The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated critical habitat areas for more than 100 endangered or threatened species in Hawaii.

The final designation on critical habitat areas include 157,002 acres on Molokai, Maui and Kahoolawe for two forest birds — the akohekohe and kiwikiu — the Newcomb’s tree snail and 122 plants.

Critical habitat identifies certain areas deemed essential for the long-term survival of the federally protected species. The designated areas are 20 percent federal lands, 55 percent state lands and 25 percent private lands.

Michelle Bogardus, who led the project as Maui Nui and Hawaii island team leader of the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, said the final designation is significant because a large amount of threatened species on Molokai, Maui and Kahoolawe did not have designated critical habitats, which is necessary for those species to recover.

The critical habitats are a combination of areas already occupied by the threatened species as well as areas that may be currently unoccupied, according to the report.

“We are working with a variety of partners and the state to implement conservation efforts,” Bogardus said.

The final designation comes after the Fish and Wildlife Service sought public comments and held public hearings on a proposed designation starting in June 2012. The agency excluded critical habitat on Lanai because of existing conservation efforts through partnerships with landowners.

The final critical habitat designation indicated research on threats from disease and predation to the re-establishment or translocation of the native forest birds as part of the recovery strategies. Special management may be required in critical habitat areas to reduce the threat of mosquitoes. Mosquito-borne diseases such as avian pox or malaria pose a threat to both the akohekohe and kiwikiu, according to a report on the final rule.

Special management may also be required for the Newcomb’s tree snail to reduce the threat of predation by the nonnative rosy wolf snail, described to be the likely culprit for the decline of many of Hawaii’s native tree snails.

The final rule has been published in the Federal Register. To view, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at fws.gov/pacific islands.