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Regional conservation planning is often guided by the use of focal species, whose persistence can serve as a measure of the habitat elements to be maintained or enhanced by conservation action. Here, I investigated the ecology of the American badger (Taxidea taxus) as a focal species for regional conservation planning in California. First, I investigated home range size and habitat use of nine radio-implanted badgers. At the study site scale, home ranges were sited in grasslands, sandy/loamy soil types, and close to recreational trails. Within their home range, badgers showed only a preference for intermediate slopes over very steep slopes. Dens within badgers' home range were associated with native grassland and scrub habitat, showed an avoidance of flat slopes, and tended to be found within 500 meters of trails. Second, I examined the fine-scale movement patterns of American badgers. Travel speeds were greater during the mating season and spring than they were in the winter for both sexes. Vegetation type affected the travel speed of males during the fall and spring; however, travel speed during the mating season was not affected by vegetation type. Finally, I used occurrence data to identify landscape factors affecting the population distribution of American badgers in California, and to examine the factors associated with declines in badger occurrences over time. Environmental features associated with badger occurrences and declines varied by ecoregion: an association with grassland and shrub cover was detected in some ecoregions, while an association with forest and woodland habitat was detected in others. In remote ecoregions, human-altered habitats were positively associated with badger occurrences. Declines in badger occurrences were associated with human-altered landscapes in two ecoregions. These results will inform conservation planning by 2 identifying 1.) area requirements for badgers, 2.) characteristics of habitat necessary for their behavioral activities, and 3.) factors that may affect corridor efficacy in badger habitat. Results also establish the geographic extent to which badgers should be considered in regional conservation plans, and identify habitat factors specific to each ecoregion that may affect badger persistence and thus their role as a focal species.

The  South  San  Diego  County  Land  Managers  (USFWS,   CDFW,  BLM,  Sweetwater  Reservoir  Authority,  City  of  San   Diego)  have  collaborated  with  Land  IQ,  ConservaSon   Biology  InsStute  (CBI),  Nakae  &  Associates  and  The  Nature   Conservancy  (TNC)  to  develop  land  management  prioriSes   and  research  quesSons  for  the  restoraSon  of  grasslands,  in   what  is  known  as  the  South  County  Grasslands  Project.

With a varied landscape defined by scenic coastlines, majestic mountains, bucolic grasslands, and dazzling deserts carpeted with wildflowers, the San Diego region is a top biodiversity hotspot in North America and in the world. The region also is a leader in environmental conservation. Local, state, and federal agencies, along with nonprofit and private organizations, are working in concert to preserve half of the region (about 1.4 million acres) as permanent open space by 2050. SANDAG plays an important role in preserving open space and habitat through the Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) funded by TransNet, the San Diego region's half-cent sales tax for transportation. The EMP funds habitat acquisition, land management, scientific research, and environmental restoration countywide.

Graphical summary of vegetation habitat monitoring.

Different types of human activity may influence raptors in various ways, potentially affecting their abundance, distribution, habitat use and productivity. We studied the effects of recreational trails on wintering raptor populations in grasslands of eastern Boulder County, Colorado, from December 1995-March 1996. We conducted strip transects to survey raptor populations at six study sites. All sites consisted of short and/or tallgrass prairie, and all contained a riparian corridor. Three sites contained recreational trails running adjacent to the riparian corridor (trail), while three sites contained no trails (control). Species richness, abundance and perch use were compared between control and trail sites. Species richness was consistently greater in control sites. Abundance of total raptors observed was greater in control sites. Abundance of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was greater in control sites, while abundance of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) was similar for control and trail sites. Perching distances from riparian corridors were greater in trail sites than in control sites. In addition, raptors perched along riparian corridors more frequently in control sites. Results of this study suggest that recreational trails may have affected habitat selection of some raptor species in this grassland ecosystem.

We determined which vegetal features influenced the distribution and abundance of grassland birds at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. The density and distribution of mesquite (Prosopis velutina) exerted the strongest influence on the grassland bird community. Abundances of Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus; r2 = 0.363, P = 0.025) and Lucy's Warbler (Vermivora luciae; r2 = 0.348, P = 0.04), and total abundance of birds (r2 = 0.358, P = 0.04) were positively correlated with increasing density of mesquite (Prosopis velutina), whereas abundance of Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus; r2 = 0.452, P = 0.02) was negatively correlated with increasing mesquite density. Abundance of Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus; r2 = 0.693, P < 0.001) was positively correlated with an increasing patchiness of mesquite. Shrubdependent bird species dominated the community, accounting for 12 of the 18 species and 557 of the 815 individuals detected. Species relying on extensive areas of open grassland were largely absent from the study area, perhaps a result of the recent invasion of mesquite into this semi-desert grassland.

In 2003, southern California experienced several large fires that burned thousands of hectares ; of wildlife habitats and conserved lands. To investigate the effects of these fires on the reptile and amphibian communities, we compared the results from prefire herpetofauna and vegetation sampling to two years of postfire sampling across 38 burned and 17 unburned plots. The sampling plots were spread over four vegetation types and four open space areas within San Diego County. Our capture results indicated that burned chaparral and coastal sage scrub plots lost herpetofaunal species diversity after the fires and displayed a significant shift in overall community structure. Shrub and tree cover at the burned plots, averaged across the second and third postfire years, had decreased by 53% in chaparral and 75% in coastal sage scrub. Additionally, postfire herpetofauna community structure at burned plots was more similar to that found in unburned grasslands. In grassland and woodland/riparian vegetation plots, where shrub and tree cover was not significantly affected by fires, we found no differences in the herpetofaunal species diversity or community composition. At the individual species level, Sceloporus occidentalis was the most abundant reptile in these areas both before and after the fires. We saw increases in the net capture rates for several lizard species, including Aspidoscelis tigris, Phrynosoma coronatum, and Uta stansburiana in burned chaparral plots and Aspidoscelis hyperythra and U. stansburiana in burned coastal sage scrub plots. The toad, Bufo boreas, was detected at significantly fewer burned plots in chaparral after the fires. Additionally, we documented decreases in the number of plots occupied by lizards (Elgaria multicarinata), salamanders (Batrachoseps major), and snakes (Coluber constrictor, Lampropeltis getula, Pituophis catenifer, and Masticophis lateralis) in coastal sage scrub and chaparral after the fires. We discuss the individual species results as they relate to such life-history traits as the susceptibility to initial mortality, the response to the altered postfire habitat, and shifts in the availability of potential prey. We foresee that a continued unnatural fire regime will result in a simplification of the southern California reptile and amphibian communities.

As participation in outdoor recreational activities escalates, land managers struggleto develop managemeny policies that ensure coexistence of wildlife and recreation. However, this requires an understanding of how wildlife responds to various forms of recreational activities and the spatial context in which the activities occur. Therefore, we measured responses of 2 species of grassland sonbirds, one species of forest songbird, and mule deer( Odocoileus hemionus) exposed to a pedestriana, pedestrian accompanied by a dog on leash, and a dog alone (only for grassland birds) on and away from recreational trails. We assessed the "area of influence" for each treatment by determining the probability that an animal would flush or become alert (for mule deer only) given its perpendicular distance to a trail or a line of movement in areas without trails. When animals were disturbed, we measured flush distance (the distance between the disturbance and the animal when flushed), distance moved, and for mule deer, alert distance (the distance between the disturbance and the deer when it became alert). For all species,area of influence, flush distance, distance moved, and alert distance (for mule deer) was greater when activities occurred off-trail versus on-trail.Generally, among on-trail and off-trail treatments in grasslands for vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) and western meadowlark (S turnella neglecta), the smallest area of influence and shortest flush distance and distance moved resulted from the dog-alone treatment, and these responses were greater for the pedestrian-alone and dog-on-leash treatments. In forests, for A merican robins(Turdus migratorius), the area of influence, flush distance, and distance moved did not generally differ between the pedestrian-alone and dog-on-leash treatments. For mule deer, presence of a dog resulted in a greater area of influence, alert and flush distance, and distance moved than when a pedestrian was alone. Natural lands managers can implement spatial and behavioral restrictions in visitor management to reduce disturbance by recreational activities on wildlife. Restrictions on types of activities allowed in some areas such as prohibiting dogs or restricting use to trails will aid in minimizing disturbance. Additionally, managers can restrict the number and spatial arrangement of trails so that sensitive reas or habitats are avoided.

Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are of increasing conservation concern in western North America. Effective conservation measures for this wide-ranging, federally protected raptor species require monitoring frameworks that accommodate strong inference on the status of breeding populations across vast landscapes. We used a broad-scale sampling design to identify relationships between landscape conditions, detection rates, and site occupancy by territorial pairs of golden eagles in coastal southern California, United States. In 2016 and 2017, we surveyed 175 territory-sized sample sites (13.9-km2 randomly selected grid cells) up to four times each year and detected a pair of eagles at least once in 22 (12.6%) sites. The probability of detecting pairs of eagles varied substantially between years and declined with increasing amounts of forest cover at survey sites, which obscured observations of eagles during ground-based surveys. After accounting for variable detection, the mean estimate of expected site occupancy by eagle pairs was 0.156 (SE = 0.081). Site-level estimates of occupancy were greatest (&gt;0.30) at sample sites with more rugged terrain conditions, &lt;20% human development, and lower amounts of scrubland vegetation cover. The proportion of a sample site with open grassland or forest cover was not strongly correlated with occupancy. We estimated that approximately 16% of the 5,338-km2 sampling frame was used by resident pairs of golden eagles, corresponding to a sparsely distributed population of about 60 pairs (95% CI = 19 – 151 pairs). Our study provided baseline data for future surveys of golden eagles along with a widely applicable monitoring framework for identifying spatial conservation priorities in urbanizing landscapes.

The ranges of plants and animals are moving in response to recent changes in climate. As temperatures rise, ecosystems with ?nowhere to go?, such as mountains, are considered to be more threatened. However, species survival may depend as much on keeping pace with moving climates as the climate?s ultimate persistence4,5. Here we present a new index of the velocity of temperature change (km yr21), derived from spatial gradients (6C km21) and multimodel ensemble forecasts of rates of temperature increase (6Cyr21) in the twenty-first century. This index represents the instantaneous local velocity along Earth?s surface needed to maintain constant temperatures, and has a global mean of 0.42kmyr21 (A1B emission scenario). Owing to topographic effects, the velocity of temperature change is lowest inmountainous biomes such as tropical and subtropical coniferous forests (0.08 kmyr21), temperate coniferous forest, and montane grasslands. Velocities are highest in flooded grasslands (1.26kmyr21), mangroves and deserts. High velocities suggest that the climates of only 8% of global protected areas have residence times exceeding 100 years. Small protected areas exacerbate the problem in Mediterranean-type and temperate coniferous forest biomes. Large protected areas may mitigate the problem in desert biomes. These results indicate management strategies for minimizing biodiversity loss from climate change. Montane landscapes may effectively shelter many species into the next century. Elsewhere, reduced emissions, a much expanded network of protected areas, or efforts to increase species movement may be necessary.

