An Evaluation of Biological Inventory Data Collected at George Washington Carver National Monument: Vertebrate and Vascular Plant Inventories

WIlliams, Michael

The Inventory and Monitoring program of the NPS provides twelve basic inventories for park managers, including lists of species that occur in NPS units. Nine hundred fifty seven species are certified on the list of vascular plants and vertebrates for George Washington Carver National Monument (GWCA). Based on a review of the evidence, 909 (95%) species were categorized as Present in Park, and 48 (5%) as Probably Present. One hundred thirty six species were Unconfirmed, Historic, or Encroaching. In addition to documenting the presence of species, reviewers categorized the general abundance of 892 (98%) certified species and determined residency for all documented vertebrates with the exception of two reptiles and one mammal. One hundred twenty (13%) non-native species occur in the monument. Of these, three are birds, two fish, one mammal, and 114 vascular plants. Non-native vascular plant species were assigned a NatureServe Invasive Species Impact Rank (I-Rank) based on impact to native species and natural biodiversity. Ten of the 23 (43%) invasive exotic plants found on GWCA received an overall I-Rank score that included the high category (i.e. most threatening). A total of 15 species are considered to be of conservation status. These include the state listed endangered bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and northern harrier (Circus cyaneus). Two federally listed endangered species, the gray bat (Myotis grisescens) and Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), and one state endangered species, the spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius), are all unconfirmed at the park. Two possibly extirpated species include the federally listed threatened Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae) and state listed imperiled/vulnerable grotto salamander (Typhlotriton spelaeus). Both are considered possibly extirpated due to non-conducive habitat at Carver spring. Future inventory efforts are discussed.

An Evaluation of Biological Inventory Data Collected at George Washington Carver National Monument: Vertebrate and Vascular Plant Inventories

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