REV97888 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Kent A. Gorham Page Seven February 1, 1993 General Wildlife The overall value of the existing reclamation for wildlife, compared to the premine condition is somewhat subjective. This is especially true unless there are specific species that have been selected by which success can be measured. That is one of the reasons key species are selected. As discussed in the previous sections, the measured parameters for those key species (i.e. elk and Golden Eagles) (identified as of most concern during premine negotiations with the regulatory agencies) indicate that the populations of these species are as healthy now as they were premine. Therefore, CYCC believes it is fair to state that the overall value of the existing reclamation is excellent. However, if the species used to judge the value of the reclamation is changed the reclamation's value will certainly change. For example, if the key species were changed to a forest nesting migratory songbird then the existing reclamation would have little value. If the key species was a migratory songbird adapted to edges then the reclamation would still have value but not as much as premine vegetation. If the key species were a grassland nesting migratory songbird, then the value of the reclamation would be much better than the premine vegetation. Even the reduction of edge benefits' some species. A number of studies have shown abnormal numbers of mammalian and avian nest predators near edges. Predation rates are so high sometimes, especially near the ground, that virtually all ground-nesting species have declined or disappeared from large areas (Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds Edited by John M. Hagan III and David W. Johnston 1992). The above referenced document also lists a second major cause of migratory songbird nest failure as cowbird parasitism. Evidently Brown-headed Cowbirds have increased tremendously and greatly expanded their range at the expense of other birds due to habitat fragmentation. These birds flourish along edges. The previously sited reference points out that in some parts of the country some forest-dwelling species have increased while some open-habitat species have decreased. From this broader perspective a couple square miles of grassland may be as valuable as the premine mosaic. Some have implied that species diversity should be the standard by which wildlife value should be assessed. However, even biodiversity needs to be evaluated from a broad not a narrow perspective. As a case in point, evaluation of songbird data collected at CYCC as mitigation for the LMCT (Final Report Bird - Vegetation Associations On The Little Middle Creek Tract, Virgil Scott 1986) shows that the number of species and total number of songbirds along edges and in tree and shrub habitats is significantly higher than on reclaimed areas. However, there are healthy populations of grassland species on reclamation not found on the tree and shrub dominated habitats. A number of other studies have also found that forest and particular edges support greater densities and higher numbers of species than grasslands,