A comparative analysis of biodiversity between interior and exterior walls of the Ko’ie’ie fishpond, Maui
This study was a continuation of a project conducted in 2013 at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kihei, Maui. The objective was to assess biodiversity and abundance of invertebrates and algae to assess the impact that the Ko’ie’ie fishpond has on the surrounding shoreline ecosystem. Littoral macroinvertebrate communities were examined using random sampling techniques along the interior and exterior portions of the fishpond wall. The total fishpond wall length was recorded by using measuring tapes along the 3 distinct walls. Fifty sampling sites were established using a random generator, and a 2x2 foot quadrat was used to record invertebrates present and percent cover of algae on the interior and exterior faces of the wall, totaling 100 transects. Thirty-nine species from 28 families of invertebrates were identified, as well as 8 species from 7 families of algae. The results suggest that the abundance of invertebrates and algae is greater outside the fishpond than within, whereas biodiversity of invertebrates was greater on the interior portions of the wall compared to the exterior. Further studies should be conducted to continue analyzing trends of marine biodiversity as human population growth rises on coast of Maui