Everglades National Park (EVER), established in 1947, and Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY), established in 1974, are two large conservation areas managed by the National Park Service (NPS) in South Florida. Information on small and medium-sized mammals on these lands is essential for effective protection and management of these species, but prior to 2007, these lands had not been inventoried since the 1950s and little information was available about the mammal species that occurred there. Many factors, both natural and anthropogenic, threaten mammal species in EVER and BICY. Changes in hydrology and habitat as well as threats such as direct competition with and predation by invasive species (i.e., Burmese pythons, Python molurus bivittatus) may affect populations. To address this knowledge gap, an inventory of small and medium-sized mammals was conducted in Everglades National Park (EVER) and Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) from 2007-2009.

Everglades National Park (EVER), established in 1947, and Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY), established in 1974, are two large conservation areas managed by the National Park Service (NPS) in South Florida. Information on small and medium-sized mammals on these lands is essential for effective protection and management of these species, but prior to 2007, these lands had not been inventoried since the 1950s and little information was available about the mammal species that occurred there. Many factors, both natural and anthropogenic, threaten mammal species in EVER and BICY. Changes in hydrology and habitat as well as threats such as direct competition with and predation by invasive species (i.e., Burmese pythons, Python molurus bivittatus) may affect populations. To address this knowledge gap, an inventory of small and medium-sized mammals was conducted in Everglades National Park (EVER) and Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) from 2007-2009.

Mid-sized mammals (i.e., mesomammals) fulfill important ecological roles, serving as essential scavengers, predators, pollinators, and seed dispersers in the ecosystems they inhabit. Consequently, declines in mesomammal populations have the potential to disrupt ecological processes and degrade ecosystems. However, ecosystems characterized by high functional redundancy, where multiple species can fulfill similar ecological roles, may be less impacted by the loss of mesomammals and other vertebrates. The Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida is a historically biodiverse region that has recently been impacted by multiple anthropogenic threats, most notably the introduction of the Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Since pythons became established, mesomammal populations have become greatly reduced. To assess whether these declines in mesomammals have affected two critical ecosystem functions—scavenging and frugivory—we conducted experiments in areas where mesomammals were present and absent. After passive sampling had concluded at each site, we conducted scavenging and frugivory experiments to quantify how mesomammal presence affected frugivory and scavenging rates. To assess these processes, we monitored the persistence of carrion and fruit using motion triggered cameras. We reviewed photos to identify species and determine if they consumed carrion/fruit. To quantify scavenging rates, we secured carrion to a 40 x 40 cm board at each station and recorded detection time (the elapsed time between deployment and the first scavenger’s arrival) and consumption time (the elapsed time between deployment and the complete consumption of the carcass).

Mid-sized mammals (i.e., mesomammals) fulfill important ecological roles, serving as essential scavengers, predators, pollinators, and seed dispersers in the ecosystems they inhabit. Consequently, declines in mesomammal populations have the potential to disrupt ecological processes and degrade ecosystems. However, ecosystems characterized by high functional redundancy, where multiple species can fulfill similar ecological roles, may be less impacted by the loss of mesomammals and other vertebrates. The Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida is a historically biodiverse region that has recently been impacted by multiple anthropogenic threats, most notably the introduction of the Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Since pythons became established, mesomammal populations have become greatly reduced. To assess whether these declines in mesomammals have affected two critical ecosystem functions—scavenging and frugivory—we conducted experiments in areas where mesomammals were present and absent. After passive sampling had concluded at each site, we conducted scavenging and frugivory experiments to quantify how mesomammal presence affected frugivory and scavenging rates. To assess these processes, we monitored the persistence of carrion and fruit using motion triggered cameras. We reviewed photos to identify species and determine if they consumed carrion/fruit. To quantify scavenging rates, we secured carrion to a 40 x 40 cm board at each station and recorded detection time (the elapsed time between deployment and the first scavenger’s arrival) and consumption time (the elapsed time between deployment and the complete consumption of the carcass).

