Conservation of rare species requires careful consideration to both preserve locally adapted traits and maintain genetic diversity, as species’ ranges fuctuate in response to a changing climate and habitat loss. Salt marsh systems in California have been
highly modifed and many salt marsh obligate species have undergone range reductions and habitat loss with concomitant
losses of genetic diversity and connectivity. Remaining salt marshes are threatened by rising sea levels, and so these habitats
will likely require active restoration and re-establishment eforts. This study aims to provide a reference point for the current
status of genetic diversity and range-wide population structure of a federally and state listed endangered plant, salt marsh
bird’s-beak (Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum) that can inform future preservation and restoration eforts. We used
historical data and current monitoring information to locate and sample all known occurrences throughout the range of this
subspecies in southern California, and three additional occurrences from Baja California, Mexico. We used fow cytometry
and single nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs), generated by double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD), to assess relative ploidy, and estimate genetic diversity and population structure across the region. Overall,
we found fve distinct genetic clusters that coincide with geographic regions. Genetic diversity was greatest in the southern
part of the range including Baja California and San Diego. These fndings can bolster management and restoration eforts
by identifying potentially isolated occurrences and areas that are the richest sources of allelic diversity, and by providing
insight into the amount of genetic diferentiation across the taxon’s range.
Panoquina errans (Skinner, 1892), commonly known as the wandering skipper, is restricted to a narrow band of disjunct salt marsh habitat extending along the west coast of North America from Santa Barbara Co., California to the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. A determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of whether it represents an endangered or threatened species could not be made owing to a paucity of information on its biological vulnerability and threat. Based on a three-year survey (2010-2012) in San Diego Co., California, the species was observed in nine coastal lagoons and a coastal bluff. At all sites within the study area there was a significant correlation between the maximum annual observations of P. errans and the total area occupied by the larval host plant Distichlis spicata (Poaceae). The primary habitat for P. errans is coastal lagoons
and coastal bluffs (100% of observations); elevations less than 5 m above mean sea level (98% of observations); within 25 m of patches of D. spicata over 1 m2 (75% of observations); and containing Frankenia, Cakile, or Heliotropium (95% of observations).
Presentation at the February 22, 2023 SDMMP Management and Monitoring Coordination Meeting. The recording that accompanies this presentation can be found in the library. Search by the author and date.
Recording Part 2 from the February 22, 2023 SDMMP Management and Monitoring Coordination Meeting. Presentation: Status of Salt Marsh Bird’s-beak in San Diego County, California and Baja California, Mexico in 2022 (Jessie Vinje, CBI and Margie Mulligan, Mulligan Biological Consulting).
Recording from the February 22, 2023 SDMMP Management and Monitoring Coordination Meeting. Presentations: Management and Monitoring Data to inform Regional Conservation Habitat Assessment (Kim Smith, SANDAG), Camp Pendleton Vernal Pool Management (William Raitter, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton), Status of Salt Marsh Bird’s-beak in San Diego County, California and Baja California, Mexico in 2022 (Jessie Vinje, CBI and Margie Mulligan, Mulligan Biological Consulting).
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.
This project is aimed at assessing the status and genetic diversity of populations of six species of
rare plants in San Diego County including Acanthomintha ilicifolia (San Diego thornmint) and
Monardella viminea (willowy monardella) in the Lamiaceae, Chloropyron
maritimum ssp. maritimum (salt marsh bird's-beak) and Dicranostegia orcuttiana (Orcutt's
bird's-beak) in the Orobanchaceae, and Baccharis vanessae (Encinitas baccharis) and Deinandra
conjugens (Otay tarplant) in the Asteraceae. The results of this project should directly contribute
to the conservation and management of these rare plant taxa in the San Diego MSPA. For each of
these species, information on the genetic makeup and diversity across its range is needed to
inform potential management actions such as establishing new populations and enhancing
existing populations. Previously, verification and scientific voucher specimens were lacking
from many occurrences of these six target species across San Diego County. Therefore, the goals
of this task are to collect genetic material from as many species’ occurrences as possible and to
collect voucher specimens to serve as a long-term resource for studying the populations
associated with this project. These collections are useful for future genetic and morphological
work to help inform management action. The genetic analyses of these collections will be
performed by USGS.
