| Bird
Survey |
The
Breeding bird study is in its third and final year. Including
in this survey is the documentation of grouse leks (dancing
grounds) as well as nighttime owl surveys, the roadside breeding
bird survey and 5 off-road breeding bird surveys. To
date over 110 bird species have been documented in the
Park during
the breeding season, with 81 species confirmed as breeders. |
| Small
Mammal Survey |
The
small mammal survey is in its second year of study. To
date at least 19 species of small mammals have been confirmed
in the Park (not including bats). By the end of the field season,
it is projected that 90% of the small mammal species found in
the Park will have been identified. Research is also being
conducted on the northern flying squirrel to determine the home
range of the species within Wind Cave National Park. To
date 4 individual flying squirrels have been radio-collared
and their movement tracked. The northern flying squirrel is
on the South Dakota Natural Heritage list. Funding was
received from the Black Hills Parks and Forest Association. |
| Prairie
Dog Research |
A
graduate student from Colorado State University has started
a three-year research project on the effects of fragmentation
on the population genetics of the black-tailed prairie dog.
Genetic variability within and among populations at Wind Cave
National Park and three other locations will be measured.
Disease issues such as plague are also being addressed. |
| Tiger
Salamander Survey |
Resource
Management is continuing with the monitoring of tiger salamander
populations around the Bison Flats pond. High concentrations
of the salamander have been found in this area since 1996.
This year the numbers are down possibly due to the decrease
in precipitation. |
| Carrion
Beetle Survey |
The
survey will be conducted during the first part of August.
This survey will identify species found within the Park and
will help determine their relative abundance, as well of increase
entomological knowledge within the Park. |
| Non-Native
Plants |
The
Resource Management staff continues to work aggressively and
diligently to address non-native invasive plant issues with
the Park. Canada thistle and leafy spurge have been treated
by bio-control (bugs), mowing and pulling. All known areas
with spotted knapweed, tansy, and bouncing bet have been pulled.
Other species addressed include bull, musk and scotch thistle,
henbane, and houndstongue. The list of non-natives now
number close to 100. |
| Air
Quality |
The
Park received an Air Quality Station as part of an EPA push
to monitor regional haze. Weekly monitoring has been conducted
since January. Weekly ozone data is also being collected
through the spring and summer months. |
| Bison
Genetics Research |
The
Project was begun in October 1999. This research is part
of a three year, five park, project to look at hair and blood
samples to determine genetic makeup of the herds. This
is a joint project with Texas A&M, NPS and the Biological
Resources Division of USGS. |
| Miscellaneous
Projects |
The
Resource Management staff continues to monitor the water quality
of the three streams within the Park. The sediment load
in Beaver Creek appears to be improving. The GPS documentation
of over 70 known spring sites located within the Park will be
completed this year. Monitoring of the Park pronghorn
populations will continue by surveying in July and August. |