Extensive urbanization in coastal southern California has reduced natural habitat in this biodiversity hotspot. To better conserve ecological communities, state and federal agencies, along with local jurisdictions and private stakeholders, developed regional conservation plans for southern California. Although many protected areas exist within this region, the patchwork nature of these protected areas might not provide good coverage for species that require multiple habitat components, such as amphibians with complex life histories. Because of declines in the past century, the status of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) in southern California is of concern to state and federal wildlife agencies. Species distribution models (SDMs) can aid in determining the conservation status of imperiled species by projecting where suitable habitat remains and how much is protected from further development. We built SDMs that integrated site-occupancy data from systematic pitfall trapping surveys and presence-only data from biodiversity databases and citizen science platforms to project the current distribution of western spadefoots in southern California. Western spadefoot occurrence was positively related to the cover of grassland or shrub/scrub and the % sand in the soil within a 1000 m buffer, and was negatively related to slope, elevation, and distance to ephemeral streams or vernal pools. Most of the remaining unprotected habitat for western spadefoots is in the southern half of its historical range in western San Diego and Riverside counties. A few large tracts of spadefoot habitat exist on U.S. Department of Defense lands and smaller tracts remain on ecological reserves owned by state and local government agencies. Only small patches of habitat remain in the northern half of this clade’s historical range in Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. Existing regional conservation plans provide ostensible spatial coverage of the majority of extant habitat for western spadefoots in southern California, but most of the habitat within the jurisdiction of these plans lacks formal protection, exposing this species to further declines as urbanization continues in the 21st century.

There is a growing body of literature covering the responses of bird species to wildland fire events. Our study was unique among these because we investigated the effects of large-scale wildland fires on entire bird communities across multiple vegetation types. We conducted avian point counts during the breeding seasons for two years before and two years after the Cedar and Otay Fires in 2003 in southern California. Our balanced sampling effort took place at two sites, one low-elevation and one high-elevation, each containing replicate stations (burned and unburned) within five vegetation types: chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grassland, oak woodland, and riparian. Although fire caused some degree of change in the vegetation structure at all of our impacted survey points, we found that the post-fire shrub and tree cover was significantly lower in only two of the vegetation types within the low-elevation site, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. We found no significant changes in cover at the high-elevation site. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we tested whether the fires were associated with a change in bird species diversity, community structure, and the relative abundance of individuals within a species. We found that species diversity changed in only one circumstance: it increased in coastal sage scrub at the lowelevation site. Multivariate analyses revealed significant differences in the post-fire bird community structure in the low-elevation chaparral, low-elevation coastal sage scrub, and the high-elevation grassland communities. Vegetation characteristics altered by fire, such as decreases in shrub and tree cover, influenced the changes we observed in the bird communities. The relative abundance of some species (lazuli bunting [Passerina amoena] and horned lark [Eremophila alpestris]) significantly increased after the fires, while other species declined significantly (Anna’s hummingbird [Calypte anna], wrentit [Chamaea fasciata], and bushtit [Psaltriparus minimus]). We detected mixed results for the spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus), which increased in burned chaparral and declined in burned coastal sage scrub within the low-elevation site. We suggest that the observed responses of birds to these fires may be attributed to: (1) the availability of nearby unburned refugia, (2) the continued suitability of post-fire vegetation at the study sites, and (3) the generally high mobility of this taxon.

As the number of individuals participating in outdoor recreational activities increases, the number of recreational trails crossing natural areas also increases. Because a primary goal of natural-lands managers is to ensure the coexistence of wildlife and humans, developing an understanding of how recreational activities effect wildlife becomes necessary. We investigated the influence of recreational trails on breeding bird communities in forest and mixed-grass prairie ecosystems in Boulder County, CO during 1994 and 1995. Species composition and rates of nest predation and Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) were examined near and away from existing recreational trails and control transects. Species composition was altered due to the presence of trails in both ecosystems, Generalist species were more abundant near trails while some species were displaced away from trails. Within the grassland ecosystem, birds were less likely to nest near trails. Within both ecosystems, rate of nest predation was greater near trails. Within the forest ecosystem, rate of nest parasitism was not influenced by trails. No nest parasitism was found in the grassland ecosystem. Our results have important implications for the design and implementationof management policies regarding the coexistence of recreationists and wildlife.

Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii, aka African mustard, Asian mustard, Mostaza del Sahara) (Figure 1) is an invasive weed capable of spreading and invading a variety of habitats in California and southwestern North America. In several western states, Sahara mustard has been listed as a noxious weed or a species of concern. It grows especially well in disturbed areas but also grows well in natural sites. Sahara mustard is a short-lived winter annual that germinates from winter through spring completing its life cycle within a few months. Sahara mustard can invade a wide variety of habitats such as desert shrublands, desert dunes, ephemeral washes, grasslands, coastal sage scrub, coastal dunes, shrublands, roadsides, and abandoned or fallowed agricultural lands. It is generally found below 3,500 ft in elevation.

Our primary objective is to help establish a model conservation program-with sufficient documentation and validation-on how to manage local grassland habitat for burrowing owls, and other species integral to this ecosystem. The result will be a set of protocols and strategies that can be adopted by managers and researchers in San Diego and in other areas where burrowing owl conservation management is warranted. Our second objective is to assist in the establishment of a more natural grassland ecosystem in San Diego County by re-establishing ground squirrels and, ultimately, burrowing owls. The proposed work is for the first year of a long-term program.

Brachypodium distachyon is an emerging invasive species with potentially widespread ecological implications for native species, habitats, and ecosystem processes. It has increased in extent and dominance in recent years in San Diego County, possibly in response to repeated fires and climatic conditions. Brachypodium decreases native species diversity and may alter soil ecology, vegetation community structure and composition, and natural fire regimes. This species is particularly dense on restricted soils and, thus, threatens edaphic endemic plants such as Acanthomintha ilicifolia, Bloomeria clevelandii, Brodiaea filifolia, Brodiaea orcuttii, Deinandra conjugens, Dudleya variegata, Nolina interrata, and Tetracoccus dioicus, as well as native grassland and coastal sage scrub communities. These plants and habitats are conservation targets under the Natural Community Conservation Planning programs in San Diego County, California. The conserved areas selected for treatment─Crestridge Ecological Reserve and South Crest─form a central core area for linking populations of both plants and animals between north and south San Diego County preserves.

Fire can have both negative and positive impacts on the flora and fauna of southern California. The native vegetation communities have evolved with the regional fire regime and have adapted various survival strategies in response. However, as firereturn intervals decrease to more frequent than historic levels, the trend is for shrublands, whether chaparral or coastal sage scrub, to be vegetation type-converted to grasslands. Just as fires alter the composition and structure of vegetation communities, animals may experience similar shifts in community structure and species occurrence. With the type-conversion of vegetation communities, we may expect a concomitant shift and potential biodiversity loss in faunal populations. Fire may cause direct mortality or loss of habitat and food resources that result in the decline of some species. Other species that survive the fire and prefer open or disturbed landscapes may benefit, thereby increasing in numbers. The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating how plant and animal communities are responding and recovering from the massive 2003 San Diego County wildfires. The taxa being investigated include plants, invertebrates (selected terrestrial macro-invertebrate taxa and ants) and vertebrates (reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds, bats, and carnivores). Investigations include comparisons of post-burn conditions to pre-burn baseline conditions and comparisons of responses of the various taxa between burned and unburned control sites based on available pre-burn data and data collected over the five-year study. The goal of this study is to provide scientifically based information to aid in land management planning and reserve design. These conservation and monitoring decisions should include considerations of the effects of large wildfires on structure and function of the biological community. Many of the species documented during these efforts are covered in the habitat conservation plan of San Diego, the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP).

A presentation from the South County Grasslands Best Management Practices Workshop.

A presentation from the South County Grasslands Best Management Practices Workshop.

Symposium to share information and lessons learned on the adaptive management and restoration of grasslands for rare species, including burrowing owl, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Otay tarplant, and Quino checkerspot butterfly.

Symposium to share information and lessons learned on the adaptive management and restoration of grasslands for rare species, including burrowing owl, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Otay tarplant, and Quino checkerspot butterfly.

A presentation from the South County Grasslands Best Management Practices Workshop.

Presentation at the December 8, 2021 Annual End-of-Year San Diego Management and Monitoring Program Management and Monitoring Coordination Meeting.

Symposium to share information and lessons learned on the adaptive management and restoration of grasslands for rare species, including burrowing owl, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Otay tarplant, and Quino checkerspot butterfly

A presentation from the South County Grasslands Best Management Practices Workshop.

Symposium to share information and lessons learned on the adaptive management and restoration of grasslands for rare species, including burrowing owl, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Otay tarplant, and Quino checkerspot butterfly.

A presentation from the South County Grasslands Best Management Practices Workshop.

A presentation from the South County Grasslands Best Management Practices Workshop.

Symposium to share information and lessons learned on the adaptive management and restoration of grasslands for rare species, including burrowing owl, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Otay tarplant, and Quino checkerspot butterfly.

Detailed habitat assessments were conducted by CBI, TNC, and SDSU within the four designated South County grassland management planning units: Sweetwater Reservoir, Proctor Valley, Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, and Sycamore Canyon (Figure 1). All four units were assessed in 2011; additional assessments were conducted in 2012 at Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve and Sycamore Canyon. The purpose of these assessments was to document existing habitat conditions and determine habitat suitability for the three target species (burrowing owl, Otay tarplant, and Quino checkerspot butterfly), as well as threats, results of past management actions, and potential management and restoration actions. Data from the habitat assessments were used to identify and prioritize species-specific management actions within each of the four planning areas. In addition, these data were used to identify preliminary vegetation associations, as well as potential restoration sites for native grasslands and forblands. Prior to conducting fieldwork, CBI and TNC reviewed soil maps, aerial photographs, and results of previous vegetation mapping, and plant and wildlife surveys in the project areas and vicinity.

The project used a habitat assessment protocol to delineate Brachypodium-infested habitat. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) developed the protocol; TNC and CBI modified the protocol for use in the South County grasslands project. The habitat assessment protocol collects qualitative information on biotic, abiotic, and management variables to determine both ecological suitability an management feasibility for restoration purposes.

