A Biodiversity Haven in Virginia's Upper Coastal Plain
Explore WildlifeNestled in the upper Coastal Plain of Caroline County, Virginia, Fort A.P. Hill presents a fascinating paradox. Established in 1941 as a 30,329-hectare military training installation, this active Army base has unexpectedly become a crucial refuge for wildlife.
Named for Civil War Confederate Lt. General Ambrose Powell Hill, the installation's landscape features a rich mosaic of habitats ranging from old fields to mature hardwood forests. This diverse environment supports a remarkable community of mammals, making Fort A.P. Hill an increasingly valuable habitat island in a region where agriculture and development are transforming the natural landscape.
Through meticulous scientific study conducted since 1997, researchers have uncovered the installation's critical role in preserving the mammalian fauna of Virginia's upper Coastal Plain and the broader mid-Atlantic region 1 .
Documented mammal species thriving in the installation
Distinct habitat types creating ecological niches
Military installation serving as wildlife sanctuary
The remarkable diversity of mammals at Fort A.P. Hill is sustained by seven distinct habitat types that create varied ecological niches. Each habitat supports different components of the mammal community, with some species showing strong preferences for specific environmental conditions 1 .
Support 20 mammal species, including several that are predominantly found in this early-successional habitat.
High DiversitySupport the fewest mammal species (17) due to their simplified structure and limited resources.
Low DiversitySupport 29-36 species, offering the most diverse resources and complex canopy structure.
Highest DiversitySupport particularly rich mammal communities with higher capture rates and moisture-rich environments.
Rich Community| Habitat Type | Number of Species Supported | Notable Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Old Fields & Clearcuts | 20 | Early successional habitat; supports field-specific species |
| Pine Stands & Plantations | 17 | Lowest diversity; simplified structure |
| Mixed Pine-Hardwood Forests | 29-36 | High structural diversity; abundant resources |
| Hardwood Forests | 29-36 | Complex canopy; rich food sources |
| Riparian Forests | 29-36 | Moisture-rich; supports highest capture rates |
Fort A.P. Hill is home to forty documented mammal species representing a wide range of ecological roles and taxonomic groups. This diversity includes one marsupial, five insectivores, nine chiropterans (bats), one lagomorph (rabbit), twelve rodents, ten carnivores, and one cervid (deer) 1 .
As the only cervid species on the installation, white-tailed deer play a crucial ecological role. Management programs have successfully addressed overpopulation issues that occurred prior to 1996, with annual harvests between 1985-2000 ranging from 460 to 1,765 animals, demonstrating the dynamic nature of wildlife management 1 .
These intelligent canines have expanded their territory across Virginia since the 1970s, filling the ecological niche once occupied by wolves. Larger than their western cousins due to historical wolf hybridization, they help control rodent populations and maintain ecosystem balance through their adaptable feeding habits 2 .
As North America's only marsupial, the opossum represents a living connection to ancient mammal evolution. These nocturnal creatures consume thousands of disease-carrying ticks annually and possess natural immunity to snake venom, making them valuable contributors to ecosystem health 2 .
While not explicitly mentioned in the Fort A.P. Hill studies, black bears represent the largest carnivore in the region and are known to inhabit Virginia's Coastal Plain, serving as an apex predator that helps maintain ecosystem balance 2 .
| Taxonomic Group | Number of Species | Representative Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Marsupials | 1 | Virginia Opossum |
| Insectivores | 5 | Northern Short-tailed Shrew |
| Bats | 9 | Indiana Bat, Virginia Big-eared Bat |
| Lagomorphs | 1 | Eastern Cottontail |
| Rodents | 12 | White-footed Mouse, Eastern Gray Squirrel |
| Carnivores | 10 | Coyote, Bobcat, Raccoon |
| Cervids | 1 | White-tailed Deer |
One particularly insightful study conducted at Fort A.P. Hill compared small mammal communities between riparian (stream corridor) and nearby upland habitats in the installation's hardwood forest ecosystem. The research was conducted from April to October 1998, with an additional winter sample in January 1999 .
The experimental design featured:
Effective for capturing shrews, salamanders, and other small, ground-dwelling species
Standardized method for sampling small mammal populations, especially rodents
Box traps, cage traps, night vision and thermal imaging for observation
The study revealed several important patterns in small mammal distribution and abundance :
These findings demonstrated that while riparian areas support denser populations, the small mammal species in both habitat types are largely the same. The research highlighted the importance of considering contiguous upland habitats in studies of riparian ecosystems, as mammals freely move between these connected environments.
| Research Metric | Riparian | Upland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Captures/Trap Night | 2.6 | 1.4 |
| Number of Species | 7 | 7 |
| Dominant Species | Peromyscus leucopus, Blarina brevicauda | |
| Plant Distinctness | High | Low |
The research conducted at Fort A.P. Hill reveals the installation's growing importance as a conservation stronghold. As habitat loss accelerates in surrounding areas due to agricultural expansion and forestry practices, this military installation has inadvertently become a protected oasis for Virginia's mammalian fauna 1 .
Maintaining a diversity of habitat types is crucial for supporting complete mammal communities
Mature hardwood and riparian forests support the greatest diversity of species and require protection
Ongoing monitoring informs both military land management and broader conservation strategies
Fort A.P. Hill stands as a compelling example of how managed landscapes, even those dedicated to national defense, can simultaneously serve as important reservoirs of biological diversity. The forty mammal species documented on the installation represent not just a checklist of inhabitants, but a complex web of ecological relationships that have persisted despite surrounding landscape changes.