Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of Colonial National Historical Park
Barry RE. Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of Colonial National Historical Park. 2003-2004
A survey of mammals (excluding bats) at Colonial National Historical Park (COLO) was conducted from 2003 to 2004 to document the presence of > 90% of the mammals in the park, describe their distributions and relative abundances, quantify habitat-specific species diversity, and provide recommendations for management and conservation. Surveys relied on live trapping with Sherman, Tomahawk, and pitfall traps for small to medium-size mammals, direct observation of individuals and their sign (e.g. tracks, scats), and remote photography. We identified nine principal habitats – field (grasslands, including old fields), mixed coniferous-deciduous forest, pine forest, deciduous forest, forested wetland, field/mixed forest edge, marsh/mixed forest edge, wetland (marsh and swamp), and golden bamboo – and targeted locations for sampling. Twenty-seven species of mammals were either captured or observed within COLO. Altogether, six orders and 14 families of mammals are represented by these species. We documented 68% (27 of 40) of the species (excluding bats) predicted to occur and 66% (27 of 41) of those for which historical records exist. Although our surveys produced no new species records, our sampling efforts confirmed the presence of the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) for which only one previous record existed. The white-footed deermouse (Peromyscus leucopus) was captured in all nine principal habitat types and was the most abundant and widely distributed mammal in the park. The eastern harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis) was the most abundant small mammal captured in field habitat. The marsh oryzomys or rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) was the most abundant small mammal in wetland habitat and the second most abundant in forested wetland and marsh/mixed forest edge. Small mammal species diversity and richness were greatest in grassy fields. Deciduous forest supported the lowest species diversity of small mammals.
- Type
- Project
- Authors
- Barry, R
- Units
- COLO , NCBN
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Abundance (Biodiversity), Colonial National Historical Park, Inventory & Monitoring, Mammal, NCBN, Observations, Presence (Biodiversity), Vouchers
Program
Products
- Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of Colonial National Historical Park
- Line survey locations for an Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of Colonial National Historical Park (COLO_Lines_Mammals_2007.shp)
- Point survey locations for an Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of Colonial National Historical Park (COLO_Points_Mammals_2007.shp)