t h e a s t p i n t sf t h e bank where t h e v e s s e l grounded, I g a v e t h e name o f Neva; w h i l e t h e i s l a n d i t s e l p , i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t h t h e

unanimous w i s h e s o f my s h i p ' s company, r e c e i v e d t h e a p p e l a t i g n of L i s i a n s k y . "

The n e x t r e c o r d e d v i s i t t 3 L i s i a n s k i o c c u r r e d when C a p t . Benjamin M o r r e l l , J r . , g f t h e s h i p T a r t a r l a n d e d t h e r e

6

J u l y 1 8 2 5 . M g r r e l l com- mented i n s m e d e t a i l 3n t h e s u r r ~ u n d i n g r e e f s but 3 n l y made a few r e m a r k s a b z ~ u t t h e i s l a n d i t s e l f . He s t a t e d t h a t i t was " m l y a b o u t s i x m i l e s i n c i r c umference, p r e s e n t i n g a few s m a l l s p 3 t s ^3f v e g e t a t ion, c o n s i s t i n g of c 3 a r s e g r a s s and a l i t t l e s h r u b e r y . The whole s u r f a c e . . . [ w a s ] n e a r l y cov- e r e d w i t h r o a k e r i e s of d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f b i r d s , am3ng which a r e whale- b i r d s , w a k e - u p - k i t t l e s , man-of-war b i r d s , g u l l s , and t r 3 p i c - b i r d s . On t h e s h o r e s we found a n abundance g f s e a - e l e p h a n t s and g r e e n t u r t l e s , b u t ngwhere

. . .

c 3 u l d 3 b t a i n f r e s h w a t e r " ( ~ o r r e l l , 1 8 4 1 : 2 1 6 ) .

F i r s t S c i e n t i f i c V i s i t

The n e x t known v i s i t t o t h e i s l a n d was by a n 3 t h e r R u s s i a n e x p l o r i n g v e s s e l , t h e M o l l e r , commanded by Capt

.

S t a n i k 3 w i t c h . A p a r t y l a n d e d on t h e i s 1 a n d . m

3

A p r i l 1 8 2 8 and t h e s h i p ' s s u r g e o n , H e r r C. I s e n b e c k , " d i a h i s b e s t ^{t 3} b e a r a l l he saw i n mind, and ^{t g} p r e p a r e and k e e p a s many 2 f

t h e b i r d s , which were m o s t l y c a u g h t by hand, a s t h e v e r y u n f a v 3 r a b l e c i r - c u m s t a n c e s a l l 3 w e d him ^{t 3} do" ( v o n K i t t l i t z

in

R 3 t h s c h i l d , 1893-1900: i i ) .

S e v e r a l y e a r s l a t e r h i s 3 b s e r v a t i o n s were r e p . 3 r t e d t . 3 F. H. v3n K i t t l i t z wh3 s u b s e q u e n t l y wr.3te a p a p e r t h a t was t r a n s l a t e d by R . 3 t h s c h i l d

(s. -

c b t . ) .