An Evaluation of Biological Inventory Data Collected at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield: 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. Eight hundred forty six species are certified on the list of vascular plants and vertebrates for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (WICR). Based on a review of the evidence, 730 (84%) species were categorized as Present in Park, and 116 (16%) as Probably Present. Twenty three species were Unconfirmed or Historic. In addition to documenting the presence of species, reviewers categorized the general abundance of 710 (97%) certified species and determined residency for all documented vertebrates with the exception of 12 (11 birds, 1 mammal). One hundred three (14%) non-native species occur in the battlefield. Of these, one species is a fish and the remaining 102 are 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. Fifteen of the 32 (47%) invasive exotic plants found on WICR received an overall I-Rank score that included the high category (i.e. most threatening). A total of 13 species are considered to be of conservation status. These include the federally listed endangered gray bat and threatened Missouri bladderpod. Although not confirmed at the battlefield, two other federally protected species - the threatened Ozark cavefish and endangered Indiana bat, are found in the area. Additional state listed data is provided for species that were either unconfirmed or historically present at the park. Future inventory efforts are discussed.

An Evaluation of Biological Inventory Data Collected at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield: Vertebrate and Vascular Plant Inventories

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