Reports and Studies 2014 Review: 1975 Environment of Kiawah Report | Page 13

Summary & Analysis of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Report 

· 
Marsh and pond edges: wood rat, cotton rat, cotton mice, rice rat, least
shrew
· Open fields: cotton rat, least shrew, rice rat, house mouse

Conclusions, organized by habitat type
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Dunes
· House mice were only captured in dune areas (an exotic species).
· Hogs were causing substantial damage and should be removed.
· Control of raccoons will likely be necessary to protect sea turtle nests.
Woodlands
· 
Thick overstory has decreased light to the understory and the understory
is sparse.
· 
Populations of mammals are low with the exception of the gray squirrel
and possibly the least shrew and Eastern mole.
Marsh-pond edges and dyke-chenier
· This is the most productive habitat for mammals.
· 
The east end of the island has the majority of this habitat and is a critical
area for management considerations.
Open fields
· This was a small percentage of the total habitat.
· 
Many small mammals were found in this habitat (and provide food for
predators).
· Fields provide a vital transition zone between woodlands and open areas.

General Conclusions Regarding Mammals
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Deer, hogs, raccoons, gray squirrel, cotton rat, cotton mouse, house mouse,
and Eastern mole are considered abundant and will adapt readily to
development.
The primary concern for mammals is adequate cover, both in quality and
quantity.
Raccoons and opossums require travel lanes 10 meters wide as well as pockets
of cover for resting and feeding.
Deer require wider travel lanes (10-30 meters).
Edge is very important to all mammals but mixing of habitat types is good.
Bobcats are likely restricted to the woodlands on the western end of the island.
(Ed note: notice the difference with current bobcat range.)
Fox populations are listed as very sparse; there were no observations in this
study.
River otter and mink were present but very sparse.
Wild hogs and goats should be removed from the island.

Changes Since 1975
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Bobcats are now abundant across all habitat types on the island.
Gray fox populations are abundant at times but very cyclical.
Coyotes are present and their management has become an issue.
No fox squirrels are observed.
Hogs and goats were indeed removed.
Norway rats, black rats, and white-footed mice (as well as other exotic species)
are now present.

Revised: May 2014_REV 8

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