We report on the sixth year’s progress in a multi-year program with the goal of developing a strategy to support the recovery of Western burrowing owls (BUOW; Athene cunicularia hypugaea) and their grassland ecosystem in San Diego County. Current BUOW management is dependent on continued human intervention and may not be self-sustaining. Because the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a keystone species that helps engineer California grassland ecosystems and provides critical resources for BUOW, re-establishment of this species is a crucial component of any sustainable recovery plan for BUOW and the larger ecosystem.

APPENDIX A?Biological Survey Report for the Santa Maria Creek Restoration Project: Stephens? kangaroo rat (Spencer and Montgomery 2007) APPENDIX B?Wintering Raptors of the Cagney Ranch and Surrounding Ramona Grasslands (2003-2006) (Wildlife Research Institute 2007) APPENDIX C?Biological Survey Report for the Ramona Grasslands Preserve (RECON 2005) APPENDIX D?Biological Survey Report for the Santa Maria Creek Restoration Project: riparian birds (Lovio 2007) APPENDIX E?Biological Survey/Monitoring Report for the Santa Maria Creek Restoration Project: arroyo toads (Hollingsworth et al. 2006) APPENDIX F?Invasive Weed Report for the Santa Maria Creek Restoration Project: grassland and riparian invasive weed control efforts and results (Kelly & Associates 2007)

The Ramona Grasslands host a unique assemblage of resources: ? The southernmost population of the endangered Stephens? kangaroo rat; ? Unique vernal wetlands that support endangered San Diego fairy shrimp and several rare plant species; ? Santa Maria Creek and associated habitats are important for neotropical migrant songbirds and the endangered arroyo toad; and ? A diverse raptor community, including the largest population of wintering ferruginous hawks in San Diego. Oak savannah, riparian woodlands, alkali playas, native perennial grasslands, and rock outcrops contribute to the diversity and ecosystem functions within the grasslands. These resources are imminently threatened by the indirect impacts of urbanization and thus require science-informed monitoring and management to ensure their persistence. The Ramona Grasslands comprise a significant portion of the Santa Maria Creek subbasin of the San Dieguito River watershed. The Santa Maria Creek, which drains the urbanizing community of Ramona, flows westward through the grasslands, then through Bandy Canyon to its confluence with Santa Ysabel Creek. Below the confluence, the San Dieguito River flows through San Pasqual Valley into Lake Hodges, a City of San Diego drinking water reservoir. The creek corridor serves as both a hydrological and habitat linkage for numerous species. It also provides essential ecosystem processes, such as natural filtration of anthropogenic contaminants that may impair downstream water quality. The Ramona Grasslands Preserve functions as a core habitat area within a regional network of existing and anticipated conservation lands. The coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodlands of the surrounding landscape, together with the grasslands, riparian habitat, and vernal wetlands of the core area, constitute an exceptional concentration of regionally and globally significant resources. That significance is reflected by the near complete overlap of the Preserve area by federal Critical Habitat designations (San Diego fairy shrimp, arroyo toad, and California gnatcatcher).

We report on the third year's progress in a multi-year program with the goal of developing a model program to assist with the recovery of Western burrowing owls (BUOW; Athene cunicularia hypugaea) and their grassland ecosystem in San Diego County. Current BUOW management is dependent on continued human intervention and may not be self-sustaining. Because the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a keystone species that helps engineer California grassland ecosystems and provides critical resources for BUOW, re-establishment of this species is a crucial component of any sustainable recovery plan for BUOW and the larger ecosystem. Over time we plan to develop a set of protocols and strategies that can be adopted by managers in San Diego County and in other areas where BUOW conservation management is warranted. Our long-term goal is to assist in the establishment of a more natural grassland ecosystem in San Diego County by re-establishing ground squirrels and, ultimately BUOW. The work described here is the projection of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research (ICR) and its partners, in particular, its research collaborators at San Diego State University. In 2013, we made progress towards three objectives: 1) use of translocation as a tool to establish California ground squirrels as ecosystem engineers, 2) developing methodology for monitoring natural squirrel dispersal into managed habitat at Rancho Jamul, 3) determining key habitat associations for California ground squirrels, and 4) monitoring BUOW population and nesting ecology in south San Diego County.

This framework management and monitoring plan provides guidance to maintain and enhance the conservation values of the Ramona Grasslands Open Space Preserve. The Preserve supports many unique biological resources, provides a suite of important environmental services for the region, and preserves a rich cultural and historic heritage. The Ramona Grasslands Preserve functions as a core habitat area within a regional network of existing and anticipated conservation lands. The coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodlands of the surrounding landscape, together with the grasslands, riparian habitat, and vernal wetlands of the core area, constitute an exceptional concentration of regionally and globally significant resources. That significance is reflected by the near complete overlap of the Preserve area by federal Critical Habitat designations (San Diego fairy shrimp, arroyo toad, and California gnatcatcher).

Adult and tadpole arroyo toad (ARTO) were observed within Santa Maria Creek west of Rangeland Road within Ramona Grasslands Preserve (Preserve) during monitoring surveys performed in 2016. Historically, this species is known to breed within Santa Maria Creek on the western areas within the Preserve. These sections of the creek contain high quality habitat; however, ARTO abundance in these areas is less than what has been reported in similar stream systems, and that is likely due to high abundance of bullfrogs. Threat surveys performed in 2016 confirmed bullfrog presence within Santa Maria Creek within the western areas. Also, an individual southwestern pond turtle was observed in 2016 in the western portion of the Preserve. The goal of the project was to enhance the existing ARTO population and increase the potential for a southwestern pond turtle population within Ramona Grasslands Preserve. The objective of the proposed project was to implement a bullfrog eradication program within the Preserve and the treatment ponds on the adjacent Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) property.

Historical perspective of Ramona grasslands and the management of natural resources by early settlers

The Ramona Grasslands are located in the Santa Maria Valley, west of the town of Ramona in San Diego County. In 2003 the State Water Resources Control Board awarded a Proposition 13 grant to the County of San Diego for the protection and restoration of a portion of Santa Maria Creek and adjacent ephemeral aquatic habitats in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve (Preserve). The Preserve is comprised of a number of properties that have already been conserved or are publicly owned, properties with conservation agreements pending, and properties targeted for conservation. Additional land is anticipated to be included in the Preserve via landowner dedications as mitigation for future development projects (e.g., portions of Cumming Ranch). The Preserve supports many of the unique biological resource values represented in the greater Preserve, provides a suite of important environmental services for the region, and embodies a rich cultural and historic heritage. As part of the Proposition 13 grant project, a variety of field surveys and monitoring was implemented to characterize baseline conditions of the Preserve to inform future management and monitoring efforts. This Baseline Conditions Report summarizes the results of these surveys and monitoring efforts. Management and monitoring prescriptions are discussed in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve Area Specific Management Directives (CBI 2007).

We report on the fifth year’s progress in a multi-year program with the goal of developing a strategy to support the recovery of Western burrowing owls (BUOW; Athene cunicularia hypugaea) and their grassland ecosystem in San Diego County. Current BUOW management is dependent on continued human intervention and may not be self-sustaining. Because the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a keystone species that helps engineer California grassland ecosystems and provides critical resources for BUOW, re-establishment of this species is a crucial component of any sustainable recovery plan for BUOW and the larger ecosystem. The main components of the program in 2015 consisted of work on both BUOW and California ground squirrel. For squirrels, we continued monitoring two previously established studies: (1) the experimental manipulation of grassland habitat structure and squirrel translocation to better support the persistence of ground squirrels, and (2) a pilot manipulation of natural squirrel dispersal into newly grazed pasture, using the addition of cover piles to attract squirrels into unoccupied habitat. In 2015, BUOW efforts continued to focus on understanding the ecological drivers and anthropogenic threats influencing BUOW population performance in San Diego County, as well as development of a new habitat suitability model for BUOW. These efforts were conducted collaboratively with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Diego Management and Monitoring Program, and other agency partners.

A 3-year raptor study was initiated by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to collect baseline information on eagle and other raptor activity at the Preserve. Raptor foraging surveys and golden eagle nest monitoring was conducted by AECOM at the Preserve from September 2013 through August 2014 on behalf of the County DPR. AECOM worked in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete these surveys. This report summarizes the results of Year 1 (September 2013 through August 2014) of the 3-year study. AECOM will continue surveys for Year 2 and Year 3.

Dudek conducted a baseline biodiversity study of the Escondido Creek Preserve (Preserve) to provide the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) with current baseline biological data and information needed to develop a Resource Management Plan (RMP), including Area-Specific Management Directives (ASMDs), for the Preserve. The Preserve is located in the Elfin Forest community of unincorporated San Diego County and is owned and managed by DPR. This report documents the methods and results of this study, and provides various management recommendations for AMSDs to preserve and enhance the function of the Preserve as biological open space in the context of the conservation goals and guidelines of the Draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Plan. Dudek biologists performed the following baseline biological surveys on the Preserve from summer 2010 through spring 2011: vegetation mapping, focused botanical surveys, exotic species mapping, general butterfly surveys, herpetological pitfall trap surveys, avian point count surveys, bat surveys, small mammal trapping, and large and medium mammal surveys. Thirteen vegetation communities and land cover types were identified on site including: Diegan coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus woodland, non-native grassland, southern coast live oak riparian forest, southern mixed chaparral, southern willow scrub, coast live oak woodland, southern riparian woodland, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native vegetation, disturbed habitat, developed land, and orchard. A total of 184 plant species were recorded on the Preserve during the surveys. Six special-status plant species were observed, of which two are North County MSCP-covered species. A total of 145 wildlife species were observed or detected on the Preserve during the surveys, including 4 amphibians, 12 reptiles, 83 birds, 31 mammals, and 15 butterflies. Twenty-nine special-status wildlife species were observed or detected on the Preserve, including nine North County MSCP covered species.

