Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh

The Living Coast Discovery Center, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cabrillo National Monument, and the San Diego National History Museum will conduct surveys to determine bat species composition on and around the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The primary goals of this project are to establish permanent survey locations within Sweetwater Marsh, to contribute to the data collection in regional bat studies, and to establish site-specific bat habitat threat reduction and management plan based on the survey results. Strong historical research suggests that the pallid bat is likely utilizing Sweetwater Marsh for foraging and roosting at this time, This project will enable the Living Coast to contribute to larger regional conservation efforts, working with USFWS to improve the management of Sweetwater Marsh to mitigate environmental threats to the pallid bat, and contribute to the general public's greater awareness of local MSP species in San Diego. Funding this program will significantly leverage SANDAG's conservation efforts by awardee- The San Diego National History Museum- funded by Environmental Mitigation Program funds.

Project type: Monitoring-Animals

Category: Vertebrate Species

Project Focus

Target species: Pallid bat

Main implementing entity: The Living Coast Discovery Center

Partner: Cabrillo National Monument, National Park Sevice; San Diego Natural History Museum; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Project Page manager: Sarah McCutcheon

SDMMP lead: Kris Preston

Study lead: Ben Vallejos

Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus

Goal: Protect pallid bat diurnal, nocturnal, and maternity roosts from destruction and human disturbance and enhance foraging habitat within commuting distance of nocturnal and maternity roosts to increase resilience to environmental and demographic stochasticity, maintain genetic diversity, and improve chances of persistence over the long-term (>100 years).

local NFO 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 SL

MON-IMP-IMG ANTPAL-2

Management units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Beginning in 2017, inspect the vicinity of pallid bat roosts on an annual basis (see occurrence table), taking care not to disturb bats, and use a regional monitoring protocol to collect covariate data on human activities and other threats to determine management needs.

Action	Statement	Action status	Projects
IMP-1	Conduct regional IMG monitoring protocol surveys to quantify signs of human activity near occupied or potential roosts and to identify other potential threats. Care should be taken to avoid disturbing roosting bats.	available for implementation	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh
IMP-2	Based upon threat evaluation, determine if routine management or more intensive management is warranted.	available for implementation	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh
IMP-3	Submit monitoring data and management recommendations to MSP web portal	available for implementation	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh

Criteria	Deadline year
Annual IMG monitoring of Pallid bat completed	2021

Threat Name	Threat Code
Human uses of the Preserves	HUMUSE
Urban development	URBDEV

Code	Obj. code	Statement
ANTPAL-1	MON-RES-SPEC	In 2017-2018, finalize the results of research begun in 2015 on pallid bats to identify nocturnal, diurnal, and maternity roosts, foraging areas, and water sources associated with roosts in order to identify seasonal and annual changes in use and important foraging areas, and monitor reproductive status. Collect habitat covariates associated with roosting and foraging habitat, assess threats to bats at all preserves where they occur, and develop management recommendations.

Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus

regional NFO 2018, 2019 SL

MGT-PRP-MGTPL ANTPAL-4

Management units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

In 2018-2019, prepare a management plan for pallid bat that prioritizes management actions to protect roosts from disturbance, ensures sufficient roosts for seasonal temperature requirements and for reproduction, and enhances foraging habitat using data from annual roost monitoring and recommendations from the pallid bat research study.

Action	Statement	Action status	Projects
PRP-1	Prioritize management actions, focusing on reducing threats and expanding occurrences in areas most likely to remain viable over the long-term in the context of future land development.	available for implementation	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh
PRP-2	Develop a management plan for pallid bat that prioritizes management actions for the next five years.	waiting for precedent action	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh
PRP-3	Identify areas where pallid bat and Townsend?s big-eared bat management can be complimentary.	waiting for precedent action	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh
PRP-4	Submit management plan to MSP web portal	waiting for precedent action	Pallid Bat Surveys - Sweetwater Marsh

Criteria	Deadline year
Management Plan for Pallid bat prepared by 2018	2021

Threat Name	Threat Code
Altered hydrology	ALTHYD
Human uses of the Preserves	HUMUSE
Urban development	URBDEV

Code	Obj. code	Statement
ANTPAL-1	MON-RES-SPEC	In 2017-2018, finalize the results of research begun in 2015 on pallid bats to identify nocturnal, diurnal, and maternity roosts, foraging areas, and water sources associated with roosts in order to identify seasonal and annual changes in use and important foraging areas, and monitor reproductive status. Collect habitat covariates associated with roosting and foraging habitat, assess threats to bats at all preserves where they occur, and develop management recommendations.
ANTPAL-2	MON-IMP-IMG	Beginning in 2017, inspect the vicinity of pallid bat roosts on an annual basis (see occurrence table), taking care not to disturb bats, and use a regional monitoring protocol to collect covariate data on human activities and other threats to determine management needs.
ANTPAL-3	MGT-IMP-IMG	Beginning in 2017, conduct routine management actions identified through the IMG regional protocol monitoring, including protecting occurrences from disturbance through fencing, signage, and enforcement.