East County MSCP Plan Biology

DRAFT LIST OF SPECIES TO BE COVERED

The East County MSCP Team is coordinating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game to protect sensitive species in the East County MSCP Plan Area. We are currently in the process of determining which sensitive plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates to pursue for coverage (receive an incidental take permit). Many factors will be considered to develop the initial draft covered species list, including, but not limited to the following: species distribution, life history, sensitivity and vulnerability to human activities, viability, dependence on conservation, current listing status and its likelihood to be listed as rare, threatened or endangered in the future under the state or federal endangered species acts. This list will be evaluated and modified through a process of review with the Wildlife Agencies and stakeholders. These sensitive species will be considered in the modeling and preserve design for the East County MSCP Plan Area. The County of San Diego will also be pursuing an incidental take permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game for the species on the covered species list.

SPECIES PRESENTATIONS

The following presentations were prepared by experts associated with the San Diego Natural History Museum for the first Independent Science Advisors Workshop for the East County MSCP Plan. They cover a few of the sensitive birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles found in the East County MSCP Study Area.

Birds of East County
Mammals of East County
Amphibians and Reptiles of East County

EAST COUNTY MSCP TEAM

The development of the East County MSCP Plan is a collaborative process among County staff, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game and a consultant team to develop and implement a science-based approach to conservation planning. The consultant team will provide biological, conservation planning, and GIS technical support to the County for the preparation of the East County MSCP Plan and supporting documents and mapping. This consultant team includes TAIC, Jones and Stokes and experts associated with the San Diego Natural History Museum. The San Diego Natural History Museum maintains comprehensive information on local biota and is a focal point for information on the natural history and ecology of San Diego County.

INDEPENDENT SCIENCE ADVISORS

The Natural Communities Conservation Act (NCCP) requires that NCCP plans include independent scientific input and analysis to assist the California Department of Fish and Game and the plan participants in creating a scientifically-based plan. The East County MSCP Team has selected eight (8) Independent Science Advisors to provide peer review and a basis for the identification of biologically important areas. The science advisors are:

1. Dr. Brian Foster is a local ornithologist. Dr. Foster’s specialty is the study of rare and endangered birds in the San Diego region.
   
2. Jeff Opdycke, Conservation Program Manager for the San Diego Zoo works in the area of conservation of local resources. He has a history of reviewing habitats from a regional perspective.
   
3. Dr. Paul Beier from Northern Arizona University is a noted researcher on the movements of large predators throughout Southern California. He has particular expertise in the area between the Palomar/ Agua Tibia Mountains and the Santa Ana Mountains.
   
4. Dr. Reed Noss is nationally recognized as one of the foremost experts on conservation of biodiversity and has authored several books on the subject.
   
5. Dr. Robert Fisher is affiliated with the San Diego State University reserve system and USGS. He is well known in the region for performing groundbreaking research in the San Diego region on the utilization of habitats by reptiles and amphibians.
   
6. Dr. Esther Rubin is affiliated with the Conservation Biology Institute. Dr. Rubin has been researching a population of 400 adult big horn sheep in order to learn more about their habitat use and behavior. She is examining how habitat use and behavior influence social structure, as well as the ecological relationships between bighorn sheep and other large mammals, including mule deer and mountain lions.
   
7. Drew Stokes, is affiliated with the San Diego State University reserve system and USGS. He is well known in the region for performing groundbreaking research in the San Diego region on bats.
   
8. Dr. Kathy Williams, is affiliated with San Diego State University. Dr. Williams primary interests include: insect/plant interactions; effects of food quality on insect population dynamics; insects as indicators of biodiversity and habitat restoration, riparian ecology, and the ecology of cicadas.

Last updated: August 2008