Monitoring to detect ecological change is an important component of many environmental and conservation programs. Developing effective monitoring programs for conservation plans is scientifically and logistically challenging. The Nature Reserves of Orange County (NROC) hold 38,000 acres enrolled within the Orange County NCCP. NROC is obligated to monitor the condition of conservation values through time and has identified vegetation communities as targets for long term monitoring. The Nature Conservancy holds conservation easements on properties adjacent to NROC NCCP lands, and both entities have similar monitoring requirements. The objective of this project is to evaluate the precision and accuracy of different sampling designs and field protocols for monitoring vegetation communities in the Orange County conservation lands, primarily coastal sage scrub (CSS), chaparral, and grasslands in central Orange County. This information addresses many of the fundamental questions surrounding the selection of both response designs and sampling designs and provides a foundation for long-term monitoring. Initial sampling effort was stratified across vegetation types, including coastal sage scrub (CSS), chaparral and grasslands. Although the OC NCCP and TNC easement lands encompass many more vegetation types, CSS, chaparral and grasslands were prioritized based on previous work in the San Diego MSCP. This stratification across habitat types was coordinated with sampling in the San Diego MSCP to improve the power of the analysis and expand our understanding to the entire southern California region. This larger, combined data set will provide both sponsors a more robust set of conclusions and dramatically advance our ability to monitor southern California vegetation communities. Methods: We set up eight plots throughout the inland portions of open space in central Orange County. A total of six plots were established on TNC easement lands with the remaining two established on NROC NCCP lands. We used plots that were 20m by50 m (0.1ha) and included ten 100m2 (10mx10m) subplots, two 50m point-intercept transects and the twenty 1m2 quadrats. All three data collection protocols were used by each team at all visited plots. Plot set-up was performed in late April, and field sampling was conducted by two teams in mid-May. Our field protocols recorded a number of response variables, including the species richness of the vegetation being sampled and the cover of individual spe

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a large ungulate native to Eurasia and North Africa which are now widely distributed as non-indigenous species in many areas, including California. Because of their adaptability to new environments, reproductive capabilities and foraging behaviors, wild pigs cause numerous damages to natural areas and wildlife throughout the state. To assess these damages we developed and distributed a survey to managers of all identifiable natural areas in California. Our objective was to identify ecological and monetary costs associated with managing natural areas within the current range of wild pigs. Surveys were mailed to 333 representatives of natural areas across California between mid December 2006 and early January 2007, and by July 2007 we had received information on 573 individual natural areas. Survey results indicated that wild pigs were present at 137 natural area units. Managers of most of these natural areas reported moderate to high concern regarding presence of wild pigs related to rooting and other disturbances in grassland, oak woodland areas and riparian habitats. Many visitors to natural areas with wild pigs commented to managers on rooting damage and negative interactions with wild pigs while hiking or camping, while others asked about hunting access. Some adjacent landowners wanted managers of natural areas with wild pigs to reduce pig numbers, whereas other nearby landowners were less bothered and likely benefited by enhanced hunting on their properties. A significant subset of the 137 natural areas with wild pigs reported using some combination of lethal and non-lethal methods to reduce damages from wild pigs. A key trend identified from the survey was that increased numbers of natural areas developed management programs to reduce wild pig damages in recent years compared to in the past. The overall minimum economic costs to all natural area management entities that reported wild pig-related management costs were $11,300,132 over the last 3 years and $18,672,023 overall. However, this was a conservative estimate because the majority of expenditures were associated with exclusion or removal of wild pigs, and not representative of damages incurred to the natural resources themselves. There is a need for reliable methods of assigning monetarily value to undisturbed natural areas and native plants and animals to provide a consistent economic presentation of actual resource damage caused by wild pigs. Non-lethal control metho

The purpose of this study is to develop habitat enhancement techniques for re-establishing and maintaining low, open grassland habitat for owls. For owls, low vegetation makes locating and capturing rodents easier. It also increases the odds that burrowing owls will detect predators before they strike. The study will also focus on increasing burrow availability by increasing the presence of the burrowing mammal most important to burrowing owls in the San Diego region, the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi). The presence of burrows available for occupancy may be an important factor for burrowing owl populations (Moulton et al. 2006). In addition to creating burrows, squirrels cut grass and forb stems during their normal foraging activity, and they trample the vegetation enough to keep the vegetation community lower and more open than it would be otherwise (Fitch 1948).

Managing burrowing owls is a critical component of San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP); and the MSCP Biological Monitoring Plan (Ogden 1996) identified it as one of the grassland raptor species to be monitored. Although there is no shortage of literature on this owl (Clark, Lincer and Clark 1997, Lincer and Clark 2007), proper owl management is hampered by a lack of a comprehensive approach to management, including consistent and monitored translocation activities (Lincer, Pagel, and Bloom 2006, Lincer 2009). It is also limited by not having a good understanding of the owl’s foraging range, which demonstrates substantial variation (Lincer 2007).

Monitoring to detect ecological change is an important component of many environmental and conservation programs. The Nature Reserves of Orange County (NROC) hold 38,000 acres enrolled within the Orange County NCCP. NROC is obligated to monitor the condition of conserved lands through time and has identified vegetation communities as targets for long term monitoring. Monitoring this large and heterogeneous area is scientifically and logistically challenging as well as costly. The objective of this project is to evaluate the cost and accuracy of different sampling designs and field protocols for monitoring coastal sage scrub (CSS), chaparral, and grassland vegetation communities. This report covers year two of an ongoing project. The current work emphasizes the importance of spatial coverage across the study area. As a result, we increased the number of sites and plots sampled from the first year of the project. We also eliminated the visual cover protocol and decreased the length of the transects and the number of quadrats at each plot. This year we detected a large increase in plant species richness throughout the county. This was driven largely by the increased diversity of forbs at resampled plots. Shrub cover varied spatially but was similar across years. In addition to richness, the cover of native and non-native forbs and grasses increased dramatically. We used a variance components analysis in order to develop recommendations for optimizing monitoring. We consider three major sources of variation: temporal (interannual), spatial and methodological. Spatial variation includes three nested levels: vegetation community, site and plot. Methodological variation includes two levels: protocol (quadrat vs. point intercept) and team. Several suites of response variables were analyzed including species richness, cover of major functional groups (e.g. native shrubs, non-native forbs), and several example species from each functional group. Semi-arid shrublands in southern California are highly spatial, with different species and functional groups displaying different degrees of affinity for a specific vegetation type or a different degree of patchiness across sites and plots. As a result allocating a significant amount of effort to spatial coverage is appropriate for most response variables. Some species and groups are also dramatically influenced by annual factors such as rainfall, and will require annual monitoring. Team-to-team variability is small

In 2014 and 2015, a MSP objective is to inspect rare plant occurrences and to conduct routine management (IMG). The objective is to survey existing occurrences for 17 species (see Appendix A) to document their status and assess threats in order to develop specific management recommendations. Surveys for these species will be implemented by a combination of land managers and contracted biologists in coordination with the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP). Fifteen additional species are also scheduled in 2014-15 to be monitored as part of regionally funded projects to establish baseline data, develop monitoring protocols, and to conduct management (Appendix A). To ensure consistency in data collection, this protocol and associated data forms have been developed to document occurrence status and to assess habitat and threats for the 17 "IMG" species. Critical to the development of the monitoring methods are recommendations from a comprehensive review of rare plant monitoring in the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Plan (McEachern et al. 2007, 2010a,b, Tracey et al. 2011). The MSP rare plant occurrence monitoring component was adapted from methods used by the City of San Diego since 2006 (City San Diego Plant Survey Form 2013, City San Diego Plant Field Form Instructions 2013, B. Miller pers. comm.). The habitat and threat assessment component incorporates covariates used by the Conservation Biology Institute and The Nature Conservancy in some of their projects (South County Grasslands Data Sheet 2011, Crestridge Qualitative Monitoring Data Sheet 2013, Habitat Assessment Form 2013, P. Gordon-Reedy, T. Smith, and J. Vinje pers. comm.). In addition, discussions with the County of San Diego (M. Hamilton and R. Humphrey, pers. comm.), Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM; M. Spiegelberg and P. McConnell, pers. comm.), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS; J. Martin, pers. comm.), AECOM (J. Dunn, T. Oberbauer, F. Sproul, L. Woolley, pers. comm.), and K. Greer (pers. comm.) have made significant contributions to the overall approach and development of covariates included in the 2014 monitoring protocol. A rare plant training session was held in February 2014 and participants offered additional suggestions for clarifying and improving the protocol and field forms.

Introduction A. Background The Calavera Hills Phase II Habitat Preserve (Preserve) is a 144 acre open space set aside for permanent conservation by Calavera Hills II, LLC, the developer of Calavera Hills Phase II. This conservation area has been set aside as partial mitigation for impacts to natural habitat resulting from the approved Phase II development. The limits of the Preserve (Figure 1) have been approved by the City of Carlsbad, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) with the primary goal of protecting habitat of the federally listed coastal California gnatcatcher, as well as other listed species and other sensitive plant and wildlife species that are covered under the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP). A varying number of gnatcatchers have been observed to occupy the preserve area in different yearly surveys. The site has been evaluated through the Calavera Hills Phase II Environmental Impact Report. It contains approximately 110 acres of coastal sage scrub (CSS), approximately 8 acres of southern mixed and chamise chaparral (SMC), approximately 16 acres of nonnative grasslands (NNG), 2 acres of eucalyptus woodland (EUC), and 8 acres of other vegetation types including disturbed and ruderal vegetation. Listed and sensitive animal and plant species also occupy the site. Pursuant to the requirements of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion dated March 14, 2002, Calavera Hills II, LLC is required to name and endow a public or private natural land management entity to manage the conserved area resources in perpetuity. The resource agencies and organizations have determined that setting lands aside and preventing development is not sufficient to preserve and protect biological integrity. Identifying the critical processes and elements that need protection, then planning, budgeting and funding for sustaining these processes and elements in perpetuity is the essence of long-term land protection. B. Purpose The purpose of this Habitat Management Plan is to establish the parameters for the permanent protection and management of the conservation area. The intent of this plan is to assure that the monitoring and management provides for the protection of vegetation within the area is protected from future disturbance in order that it can persist as viable California gnatcatcher nesting habitat and that the preserved area becomes biolo

San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia) is a federally and state endangered annual plant species that is restricted to San Diego County and Baja California, Mexico (CNDDB 2013, Beauchamp 1986). Within San Diego County, this species is found largely within the Management Strategic Planning Area (MSPA) (SDMMP 2013) (Figure 1), where it occurs on clay soils or clay lenses in chaparral, scrub, and grassland habitats (Oberbauer and Vanderwier 1991, SANDAG 2012). San Diego thornmint occurs in a relatively large number of populations for a rare species, but many of these face multiple challenges that threaten population and, possibly, species persistence across the region. Under a Local Assistance Grant (LAG) from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Conservation Biology Institute (CBI), in partnership with the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP), conducted a comprehensive review of existing information, past research, and current management and monitoring for San Diego thornmint and developed an Adaptive Management Framework for future research and monitoring. Components of this framework include: Developing or reviewing models, Identifying potential environmental correlates, Assessing threats and stressors, Developing management goals and objectives, Identifying potential opportunity areas, Compiling/developing Best Management Practices and monitoring metrics.

