Mammals of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: a Literature and Museum Survey

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers U.S. Department of the Interior 2002 Mammals of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: A Literature and Museum Survey Jerran T. Flinders Brigham Young University - Utah Duke S. Rogers Brigham Young University - Utah Jackee L. Webber-Alston Brigham Young University - Utah Harry A. Barber Bureau of Land Management Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usblmpub Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons Flinders, Jerran T.; Rogers, Duke S.; Webber-Alston, Jackee L.; and Barber, Harry A., "Mammals of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: A Literature and Museum Survey" (2002). U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers. 34. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usblmpub/34 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of the Interior at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist 1, Q 2002, pp. 1-64 MAMMALS OFTHE GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT: A LITERATURE AND MUSEUM SURVEY Jerran T. Flindersl, Duke S. Rogersl.2, Jackee L. Webber-Alstonl, and Harry A. Barbe6 ABSTRACT.-This is the 6rst treatment of the mammals of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). GSENM was estabiished in 1996 as a 1.7-million-acre (680,000-ha) federal land reserve under the jurisdic- taon of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). To successfully manage this new monument, the BLM is presently developing a management action plan. To provide infonnation for the proper mawgement of +species of the area, we have reviewed background iiterature br each mammal potentiaiiy found within the Monument boundmies. We propose that a wre area, sumunded by a bder matrix, be used in GSENM and surmundllig public lands to preserve ecologicai pmsses in their natural state. One hundred thvteen mammalian spe&s are categoM as hiiows: 82 wn- temporary species, 21 species questionably present, 4 introduced species reportediy in tbe Monument, and 6 historicai species. Altogether, potentiaiiy 107 rnamrnalian species exist there currendy. Of 82 contempomy species, 11 are listed in the Utah State Sensitive Species List, 1in the Convention on the International Ende in EnbgedSpecies of Wdd Fiora and Fauna (CmS), and 1 in the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red Book. Mammals listed under the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA) are noted when appiicable, as well as State of Utah iistings as endangered, htened, sensitive, or exthpated. For each mammalian species listed, we present in telegraphic style a life history account, sensi- tivity Status, and currentiy accepted nomenclature. Key W&: mammds, Crand Stuircase-Esahnte Nntfonol Monument, Utah, Mammalia, Rodentin, Cmnimra,Arüo- dactylu, Iwectiwa, Chiroptera ference. Such extraordinary flora potentially sustains unique species of animals. The Canyons As part of the Colorado Plateau, the Grand of Escalante are a maze of winding, comecting Staircase-Escalante National Monument (here- canyons of the Escalante River and its tribu- after referred to as GSENM or the Monument) taries. These riparian canyons are vital com- is a fascinating region, brimming with biodiver- dors for many animals and sanctuaries for sity. Little, however, is known of the mammals relict, isolatd plant communities (Visitor Infor- of the area, their distributions, and their popu- mation 1998). lation densities. The Grand Staircase-Esca- The GSENM spans biotic zones, from semi- lante area was established in 1996 under the arid deserts to coniferous forests, with sparse, Federal Antiquities Act as a 1.7-million-acre scattered water sources in between (Presiden- (688,000-ha) national monument under jurisdic- tial Proclamation 1996). The distinctness of tion of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). these zones allows unequaled opportunity for The Monument spans 3 distinct physiographic scientific and ecological study. Approximately regions of south central Utah (Fig. 1). The 880,000 acres (352,000 ha) of Wilderness Study Grand Staircase region is a series of multi-col- Areas exist to preserve the most remote areas ored cliffs, starting from the Grand Canyon rim within the Monument until a management and ascending about 5500 feet to the south- agenda is established. west. The "stairs" consist of the Pink CliEs, Few records exist on mammal collections Gray Cl&, White ClifFs, Vermillion ClifFs, and and sightings in GSENM. The earliest records Chocolate Cliffs. The Kaiparowits Plateau is a of mammalian wildlife in the Monument are remote area of mesas and steep ~18s.Because rock art (Fig. 2) left by ancient Native Arneri- of its remoteness, many species of plants have cans: bighorn sheep, deer, bison, and elk (Raw- evolved in isolation, away hom human inter- ley 1986). Although the Monument is given 'Department of Integrative Biology, Brigbam Young Univmity, bo,UT 84602. =Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum,Bn- Young Univenity, Fnwo, UT 84602. =Bineauof Land Management, 318 North 1st East, Kanab, UT 84741. 