Bullitt , has dolomitic glades containing Kentucky Glade Cress ( federally threatened ) and Eggleston ’ s Violet ( state special concern ). Limestone barrens consist of outcroppings of limestone in a prairie-like ecosystem and contain very some rare plant species . The deep soil mesophytic forest is a threatened ecosystem that occurs along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers that is characterized by deep , rich and moist soils , usually made of loess deposits " ( Naturally Kentucky , 2006 ). The limestone slope glade is similar to the dolomite glade as it is an ecosystem characterized by limestone rock outcroppings covered by gravely soil and is home to such rare species as the Eggleston Violet and Kentucky Glade Cress . Figure 16 in Appendix 1 shows the exact location of ecological communities in Jefferson County that the KNSPC consider ecologically significant .
Biodiversity Management Practice 1 : Perform floristic and fauna inventories of all natural resource parks and / or areas . It is integral to complete a biological inventory of our natural resource parks and fragments to accurately identify , classify , and rank the biological diversity of natural areas as well as to quantify the state of these ecological communities , i . e ., the health and function . Therefore , a full biological inventory for these properties must be a priority . Complete floristic and fauna inventories would provide the detailed information needed for parks to effectively manage and protect globally and state-specific rare and endangered species . “ Inventories of natural areas are the most important tool biologists have in determining the relative scarcity of natural communities ” ( Barnes , 48 ). Professionals , like Dr . Julian Campbell , former Inventory Coordinator and Botanist for the Nature Conservancy of Kentucky , would be ideal candidates to contract with in the future to perform these inventories as he has already approached Metro Parks and Recreation to perform a historical plant community analysis . It also recommended that caves and karst formation in Parks ’ natural areas be inventoried and fenced off to identify and protect rare species , such as the Louisville Cave Beetle which has a threatened state status and is under consideration for federal listing .
The Natural Areas Division of Metro Parks and Recreation has a robust species database for the parks and other natural areas which it manages . Numerous authorities have contributed data to this database and every opportunity to add to the project has been sought since around 2005 . The Natural Areas division intends to add other parks and natural areas to this database as information is obtained .
Biodiversity Management Practice 2 : Initiate a public education campaign focusing on the abundance of rare / threatened species and existing biological diversity . To maintain or improve biodiversity within Metro Parks and Recreation properties , a public education / relations component must be a priority . The public must become aware of the dangers to the rare and threatened species and ecosystems . Existing areas of high biological diversity in natural resource parks must be highlighted . This campaign will include websites , signage , school programs , invited speakers , and other activities , which may include guided hiking tours , interviews with local television stations , or setting up booths at events throughout the Louisville metro area .
Biodiversity Management Practice 3 : Determine the biological significance of each natural resource park and area using existing expert knowledge . Many of the natural resource parks have biodiversity significance . Biodiversity significance is defined as the significance of any parcel of land that is the best example of globally endangered ecological community that is home
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