• Topics: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | Observing and Monitoring Wildlife | Tanner, George W | Schaefer, Joseph

Surveying Plants and Wildlife ¹

Periodically surveying the plant and wildlife species on your property will help you evaluate the success of your ecosystem conservation efforts. Success, of course, is a relative term. You first have to know what you wanted to accomplish before you can determine if you were successful. Plant and wildlife surveys will help you determine if a plant community, habitat values, or number of wildlife species on a particular site have changed over time.

Designing Surveys

Baseline Survey

Not all sites have the same habitat values one, two, three, or more years after your conservation practices begin. Each site is unique, and the only way to evaluate success of your efforts is to establish some baseline values to which comparisons can be made in the future.

Before you add plants and other habitat features, burn, or implement some other conservation practice, make a baseline survey or inventory of the site. Data should be collected on both the plant and animal components of the area. It is important to develop standard measuring techniques to use at regular intervals so comparisons across years, and in some situations, among different areas within a site, will be meaningful.

For example, are more wildlife species found in areas where there are more species of plants or in the areas of greatest canopy cover?

Survey Schedule

Surveys can be conducted for one week during each season as well as annually so comparisons can be made. Plants do not move around, so they can be surveyed in a single day. Animals do move and their activity patterns are impacted by daily weather conditions. That's why several days of sampling are needed to determine which species are present. A survey schedule might consist of preparing the survey equipment and, if necessary, setting the traps on Monday and then checking the traps and conducting the surveys on Tuesday through Friday.

Each survey should be conducted at the same place every time it is repeated ( i.e., each season or each year). You will need to prepare a map showing the locations of all survey sites.

Surveying Plants

Plants are the most dominant features of any ecosystem: Their composition, diversity, and structure will directly affect which animals can live in a given area. Each wildlife species has certain requirements that must be present in an area.

For example, most woodpeckers need dead trees for food and cover. Therefore, they will be unlikely residents unless there are dead trees or at least dead branches on the site.

Other species, such as turkey, bobcats, deer, etc., need large areas of relatively undisturbed habitats.

There are a variety of ways you can survey plants and habitat types in your area to determine how suitable it is for wildlife.

Comparing to Natural Ecosystems

One way to develop an appreciation for plant growth and successional changes that will take place on your newly managed property is to visit a local, natural ecosystem of the type you plan to restore.

Many state parks are managed to maintain natural ecosystems and are good places to use as references. Notice the diversity and arrangement of plants. Unlike newly planted ecosystems, mature natural communities usually have several vertical layers of plants--tall trees, understory trees, shrubs; low herbaceous and grasslike plants. Every layer provides essential food and cover requirements for some wildlife species.

Observe and ask yourself: Are additional habitat elements such as dead trees, burrows, and water present?

Documenting with Photographs

Changes in the plants on your site should be documented with photographs taken at least annually. It's a good idea to establish permanent photo stations so that pictures always will be taken from the same direction. See Figure 1.

Figure 1. 

Set up a permanent photo station.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Try to include nonliving, unchanging permanent objects such as a building or a large, mature tree in the scene so that comparisons of plant size, abundance, type, etc., can be made relative to the object over time, as in Figure 2.

Figure 2. 

Photograph from this station annually.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Measuring Plant Density

The density (or thickness) of plants is an important habitat variable. Areas with dense vegetation have many hiding, nesting, and feeding places for a variety of animals. Density of plants within about 3 feet of the ground can be measured with a 3ft x 3ft-square piece of cardboard divided into 6 equal-sized boxes.

Hold this at permanent points (selected randomly by tossing pennies on your plan (map) as it is laying flat on a table) that will be used each time plant density measurements are made. An observer about 20 feet away stationed at a permanent observation point can estimate how many boxes have leaves, branches, or some other plant material in front of them. Compare your density figures among different areas and among years or seasons. This sampling procedure also can be used for shrub layer plants (3 to 6 feet above ground).

The foliage height diversity board is another device that can easily be used to measure the "thickness" of the vegetation. This technique calls for a person to stand at a fixed distance from a board and ocularly estimating the percent of the board covered by vegetation. Various shapes and sizes of boards can be used, but most are subdivided into black and white squares to help you estimated the amount of cover. One common shape is a 6ft long, 1" x 8" board, with each 1ft segment alternately painted black and white. The observer may wish to estimate foliage cover at different heights from the ground as some wildlife species require ground vegetation while others require vegetation in the 4ft to 10ft level, see Figure 3.

Figure 3. 

Use a foliage height diversity board.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Transects

The first transect can be located randomly by tossing a penny on your map as it is laying flat on a table and picking a direction (e.g., north-south or east-west). Try to arrange the transects so they are at least 30 feet long and mark both ends so you can return to the same place on subsequent sampling dates.