2 MONOGRAPHS OF THE WESTERN NORTH AMERICAN NATURALIST [No.1 Aspen (j) Ponderosa PineQ) Fig. 1. Three distinct physiographic regions of the Monument: Grand Staircase. Kaiparowits Plateau, and Canyons of Escalante. Escalante's name, the Dominguez-Escalante gated the Colorado River and bypassed the party of 1776 did not pass through the present border of the Monument en route to Arizona. boundaries of GSENM. Rather, the party by The discovery of gold in the late 1880s south passed present-day borders in southern Kane of Glen Canyon brought people farther into County. In this area they record eating "hares, the area. Speculation about geologic wealth of rabbits, and wild sheep." the region brought a later influx into the The first nonnative settlements in the region Kaiparowits area. Mineral exploration, such as were established by Mormon pioneers in the petroleum, began in the 1920s, with oil drilling early 1860s. Explorations by 2 of these pioneers, starting in 1921. The first significant drilling Jacob Hamblin and John D. Lee, aided in im in the Monument was in the Upper Valley proving knowledge of the area. John D. Lee incline in 1948. In the late 1950s Glen Canyon established the now abandoned settlements of Dam required better road access and U.S. Paria in 1870, one at the mouth of the Paria Highway 89 was constructed. This provided River in 1871, and Adairville in 1873. These accessibility to the GSENM, inasmuch as the sites are now located within the Monument. highway skirts around or through the southern In 1871 and 1886, John Wesley Powell navi- and western borders (Murdock et al. 1974). 2002] :\L\'~L\IALS OF GSEKyI 3 Fig. 2. Rock art found in GSE:'\M has contributed to knowledge of the cultures of early :\ative Americans who inhab ited the region. Presnall (1938) conducted a survey of the records of occurrence for the species are avail mammals in Zion National Park, Brvce Canyon able, these headings are not included. ~ ational Park, and the Cedar B~eaks a;eas surrounding the Monument. Durrant (1952) PRESE:\T STATUS OF GSENM surveyed throughout the state for mammalian occurrence, but relied heavily on Tanner's Three main controversial issues plague the (1940) small mammal work for the Kaiparowits new GSENM: (1) the designation of\Vildemess Plateau and Pari a River basin. Pritchett (1962) Study Areas \vithin the Monument, (2) exist collected mammals throughout Kane County. ing coal mining rights within the boundaries Raines (1976), Atwood and Pritchett (1974), of the :\'lonument, and (3) continuance of graz and Murdock et al. (1974) studied the fauna of ing allotments within the .Monument. The first all the Kaiparowits region. However, their col issue, wilderness designations, strongly influ lection sites were located primarily on the east ences the other 2 major issues and thus will be side of the Colorado River, and only 3 were first in this discussion. located in GSEN:\1. Hayward, Killp~ck, Cof VVildemess is herein defined (\Vildemess Act fery, and Pritchett (unpublished data) kept 1964) as any designated area "without perma mammalian population records in the area of nent improvements or human habitation" where the Monument between 1952 and 1960 as well. the "imprint of man's work is substantially More recently, survevs have been conducted unnoticeable" in contrast to areas where "man for chiropter;n species by the BLM in the and his O\vn works dominate the landscape." It summers of 1997 and 1998. In the following is also described as a place that "contains eco sections describing species in GSE~M, records logical, geological, or other scientific, educa of occurrence for each species are listed as tional, scenic, and historical value." \Ve propose Specimens Examined for museum records of that, to preserve biodiversity, wilderness areas specimens, and Additional Records for occur be designated based on the criteria discussed rences cited in the above literature. \Vhere no by Davidson et al. (1996). Davidson et al. (1996) 4 MONOGRAPHS OF THE WESTERN NORTH AMERICAN NATURALIST [No.1 described how wilderness designations on BLM off gene flow and divide population corridors land in Utah are based on ensuring long-term (Mader 1984). population viability of native species, maintain Among the preserve areas proposed in the ing critical ecological and evolutionary pro Redrock Wilderness Act are the Grand Stair cesses, and preserving the full range of com case, Escalante Canyons, and Kaiparowits munities, successional stages, and environmen Plateau, much of which are in the borders of tal gradients. Wilderness should be preserved GSENM (Comparison of Utah Wilderness with the understanding that it is easier and Bills 1996). The Utah Wilderness Coalition more cost-effective to protect species in intact and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance also and thus functioning ecosystems.

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