Notes

Outline

A Brief Introduction to

The Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage Part of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Member of the Natural Heritage Network

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The Natural Heritage Inventory Program Leading source of information on the distribution  and condition of rare and threatened species and ecological communities in Tennessee. Gather, manage, and distribute detailed information about the biological diversity found within Tennessee. Provide detailed, credible, and consistent information. Consistent standards for data collection and management allows data from different programs around the country to be shared and combined.

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"Endangered Species" Endangered Species Continued existence is in jeopardy Threatened Species Likely to become Endangered Deemed in Need of Management/Special Concern any species or subspecies that is uncommon in Tennessee, or has unique or highly specific habitat requirements or scientific value and therefore requires careful monitoring of its status

Global and State Ranks for Plants and Animals Based upon the number of populations of a species. Global Ranks are determined at the Home Office of Natureserve by taxonomic experts, literature reviews and Natural Heritage data. S-Ranks are assigned by the DNH using similar techniques. G-Ranks and S-Ranks are non-legal statuses, but reflect the rarity of species (something can be globally rare, but may not be listed at the State or Federal level). This happens with newly described species. Can also happen when a group of organisms is afforded no legal protection at the state level.

So What Are the Ranks? G1/S1-Extremely rare and critically imperiled in the world/state with five or fewer occurrences. G2/S2-Very rare and imperiled with six to twenty occurrences. G3/S3-Rare and uncommon, from 21-100 occurrences. G4/S4-Widespread, abundant, and apparently secure, but with cause for long-term concern. G5/S5-Demonstrably widespread and secure.

How Many Rare Species Do We Have in Tennessee? The DNH has a total of 13,599 Element Occurrence Records of Tennessee’s rare species and high quality plant communities. 503 Plants are tracked in Tennessee. 8 are endemic to Tennessee (they are not known to occur any where else in the world). 483 Animals are tracked in Tennessee. 69 of these are endemic to TN and 38 of the endemic species are aquatic. 94 Species are G1 and 67 of the 94 are aquatic animals.

Some Additional Facts About Tennessee’s Biodiversity 2nd highest Freshwater Fish Diversity with 283 fish species. 4th Highest amphibian diversity with 72 species (highest of any state without a coastline). A total of 2,407 native vascular plant species. 7th in the Number of Extinctions with 22 species lost. Tennessee has 83 Federally listed species. 5th of any U.S. State or Territory. 1st of any land-locked state.

Anguispira picta- State and Federally Endangered

How Is the Information Used? The information compiled by TDNH is a powerful conservation tool for land managers. Conservation action can be focused on our most important natural areas. Developers, businesses, and public agencies use Natural Heritage information to comply with environmental laws and to improve the environmental sensitivity of economic development projects. Local governments use the information to aid in land use planning and zoning.

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Charles Samuel Shoup

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What do they eat?

Nashville Crayfish Habitat

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Mill Creek at Ezell Pike, 2000

Atypical Habitat: The Resha Lake story

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Threats to Mill Creek and the Nashville crayfish

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Mill Creek aesthetics

Livestock point sources

Unregulated Discharges- Urban Core

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Sediment

Stream Relocation

Pesticides & Herbicides

Infrastructure development

Subsistence Hunting

Crayfish Considerations    The DNH is available to provide information about the Nashville crayfish and other rare species in Tennessee. Remember… The needs of many rare species can be accommodated with proper project planning and implementation. Federally-listed species are legally protected by the Endangered Species Act (1973). State-listed animal species (including those “Deemed in Need of Management”) are protected by law (TCA 70-8-105; 70-8-106)

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