# Presentation: 061647

## Gap Analysis of Special FeaturesGeneral Discussion and a Case Study:Amphibians and Mammals of West Virginia Caves

- Gap Analysis of Special FeaturesGeneral Discussion and a Case Study:Amphibians and Mammals of West Virginia Caves

- Jacquelyn M. Strager
- Charles B. Yuill

- West Virginia Gap Analysis
- West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
- Biological Resources Discipline
- U.S. Geological Survey

## Introduction

- WV-GAP Project
- Work performed at Natural Resource Analysis Center, West Virginia University
- In cooperation with West Virginia Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
- Final CD-ROM, datasets, and report complete

## Highlights of WV-GAP
Gap analysis of 310 vertebrates, 124 butterflies
Special habitat model for wetland/riparian reptiles & amphibians
Supplemental Gap Analysis of cave species
Gaps in protection tended to include open, edge habitat species

- Gap analysis of 310 vertebrates, 124 butterflies
- Special habitat model for wetland/riparian reptiles & amphibians
- Supplemental Gap Analysis of cave species
- Gaps in protection tended to include open, edge habitat species

- Gap Analysis in West Virginia

## The Gap Analysis Process

- The different steps in the Gap Analysis process can each incorporate uncertainty into final results

- Stewardship Map

- Land Cover/ Habitat Map

- Species Range Maps

- Habitat Relationship Database

- Predicted Distribution Map

- “Gaps” or Conservation Needs

## Limitation of statewide habitat maps:

- Solutions:
- Assume features are present
- Identify species requiring additional site-specific modeling
- “**Special features” analysis – various methods**

- Classified satellite imagery cannot capture certain special habitat features

- Land Cover/Habitat Map

## Gap Analysis of Special Features

- Examples of “Special” habitat features:
- Relatively small features such as snags, springs, vernal pools, specific tree species, rock outcrops, larval host plants (butterflies)
- Linear features such as riparian areas
- Other features such as cliffs, karst and/or limestone geology, caves, shale barrens

## 1.  Incorporating Special Features

- Description
- Special habitat features can be mapped independently and then “burned in” to final remotely sensed habitat map
- Examples
-   Riparian corridors
-   Major highways

## 2.  Mapping Special Features

- Description
- Creation of additional statewide habitat features map, in addition to standard remotely-sensed map.  Map used in predictive distribution mapping for certain species only.
- Example
-   WV-GAP wetland/riparian
-    species habitat model
-   Used for certain WV herps

## 3.  Gap Analysis of Special Features

- Description
- Unique opportunities may arise to map and analyze the conservation status of special habitat features in addition to standard gap analysis.
- Examples
-   Deer wintering habitat (ME-GAP)
-   Species associated with caves (WV-GAP)

## Case Study – WV Caves Gap Analysis

- Gap analysis of WV caves
- Additional Gap Analysis of mammals and amphibians associated with caves in WV.
- Made possible by data availability:
-   WHR database included cave habitats
-   Statewide map of caves for WV
-   Database of cave access (stewardship)

## Methods

- Determine species to be analyzed:
- 16 mammals
- 8 amphibians
- Obtain cave data:
- Location
- Stewardship status
- Predict cave distribution for all species
- Conduct gap analysis by species

- NSS Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve, GA

## Data

## Cave Stewardship Results

**Gap Status**

**Num. Caves**

**Cave **
**Stewardship**

**Description of **
**Cave Access**

- 1

- 6

- Federal, State, or TNC

- Permanently closed

- 2

- 16

- Federal, State, or TNC

- Seasonally closed

- 2

- 3

- TNC, private

- Limited to conservation/study

- 2

- 4

- Private/other

- Permanently closed

- 3

- 18

- Private/other

- Access denied/physically blocked

- 3

- 1

- Private/other including commercial

- Access limited for other reasons (commercial)

- 4

- 484

- Unknown/other *

- Unknown

- * Status assigned based on Grotto data, not Gap stewardship

## Cave Species Sample Results

| Species | Total Caves | Status 1 & 2 | Percent 
Status 1 & 2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WV spring salamander | 1 | 1 | 100 % |
| Cave salamander | 269 | 4 | 1.5 % |
| Indiana myotis | 498 | 26 | 5.2 % |
| Raccoon | 532 | 29 | 5.4 % |

## Gap Analysis of WV Caves

- Discussion of results
- Analysis of results must consider other aspects of species biology
- Current species management may or may not consider the importance of cave habitats depending on the species
- Some datasets (such as cave locations) are considered sensitive information, with implications for data distribution

## Gap Analysis of WV Caves

- Application of results
- Additional gap analysis of WV caves offered the opportunity to expand information & results included in the WV-GAP final report
- Information may assist cooperators in management planning & coordination

## Conclusions

- Gap analysis of “special” features...
- Many possible means of incorporating special features
- May help answer some of the challenges of Gap Analysis
- Takes advantage of unique data opportunities for state/region
- May serve as additional screening tool to identify additional data & mapping needs

## BAT MOVIE

**Virginia Big-Eared Bat Infrared Video**
*From WV Division of Natural Resources*