In FY 2011, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) funded this initial study by a Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) Local Assistance Grant (LAG) to determine if badgers still persist in the western portion of San Diego County. Survey sites were prioritized according to three criteria; 1) areas with historical and/or recent badger records, 2) conserved lands with priority given to MSCP and Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan (MHCP) lands, and 3) areas containing moderate to abundant grassland habitat. We conducted canine scent surveys for American badger scat using a specially trained canine scent team from Conservation Canines (Heath Smith and Pips; University of Washington) from November 14 to December 14, 2011. We surveyed for badger scat across 32 sites within San Diego County and two sites in southern Riverside County. Pips had positive behavioral responses to scat at 13 sites. Using a badger specific DNA test, we were able to verify the scat collected to be that of the American badger at twelve sites: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (Juliett and Oscar One), Fallbrook Naval Weapons Station, Daley Ranch in Escondido, Ramona Grasslands, Warner Springs Ranch, Whelan Lake, Crestridge Ecological Reserve, Santa Ysabel Ecological Reserve, Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area, Marron Valley, and the Santa Rosa Plateau. Because badgers are present within the western portion of the County, they are a suitable species for assessing upland connectivity by means of radio-telemetry. As a priority for research, we recommend follow-up focused surveys to identify target areas for future live-trapping and telemetry and to better define any areas with higher densities of badgers. We recommend development of a microsat

San Diego goldenstar (Muilla clevelandii) is a rare plant species associated with grassland areas. Monitoring for this plant was conducted on April 16, 2004 at Otay Lakes and Marron Valley by City of San Diego staff. Monitoring for this species began in 2001 and has been conducted annually (McMillan Biological Consulting and Conservation Biology Institute, 2001; Wildlife Research Institute, 2002). The goal of the effort was to continue the annual collection of data for long-term monitoring of San Diego goldenstar under the MSCP.

The purpose of this report is to document biological baseline data for the County of San Diego's Furby‐ North Property (Property). The 78.53 acre1 Property is located in the southwestern portion of San Diego County (see Figure 1‐1) south of Otay Mesa Road and east of Interstate 805. The Property is located within the Multiple Habitat Planning Area (MHPA) preserve boundaries of the City of San Diego's Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Subarea Plan. It is managed by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, and the information contained in this report will be used to direct future Property management and monitoring and the development of a Resource Management Plan. Inventory surveys conducted in 2011 included vegetation communities mapping, rare plant surveys and invasive species identification, butterfly surveys and habitat assessment for the Quino checkerspot butterfly, herpetological surveys using pitfall trap arrays, diurnal and nocturnal avian point count surveys and the identification of potential cactus wren habitat, active and passive bat surveys using Anabat, small mammal trapping, and medium/large mammal surveys using track stations and remote camera stations. Vegetation communities were mapped applying the new Vegetation Classification System for Western San Diego County (AECOM et al. 2011) and then cross‐walked to the Oberbauermodified Holland system (Oberbauer et al. 2008, Holland 1986). Surveys were conducted between the months of April and July 2011. The Property consists of 11 plant alliances, associations, or semi‐natural stands. The vegetation communities on‐site are dominated by high quality Diegan coastal sage scrub and maritime succulent scrub, but contain patches of non‐native grassland dominated by garland chrysanthemum in the northern portion of the Property, and a relatively dense unauthorized trail system from off‐road vehicle use in the southern portion of the Property. Trails and dirt roads traverse the entire Property, some of which are easements across the Property used by the City of San Diego and San Diego Gas and Electric. One potential vernal pool was observed in the northern portion of the Property and another potential vernal pool was observed adjacent to the northern boundary of the Property. A total of 115 plant taxa were observed on the Property during the 2011 surveys. Approximately 32 percent of these are non‐native species, many of which are gr

Michael Brandman Associates (MBA) conducted a baseline biodiversity study of the County of San Diego?s Mount Olympus Preserve (Preserve) to provide the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) with current baseline biological data and information to assist in developing a Resource Management Plan (RMP) including Area Specific Management Directives (ASMDs). The Preserve is located approximately six miles south of the City of Temecula just east of the Community of Rainbow in the northern portion of San Diego County, California. The Preserve is owned and managed by the County of San Diego DPR. Baseline biological surveys were conducted on the 707.6-acre Preserve in the late spring and summer of 2009 (April through September). They detected six vegetation communities including coast live oak woodland, native grassland, non-native grassland, non-native vegetation, southern mixed chaparral, and disturbed habitat were identified within the Preserve. Southern mixed chaparral is the most abundant vegetation community on the Preserve. Plant surveys documented 133 plant species occurring within the Preserve including three sensitive species, two of which are North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (North County MSCP) covered species. Wildlife surveys, along with incidental observations, documented 149 wildlife species within the Preserve including 16 butterfly species, 51 other invertebrate species , one amphibian species, 11 reptile species, 42 bird species, and 27 mammal species. A total of 13 sensitive wildlife species were detected, four of which are North County MSCP covered species.

Current SDecies Status: This plan addresses six vernal pool species that are listed as endangered and one that is proposed for threatened status: Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii (San Diego button-celery), Orcuttia calfornica (California Orcutt grass), Pogogyne abramsii (San Diego mesa mint), Pogogyne nudiuscula (Otay mesa mint), Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni), San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis), and Navarretiafossalis (spreading navarretia). Pogogyne abramsii was listed as endangered on September 28, 1978. Pogogyne nudiuscula, Orcuttia ca1~fornica, Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii, and the Riverside fairy shrimp were listed as endangered on August 3, 1993. The San Diego fairy shrimp was listed as endangered on February 3, 1997. Navarretia fossalis was proposed for listing as threatened on December 15, 1994. Historically, San Diego, vernal pool habitat probably covered no more than 6 percent ofthe county, approximately 520 square kilometers (200 square miles). Currently levels estimate a loss of vernal pool habitat in the San Diego County around 95 to 97 percent because ofintensive cultivation and urbanization (Bauder and McMillan 1998). Lack ofhistorical dataprecludes the same depth of analysis for Los Angeles County, Riverside County, Orange County, or San Bernardino Counties, but losses are considered nearly total (USFWS 1993). The current distribution ofpools in northern Baja California, Mexico, probably comes much closer to the historic condition (Bauder and McMillan 1998). Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: Following winter rainstorms, vernal pools form in depressions above an impervious soil layer or layers. Water evaporates from these pools during the spring and early summer. Vegetation communities associated with adjacent upland habitats that surround the vernal pools in southern California are valley needlegrass grassland, annual grasslands, coastal sage scrub, maritime succulent scrub, and chaparral. iii Prior to 1945, the primary threats to southern California vernal poois were grazing. water impoundments, and conversion to agriculture. In recent years, urbanization and construction of infrastructure have resulted in losses of habitat estimated to be as high as 97 percent. Urbanization can directly impact pools through elimination of the habitat by soil alteration, vegetation alteration, alterations in hydrological regimes, and water quality. Where pools remain th

The SDMMP established a subcommittee in 2019 which proposed a Grazing Monitoring Pilot Project (GMPP) with goals to investigate the efficacy of grazing to: a) reduce fire risk, b) enhance disturbed native habitats, and c) promote MSP species. This document presents an annotated review of the core literature related to the GMPP goals and is intended to provide SANDAG and the SDMMP with links to relevant published experimental, observational, model-based, reviews/book chapters, and technical reports. The collection of literature reviewed below is presented in a bibliographical format with accompanying abstracts, summaries, purposes, or conclusions (primarily taken from the original documents) to help inform development of an efficient and effective MSP Grazing Monitoring Plan benefitting southern California native habitats and species. The specific subtopics start with historical background and the use of predictive models, move to topics of fire risk reduction, grazing to enhance disturbed native grasslands and forbland habitats, and grazing to enhance disturbed coastal sage scrub habitat. Then it reviews topics of climate/drought responses, coastal sage scrub type conversion, grazing in relation to some MSP species, monitoring, and the benefits and tradeoffs of different grazing animals. Finally, we provide some summary observations and conclusions.

The Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is a grassland specialist distributed throughout w. North America, primarily in open areas with short vegetation and bare ground in desert, grassland, and shrub-steppe environments. Burrowing Owls are dependent on the presence of fossorial mammals (primarily prairie dogs and ground squirrels), whose burrows are used for nesting and roosting. Burrowing Owls are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States and Mexico. They are listed as Endangered in Canada and Threatened in Mexico. They are considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to be a Bird of Conservation Concern at the national level, in three USFWS regions, and in nine Bird Conservation Regions . At the state level, Burrowing Owls are listed as Endangered in Minnesota, Threatened in Colorado, and as a Species of Concern in California, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Burrowing Owls historically bred from sc. and sw. Canada southward through the Great Plains and w. United States and south to c. Mexico. Although the historical breeding range is largely intact, range contractions have occurred primarily at peripheral regions, in s. Canada, the ne. Great Plains, and parts of California and the Pacific Northwest. Burrowing Owls winter in the sw. and sc. United States, throughout Mexico, and occasionally as far south as Panama. Populations of Burrowing Owls have declined in several large regions, notably in the ne. Great Plains and Canada. However, estimates of population trends in many regions are generally inconclusive due to small samples sizes and high data variability. Population trends as determined from North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data were inconsistent, with some regions exhibiting positive trends and other regions exhibiting negative trends. When taken as a whole, the BBS indicated an area of generally declining populations in the northern half of the Great Plains, and generally increasing populations in the interior U.S. and in some southwestern deserts. The Christmas Bird Count indicated a significant population decline in California (1966-1989). Local surveys have detected declining populations and/or range reductions in California, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and throughout the range of the species in Canada. Primary threats across th

In 2003 and 2007, southern California experienced several large fires which burned thousands of hectares of wildlife habitats and conserved lands. In order to investigate the effects of the fires on plant communities, we compared the results from vegetation sampling conducted prior to the fires to results from four consecutive years of post-fire sampling among 38 burned and 17 unburned plots. The sampling plots were spread over four vegetation types (chaparral, coastal sage scrub, woodland/riparian, and grassland) and four open space areas within San Diego County. Our survey results indicated that burned plots of chaparral and coastal sage scrub lost shrub and tree canopy cover after the fires and displayed shifts in overall community structure. Post-fire community structure within burned chaparral and coastal sage scrub plots was more similar to that found in grasslands. We did not find differences in species richness or community composition in grasslands or woodland/riparian vegetation where shrub and tree cover did not significantly change after the fires. Across all plots both before and after the fires, non-native grass was the most abundant “species”, followed by chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) which was consistently the second most abundant species. We saw increases in the cover rates for several species, including peak rush-rose (Helianthemum scoparium) and Ceanothus spp., in burned chaparral and coastal sage scrub plots. California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) and California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) appear to have declined drastically in our coastal sage scrub samples with little to no signs of recovering. Chamise, Tecate cypress (Cupressus forbesii), and pines (Pinus spp.) also declined, but it apprears that there has been some progress in the post-fire recovery of these species. We discuss these individual species results as they relate to specific life history traits, such as susceptibility to initial mortality and post-fire changes in habitat suitability. We foresee that a continued unnatural fire regime for southern California will result in a simplification of the southern California vegetation communities, especially in the shrublands.