Percent of Area Covered by Different Types of Plants

The canopy or spread of each plant shades or covers a certain amount of ground under it. A fun way to measure canopy cover of the different layers of vegetation is by using a toilet paper roll and some string. Cut four slits in one end of the toilet paper roll and insert string into the slits so that the space at the end of the tube is divided into quarters. At each even number meter along each transect, look straight up and without moving your head put the toilet paper roll over one eye and record in how many quarters you can see leaves, branches, and other tree parts for the tall tree layer (e.g., 3 quarters=75%). Then do the same for the small tree and other layers. Another technique is to record the percentage of the transect line that is intercepted by the different vegetation layers. Use a copy of Table 1 to record your observations.

Woody Plants Along Transect

You can estimate plant variables for your entire ecosystem by measuring only the plants found in representative sample areas. These sample areas can be established along parallel transects (straight lines). Just do this: Walk along each side of these transects holding a yard stick parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the transect, as in Figure 4. Record data from all woody plants that the yard stick touches (See Table 2). Be sure to record which species are either in flower or producing fruit during each survey.

Figure 4. 

Estimate plant variables in a sample area, including woody, flowering or fruiting plants.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Surveying Animals

As the plant community in on your site changes over time, it will become less suitable for some wildlife species and more suitable for others. The best way to determine if your conservation practices have caused desirable changes in the wildlife community is to survey animals before--and at least every year after--installation. If more animals are detected after you begin your conservation practices, that would indicate that more food and cover needs of wildlife have become available as a result of your efforts.

You can take photos of each species--not every individual animal--and keep them in an album. Pictures of birds and other species that are difficult to photograph can be cut out of guidebooks and pasted on paper. A running tally of species surveyed on the site should be maintained with the date each new species is found using the ecosystem.

Invertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Small Mammals

There are about 30,000 non-aquatic invertebrates, 51 native amphibians, and 88 native reptile species in Florida.

Drift Fence

The most common survey technique for these animals is a two-bucket drift fence array (see Figure 5). You need: a shovel, two 5-gallon plastic buckets with lids, tin snips, a 10 ft. x 2 ft. board and a tropical fish net.

Figure 5. 

A popular critter counter: the drift fence.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

At a randomly determined point on your site, at least 15 feet from an edge (e.g., road, field, etc.), dig a hole about 2 ft. deep and 1 ft. wide. Make 1/4-inch holes in the bottom of the buckets by drilling or hammering a nail or screwdriver. Place one of the 5-gallon buckets in the hole so the top edge is level with the ground. (The holes in the bucket bottoms help rain water run out so captured animals will not drown.) Cut a ½-inch slot about 4 inches deep in the rim of the bucket with tin snips. Dig a 10-ft. long trench about 4 inches deep out from the slit in the bucket. Lay the board next to the trench to determine where to dig a hole for the other bucket (about 4 inches closer to the first bucket than the length of the panel). Dig a hole for the second bucket, cut a slot in its rim, stand the panel on its side in the trench and in the slots in the two buckets, and backfill dirt against both sides. Support the board in the middle with a stake or two if need be.

When animals walk or crawl up to your drift fence, they will turn one way or the other and then end up in one of the buckets. If your area is large enough, you can place several bucket arrays in different microhabitats (e.g., shaded and unshaded) so you can see if different species live in different areas.

Shade each bucket with its lid or a board elevated at least 6 inches above the ground to allow for entry of larger animals such as box turtles. Keep lids on buckets. Or, if you are not going to check their contents within 24 hours, remove the lids. Place a damp sponge in the bottom of the buckets so captured animals won't dry out.

Remove caught animals with a tropical fish net. Do not handle caught animals with your hands. Some animals, such as scorpions, can give you a serious sting or bite. After you have identified the animal, taken a picture if it is a new species, and collected all the data (see Table 3), release the critter at least 10 feet away from the bucket.

PVC Pipe

Plastic 1-1/2 inch PVC pipe is a useful tool for surveying treefrogs. Push a 4-ft. pipe vertically into the ground about a foot deep until it is standing firm and will not fall over. Checked the contents later by looking down into the pipe with the aid of a flashlight.

Time-constrained Surveys

Time-constrained surveys also can be conducted on each study site in an attempt to find animals (such as large snakes) that are less susceptible to bucket traps. This involves moving through the site turning logs, inspecting retreats, and watching for surface-active species. Record all animals observed during these surveys. Also, be sure to return logs and stumps to their original positions after turning.

Mammals

There are 94 native species of mammals in Florida.

Squirrels

Tree squirrels observed at any time on the site can be recorded. Squirrels are most active and more likely to be observed during morning hours.

Track Stations

You don't have to capture larger mammals to record their presence on your site. Medium-sized mammals such as raccoon, opossum, and fox can be censused with track stations.

A track station consists of a bare soil area or a plywood board about 3-feet in diameter or 3-feet square covered with a layer of fine dirt, sand, or flour (to better detect prints) and baited in the center with a cotton ball immersed in fish emulsion and placed on a stick pushed into the ground (See Figure 6).

Figure 6. 

Baited track stations are simple, useful.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

You can also make plaster of Paris casts of the tracks. Other signs of critters such as scat, hair, and dens on your site also should be noted.

Deer

Deer abundance can be monitored using track count surveys. Disk ¼ to 1 mile stretches along sandy, unvegetated roads the evening prior to recording the number of individuals crossing the strip the next morning. Drag the road after each count and repeat for at least three consecutive nights.

