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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.

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