An Evaluation of Biological Inventory Data Collected at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve: Vertebrate and Vascular Plant Inventories
WIlliams MH. 2009. An Evaluation of Biological Inventory Data Collected at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve: Vertebrate and Vascular Plant Inventories. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/HTLN/NRTR—2009/260. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The Inventory and Monitoring program of the NPS provides twelve basic inventories for park managers, including lists of species that occur in NPS units. Six hundred ninety eight species are certified on the list of vascular plants and vertebrates for Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (TAPR). Based on a review of the evidence, 680 (97%) species were categorized as Present in Park, and 18 (3 %) as Probably Present. Fifteen species were Unconfirmed. In addition to documenting the presence of species, reviewers categorized the general abundance of 367 (53%) species and determined residency for all documented vertebrates with the exception of five (two mammals, two amphibians, one reptile). Eighty one non-native species are documented to occur in the park. Of these are four fish, 17 birds, and 60 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. Eleven of the 60 (18%) non-native plants found on TAPR received an overall I-Rank score that included the high category (i.e. most threatening). A total of 10 species are considered to be of conservation status. One federally listed endangered species, Topeka shiner, is documented on TAPR. Two state threatened species (bald eagle, present in park, eastern spotted skunk, unconfirmed) are also listed. Future inventory efforts are discussed.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- WIlliams, Michael
- Date of Issue
- 2009-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- TAPR
- Keywords
- Abundance, Amphibian, Conservation, Inventory, Mammal, Monitoring, Native, Non-Native, Species, Survey, Vascular Plant, Vertebrate