Birds

About 473 native bird species can be found in Florida. Some of these are year-round residents and others only visit during the winter.

Stationary Counts

Use this method to most effectively detects birds in various layers of vegetation. Select locations that will give you the best chance of detecting birds on the site. Permanently mark count stations outside and on a map to assure reuse consistency.

Usually, at least one station located about 50 feet from the edge of a small site (e.g., on an urban or suburban lot) will give you an opportunity to see birds using the site without scaring them away. Survey at this station first. See Figure 7. Then go onto the site to survey at one or more stations. Space your stations about 300 feet apart.

Figure 7 . 

If your site is smaller, then only use one station. Approach each station quietly. Wait five minutes at the station for the birds to get used to you before counting. Then record all birds seen for the next five minutes. If you do not see a bird, but recognize the call or song of a familiar species, such as a crow or quail, record that also. (Making these counts during the spring when male bobwhite quail are calling to attract mates is an excellent means of monitoring year-to-year trends in quail abundance.)

Bird counts should begin as close to sunrise as possible on calm, clear mornings when possible. Surveys should be conducted four consecutive days of each season (fall, winter, spring). Flying birds should be counted only if they appear to be using the census area, not merely passing by it. You can also record additional data such as nest locations. If you detect singing (territorial) males, nesting behavior (carrying twigs or insects), actual nests, or fledgling birds you can consider this evidence of breeding.

Incidental and Night Surveys

Incidental observations made between bird counts and while checking traps can be beneficial for recording a number of relatively secretive species such as ovenbirds, and hummingbirds. Night-censuses can be conducted to detect owls, chuck-wills-widow and other nocturnal birds. See Table 5.

19 of the Most Common Birds

You do not have to be able to recognize all 473 species of birds to conduct meaningful surveys. We recommend that you should try to be able to identify at least the following 19 most common birds in Florida (see Table 4).

These species will not all use the same habitat elements in your ecosystem. Some are cavity-nesters, some feed on the ground, and others prefer to stay up in the tops of tall trees. Their presence indicates that certain habitat requirements are available in your ecosystem.

Materials Lists

Materials for Plant Surveys

Camera

Yard-stick

Two 30-ft. measuring tape

Diameter tape

Density board

Materials for Wildlife Surveys

Drift Fence

Two 5-gallon buckets (with lids preferred)

One 10-ft. long x 2-ft. wide board

Tropical fish net

Shovels

Hammer and large nail

Tin snips

Treefrogs

4-ft. long, 1-½-inch diameter PVC pipe

Mammal track stations

Fish emulsion (from plant stores)

Cotton ball

Fine dirt or cooking flour

Birds

Binoculars

Useful References

Bird Guide for Florida Species

Kale, H. W. II, and D. S. Maehr. 1990. Florida's Birds. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL

Amphibian and Reptile Guides for Florida Species

Ashton, R.E., Jr. and P.S. Ashton. 1981. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Part One: The Snakes. Windward Publishing Co., Miami, FL.

Ashton, R.E., Jr. and P.S. Ashton. 1981. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Part Two: Lizards, Turtles, and Crocodilians. Windward Publishing Co., Miami, FL.

Ashton, R.E., Jr. and P.S. Ashton. 1981. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Part Three: The Amphibians. Windward Publishing Co., Miami, FL.

The Golden Nature Guide Series

Publisher: Golden Press, c/o Western Publishing Co., Racine, WI

Authors: various

Titles:

• Golden Guide to Birds

• Golden Guide to Reptiles

• Golden Guide to Mammals

• Golden Guide to Weeds

• Golden Guide to Nonflowering Plants

• Golden Guide to Flowers

• Golden Guide to Trees

The Golden Field Guide Series

Publisher: Golden Press, c/o Western Publishing Co., Racine, WI

Authors: various

Titles:

• Birds of North America

• Amphibians of North America

• Reptiles of North America

• Trees of North America

The Peterson Field Guide Series

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA

Authors: various

Titles:

• A Field Guide to the Birds

• A Field Guide to Bird Nests (found east of the Mississippi River)

• A Field Guide to the Mammals

• A Field Guide to Animal Tracks

• A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the United States and Canada East of the 100 ^th Meridian

• A Field Guide to the Ferns and Their Related Families of Northeastern and Central North America

National Audubon Field Guide Series

Publisher: Chanticleer Press, New York, NY

Authors: various

Titles:

• Birds (Eastern Region)

• Mammals

• Reptiles and Amphibians

• North American Trees

• Wildflowers (Eastern Region)

Other Plant Identification Books

Bell, C. R. and B. J. Taylor. 1982. Florida Wild Flowers and Roadside Plants. Laurel Hill Pres, Chapel Hill, NC.

Foote, L. E. and L. B Jones, Jr. 1989. Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southeast. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Duncan, W. H. and M. B. Duncan. 1988. Trees of the Southeastern United States. Univ. Georgia Press, Athens, GA.

Plants as Wildlife Food

Martin, A. C., H. S. Zim, and A. L. Nelson. 1951. American Wildlife & Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, NY.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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