We establish a framework for building conceptual models for species, communities, and landscapes in San Diego's Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and present four case studies which illustrate the construction of conceptual models and their utility in identifying components for monitoring. We present case studies of conceptual models for a covered plant (Ambrosia pumila) and animal species (California gnatcatcher), a community (coastal sage scrub), and a landscape (coastal sage scrub-chaparral-grassland). As this is an iterative process, we present a first version of each model, followed by comments made at a workshop with the MSCP partners, our responses, and a revised version of the model. We also identify key uncertainties for each case study. We recommend four major steps in conceptual model development to help identify the parameters and elements to be monitored: 1. Identify the monitoring goals for the relevant species, community, or landscape. 2. Identify the major current and historical anthropogenic threats, natural drivers, and population or community parameters that dictate current or future status and trends. 3. Identify potential management responses for the relevant species or system. 4. Identify what to monitor based on the main parameters that link to the dynamics of the relevant species or community in the context of the monitoring goals. Using the case studies presented here as a guide, the MSCP partners can develop conceptual models for other species, communities, and landscapes as the monitoring program proceeds. These models can and should be updated as the knowledge base for these systems improves as a result of monitoring and management implementation.

In 2009-10, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) acquired the Pascoe, Cielo Azul, and Helix-Lambron parcels as additions to the Del Dios Highlands Preserve (Preserve). The County manages the Preserve in accordance with an existing Resource Management Plan (RMP) including Area-Specific Management Directives (ASMDs). Dudek conducted a baseline biodiversity study of the parcel additions to provide DPR with current biological data needed to revise the existing Del Dios Highlands Preserve RMP to include the Pascoe, Cielo Azul and Helix-Lambron parcels. This report documents the methods and results of these surveys and provides various recommendations for ASMDs to preserve and enhance the function of the parcel additions as biological open space in the context of the existing Preserve RMP as well as the Draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Plan and South County MSCP. Dudek biologists performed the following baseline biological surveys on the parcel additions from fall 2010 through spring 2011: vegetation mapping, focused botanical surveys, exotic species mapping, general butterfly surveys, herpetological pitfall trap and coverboard surveys, aquatic amphibian surveys, avian point count surveys, bat surveys, small mammal trapping, and large and medium mammal surveys. Eight vegetation communities were identified on site including: Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, non-native grassland, southern coast live oak riparian woodland, southern willow scrub, coast live oak woodland, eucalyptus woodland, and disturbed habitat. A total of 136 plant species were recorded on the parcel additions during surveys. Four specialstatus plant species were observed, of which two are MSCP-covered species, and one of these, Encinitas baccharis (Baccharis vanessae), is federally and state listed. A total of 147 wildlife species were observed or detected on the parcel additions during surveys, including 4 amphibians, 13 reptiles, 73 birds, 35 mammals, and 22 invertebrates. Twenty-eight special-status wildlife species were observed or detected on the Preserve, including 13 MSCP-covered species.

Baseline surveys were conducted in the winter, spring, and summer of 2008. Biologists conducted the following surveys to assess the current status of biological resources onsite: (1) mapping of vegetation communities, (2) a floral inventory including rare plant surveys, (3) checklist butterfly surveys, (4) pitfall trapping to sample amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals, (5) focused arroyo toad surveys, (6) aquatic herpetofauna surveys, (7) diurnal avian point count surveys, (8) nocturnal avian surveys, (9) acoustic sampling and roost and foraging surveys for bats, (10) small mammal trapping using live Sherman traps, and (11) track and camera station surveys for medium and large mammals. Due to a series of drought years and recent wildfires that have burned much of the Preserve, results of these surveys may under-represent the diversity of plant and wildlife species that occupy the Preserve. Nine vegetation communities were mapped within the Preserve and consist of southern coast live oak riparian forest, Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, mafic southern mixed chaparral, non-native grassland, coast live oak woodland, eucalyptus woodland, disturbed habitat, and urban/developed. The most abundant vegetation community on the Preserve is southern mixed chaparral. Floristic surveys documented 337 plant taxa occurring in the nine vegetation communities. These include both native and non-native species along with seven sensitive plant species: Brewer?s calandrinia, Humboldt?s lily, Cleveland?s bush monkey flower, felt-leaved monardella, Fish?s milkwort, Robinson?s pepper-grass, and Engelmann oak. A total of 150 animal species were documented from the Preserve during the 2008 baseline surveys. These include 16 species of butterflies, three species of amphibians, 16 species of reptiles, 78 species of birds, and 37 species of mammals. No federally or state listed species were detected; however, 13 non-listed sensitive species were detected during baseline surveys.

The purpose of this study is to develop habitat enhancement techniques for re-establishing and maintaining low, open grassland habitat for owls. For owls, low vegetation makes locating and capturing rodents easier. It also increases the odds that burrowing owls will detect predators before they strike. The study will also focus on increasing burrow availability by increasing the presence of the burrowing mammal most important to burrowing owls in the San Diego region, the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi). The presence of burrows available for occupancy may be an important factor for burrowing owl populations (Moulton et al. 2006). In addition to creating burrows, squirrels cut grass and forb stems during their normal foraging activity, and they trample the vegetation enough to keep the vegetation community lower and more open than it would be otherwise (Fitch 1948).

Monitoring to detect ecological change is an important component of many environmental and conservation programs. Developing effective monitoring programs for conservation plans is scientifically and logistically challenging. The Nature Reserves of Orange County (NROC) hold 38,000 acres enrolled within the Orange County NCCP. NROC is obligated to monitor the condition of conservation values through time and has identified vegetation communities as targets for long term monitoring. The Nature Conservancy holds conservation easements on properties adjacent to NROC NCCP lands, and both entities have similar monitoring requirements. The objective of this project is to evaluate the precision and accuracy of different sampling designs and field protocols for monitoring vegetation communities in the Orange County conservation lands, primarily coastal sage scrub (CSS), chaparral, and grasslands in central Orange County. This information addresses many of the fundamental questions surrounding the selection of both response designs and sampling designs and provides a foundation for long-term monitoring. Initial sampling effort was stratified across vegetation types, including coastal sage scrub (CSS), chaparral and grasslands. Although the OC NCCP and TNC easement lands encompass many more vegetation types, CSS, chaparral and grasslands were prioritized based on previous work in the San Diego MSCP. This stratification across habitat types was coordinated with sampling in the San Diego MSCP to improve the power of the analysis and expand our understanding to the entire southern California region. This larger, combined data set will provide both sponsors a more robust set of conclusions and dramatically advance our ability to monitor southern California vegetation communities.

This biological resources report was prepared for the County of San Diego (County) in order to provide information on baseline biological conditions prior to the Cedar Fire of 2003 and to assist in the formation of Area Specific Management Directives (ASMDs) for the Barnett Ranch Open Space Preserve (Preserve) on the approximately 728-acre Barnett Ranch located in the unincorporated Ramona Community Planning Area of central San Diego County east of State Route (SR) 67 and south of SR 78. The project site supports 16 vegetation communities: southern coast live oak riparian forest, southern willow scrub, freshwater seep, riparian scrub, open water, open Engelmann oak woodland, coast live oak woodland, wildflower field, Diegan coastal sage scrub (including disturbed), coastal sage-chaparral scrub, southern mixed chaparral, non-native grassland, eucalyptus woodland, extensive agriculture, disturbed habitat, and developed land. No federally or state listed threatened or endangered plant species were observed on site; however, one plant species of federal special concern was observed: felt-leaved monardella (Monardella hypoleuca ssp. lanata). In addition, four plant species recognized as sensitive by the California Native Plant Society and/or the County were observed: delicate clarkia (Clarkia delicata), San Diego County viguiera (Viguiera laciniata), Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii), and ashy-spike moss (Selaginella cinerascens). No animal species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or California Department of Fish and Game were observed on the site; however, 10 animals observed on site are federal species of concern: orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidophorus hyperythrus beldingi), coastal whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris stejnegeri), coastal rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca), southern California rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps canescens), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae), lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), and Pacific slope flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis). Ten animals observed on site are California species of special concern: silvery legless lizard (Anniella pulchra pulchra), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), northern red-diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus exsul), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperi), sharpshinned

The Simon Preserve (Preserve) consists of approximately 617 acres in unincorporated San Diego County. Dudek biologists performed the following baseline biological surveys from spring through fall 2009: vegetation mapping, focused botanical surveys, exotic species mapping, general butterfly surveys, herpetological pitfall trap surveys, avian point count surveys, bat surveys, small mammal trapping, and large and medium mammal surveys. This report documents the methods and results of these surveys, and provides various management recommendations to preserve and enhance the function of the Preserve as biological open space in the context of the regional conservation goals of the draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Plan (North County MSCP). The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) proposes to manage the Preserve in accordance with a Resource Management Plan (RMP) including Area-Specific Management Directives (ASMDs) that will be prepared based upon the baseline biological survey information established in this report. Based on species composition and general physiognomy, a total of 15 native or naturalized plant communities, including disturbed forms and mixed vegetation types, were identified on site: Diegan coastal sage scrub, disturbed Diegan coastal sage scrub, chamise chaparral, coastal sage scrub-southern mixed chaparral, disturbed coastal sage scrub-southern mixed chaparral, southern mixed chaparral, non-native grassland, southern coast live oak riparian woodland, southern cottonwood-willow riparian forest, southern riparian woodland, southern willow scrub, arrowweed scrub, coast live oak woodland, open Engelmann oak woodland, and eucalyptus woodland. In addition, disturbed habitat, developed land, and orchard land covers were identified. A total of 203 vascular plant species were recorded on the Preserve during surveys. Four specialstatus plant species were observed, of which three are covered under the North County MSCP, and one, San Diego thorn-mint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia), is federally and state listed. A total of 93 wildlife species were observed or detected on the Preserve during surveys, including 8 reptiles, 52 birds, 16 mammals, and 17 invertebrates. Seventeen special-status wildlife species were observed or detected on the Preserve, including five species covered under the North County MSCP.

