Candidates for listing, locally rare or uncommon species, species in population decline, or species with specialized requirements are considered sensitive. They may be significant resources because of local public perceptions and concerns. They may also be important components in local and regional analyses of biodiversity.
Not just a single species, but nearly an entire taxa can be considered sensitive, e.g., neotropical migrants, amphibians and reptiles, and bats and other pollinating species. With rising interest in these groups come sources of data and ideas.
Partners in Flight (PIF) http://www.partnersinflight.org/ maintains lists and information on neotropical migrants and other landbirds. They provide pages on Bird Conservation Planning, Conservation Plans, links to Species Accounts, and news items. More on PIF here, or contact Rich Fischer in the ERDC Environmental Laboratory at: Richard.A.Fischer@erdc.usace.army.mil; he is the Corps of Engineers representative to PIF. Rich has written a summary of the conservation planning process to date, including conservation criteria and physiographic regions, which can be found here. These regions will play a larger and more coordinated role in conservation for many bird groups in the near future.
The American Bird Conservancy http://www.abcbirds.org provides links to the following additional bird initiatives (also reached via http://www.partnersinflight.org/directory/):
· North American Bird Conservation Initiative
· The North American Waterfowl Management Plan and Joint Ventures
· North American Colonial Waterbird Conservation Plan
· Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
· U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan
· American Bird Conservancy Policy Council
· Game Bird Conservation Groups
Amphibians and Reptiles
Amphibians are considered sensitive because of permeable skin that ties them closely to their environment, a lifestyle that often requires multiple habitat types (water in proximity to riparian or terrestrial systems), and recent increases in diseases and abnormalities. Because the Corps' responsibilities often cross the boundary between water and dry land, amphibians are of special interest. Some reptile species require proximity of water and dry land for successful reproduction. Reptiles also continue to encounter pressures from human development and negative attitudes. That situation is showing some signs of change, but those signs are still so rare as to make a photo opportunity.
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) http://www.parcplace.org/ is a coordinating effort to improve conservation for the animals and their habitats. Web information is strong on educational materials and includes proceedings from five conferences. A review article from BioScience describing reasons for declines in reptiles is recommended reading for looking at whether reptiles may be of concern with a Corps activity: http://www.parcplace.org/documents/GeneralHerpInfo/reptile_decline1.htm.
More on PARC here or contact Dena Dickerson in the ERDC Environmental Laboratory, Dena.D.Dickerson@erdc.usace.army.mil for expertise on reptiles and amphibians.
Pollinators
One of the animal groups of concern is pollinators, which include bats, bees, flies, moths, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds, and many other organisms. They perform an under-appreciated service. A short article by Olwen Woodier for the National Wildlife Federation that explains some of the concerns can be found here. Her article also contains sections titled "Creating a Pollinator Garden" and "Create Artificial Nests for Bees".
The Pollinator Conservation Consortium is a collaboration of several organizations that focus on education, management, and restoration of habitat for pollinators. They are finding that work with pollinators is a good way to engage the public in conservation projects. Butterflies and hummingbirds are particularly charismatic; projects with a component for pollinators may increase local interest and participation.
Bat Conservation International is one of many organizations that has formed for special conservation purposes. Their Web page http://www.batcon.org/ is a major source of data and management suggestions. Bats in bridges, buildings, and mines; echolocation and bat detectors; and rabies and bats are some of the topics that may be helpful. Contact Chester Martin at the ERDC Environmental Laboratory at: Chester.O.Martin@erdc.usace.army.mil for additional information.
Another Web site with many valuable links is that of the U.S. Geological Survey, http://www.mesc.nbs.gov/links/bat_web_sites.html.
Find additional species information here on birds, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals.