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6 Needs for Additional Research

Data are needed on the distribution, population dynamics, and habitat requirements of many southern species. Basic life history and management information is lacking for several threatened and endangered species. For some nongame birds and game species, standardized inventories lend themselves to regional assessments. For most species, however, there is a dearth of monitoring information from which to evaluate regional conditions.

Centers of amphibian and reptile diversity should be identified in sensitive communities. Long-term monitoring of amphibian and reptile populations is needed to establish population trends. Further study also is warranted to assess the impact the expected climate changes may have on amphibians and other sensitive species.

Further research is desirable into management techniques that mimic natural disturbance for the creation of landscape patterns that are consistent with the evolutionary history of species. Applied research is needed to identify the best approaches, including burning, for restoring degraded communities, and maintaining sensitive communities.

Finally, methods should be developed to quantify and forecast influences of human developments on southern biodiversity. We must identify vertebrate species that may be influenced by future habitat fragmentation, and examining how fragmentation attributes change over time.