Thirty-two coastal salt marshes were surveyed for state-endangered Belding?s Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), 18 March ? 30 May 2001. Belding?s Savannah Sparrows exhibiting breeding behavior were detected in 30 of these wetlands from Goleta Slough in Santa Barbara County on the north to Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the Mexican border. A minimum total of 2,902 pairs was detected. This is the highest state total reported since periodic counts began in 1973 and is 23.5% higher than the next highest count, reported in 1996. Point Mugu alone accounted numerically for this difference, wherein twice as many Belding?s were recorded in 2001 than previously.
The major need of this little endangered songbird remains habitat restoration, security, and management. At least 75% of southern California?s former coastal wetlands have been lost and the remainder suffers ongoing degradation. The long-term fate of a few of the occupied wetlands is still uncertain and most are affected by trespass and the side effects of so many millions of people living on their edges and in their watersheds. Counteracting these problems by rebuilding a larger habitat base, with better security, and increased management would greatly benefit a significant suite of species with which the Belding?s Savannah sparrow shares its habitat.
The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects a rich diversity of endangered, threatened, migratory, and native species and their habitats in the midst of a highly urbanized coastal environment. Nesting, foraging, and resting sites are managed for a diverse assembly of birds. Waterfowl and shorebirds over-winter or stop here to feed and rest as they migrate along the Pacific Flyway. Undisturbed expanses of cordgrass dominated salt marsh support sustainable populations of light-footed clapper rail. Enhanced and restored wetlands provide new, high quality habitat for fish, birds, and coastal salt marsh plants, such as the endangered salt marsh bird?s beak. Quiet nesting areas, buffered from adjacent urbanization, ensure the reproductive success of the threatened western snowy plover, endangered California least tern, and an array of ground nesting seabirds and shorebirds.
The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge also provides the public with the opportunity to observe birds and wildlife in their native habitats and to enjoy and connect with the natural environment. Informative environmental education and interpretation programs expand the public?s awareness of the richness of the wildlife resources of the Refuge. The Refuge serves as a haven for wildlife and the public to be treasured by this and future
generations.
Thirty-two coastal salt marshes were surveyed for state-endangered Belding?s Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), 16 March ? 5 June 2006. Belding?s Savannah Sparrows exhibiting breeding behavior were detected in 29 of these wetlands from Goleta Slough in Santa Barbara County on the north to Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the Mexican border. A minimum total of 3,135 pairs was detected. This is the highest state total reported since periodic counts began in 1973 and is 8.2% higher than the next highest count, reported in 2001. Point Mugu alone accounted numerically for this difference; after doubling in size by 2001, it increased another 28.8% by 2006, comprising 33.2% of the state total.
The major need of this little endangered songbird remains habitat restoration, security, and management. At least 75% of southern California?s former coastal wetlands have been lost and the remainder suffers ongoing degradation. The long-term fate of a few of the occupied wetlands is still uncertain and most are affected by trespass and the side effects of so many millions of people living on their edges and in their watersheds. Counteracting these problems by rebuilding a larger habitat base, with better security, and increased management would greatly benefit a significant suite of species with which the Belding?s Savannah sparrow shares its habitat.
In 2008 San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) awarded to the San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) a Transnet EMP grant for several Park projects. A component of that grant was invasive plant species control. SDRP utilized the grant funds to enhance and expand several projects throughout the watershed. Projects ranged from pond and oak woodland restoration in Santa Ysabel to high salt marsh enhancement and mitigation in Del Mar.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is required by section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) to conduct a review of each listed species at least once every 5 years. The purpose of a 5-year review is to evaluate whether or not the species? status has changed since it was listed (or since the most recent 5-year review). Based on the 5-year review, we recommend whether the species should be removed from the list of endangered and threatened species, be changed in status from endangered to threatened, or be changed in status from threatened to endangered. Our original listing of a species as endangered or threatened is based on the existence of threats attributable to one or more of the five threat factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Act, and we must consider these same five factors in any subsequent consideration of reclassification or delisting of a species. In the 5-year review, we consider the best available scientific and commercial data on the species, and focus on new information available since the species was listed or last reviewed. If we recommend a change in listing status based on the results of the 5-year review, we must propose to do so through a separate rule-making process defined in the Act that includes public review and comment.
