Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus Californicus) Life History, Population Status, Population
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Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus) Life History, Population Status, Population Threats, and Habitat Assessment of Conditions at Fort Hunter Liggett, Monterey County, California A Thesis presented to the Faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Biology by Jacquelyn Petrasich Hancock December 2009 © 2009 Jacquelyn Petrasich Hancock ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP TITLE: Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus) Life History, Population Status, Population Threats, and Habitat Assessment of Conditions at Fort Hunter Liggett, Monterey County, California AUTHOR: Jacquelyn Petrasich Hancock DATE SUBMITTED: December 2009 COMMITTEE CHAIR: David Pilliod, PhD COMMITTEE MEMBER: Emily Taylor, PhD COMMITTEE MEMBER: Scott Steinmaus, PhD iii Abstract Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus) Life History, Population Status, Population Threats, and Habitat Assessment of Conditions at Fort Hunter Liggett, Monterey County, California Jacquelyn Petrasich Hancock The arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) is a federally endangered species found on Fort Hunter Liggett, Monterey County, California. The species was discovered in 1996 and was determined to occupy 26.7 km of the San Antonio River from approximately 2.4 km northwest of the San Antonio Mission de Padua, to the river delta above the San Antonio Reservoir. The construction of the San Antonio Reservoir dam in 1963 isolated this northern population of arroyo toads. Through time, the Fort Hunter Liggett landscape has changed drastically. The land was heavily grazed by cattle until 1991, which considerably reduced vegetation in riparian areas. Military training following acquisition of the land in 1940 far exceeded current allowable training. Fire was used extensively to reduce unfavorable vegetation, and as a result, extreme tree loss occurred through the ranges. Today cattle grazing is prohibited and military activity is restricted from riparian corridors. While riparian vegetation continues to recover in the San Antonio River, habitat for breeding arroyo toads has become less suitable. To improve conservation efforts and management of this endangered species, I have provided a thorough assessment of the life history of arroyo toads specific to Fort Hunter Liggett and identified the status and current threats to the population on the installation. I have also prepared a habitat assessment of the San Antonio River in the arroyo toad range, quantified habitat conversion, and identified areas that may no longer provide suitable breeding habitat for the species. The research conducted for this report is preliminary to restoration efforts that are inevitable to ensure recovery of the endangered species at Fort Hunter Liggett. Keywords: arroyo toad, life history, habitat assessment, breeding habitat, restoration, Fort Hunter Liggett, San Antonio River. iv Acknowledgments This research could not have been possible without the help and support of my friends, family, coworkers, and committee members. I would like to thank Darlene Woodbury, Kimberly Guilliam, and Jason Bachiero, Albion Environmental, Inc. wildlife biologists, for assisting in data collection, Liz Clark, Department of Defense Wildlife Biologist, and Wally Haussamen, Department of Defense Natural Resource Manager, for providing installation documents and personal support, Laura Eliassen, Fort Hunter Liggett Range and Training Lands Assessment Coordinator, and Tom Mastin, California Polytechnic State University professor, for guiding me through the technical aspects of GIS analysis and software use, and my committee members, Dr. David Pilliod, Dr. Emily Taylor, and Dr. Scott Steinmaus, for helping me focus my work in such a way that the final product may ultimately benefit conservation of the endangered arroyo toad. I cannot begin to describe my deepest gratitude for the constant encouragement and guidance that my committee advisor, Dr. David Pilliod, provided throughout this experience. This work may never have been completed if I hadn’t introduced him to the arroyo toads at Fort Hunter Liggett. v Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ viii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1: Description of Target Species, Study Area, and Goals for the Study ......... 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Species Account ............................................................................................................................... 3 Study Area ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Investigations ................................................................................................................................... 6 References ........................................................................................................................................ 8 CHAPTER 2: Arroyo Toad Life History, Status, and Population Threats Specific to Fort Hunter Liggett, California ............................................................................................................. 9 Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Study Area ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Methods ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 17 Habitat Features ......................................................................................................................... 17 Adult Activity and Behavior ...................................................................................................... 19 Larval Development ................................................................................................................... 21 Juvenile Activity ........................................................................................................................ 24 Population Status and Current Threats....................................................................................... 25 Discussion ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Management Implications .............................................................................................................. 33 References ...................................................................................................................................... 35 CHAPTER 3: Loss of Arroyo Toad Breeding Habitat at Fort Hunter Liggett and Investigation of Potential Environmental and Anthropogenic Influences Accelerating Habitat Conversion ..................................................................................................................... 37 Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... 37 vi Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 37 Study Area ..................................................................................................................................... 39 Methods ......................................................................................................................................... 42 Aerial Imagery Analysis ............................................................................................................ 42 Satellite Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 42 Environmental and Anthropogenic Influences .......................................................................... 45 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 47 Aerial Imagery Analysis ............................................................................................................ 47 Satellite Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 49 Environmental and Anthropogenic Influences .......................................................................... 53 Discussion ...................................................................................................................................... 60 Management Implications .............................................................................................................. 64 References .....................................................................................................................................