Human impact to vernal pool complexes in Southern California

The flagship species for San Diego County's vernal pools is the federally endangered San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis: SDFS). For this species, the most critical management issues are likely to involve population connectivity. Degradation of the landscape, direct damage (often by vehicles), creation of new basins (most often road ruts) and increasing biotic connectivity (beyond historic levels) are also important factors. The specific goals of this study were focused in three areas: landscape genetics in the San Diego fairy shrimp B. sandiegonensis; hybridization between B. sandiegonensis and B. lindahli; and conservation, management and recovery of B. sandiegonensis. This was a project jointly funded by SANDAG and a CDFW Section 6 grant.

Genetic study
Invertebrate Species
completed
Project Groups
  • SDMMP19 San Diego Fairy Shrimp Genetics Studies

Project Focus

San Diego fairy shrimp

vernal pools and alkali playa

Andrew Bohonak

San Diego State University

Andrew Bohonak

Kris Preston

Andrew Bohonak; M Simovich

Strategic Elements
  • pre FY15-1
File name Lead Author Year Type
Final Report: Human impact to vernal pool complexes in Southern California Bohonak, Andrew; Simovich, M 2014 report