Setting Priorities for the Research and Management of Terrestrial Mammal Species in Two U.S. National Parks

Garrett, Lisa

A ranking system to prioritize research and management needs of terrestrial mammal species for Glacier and Olympic National Parks was developed. This system ranks species based on biological vulnerability, knowledge of population status and the extent of research and management needs within a national park. Ranking of species can help identify species of concern within parks and form a rational basis to allocate research efforts and resources. Seven biological variables were chosen to measures characteristics of a species population status and life history. Seven park specific variables provided a relative measure of the status of each species population within the park under investigation and the status of ongoing research and management efforts targeted at each species. Results from principal component analysis of biological variables for Glacier National Park reveal the first component, loaded most heavily by population trend, population size, distribution trend, and ecological specialization accounted for 38% of the total variance in scores. Factor loading of park specific variables for Glacier National Park revealed research, management, and survey variables loaded most heavily on the first component and accounted for 34% of the variance scores. For Olympic National Park, the biological variables population trend, distribution trend, and reproductive potential, loaded most heavily on the first component and accounted for 39% of the total variance in scores and park specific variables research, management and monitoring loaded most heavily on the first component accounting for 40% of the variance in scores. One objective of the species ranking process was to identify research and management needs for terrestrial mammal species at Glacier and Olympic National Parks. Order carnivora had the highest combined score for biological/park specific variables indicating the Order carnivora generally had the highest biological vulnerability coupled with a low state of knowledge at Glacier and Olympic National Parks. Species with population trends unknown or suspected to be declining and high biological scores were considered to be strong candidates for research projects. This approach yielded two species at Glacier National Park (the fisher and the lynx) and three species at Olympic National Park (marten, mountain beaver and fisher).

Setting Priorities for the Research and Management of Terrestrial Mammal Species in Two U.S. National Parks

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