Appendix a Species Assessments and Conservation Measures
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National Forests in the Sierra Nevada: A Conservation Strategy Appendix A: Species Assessments and Conservation Measures A-1 APPENDIX A SPECIES ASSESSMENTS AND CONSERVATION MEASURES INTRODUCTION This appendix provides brief conservation assessments for 18 native species occurring on national forests in the Sierra Nevada. The appendix also includes assessments and conservation measures for four introduced aquatic species that can adversely affect native aquatic ecosystems. The conservation measures noted here are intended for use in combination with the recommendations for forest plan revisions or other agency actions identified in the conservation strategy. Table A-1. Species presented in Appendix A. Species Group Common Name Page in Appendix A Fish California golden trout 3 Eagle Lake rainbow trout 5 Goose Lake redband trout 7 Hardhead 9 Kern brook lamprey 11 Lahontan cutthroat trout 13 Mountain sucker 15 Owens speckled dace. 17 Introduced aquatic American bullfrog 20 Bluegill 21 New Zealand mudsnail 21 Quagga mussel 22 Amphibians Mountain yellow-legged frog 25 Yosemite toad 30 Mammals Black bear 35 Pacific fisher 38 American marten 46 Wolverine 60 Birds Black-backed woodpecker 68 California spotted owl 76 Great gray owl 87 Northern goshawk 95 Pileated woodpecker 102 Willow flycatcher 109 Our understanding about the life requirements and habitat needs for many special status species is expanding at a remarkable pace. Because of the research and monitoring being undertaken for key species, we recognize that the species accounts and conservation measures identified below are not static and will change over time. We encourage readers to visit the Sierra Forest Legacy website (www.sierraforestlegacy.org) for updates to these accounts. It is our intention to update the accounts periodically in an effort to capture the best available information to support conservation and management. March 14, 2013 National Forests in the Sierra Nevada: A Conservation Strategy Appendix A: Species Assessments and Conservation Measures A-2 We briefly note below species for which we expect additional information to be available in the next 12-18 months (Table A-2). Table A-2 Species for which research or evaluation is ongoing and results anticipated in the coming 12-18 months. Species Expected Research or Synthesis of Information Sierra Nevada yellow-legged These species are expected to be proposed for federal listing in October 2012; frog recovery planning is expected to follow listing. Rana sierrae and R. muscosa Northern goshawk A technical review of northern goshawk in California is expected to be issued by Accipiter gentilis the US Fish and Wildlife Service in September 2012. Brian Woodbridge is the contact person for the review. Pacific fisher The Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project, Kings River Fisher Study, and Martes pennanti regional monitoring are ongoing. Results from these studies are produced periodically and are expected at least through 2016. The Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Working Group meets at least twice each year to address fisher concerns. Pacific marten1 Research is being undertaken by Katie Moriarty, Keith Slauson, and Bill Zielinski Martes caurina that focuses in the northern Sierra Nevada from Lake Tahoe to the Southern Cascades. Results from research on the Lassen National Forest are expected in late 2013. Yosemite toad This species is expected to be proposed for federal listing in October 2012; Bufo canorus recovery planning is expected to follow listing. Forest Service Sensitive The Sensitive Species lists are being revised by the Forest Service. Species are Species lists being removed and added as a result of this assessment. The new lists are expected to be available in October 2012. Species accounts and conservation measures are under development for the species listed in Table A-3. These accounts should be available by mid-October, posted at the Sierra Forest Legacy website, and located within the electronic version of this conservation strategy. Table A-3 Species for which conservation measures will be designed and presented in the electronic version of Appendix A posted on www.sierraforestlegacy.org by the end of October 2012. Scientific Name Common Name Reason for Inclusion Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher Species at risk Centrocercus urophasianus Greater sage grouse Species at risk Picoides arcticus Black-backed woodpecker Species at risk 1 Taxonomic review has identified martens west of the Rocky Mountain crest as a separate species (Pacific marten, Martes caurina) from those to the east (Martes americana) (Dawson, N. G. and Cook, J. A. In press. Behind the genes: Diversification of North American martens (Martes americana and M. caurina). In: K. Aubry, W. Zielinski, M. Raphael, G. Proulx, and S. Buskirk, editors. Biology and conservation of martens, sables, and fishers: a new synthesis. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.) March 14, 2013 National Forests in the Sierra Nevada: A Conservation Strategy Appendix A: Species Assessments and Conservation Measures A-3 FISH This section provides species accounts and conservation recommendations for the following fish (Table A-3). Table A-3. Native fish species with species accounts and conservation recommendations (California Department of Fish and Game 2011, Moyle et al. 2011). Moyle et al. CDFG Species 2011 Status Status Modoc Lassen Plumas Tahoe Eldorado Stanislaus Inyo Sierra Sequoia California golden trout x Oncorhychus mykiss aguabonita SC2 2-Vulnerable Eagle Lake rainbow trout x Oncorhychus mykiss aquilarum SC2 2-Vulnerable Goose Lake redband trout x Oncorhychus mykiss subsp. SC3 3-Watch List Hardhead xxxxxx xx Mylopharodon conocephalus SC3 3-Watch List Kern brook lamprey xx Lampetra hubbsi SC2 2-Vulnerable Kern River rainbow trout x Oncorhychus mykiss gilberti SC1 1-Endangered Lahontan Lake tui chub x Siphateles bicolor pectinifer SC2 2-Vulnerable Mountain sucker xx Catostomus platyrhynchus SC3 3-Watch List Owens speckled dace x Rinichthys osculus. subsp. SC1 1-Endangered California Golden Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita (Jordan) Issue Statement The California golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) is endemic to the Kern River drainages in and around the Sequoia National Forest. This small, brilliantly colored fish is the state fish of California and is much sought after by anglers. The California golden trout (CGT) was widely stocked outside of its native range over the last century for sport fishing, but simultaneously non-native trout were stocked throughout their native range resulting in serious predation and introgression issues. Introgression levels range from high (94 percent) in the lower watershed to low (8 percent) in the headwaters. It is estimated there are fewer than 2000 “pure” golden trout left, a decline of at least 95 percent from historical levels. Area Description The native range of the California golden trout is limited to the Kern River drainage at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada. Their historical distribution includes South Fork of the Kern River (which flows into Isabella March 14, 2013 National Forests in the Sierra Nevada: A Conservation Strategy Appendix A: Species Assessments and Conservation Measures A-4 reservoir) and includes the Kern River tributaries Golden Trout Creek and Volcano Creek. By 1914, California golden trout collected from Golden Trout Creek were transported by pack train into numerous Sierran lakes and streams, extending their range by some 160 km. They have been continuously translocated to many waters within the Sierra Nevada and Rocky mountains. As a result, these fish are now found in more than 300 high mountain lakes and 1100 km of streams outside their native range though virtually all populations are introgressed with rainbow trout. A significant portion of CGT native habitat occurs on public lands managed by the Forest Service. Figure A-1. Summary of current species occurrences and nature of habitat quality. Taken from http://tucsi.tu.org/CaliforniaGolden_General.aspx?Spkey=25. Desired Condition CGT should be managed as a high priority species of special concern with an emphasis on retaining genetic integrity and improving and restoring habitat throughout their native range. Barriers to protect genetically pure CGT from rainbow/golden hybrids, rainbow trout, and competitor/predator species should be maintained. March 14, 2013 National Forests in the Sierra Nevada: A Conservation Strategy Appendix A: Species Assessments and Conservation Measures A-5 Objectives Maintain and enhance habitat throughout the range of CGT. Protect unhybridized populations from rainbow trout or introgressed golden/rainbow hybrids. Re-introduction of the species into appropriate areas from which it was extirpated. Maintain native aquatic foodwebs upon which CGT are dependent. Maintain protective barriers to prevent predatory or competitive species from invading CGT habitat. Research basic habitat and life history requirements for this species to aid in species conservation and restoration. Conservation Measures Conduct a thorough research review of population genetics Implement habitat restoration where needed Connect populations where possible Eliminate non-native competing trout species Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum (Snyder) Issue Statement The Eagle Lake rainbow trout (ELRT) is native to just a single watershed on the Lassen National Forest in northeastern California. Due to overfishing and habitat alteration from logging, railroads, livestock grazing,