We used Sherman live traps to capture and mark rodents in the Picayune Strand State Forest between October 2014 and April 2016 (IACUC permit USGS/SESC 2014-12). We selected areas to trap small mammals within the major vegetative types within Picayune Strand State Forest: cypress, pine, hardwood hammock, and wet prairie. We trapped in paired “restored” and “unrestored” areas of each habitat type. Drainage canals in PSSF have been recorded to reduce the water table up from 1.6 – 4.8 km away (Chuirazzi and Duever 2008). Areas considered “restored” were within 1.4 km of Prairie Canal , which was plugged in 2007. Areas considered “unrestored” were at least 8.5 km from the easterly Prairie Canal, in areas that are heavily drained by existing canals. Plugging Merritt canal which runs parallel to and is to the west of Prairie canal, was completed in 2015, between sampling years; however, Merritt is 5.4 km from the nearest unrestored trapping grid so hydrologic restoration to the region surrounding Merritt would not impact the unrestored trapping grids. Water levels (stage) are consistently higher in the restored areas.

Everglades National Park (EVER) protects 610,502 ha of natural areas at the extreme southern tip of Florida. EVER consists primarily of shallow seasonal wetland habitats including marshes, sloughs, cypress forests, and mangrove forests. In addition, a portion of the park consists of upland habitat; primarily pine forests and tropical hardwood hammocks. These habitats combined make up a heterogeneous matrix of open grasslands and forested wetlands and uplands. An inventory of amphibian species in Everglades National Park was conducted during 2000 to 2003. The goals of the project were to create a georeferenced inventory of amphibian species, use new analytical techniques to estimate proportion of sites occupied by each species, look for any signs of amphibian decline (missing species, disease, die-offs, etc.), and to establish a protocol that could be used for future monitoring efforts. Primary survey methods were visual encounter surveys (VES) and vocalization surveys but trapping and PVC pipe refugia were used as well.

Everglades National Park (EVER) protects 610,502 ha of natural areas at the extreme southern tip of Florida. EVER consists primarily of shallow seasonal wetland habitats including marshes, sloughs, cypress forests, and mangrove forests. In addition, a portion of the park consists of upland habitat; primarily pine forests and tropical hardwood hammocks. These habitats combined make up a heterogeneous matrix of open grasslands and forested wetlands and uplands. An inventory of amphibian species in Everglades National Park was conducted during 2000 to 2003. The goals of the project were to create a georeferenced inventory of amphibian species, use new analytical techniques to estimate proportion of sites occupied by each species, look for any signs of amphibian decline (missing species, disease, die-offs, etc.), and to establish a protocol that could be used for future monitoring efforts. Primary survey methods were visual encounter surveys (VES) and vocalization surveys but trapping and PVC pipe refugia were used as well.

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) requires the use of ecological indicators to measure the success of restoration efforts. The Everglades amphibian community is ideal because amphibians are present in all habitats and under all hydrologic regimes. During Everglades restoration, hydrologic patterns will change and the response of ecological indicators will determine success. Fourteen amphibian species were detected through visual encounter surveys, vocalization surveys and trapping methods throughout the study and the occurrence information collected in this project database.

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) requires the use of ecological indicators to measure the success of restoration efforts. The Everglades amphibian community is ideal because amphibians are present in all habitats and under all hydrologic regimes. During Everglades restoration, hydrologic patterns will change and the response of ecological indicators will determine success. Fourteen amphibian species were detected through visual encounter surveys, vocalization surveys and trapping methods throughout the study and the occurrence information collected in this project database.

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) requires the use of ecological indicators to measure the success of restoration efforts. The Everglades amphibian community is ideal because amphibians are present in all habitats and under all hydrologic regimes. During Everglades restoration, hydrologic patterns will change and the response of ecological indicators will determine success. Fourteen amphibian species were detected through visual encounter surveys, vocalization surveys and trapping methods throughout the study and the occurrence information collected in this project database.