Laying the foundation for a comprehensive program of restoration for wildlife habitat in a riparian floodplain |
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Authors: | Michael L Morrison Tracy Tennant Thomas A Scott |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, 94720 Berkeley, California, USA;(2) Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program Department of Earth Sciences, University of California, 92521 Riverside, California, USA;(3) Present address: School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, 325 Biological Sciences East, 85721 Tucson, Arizona, USA |
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Abstract: | We analyzed the past and current distribution and abundance of vegetation and wildlife to develop a wildlife habitat restoration
plan for the Sweetwater Regional Park, San Diego County, California. Overall, there has been a substantial loss of native
amphibians and reptiles, including four amphibians, three lizards, and 11 snake species. The small-mammal community was depauperate
and dominated by the exotic house mouse (Mus musculus) and the native western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis). It appeared that either house mice are exerting a negative influence on most native species or that they are responding
positively to habitat degradation. There has apparently been a net loss of 13 mammal species, including nine insectivores
and rodents, a rabbit, and three large mammals. Willow (Salix) cover and density and cottonwoods (Populus fremontii) had the highest number of positive correlations with bird abundance. There has been an overall net loss of 12 breeding bird
species; this includes an absolute loss of 18 species and a gain of six species. A restoration plan is described that provides
for creation and maintenance of willow riparian, riparian woodland, and coastal sage scrub vegetation types; guides for separation
of human activities and wildlife habitats; and management of feral and exotic species of plants and animals. |
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Keywords: | Habitat modification Restoration Species losses Urban parks Wildlife habitat |
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