The presence of a critically endangered bird population is crucial to the regeneration of native plants at a Kauai rainforest, according to a recently published study.

The study of the puaiohi population at the Alakai Wilderness Preserve was led by Monica Kaushik, a Fulbright Fellow of Colorado State University in collaboration with Liba Pejchar of the university and the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project.

Researchers looked into whether the Japanese White-eye could help native plants flourish. Based on their study, they concluded the birds prefer smaller seeds and spread them to non-­native plants whereas the puaiohi consume native fruits and disperse their seeds in the forest.

“Our results underscore how important it is to protect puaiohi if we want to preserve Kauai’s montane system,” said Lisa Crampton, coordinator of the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project, in a news release.

Predators such as rats and feral cats as well as habitat destruction and diseases such as avian malaria pose a threat to native birds. Less than 500 puaiohi make up the population in the wild.