|a n u a ^ 9 , 2013
^ o rtla n b (©bseruer
Page 9
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East County
Beaverton
Alberta
North Portland
Portland Parks & Recreation has published a new study on Forest Park revealing an inventory of dozens of mammal species and more than 100 bird specie
Forest Park’s Wildlife Diversity
Inventory
provides tool for
managing asset
Portland Parks and Recreation
has completed an inventory of wild­
life in Forest Park, one of the largest
urban parks in America.
Wildlife biologist John Deshler
says the study aimed to investigate
not only the types of animals present
in Forest Park, but if they are abun­
dant, the threats they face, and de­
termine knowledge gaps that may
exist.
The park contains 45 species of
mammals ranging from tiny deer mice
to towering elk. Many of them are
not always obvious, since they are
either nocturnal, burrowing, or tend
to hide under shrubs.
M am m als living in Forest Park
in c lu d e s h re w s , c h ip m u n k s ,
skunks, porcupine, elk, bobcats,
coyotes, w easels, ten types of
- Emily Roth, Senior Environmental Plann
bats, and the rare m ountain bea­
for Portland Parks and Recreation
ver (native only to the Northw est
and previously unseen in the park evident, including owls, woodpeck- decline and others have disappeared
for decades).
ers, and bald eagles. Nearly three from the park, including grouse and
More than 100 bird species are dozen common bird species are in quail.
The study is a strong baseline fo r park
stewards to plan future park research
and management efforts. Some species
that are gone today may be good
candidates fo r réintroduction. And there
is still much to learn about insects in
Forest Park.
The study also provides the first
comprehensive look at invertebrate
animal species in the park, with more
than 400 different species recorded.
Beetles and moths make up at least
340 of the 400 species.
“The study is a strong baseline
for park stewards to plan future park
research and management efforts,”
says Emily Roth, senior environ­
mental planner for Portland Parks
and Recreation “Some species that
are gone today may be good candi­
dates for réintroduction. And there
is still much to learn about insects in
Forest Park.”