It is one of the most threatened, restricted, and poorly known mammals in
North America. Due to its extremely small range, the species is at major risk of
extinction from the effects of
climate change, including severe tropical storms and
hurricanes, and potentially
sea level rise. Similar
relict populations of the
prairie vole (
M. ochrogaster) on the
Gulf Coast of
Texas and
Louisiana, which were reportedly abundant in the early 20th century, have since been
extirpated, and the Florida salt marsh vole could potentially follow the same fate. Relatively few individuals have been sighted since 1979, with a 1992 survey with 1025 traps only catching a single individual. The
population density is likely lower than 70 individuals per hectare. The species is thus of heavy conservation concern. It is considered
Endangered by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
Critically Imperiled by
NatureServe. The only known site for the species is on private land, although any activities in the area are restricted by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The species could potentially occur on public land at the nearby
Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park. == References ==