East County MSCP Plan Biology

DRAFT LIST OF SPECIES TO BE COVERED

In developing the East County Plan, County staff is coordinating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish & Game to protect sensitive species in the East County Plan Area. We are determining which sensitive plant, mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile, and invertebrate species to pursue for coverage. Many factors have been considered in developing the draft covered species list, including, but not limited to: species distribution, life history, sensitivity and vulnerability to human activities, viability, dependence on conservation, current listing status, and 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 review process with the Wildlife Agencies and stakeholders. These sensitive species are also being considered in the modeling and preserve design for the East County Plan Area.  The County also seeks Incidental take permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish & Game for the species covered under the East County Plan.  

For the list of East County focal species click here. 

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 Plan. They cover a few of the sensitive birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles found in the East County Study Area.

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

EAST COUNTY PLAN TEAM

The development of the East County Plan is a collaborative process among County staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Game, and 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 Plan. This consultant team includes TAIC, Jones & 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 Community Conservation Planning Act (NCCP) requires that NCCP plans include independent scientific input and analysis to assist the California Department of Fish & Game and plan participants in creating a scientifically-based plan. The East County Team has selected eight 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 experience in 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 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 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: January 2009