Distribution and Status of the Arroyo Toad (Bufo Californicus) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys Marmorata) in the San Diego MSCP and Surrounding Areas
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Distribution and Status of the Arroyo Toad (Bufo californicus) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) in the San Diego MSCP and Surrounding Areas Final Report 10/11/05 Prepared for: California Department of Fish and Game County of San Diego U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WESTERN ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER Distribution and Status of the Arroyo Toad (Bufo californicus) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) in the San Diego MSCP and Surrounding Areas By Melanie C. Madden-Smith1, Edward L. Ervin2, Kathie P. Meyer3, Stacie A. Hathaway1, and Robert N. Fisher1 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WESTERN ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER Final Report Prepared for: County of San Diego and California Department of Fish and Game 1San Diego Field Station USGS Western Ecological Research Center 5745 Kearny Villa Road, Suite M San Diego, CA 92123 2Current address: Merkel & Associates, Inc. 5434 Ruffin Rd. San Diego, CA 92123 3Current address: USFS- San Bernardino National Forest Front Country Ranger District 1209 Lytle Creek Road Lytle Creek, CA 92358 Sacramento, California ii 2005 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GALE A. NORTON, SECRETARY U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director The use of firm, trade, or brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. For additional information, contact: Center Director Western Ecological Research Center 3020 State University Dr. East Modoc Hall, Room 3006 Sacramento, CA 95819 iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Arroyo Toad.......................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Western Pond Turtle ............................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 6 2. STUDY AREA ........................................................................................................................... 7 3. METHODS ................................................................................................................................. 8 3.1 Arroyo Toad.......................................................................................................................... 8 3.1.1 Initial Site Selection....................................................................................................... 9 3.1.2 Daytime Habitat Assessment Surveys ........................................................................... 9 3.1.3 Nocturnal Presence Surveys ........................................................................................ 10 3.1.4 Sweetwater Authority Study........................................................................................ 12 3.1.5 Skeletochronology ....................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Western Pond Turtle ........................................................................................................... 12 3.2.1 Visual Surveys ............................................................................................................. 13 3.2.2 Habitat Assessment...................................................................................................... 14 3.2.2.1 Habitat Quality Rating .......................................................................................... 14 3.2.2.2 Level of Human Access and Naturalness of Sites ................................................ 15 3.2.3 Trapping Surveys......................................................................................................... 16 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION............................................................................................... 17 4.1 Arroyo Toad........................................................................................................................ 17 4.1.1 Daytime Habitat Assessment Survey........................................................................... 17 4.1.1.1 San Dieguito River Watershed.............................................................................. 17 4.1.1.2 Los Peñasquitos Creek Watershed........................................................................ 18 4.1.1.3 San Diego River Watershed.................................................................................. 18 4.1.1.4 Sweetwater River Watershed................................................................................ 19 4.1.1.5 Otay River Watershed........................................................................................... 19 4.1.1.6 Tijuana River Watershed ...................................................................................... 20 4.1.2 Nocturnal Presence Surveys ........................................................................................ 20 4.1.2.1 San Dieguito River Watershed.............................................................................. 21 4.1.2.2 Los Peñasquitos Creek Watershed........................................................................ 21 4.1.2.3 San Diego River Watershed.................................................................................. 22 4.1.2.4 Sweetwater River Watershed................................................................................ 22 4.1.2.5 Otay River Watershed........................................................................................... 24 4.1.2.6 Tijuana River Watershed ...................................................................................... 24 4.1.3 Non-native Species Detected ....................................................................................... 25 4.1.4 Native Non-target Species Detected ............................................................................ 27 4.2 Pond Turtle.......................................................................................................................... 27 4.2.1 Visual Surveys ............................................................................................................. 27 iv 4.2.2 Habitat Assessment...................................................................................................... 28 4.2.3 Trapping Surveys......................................................................................................... 28 4.2.4 Non-native Turtles ....................................................................................................... 31 4.2.5 Pond Turtle and Non-native Turtle Presence in Relation to Human Access and Naturalness of Site ................................................................................................................ 33 4.2.6 Other Non-native Animals........................................................................................... 33 5. MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS........................................ 35 5.1 Arroyo Toad........................................................................................................................ 35 5.1.1 Minimize Disturbance and Take.................................................................................. 35 5.1.1.1 Human Recreation ................................................................................................ 35 5.1.1.2 Agriculture and Grazing ....................................................................................... 36 5.1.1.3 Roads..................................................................................................................... 37 5.1.1.4 Collection.............................................................................................................. 38 5.1.2 Education and Outreach............................................................................................... 38 5.1.3 Enforcement of Rules and Restrictions........................................................................ 39 5.1.4 Additional Surveys....................................................................................................... 39 5.1.4.1 Population Dynamics and Population Viability.................................................... 39 5.1.4.2 Surveys for Egg Masses and/or Larvae ................................................................ 40 5.1.4.3 Breeding Habitat Assessment ............................................................................... 40 5.1.4.4 Upland Habitat Requirements............................................................................... 40 5.1.4.5 Water Quality Assessment.................................................................................... 41 5.1.4.6 Post Fire Surveys .................................................................................................. 41 5.1.4.7 Effects of Drought................................................................................................. 42 5.1.5 Non-native Predatory Species...................................................................................... 42 5.1.6 Non-native Plant Species ............................................................................................. 42 5.1.7 Habitat