Department of Environmental Protection

Natural Heritage Rare Species Reporting Form

This form is used to report a personal field sighting of a rare species tracked by the Natural Heritage Database. It may also be used to summarize locational information from a published or unpublished report. Species tracked include those appearing on the Special Plants of New Jersey List and the Special Animals of New Jersey List. The Office of Natural Lands Management can provide copies of the lists upon request. Note: For anadromous fish species, only reports of spawning areas are requested. For most bird species, only breeding reports are requested. Consult the Endangered and Nongame Species Program to determine if a non-breeding report of a bird species is desired.

In order for this form to be processed, the sections preceded by an asterisk (*) must be completed.

Send completed form to : DEP - Division of Parks and Forestry, Office of Natural Lands Management, Natural Heritage Program, PO Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625-0404. Forms for endangered and nongame wildlife will be forwarded to the Endangered and Nongame Species Program for review.

Common Name_____________________________________________________________

*Scientific Name____________________________________________________________

Today's Date_______________________________________________________________

Location:

*Location Map: A mapped location of the occurrence must accompany this form. The ideal format is to locate the site on a photocopied section of a USGS 7.5 minute topo map, and to also sketch a second map showing finer details. Be sure to provide the name of the USGS map.

*Directions to Site: Describe how to get to the site from a readily relocated permanent landmark such as a road intersection.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Biology/Habitat:

*Date and Approximate Time of the Observation:

_______________________________________________________________________________

Weather Conditions (animal reports):

clear ____overcast ____calm ____windy____

Describe temperature, precipitation, and other significant weather factors:

________________________________________________________________________________

Identification: How was the species identification made? Was it based on a sighting, tracks, call, or road kill? Name the identification manuals used or the experts consulted. Were there identification problems?

________________________________________________________________________________

*Number of Individuals Observed:

1-10 ____ 11-50 ____ 51-100 ____ 101-1000 ____ 1001-10,000 ____ >10,000____

If possible, provide the exact number of individuals. For rhizomatous plants such as grasses and sedges, what was counted as an individual - separate culms or entire clumps or patches?

________________________________________________________________________________

Life Stages Present: Check off life stages observed or provide an estimate of the numbers of individuals for each life stage.

For plants:

vegetative ____ in bud ____ flower ____ fruit____

seed dispersing ____ seedling ____ dormant ____

For animals:

eggs ____ larvae ____ immature _____ adult female ____

adult male ______ adult, sex unknown ____

Associated Species: List any associated species such as predators, prey, food plants, parasites, host species, and additional rare species observed at the site.

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*Additional Biological Data: What else was observed? Provide information on the general condition or vigor of the individuals and viability of the population, and animal behavior such as mating or nesting behavior.

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Habitat Data: Describe the general area where the occurrence is located. List natural community types, dominant vegetation, and information on the physical environment such as substrate type, hydrology, moisture regime, slope, and aspect. Also, if possible, provide information on the surrounding land use.

________________________________________________________________________________

Conservation: Are there natural or man made threats to this occurrence? Please describe.

________________________________________________________________________________

Ownership: If known, please provide landowner name, address, phone #.

________________________________________________________________________________

Information Source:*Name and Address and Phone # (of person filing report):

________________________________________________________________________________

*Does this information come directly from a field visit ____, or a published or unpublished report?____
Citation: For information taken from a published or unpublished report, please provide a copy of the cover page and the pertinent portions of the report. If a copy can not be provided, list below the author, date, title, publisher, and page numbers.

________________________________________________________________________________

Voucher: Was the observation vouchered with a photograph?____ a specimen?____ If possible, attach a copy of the photograph. If specimen voucher, please provide the name of the repository:

________________________________________________________________________________

Confirmation: Would you accompany a biologist to the site if needed? ____yes ____no.
Additional Comments: (use extra sheets if needed)

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Revised 9/98