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Nearly 57% of the species identified in our inventories are non-native, and the actual coverage <br /> by non-natives is much higher -probably over 95% for herbaceous vegetation species. While <br /> percent cover by trees of both types is low, it is primarily comprised of native species. <br /> No rare plant species were expected or found during our inventory, and none are reported from <br /> the area in a report generated by the Oregon Natural Heritage Program (2000). <br /> Wildlife <br /> Although there is significant human use of the bike path, and occasional use of the remainder of <br /> the park by humans and pets for recreation, it has habitat qualities that support a number of <br /> wildlife species. Although insect, herptile and mammal surveys were not a part of this project, <br /> 1 when compared in context to similar sites in the area, some use by several species in these <br /> II groups could be expected. Our inventories included two bird surveys in early and mid spring, <br /> and a bird (and other wildlife) list. We confirmed presence of 37 species, and estimate an <br /> additiona128 species that are likely to use park habitats. A neighbor provided a separate list of <br /> 50 bird species (and a few other categories of wildlife) compiled over a longer term of <br /> observation). Both lists indicate use of the park by a substantial number of bird species. <br /> Although there are several sensitive grassland bird species that nest in the Willamette Valley <br /> (western meadowlark, vesper sparrow, horned lark, etc.), in general, they require larger open <br /> spaces. Although some of these species need as little as two acres for nesting territory (ODFW <br /> 2000), such nesting territories are normally established in larger habitat blocks that are not <br /> islands surrounded by unfavorable habitat. In general, tracts of 100 acres or larger provide much <br /> better nesting opportunity. In the Metro area, only Alton Baker Park has sufficient acreage to <br /> provide nesting habitat for some species of grassland birds. Although western meadowlarks are <br /> known to winter there, they have not been present there in summer. It is likely that even that <br /> space is too small and isolated, and has too much human use, to be conducive to nesting for that <br /> species. In our experience, Rasor Park may be too small and isolated even for nesting by <br /> savannah sparrows, which are somewhat more tolerant of human disturbance than meadowlarks <br /> and the other sensitive species listed above. (Savannah sparrows have not been documented in <br /> Rasor Park.) <br /> Riparian forest habitats tend to be used by a wide diversity of animals for feeding, cover and <br /> protected access to water, and safe movement corridors between habitats. Additionally, riparian <br /> forests benefit adjacent aquatic habitats and species by providing habitat for terrestrial phases of <br /> aquatic insect life cycles, shade for maintaining cool water temperatures, and inputs of organic <br /> material (coarse and fine) into aquatic systems. For these reasons, the riparian fringe is <br /> important to wildlife in and adjacent to the park. <br /> Wildlife species that use savanna-prairie areas are more exposed and vulnerable to predators, and <br /> maybe sensitive to perceived potential predators or danger. Residences closely border Rasor <br /> Park on two sides, and a busy road borders on a third. The proximity of these human uses, as <br /> well as the actual human and pet use of the savanna-prairie undoubtedly discourages use by <br /> many species that would use the site if it were located in a quiet, rural location. The isolation of <br /> Rasox Park from other large, natural open spaces also limits its use by wildlife. Nonetheless, an <br /> Rasor Park Master Plan 9 City of Eugene, Parks Planning <br /> i <br /> I <br /> <br /> 1 <br /> <br />