A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

landscape. Small, fragmented, and isolated natural community remnants are more susceptible to
anthropogenic influences because of a host of size-dependent factors. Natural processes that
historically influenced the larger landscape areas of which these remnants originally were a part
are more easily disrupted (e.g., fire on prairies no longer sweep over large areas). A small natural
area also has a greater ratio of edge to area as compared to a large natural area. Often, these
edges abut disturbed land from which exotic species can invade and out-compete native species.
Edges also are favored by predators (e.g., cats, raccoons, skunks) and parasites (e.g., cowbirds) of
nesting songbirds and other small vertebrates.”
5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of this and previous studies of the biota and natural environment of FLMR,
the following recommendations are offered to help maintain and enhance the biodiversity of the
installation (some of these recommendations are updates of those proposed in Freeman et al.
1997). Recommendations fall into one of three general categories: land management,
education/promotion, and future studies. Recommendations for land management are based on
the best professional judgment of the scientific staff preparing this report and range from
recommendations for immediate action to steps that can be implemented in the future. We
strongly recommend efforts to enhance recreational and educational opportunities on FLMR by
improving the public’s knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the natural environment
at the site. Lastly, there are gaps in our knowledge of the natural environment at FLMR, and we
have identified several activities that, if completed, would provide information valuable to
natural resource management, including public education and recreational opportunities.
Our knowledge of the biota of FLMR is far from complete. Several data gaps were identified
during the course of this study. The following recommendations are intended to allow some of
these information gaps to be filled, thereby yielding a more complete picture of the ecosystems
and species on FLMR and assisting us in our efforts to inform better the public and installation
personnel about the significance of these natural resources.
Recommendation 1. A comprehensive conservation and resource management plan should be
developed for FLMR. It should identify the priorities and principal stake-holders for the
maintenance and use of biodiversity on FLMR, evaluate all existing management practices,
and identify new initiatives targeted to preservation and enhancement of natural resources.
An essential aspect of this plan should be a comprehensive review of existing land management
policies and practices on the installation. The plan should examine all major management issues
that affect native and naturalized species and natural communities, including silvicultural
practices, burning, road construction, infrastructure development, herbicide and pesticide use,
mowing, recreational use (e.g., hiking, horse riding, hunting, bird watching, and mushroom
hunting), and agricultural practices. FLMR is updating an Integrated Natural Resource
Management Plan for the site (estimated completion in 2004) and that document should address
these issues.
Recommendation 2. The timber harvest policy on FLMR should be formalized in light of
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