San Diego Management & Monitoring ProgramThe Management Strategic Plan for San Diego County requires prioritization and management for edaphic endemic plants, including the five rare plants addressed in this study. These species face low genetic diversity due to reduced population sizes, geographic isolation, and loss of pollinators. To enhance the resilience of these species across their ranges, we must manage threats to increase population sizes, identify potentially suitable habitat to connect existing populations, find or restore new populations, and provide opportunities for shifting distributions due to climate change. This study identifies and describes geographic areas that support the five edaphic endemic species and their habitat in a design that enhances resilience and provides opportunities for shifting distributions. We developed conceptual models to inform field studies and management, refined soils and vegetation attributes, and assessed regional population structure and threats. We used results to suggest prioritized locations for surveys, management, potential translocation, and additional conservation or acquisition. Project partners (U.S. Geological Survey and San Diego Management and Monitoring Program) modeled suitable habitat for the target species under current and future climate scenarios; we reference models as appropriate.
Project type: General Management
Target species: Dehesa nolina, Otay tarplant, Parry's tetracoccus, San Diego thorn-mint, Thread-leaved brodiaea
Target vegetation: chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grassland
Data steward: Emily Perkins
Investigator: Patricia Gordon-Reedy
Main implementing entity: Conservation Biology Institute
Partner: A & L Western Laboratories; California Department of Fish & Wildlife; San Diego Management and Monitoring Program; San Diego State University; Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR); The Nature Conservancy; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Geological Survey
Point of contact: Patricia Gordon-Reedy; Spring Strahm
SDMMP lead: Sarah McCutcheon
Study lead: Spring Strahm
MSP Objectives and actions:TETDIO-3; ACAILI-11; BROFIL-3; DEICON-11; NOLINT-9
