Some reptiles, amphibians, and fishes in the southeastern U.S. are declining. The reasons for these declines are not fully understood, but loss of suitable habitat might be a contributing factor.
Some species are endemic to the longleaf pine-sandhill communities and are found nowhere else.
There is a dire need for this information so that refuge management plans can include strategies to protect selected species, if present. During spring and summer of 1999, we will inventory the herps and fishes at the refuge using standard survey techniques. Species lists with specific map location information will be prepared for use by refuge personnel in developing management plans for the refuge. This is a one-year inventory.