This long-term management plan (LTMP) provides a framework for the enhancement and management of thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia) populations, Diegan coastal sage scrub, native grassland, and southern willow scrub on the Fox-Miller Property open space, which includes approximately 18.11 acres of land in the city of Carlsbad, San Diego County. The dedication of the open space and the implementation of the associated LTMP fulfill a portion of the mitigation for impacts to the biological resources associated with development of the property. This plan will become effective following the completion and approval of the five-year maintenance and monitoring activities associated with the approved restoration plan prepared for this project. The open space will be managed in perpetuity to maintain and improve the habitat quality onsite. Habitat enhancement of the open space will benefit the thread-leaved brodiaea as well as a variety of wildlife species using the open space. Management guidelines and the responsible parties are identified in this document. This plan was written and is believed to be in conformance with the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (San Diego Association of Governments [SANDAG] 1998), the City of Carlsbad's Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities (City of Carlsbad 1999), and Section D of the draft Open Space Management Plan.

This biological resources report was prepared for the County of San Diego (County) in order to provide information on baseline biological conditions prior to the Cedar Fire of 2003 and to assist in the formation of Area Specific Management Directives (ASMDs) for the Barnett Ranch Open Space Preserve (Preserve) on the approximately 728-acre Barnett Ranch located in the unincorporated Ramona Community Planning Area of central San Diego County east of State Route (SR) 67 and south of SR 78. The project site supports 16 vegetation communities: southern coast live oak riparian forest, southern willow scrub, freshwater seep, riparian scrub, open water, open Engelmann oak woodland, coast live oak woodland, wildflower field, Diegan coastal sage scrub (including disturbed), coastal sage-chaparral scrub, southern mixed chaparral, non-native grassland, eucalyptus woodland, extensive agriculture, disturbed habitat, and developed land.

Monitoring to detect ecological change is an important component of many environmental and conservation programs. The Nature Reserves of Orange County (NROC) hold 38,000 acres enrolled within the Orange County NCCP. NROC is obligated to monitor the condition of conserved lands through time and has identified vegetation communities as targets for long term monitoring. Monitoring this large and heterogeneous area is scientifically and logistically challenging as well as costly. The objective of this project is to evaluate the cost and accuracy of different sampling designs and field protocols for monitoring coastal sage scrub (CSS), chaparral, and grassland vegetation communities. This report covers year two of an ongoing project. The current work emphasizes the importance of spatial coverage across the study area. As a result, we increased the number of sites and plots sampled from the first year of the project. We also eliminated the visual cover protocol and decreased the length of the transects and the number of quadrats at each plot. This year we detected a large increase in plant species richness throughout the county. This was driven largely by the increased diversity of forbs at resampled plots. Shrub cover varied spatially but was similar across years. In addition to richness, the cover of native and non-native forbs and grasses increased dramatically. We used a variance components analysis in order to develop recommendations for optimizing monitoring. We consider three major sources of variation: temporal (interannual), spatial and methodological. Spatial variation includes three nested levels: vegetation community, site and plot. Methodological variation includes two levels: protocol (quadrat vs. point intercept) and team. Several suites of response variables were analyzed including species richness, cover of major functional groups (e.g. native shrubs, non-native forbs), and several example species from each functional group. Semi-arid shrublands in southern California are highly spatial, with different species and functional groups displaying different degrees of affinity for a specific vegetation type or a different degree of patchiness across sites and plots. As a result allocating a significant amount of effort to spatial coverage is appropriate for most response variables. Some species and groups are also dramatically influenced by annual factors such as rainfall, and will require annual monitoring. Team-to-team variability is sm

BCLT and AECOM used the EMP funds for restoration of native grassland habitat at BCLT’s property, Wright’s Field, located in Alpine, California (the Project). Specifically, funds were utilized to restore and enhance the two remaining San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia; thornmint) populations, as well as Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino; Quino) host plant (Plantago erecta; plantago) populations. Wright’s Field populations of both species are facing extirpation due to nonnative plant invasion. Working in partnership with AECOM’s highly skilled and qualified restoration team, BCLT implemented restoration and enhancement on two sites within native grassland habitat, both of which support thornmint and plantago. Restoration and management activities included removal of nonnatives; seed collection, bulking, and redispersal; monitoring (qualitative and quantitative) and reporting; resource agency coordination; volunteer training; and public outreach and education.

Badgers (Taxidea taxus) are wide-ranging mid-sized predators associated with grassland and upland habitats. Their large home ranges, low densities, and low fecundity make them particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and road mortality. The American badger is a covered species under the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) and has been identified by the San Diego Monitoring and Management Program (SDMMP) Connectivity Monitoring Strategic Plan as a target species for monitoring regional-scale functional connectivity of upland and grassland habitats and is considered to be at risk of loss from the SDMMP Management Strategic Plan Area (MSPA). In 2015, we continued studies of the spatial and temporal use of habitats by the American badger by conducting monthly field sign and infrared (IR) camera surveys across seven focal sites in the County where we previously documented substantial and/or repeated badger activity; Volcan Mountain Ecological Reserve (ER), Santa Ysabel ER, Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Barnett Ranch Preserve, Marron Valley Cornerstone Lands, Rancho Guejito (privately owned), and the upper San Diego River and El Capitan Grande Reservation. Our objective was to determine if badgers use these areas annually and if so, to better document the duration and season(s) of activity.

In 2015, a MSP objective is to inspect rare plant occurrences and to conduct routine management (IMG). The objective is to survey existing occurrences for 28 species (see Appendix A) to document their status and assess threats in order to develop specific management recommendations. Surveys for these species will be implemented by a combination of land managers and volunteers in coordination with the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP). To ensure consistency in data collection, this protocol and associated data forms have been developed to document occurrence status and to assess habitat and threats for the "IMG" species. Critical to the development of the monitoring methods are recommendations from a comprehensive review of rare plant monitoring in the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Plan (McEachern et al. 2007, 2010a,b, Tracey et al. 2011). The MSP rare plant occurrence monitoring component was adapted from methods used by the City of San Diego since 2006 (City San Diego Plant Survey Form 2013, City San Diego Plant Field Form Instructions 2013, B. Miller and K. Roeland pers. comm.). The habitat and threat assessment component incorporates covariates used by the Conservation Biology Institute and The Nature Conservancy in some of their projects (South County Grasslands Data Sheet 2011, Crestridge Qualitative Monitoring Data Sheet 2013, Habitat Assessment Form 2013, P. Gordon-Reedy, T. Smith, and J. Vinje pers. comm.). In addition, discussions with the County of San Diego (M. Hamilton, J. Price, and R. Humphrey, pers. comm.), Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM; M. Spiegelberg and P. McConnell, pers. comm.), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS; J. Martin, pers. comm.), AECOM (J. Dunn, T. Oberbauer, F. Sproul, L. Woolley, pers. comm.), and K. Greer (pers. comm.) have made significant contributions to the overall approach and development of covariates included in the 2014 monitoring protocol. A rare plant training session was held in February 2014 and participants offered additional suggestions for clarifying and improving the protocol and field forms. Finally, land managers field tested the protocol in 2014 and at an October 21, 2014 meeting provided feedback for revising the protocol for 2015.

Brachypodium distachyon is an emerging invasive species with potentially widespread ecological implications for native species, habitats, and ecosystem processes. It has increased in extent and dominance in recent years in San Diego County, possibly in response to repeated fires and climatic conditions. Brachypodium decreases native species diversity and may alter soil ecology, vegetation community structure and composition, and natural fire regimes. This species is particularly dense on restricted soils and, thus, threatens edaphic endemic plants such as Acanthomintha ilicifolia, Bloomeria clevelandii, Brodiaea filifolia, Brodiaea orcuttii, Deinandra conjugens, Dudleya variegata, Nolina interrata, and Tetracoccus dioicus, as well as native grassland and coastal sage scrub communities. These plants and habitats are conservation targets under the Natural Community Conservation Planning programs in San Diego County, California. The conserved areas selected for treatment&amp;#9472;Crestridge Ecological Reserve and South Crest&amp;#9472;form a central core area for linking populations of both plants and animals between north and south San Diego County preserves. Environmental Mitigation Program Grant No. 5001965

The purpose of this Biological Diversity Baseline Report for the Lawrence and Barbara Daley Preserve is to provide the County of San Diego with information on existing biological conditions to assist in the development of Area Specific Management Directives. The approximately 597-acre1 Preserve is located in the south central portion of San Diego County, in the community of Dulzura, north and east of Highway 94 and south of Honey Springs Road. Technology Associates International Corporation (Technology Associates) assisted by the San Diego Natural History Museum, conducted baseline biological surveys at the Preserve on behalf of the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation. Baseline surveys were conducted in the winter, spring, and summer of 2009-2010. Biologists conducted the following surveys to assess the current status of biological resources onsite: (1) mapping of vegetation communities, (2) a floral inventory including rare plant surveys, (3) butterfly inventory surveys, (4) pitfall trapping for amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals, (5) arroyo toad surveys, (6) aquatic herpetofauna surveys, (7) diurnal avian point count surveys, (8) nocturnal avian surveys, (9) acoustic bat surveys, (10) small mammal trapping, and (11) track and camera station surveys for medium and large mammals. Due to the 2007 Harris fire that burned all of the Preserve, results of these surveys may under-represent the diversity of plant and wildlife species that occupy the Preserve. Ten vegetation communities were mapped within the Preserve and consist of Diegan coastal sage scrub, coastal sage-chaparral scrub, southern mixed chaparral, native grassland, non-native grassland, southern riparian woodland, coast live oak woodland, eucalyptus woodland, disturbed habitat, and urban/developed habitat. The most abundant vegetation community on the Preserve is Diegan coastal sage scrub, which makes up approximately 417.20 acres or 70% of the total area. Floristic surveys documented 355 plant taxa occurring on site. These include both native and non-native species along with eleven sensitive (California Native Plant Society List 1-4) plant species, including: desert fragrance (Ambrosia monogyra), San Diego needlegrass (Achnatherum diegoensis), Palmer's sagewort (Artemisia palmeri), San Diego sunflower (Bahiopsis [Viguiera] laciniata), delicate clarkia (Clarkia delicata), Palmer's goldenbush (Ericameria palmeri var. palmeri), chocolate lil

ICF Jones & Stokes conducted baseline biodiversity surveys of the County of San Diego?s (County) Lusardi Creek Preserve (Preserve) to provide the Department of Parks and Recreation with biological data to develop a Resource Management Plan (RMP) including Area Specific Management Directives (ASMDs). To provide a baseline evaluation of biological resources, the following studies were conducted by ICF Jones & Stokes: (1) vegetation mapping; (2) rare plant surveys; (3) pitfall trap arrays to sample amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals; (4) avian point counts; (5) nocturnal bird surveys; (6) acoustic sampling and roost surveys for bats; (7) small mammal trapping; (8) a track and sign survey for medium-to-large mammals; and (9) a camera station survey for medium-to-large mammals. The Preserve includes approximately 194.51 acres of native/naturalized vegetation communities including Diegan coastal sage scrub, chamise chaparral, southern maritime chaparral, southern willow scrub, nonnative grasslands, valley needlegrass grasslands, and disturbed habitat all of which are within the MSCP. The undeveloped portion of the Preserve is mapped as Pre-approved Mitigation Area (PAMA) and is considered an MSCP Preserve. The current surveys documented nine land cover types and 292 species within the Preserve. The surveys detected 177 plant species, 55 bird species, 24 mammal species (eight bats, nine small mammals, and seven medium and large bodied mammals), 12 herptiles (three amphibian and nine reptiles), and 24 invertebrate species. This list includes 31 special status species (18 wildlife and 13 plants) of which eight (six wildlife and two plants) are MSCP-covered species.

