Biological Diversity Baseline Report for the Furby‐North Property Prepared for: Department of Parks and Recreation County of San Diego 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 410 San Diego, CA 92123 Contact: Jennifer Price Prepared by: Technology Associates Environmental Science Associates 5473 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 300 9191 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 340 San Diego, CA 92123 San Diego, CA 92122 Contact: Patrick Atchison Contact: Christina Schaefer December 9, 2011 This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose of the Report ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Multiple Species Conservation Program Context .............................................................................. 1 2.0 Study Area Description .................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 Project Location ................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Geographical Setting ......................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Geology and Soils .............................................................................................................................. 7 2.4 Climate ............................................................................................................................................. 10 2.5 Hydrology ........................................................................................................................................ 12 2.6 Fire History ...................................................................................................................................... 12 2.7 Trails .............................................................................................................................................. 14 3.0 Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Vegetation Communities/Habitat ................................................................................................... 19 3.1.1 Vegetation Communities Mapping ......................................................................................... 19 3.2 Plants .............................................................................................................................................. 20 3.2.1 Floristic and Rare Plant Surveys .............................................................................................. 20 3.2.2 Invasive Species Mapping ........................................................................................................ 20 3.3 Wildlife............................................................................................................................................. 20 3.3.1 Invertebrates ........................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.2 Herpetofauna .......................................................................................................................... 21 3.3.3 Birds ......................................................................................................................................... 22 3.3.4 Mammals ................................................................................................................................. 22 4.0 Results and Discussion................................................................................................................. 25 4.1 Vegetation Communities/Habitat ................................................................................................... 25 4.1.1 Drought Deciduous Shrublands ............................................................................................... 25 4.1.2 Riparian Shrublands ................................................................................................................ 31 4.1.3 Upland Herbaceous Vegetation .............................................................................................. 32 4.1.4 Other Vegetation Communities .............................................................................................. 33 4.1.5 Unvegetated Areas .................................................................................................................. 33 4.2 Plants .............................................................................................................................................. 35 4.2.1 Special‐Status Plant Species Observed .................................................................................... 35 4.2.2 Special Status Plant Species with High Potential to Occur ...................................................... 43 4.2.3 Invasive Plants ......................................................................................................................... 45 4.3 Wildlife............................................................................................................................................. 48 4.3.1 Butterflies ................................................................................................................................ 48 4.3.2 Herpetofauna .......................................................................................................................... 50 4.3.3 Birds ......................................................................................................................................... 52 Baseline Biological Diversity Report December 9, 2011 Furby‐North Property i 4.3.4 Mammals ................................................................................................................................. 53 4.3.5 Special‐Status Wildlife Species Observed ............................................................................... 60 4.3.6 Special‐Status Wildlife Species with High Potential to Occur ................................................. 69 4.3.7 Invasive Wildlife Species ......................................................................................................... 70 4.4 Wildlife Movement .......................................................................................................................... 70 5.0 Management Recommendations ................................................................................................. 73 5.1 Vegetation Communities/Habitat ................................................................................................... 73 5.2 Plants .............................................................................................................................................. 73 5.2.1 MSCP Table 3‐5 Species‐Specific Conditions ........................................................................... 75 5.3 Wildlife............................................................................................................................................. 75 5.3.1 Invertebrates ........................................................................................................................... 75 5.3.2 Herpetofauna .......................................................................................................................... 75 5.3.3 Birds ......................................................................................................................................... 76 5.3.4 Mammals ................................................................................................................................. 76 5.3.5 MSCP Table 3‐5 Species‐Specific Conditions ........................................................................... 77 5.4 Non‐Native Invasive Species Removal and Control ......................................................................... 81 5.4.1 Plants ....................................................................................................................................... 81 5.4.2 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 82 5.5 Restoration Opportunities ............................................................................................................... 82 5.6 Fire Management ............................................................................................................................ 84 5.6.1 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................ 85 5.6.2 Ecosystem and Vegetation Management ............................................................................... 85 5.7 Wildlife Linkages and Corridors ....................................................................................................... 86 5.8 Additional Management Recommendations .................................................................................. 87 5.8.1 Public Access ........................................................................................................................... 87 5.8.2 Litter and Trash Removal .......................................................................................................