Type: report

Article abstract: 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.