San Diego goldenstar (Muilla clevelandii) is a rare plant species associated with grassland areas. Monitoring for this plant was conducted on May 19, 2003 on Del Mar Mesa by City of San Diego staff. Monitoring for this species began in 2001 and has been conducted annually (McMillan Biological Consulting and Conservation Biology Institute, 2001; Wildlife Research Institute, 2002). The methodology and results of the monitoring are detailed below. The goal of the effort was to continue the annual collection of data for long-term monitoring of San Diego goldenstar under the MSCP.

Prioritization of communities for monitoring was based on the following criteria: representativeness, extent, fragmentation, endangerment and threats. Aggregated communities that received high priority rankings based on several criteria include CSS and meadows & freshwater wetlands. Communities with high endangerment or threats should also receive high priority and include: Southern foredunes, Southern coastal salt marsh, Southern coastal bluff scrub, Maritime succulent scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub, Southern maritime chaparral, Valley needlegrass grassland, Cismontane alkali marsh, Southern arroyo willow riparian forest, Southern willow scrub, Engelmann oak woodland, Torrey Pine forest, and Tecate Cypress forest. This report will: describe the current state of the MSCP Preserve, discuss natural community assemblages and alternative vegetation community classifications for the MSCP, describe the use of landscape stratification based on environmental variables as an alternative to vegetation classification, discuss the grouping of communities for the monitoring program, and prioritize natural communities for monitoring protocol development.

The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) prepared a master plan in 2007 outlining the creation of the San Luis Rey River Park (SLRRP) in northern San Diego County. Per the Park Implementation Process outlined in the SLRRP Master Plan, the County has acquired approximately 500 of the 1,700 acres planned for the SLRRP. DPR is proposing to manage the SLRRP in accordance with a resource management plan (RMP), including areaspecific management directives (ASMDs). Dudek conducted a baseline biodiversity study of the SLRRP parcels to provide DPR with current biological data needed to prepare an RMP. This report documents the methods and results of this study and provides various management recommendations for ASMDs to preserve and enhance the function of the SLRRP as biological open space in the context of the conservation goals and guidelines of the Draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Plan. Dudek biologists performed the following baseline biological surveys on the parcel additions from fall 2010 through spring 2011: vegetation mapping, focused botanical surveys, exotic species mapping, general butterfly surveys, herpetological pitfall trap surveys, aquatic amphibian surveys, avian point count surveys, bat surveys, small mammal trapping, and large and medium mammal surveys. Eight vegetation communities or land covers were identified on site, including southern cottonwood-willow riparian forest (including disturbed forms), disturbed habitat, non-native grassland, developed land, orchard, tamarisk scrub, agriculture, and Diegan coastal sage scrub. A total of 168 plant species were recorded within the study area during surveys. No special-status plant species were observed. A total of 166 wildlife species were observed or detected in the study area during surveys, including 3 fish, 4 amphibians, 10 reptiles, 63 birds, 31 mammals, and 55 invertebrates. Eighteen special-status wildlife species were observed or detected in the study area, including two species proposed for coverage under the Draft North County MSCP.

AECOM conducted baseline biological surveys of the County of San Diego?s Sage Hill Preserve (Preserve). This effort was undertaken to provide biological data, information, and analysis to the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to aid their development of a Resource Management Plan with Area Specific Management Directives for the Preserve. To evaluate the Preserve?s biological resources, AECOM performed the following studies: a) vegetation mapping; b) sensitive plant surveys; c) invasive plant surveys; d) butterfly surveys; e) amphibian surveys; f) reptile pit traps and surveys; g) avian point counts; h) nocturnal bird surveys; i) acoustic surveys and roost surveys for bats; j) small mammal trapping, and k) camera survey stations for medium and large mammals. This report describes all survey methodologies, data collected, and analyses performed during the survey, which occurred from February through December, 2009. The report also includes management recommendations based on the survey results. These recommendations cover management and monitoring of sensitive plant and animal species, including species covered by the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (North County MSCP). It also includes recommendations for management and monitoring of vegetation communities, control of invasive non-native plant species, and other recommendations to ameliorate illegal collection of animal species from the Preserve. The Preserve covers approximately 231.51 acres of native and non-native habitats, including Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern maritime chaparral, coastal sage-chaparral scrub, coastal and valley freshwater marsh, southern oak riparian forest, non-native grassland, disturbed habitat, and tamarisk scrub. All of the Preserve is within the proposed North County MSCP preserve system. The 2009 surveys documented 8 vegetation types and 239 species within the Preserve. The species detected included 146 plant species (of which 97 were native), wildlife surveys detected 13 butterfly species, 4 amphibian species (including one non-native), 8 reptile species, 48 bird species (including one non-native), and 20 mammal species (including one non-native). Of these species, there are 11 special-status species of which six are North County MSCP-covered species (2 plants and 4 animals).

The County of San Diego's Barnett Ranch Preserve (Preserve) is part of the South and North County Multiple Species Conservation Programs (MSCP) and managed by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) pursuant to management and monitoring guidelines identified in the South County MSCP and in the Barnett Ranch Preserve Area Specific Management Directives (ASMD). A baseline monitoring study conducted between 2001 and 2003 collected biological data on the Preserve. However, the Cedar Fire in 2003 burned the entire Preserve, effectively changing short term habitat conditions. This report details results of the monitoring surveys conducted in 2009, and provides analysis and conclusions relative to habitat conditions and specific-specific management recommendations. MSCP monitoring guidelines are currently being updated, revised and developed. Regional monitoring approaches and specific habitat monitoring protocols are being studied by researchers of San Diego State University (SDSU); animal monitoring protocols are being drafted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the latter of which is also researching specific monitoring protocols for sensitive plants. In lieu of the availability of preserve-specific monitoring protocols, monitoring methods for the 2009 surveys either used established protocols or draft regional MSCP monitoring protocols adapted for preserve-level monitoring. The following monitoring surveys were performed in 2009: vegetation communities mapping, general wildlife, habitat monitoring, herpetological pitfall array, and wildlife corridor/movement surveys. The Preserve consists mainly of non-native grassland habitats in the center of the Preserve, which were historically influenced by grazing. Chaparral habitats are also well represented and seem to be recovering from the effects of the 2003 Cedar Fire, although vegetation community transitions and chaparral ecotones are unusually frequent on the Preserve. However, coastal sage scrub, which has historically covered large portions on the site, seems to be receding, possibly due to the effects of several wildfires that have burned the site. Results from habitat monitoring surveys suggest that type conversion from scrub habitats to non-native grasslands seem to be occurring, most likely as a result of the 2003 Cedar Fire. In addition, the Preserve's oak woodlands were also significantly affected by t

Brachypodium distachyon is an emerging invasive species with potentially widespread ecological implications for native species, habitats, and ecosystem processes. It has increased in extent and dominance in recent years in San Diego County, possibly in response to repeated fires and climatic conditions. Brachypodium decreases native species diversity and may alter soil ecology, vegetation community structure and composition, and natural fire regimes. This species is particularly dense on restricted soils and, thus, threatens edaphic endemic plants such as Acanthomintha ilicifolia, Bloomeria clevelandii, Brodiaea filifolia, Brodiaea orcuttii, Deinandra conjugens, Dudleya variegata, Nolina interrata, and Tetracoccus dioicus, as well as native grassland and coastal sage scrub communities. These plants and habitats are conservation targets under the Natural Community Conservation Planning programs in San Diego County, California. The conserved areas selected for treatment─Crestridge Ecological Reserve and South Crest─form a central core area for linking populations of both plants and animals between north and south San Diego County preserves.

The MSCP identifies two primary biological goals: conserving diversity and function of the ecosystem, and conserving populations of specific species. The MSCP Plan and the BMP also identify specific objectives for the monitoring program, including the documentation of ecological trends and evaluation of the effectiveness of management activities. The goals and objectives of the MSCP and its monitoring plan provide a good foundation, but their effectiveness would improve if conservation targets and triggers for management were created, based on the best available data. The implementation of the MSCP biological monitoring plan has been partially successful, as baseline surveys have been conducted for many MSCP parcels and for a variety of covered species. Studies have been commissioned on a diverse array of topics. However, the protocols described in the original BMP have not been adopted by most jurisdictions or agencies. An important exception is the City of San Diego?s rare plant monitoring program and their additional surveys and studies on other monitoring issues. The County has surveyed many of their lands and contracted out studies on several important issues. The primary wildlife agencies USGS, USFWS, and CDFG have also surveyed MSCP lands and studied relevant questions. Some important aspects of the monitoring program must be improved for the plan to be successful. Important areas to improve include the lack of: (1) a central repository of spatial and non-spatial data and MSCP-related documents; (2) updated and scientifically-defensible monitoring priorities; (3) management-oriented conceptual models; (4) data analysis and synthesis capacity; and (5) feedback between decision-makers and land managers.

The objectives of this document are to review the current status of the component of the monitoring program that focuses on rare plants, and to make recommendations for an efficient program design that propels conservation forward in the region. For conservation to be effective, ecological monitoring must be efficient and sustainable, responsive to agency management needs, regionally integrated, and flexible enough to respond to emerging issues as they arise. The monitoring must be focused on the assessment of how populations of MSCP taxa respond to management regimes and particular management actions. Thus, this review takes a look at program vision and structure, implementation plans, available data, and institutional support of the current monitoring efforts. We provide recommendations for a revised rare plant monitoring framework based on current concepts in conservation biology (especially adaptive management), data analyses, and agency and stakeholder feedback. We use the framework to develop an example Monitoring and Management Plan protocol for San Diego ambrosia (Ambrosia pumila).