Bird, mammal, and vegetation community surveys of research natural areas in the Tongass National Forest.

Abstract

In June 1977, we surveyed seven research natural areas (RNAs) in the Tongass National Forest (Tongass). We documented the composition of biotic communities using rare plant and tidal community surveys, targeted searches for rare animals, and samples of permanent vegetation plots. Birds were sampled once along each transect with 10-minute point counts at stations 8 through 11 spaced at 250-m intervals. A total of 84 point-count stations was classified according to plant association. Mammals were sampled for two nights along the initial 1.25-km segment of each transect by establishing trap stations at 10-m intervals. Each trap station had two traps, totaling 250 traps (500 trap/nights of effort) per transect: two snap traps, a snap trap and a folding live-trap, or a snap-trap and a cone pitfall trap. We documented 31 vascular plant species previously unconfirmed for RNAs on the Tongass. Breeding status and relative abundance of 65 bird species were recorded; 331 small mammals representing six species were captured with an additional five species documented from visual observations or physical evidence. Coordinated, community surveys are efficient in documenting elements of biological diversity and should receive consideration as an inventory protocol or for monitoring ecosystem integrity. Community surveys of RNAs provide an important benchmark.

Citation

Smith, W.P.; Stotts, M.J.; Andres, B.A.; Melton, J.M.; Garibaldi, A.; Boggs, K. 2001. Bird, mammal, and vegetation community surveys of research natural areas in the Tongass National Forest. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-535. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 44 p