Characteristics of inland landscapes draining into the coastal environment influence condition and availability of coastal habitats. While many studies have shown linkages between inland landscapes and coastal regions, few have evaluated such relationships over large spatial extents for the purpose of aiding in efforts to conserve coastal habitats. The research described in this thesis addresses that need by testing spatial relationships between coastal habitat condition and characteristics of proximate draining catchments of Maui, Hawaii. Ecologically meaningful inland natural, inland anthropogenic, and coastal factors that influence coastal habitats were first identified, and relative influences of each group of variables on coastal habitat metrics were quantified. Results indicated that the strength of relationships between catchment characteristics and coastal habitat conditions varied with distance. These findings were then used to inform an assessment of coastal habitats based on intensity of inland anthropogenic disturbances. This step identified coastal areas at varying risk of degradation from inland disturbances, and we combined this result with a map depicting locations of ecosystem services and benefits around the island of Maui including locations for recreation, areas supporting fishing and/or fisheries and habitats for biodiversity. An inventory of those services and benefits most at risk from inland disturbance were provided, and this information may prove useful for resource managers working to conserve Maui’s coastal habitats. Outcomes of this research further demonstrate an approach that could be applied in other regions to understand linkages between inland and coastal habitats, improving efforts to conserve coastal habitats from current and future threats.
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