Terrestrial Mammals of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Flat Rock, North Carolina

Pivorun, Edward; Fulton, Linda

Although a great deal of biological/ecological information has been gathered on the large charismatic mammals in many of the larger National Parks, virtually no information is available on the presence, distribution and population dynamics of the smaller mammalian species. This is especially true with regards to the rodents and insectivores inhabiting the various parks managed by the United States National Park Service. These smaller members of the mammalian fauna represent a major biomass component that avian, reptilian, and mammalian predators utilize. Rodents and insectivores also have a major impact on the various ecosystems they inhabit, since they utilize the flora and the invertebrate fauna as major food resources. Mammals can have a major effect on the control of insect pests and on the survival of both herbaceous and woody vegetation by impacting seed survival and distribution. Proper management, protection, and documentation of the effects of climatic change on these treasured natural areas requires inventory and monitoring procedures that utilize the expertise of trained biologist from both the public and private sector. The lack of this essential information was the basis for the creation of an inventory and monitoring network to gather this necessary information by the National Park Service. This report covers the results of the mammal inventory (excluding bats) of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock, NC. This is the first known effort to document the mammalian fauna at the Sandburg site.

Terrestrial Mammals of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Flat Rock, North Carolina

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