Hawaii’s Nine Major Ecosystem Types

From Sea Level to Summit

1. Tropical Rainforests – Windward slopes, high rainfall, dense biodiversity.
2. Dry Forests – Leeward lowlands, open canopy, drought‑adapted species.
3. Montane Cloud Forests – Mid‑elevations, persistent mist, moss‑draped trees.
4. Subalpine Forests – Higher elevations, shrubby vegetation, occasional snow.
5. Alpine Ecosystems – Summits above treeline, sparse plants, extreme winds.
6. Wetlands – Marshes, bogs, and coastal ponds.
7. Lava Deserts – Recent flows, pioneering lichens and ‘ōhi‘a.
8. Coastal Ecosystems – Beaches, reefs, mangroves, tide pools.
9. Anthropogenic Ecosystems – Farmland, urban areas, introduced species.

These zones blend into one another, creating a mosaic shaped by isolation, elevation, and trade‑wind rainfall patterns.