1984 Biotic Studies of Yucca Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
A portion of Yucca Mountain on and adjacent to the US Department of Energy`s Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada, is being considered as a possible location for a national high-level radioactive waste repository. The geologic and environmental characteristics of the site are being investigated to determine its suitability for further characterization. Goals of biotic studies were to identify species of concern, describe major floral and faunal associations, determine exposure levels of external background radiation, and assess possible impacts of characterization and operational activities. The species composition of dominant small mammals inhabiting major vegetation associations in 1984 varied little compared with results of similar surveys conducted in 1982 and 1983. Total captures were lower and reproduction was apparently curtailed. Merriam`s kangaroo rat and the long tailed pocket mouse continued to be the most abundant species. Diversity of resident species did not differ significantly between the trapping lines. The composition and relative abundance of associated species was more variable. Western harvest mice were trapped for the first time, but pinyon mice, which were present in prior years, were not trapped. Five desert tortoises were observed during surveys of possible sites for repository surface facilities. 25 refs., 4 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G, Inc., Goleta, CA (United States). Santa Barbara Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-83NV10282
- OSTI ID:
- 59093
- Report Number(s):
- EGG/10282-2057; ON: DE85011715
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Feb 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Biologic overview for the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
1982 biotic survey of Yucca Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
BASELINE ECOLOGY
NEVADA TEST SITE
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
RADIATION DOSES
RATS
PLANTS
ANIMALS
SITE SELECTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
BACKGROUND RADIATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SPECIES DIVERSITY
Yucca Mountain Project