Needs for Additional Research

Further research is needed on the status, distribution, population trends, and habitat requirements of many southern species. Although there are standardized inventories for bird and game species across the region, there is a lack of comparable monitoring protocols for many other species. The importance of regional monitoring and long-term research cannot be overstated.

Additional data are necessary to examine the attributes that make some species associations resistant or resilient to disturbance. We need to understand why some associations are more fragile than others. We also need to know how to mitigate negative disturbance factors.

Habitat relationships of listed and imperiled species need further study. Examination of the connections between landscape patterns, land uses, and the presence or absence of concern species also would prove beneficial. The establishment of regional databases and standardized sampling protocols for monitoring trends of terrestrial species across all public lands also is needed.

A profound need exists for the coordination of regional inventories on public lands to monitor the status and trends of reptile and amphibian populations. Assemblages associated with specific habitats need to be identified.

Further research is necessary on the distribution, ecology, and life history of herpetofaunal species and communities. In particular, additional data are needed on species such as the flatwoods salamander, gopher frog, southern hognose snake, and pine snake. This basic information is essential to developing land management programs for these species.

Additional research is needed to determine the impact of natural and human-caused factors on the development and environment of amphibians. Additional information needs include the identification of critical habitats and migration routes. The concern over amphibian declines highlights the lack of basic information about these species.

The ecology of furbearers, such as mink and weasel, is poorly understood, as are the potential impacts on other carnivores resulting from coyote expansion throughout the South. Basic ecological data are needed on free-ranging red wolves to address the challenges of restoration. The degradation of river otter habitat suggests the need for continued monitoring to ensure population viability. Careful monitoring of black bear populations also is essential to ensure their continued existence over the long term.

Finally, there is a paucity of information about specific habitat needs for several bat species and the influence of different silvicultural treatments on their populations.