United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Southwest

Research Station

General Technical Report

PSW-GTR-172

Southern California

Mountains and Foothills

Assessment

Habitat and Species Conservation Issues

Angeles

National Forest

Cleveland

National Forest

Los Padres

National Forest

San Bernardino

National Forest

Pacific Southwest

Region

http://www.fs.fed.us/
Abstract

Stephenson, John R.; Calcarone, Gena M. 1999. Southern California mountains and

foothills assessment: habitat and species conservation issues. General Technical

Report GTR-PSW-175. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 402 p.

The Southern California Mountains and Foothills Assessment: Habitat and Species

Conservation Issues provides detailed information about current conditions and

trends for ecological systems and species in the region. This information can be

used by land managers to develop broad land management goals and priorities

and provides the context for decisions specific to smaller geographic areas. The

assessment area covers 6.1 million acres, of which 56 percent are national forest

system lands. Over eighteen million people live in the coastal basin bordering the

assessment area. As compared to historic conditions, mountain and foothill

ecosystems in this region have undergone dramatic changes. Forested landscapes

are more susceptible to stand-replacing fires. Invasive non-native species have

become widely established, causing a decline in habitat capability for many

native plants and animals. An extensive network of dams and diversions has

altered aquatic systems. Some areas of high ecological integrity remain and can

serve as building blocks for restoration. Biological diversity is not uniformly

distributed across the landscape; rare species in particular tend to be concentrated

in certain habitats. Key areas of high ecological integrity and rare species

assemblages are identified in this report. This assessment provides a rich

information base, including over eighty mapped themes with associated models

and databases, from which future decisions can benefit.

Retrieval Terms: Southern California, ecosystem, biodiversity, land management

Publisher:

Albany, California

mailing address:

P.O. Box 245

Berkeley, CA 94701-0245

(510) 559-6300

http://www.psw.fs.fed.us

December 1999

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Forest Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Printed on recycled paper
Southern California Mountains

and Foothills Assessment

Habitat and Species Conservation Issues

John R. Stephenson

Gena M. Calcarone

John R. Stephenson, at the time this report was prepared, was a

wildlife ecologist with the Cleveland National Forest, USDA Forest

Service, San Diego, CA 92127, and is now a biologist with the U.S.

Fish & Wildlife Service, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Gena M. Calcarone is a botanist with the Cleveland National

Forest, USDA Forest Service, San Diego, CA 92127.

iii

Contents ...............................................................................................................iii

List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................ vii

Preface ............................................................................................................... xiii

Contributors..........................................................................................................xiv

Chapter 1 – Introduction and Overview 1

Gathering the Best Available Knowledge...........................................................................1

Scope of Analysis .........................................................................................................3

The Assessment Area .....................................................................................................4

San Diego Ranges....................................................................................................5

Santa Ana Mountains ...............................................................................................6

San Jacinto Mountains .............................................................................................7

San Bernardino Mountains ........................................................................................7

San Gabriel Mountains .............................................................................................8

Castaic Ranges........................................................................................................8

Southern Los Padres Ranges ......................................................................................8

Southern Santa Lucia Range......................................................................................9

Northern Santa Lucia Range ......................................................................................9

Information Sources ......................................................................................................9

Vegetation Maps .....................................................................................................9

Other Mapped Landscape Features............................................................................ 12

Land Use Information ............................................................................................ 12

Fire History Information ......................................................................................... 12

Species Locations and Status Information ................................................................. 13

Chapter 2 – Mountain and Foothills Ecosystems 15

Key Questions ............................................................................................................ 15

The Coarse-Filter, Habitat-Based Approach...................................................................... 15

Broad-Scale Landscape Mosaics ..................................................................................... 17

Coastal Foothills Landscape .................................................................................... 18

Lower Montane Landscape ...................................................................................... 19

Montane Conifer Landscape .................................................................................... 20

Desert Montane Landscape ..................................................................................... 21

Subalpine/Alpine Landscape ................................................................................... 22

Monterey Coast Landscape ...................................................................................... 22

Major Ecological Communities....................................................................................... 23

Foothill Oak Woodlands .......................................................................................... 23

Cismontane Scrub and Chaparral .............................................................................. 26

Lower Montane Forests........................................................................................... 29

Montane and Subalpine Conifer Forests ..................................................................... 31

Desert Montane Communities .................................................................................. 33

Monterey Coast Communities................................................................................... 35

Aquatic and Riparian Communities ........................................................................... 35

Streams and Rivers .......................................................................................... 35

Lakes ............................................................................................................. 39

Low-Elevation Riparian Habitats ........................................................................ 40

Rare Communities ....................................................................................................... 41

Valley Oak Woodlands ............................................................................................ 41

Engelmann Oak Woodland ....................................................................................... 42

Southern California Mountains and Foothills Assessment

John R. Stephenson and Gena M. Calcarone

Contents
iv

Walnut Woodland .................................................................................................. 44

Cuyamaca Cypress Groves........................................................................................ 45

Tecate Cypress Groves ............................................................................................ 47

Gabbro Outcrops ................................................................................................... 48

Montane Meadows ................................................................................................. 48

Pebble Plains........................................................................................................ 51

Limestone/Carbonate Outcrops ................................................................................ 54

Serpentine Outcrops .............................................................................................. 55

Sargent Cypress Groves........................................................................................... 56

Santa Lucia Fir Forest ............................................................................................ 58

Disjunct (Locally Rare) Communities .............................................................................. 59

Aspen Groves........................................................................................................ 59

Knobcone Pine Stands............................................................................................ 60

Chapter 3 – Factors Influencing Ecosystem Integrity 61

Key Questions ............................................................................................................ 61

The Influence of Fire ................................................................................................... 62

Has the Fire Regime Changed?................................................................................. 62

Fire Issues in Foothill Habitats ................................................................................ 64

Fire Issues in Lower Montane Habitats...................................................................... 66

Fire Issues in Montane Conifer Habitats .................................................................... 68

Fire Issues in Desert-Montane Habitats ..................................................................... 70

Fire Management Considerations .............................................................................. 71

The Influence of Water: Hydrology, Regulation, and Withdrawal ......................................... 72

The Effect of Dams and Water Release Regimes .......................................................... 74

The Influence of Invasive, Non-Native Species ................................................................ 76

Non-Native Forest Pathogens .................................................................................. 78

Invasive, Non-Native Plants .................................................................................... 78

Arundo or Giant Reed (Arundo donax) ................................................................. 79

Tamarisk or Salt Cedar (Tamarix spp.) .................................................................. 80

Brooms .......................................................................................................... 80

Knapweeds and Star Thistle (Centaurea spp.) ....................................................... 81

Mediterranean Grasses ...................................................................................... 81

Pampas Grasses ............................................................................................... 82

Invasive, Non-Native Animals.................................................................................. 82

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) .............................................................................. 82

African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) .................................................................. 84

Predatory Warm-Water Fish (Centrarchids, Ictalurids, Cyprinids) .............................. 84

German Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) .................................................................... 85

Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) ............................................................................ 85

Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)......................................................................... 85

Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater).............................................................. 85

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) ................................................................... 87

Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile).................................................................. 87

Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) ......................................................... 87

Management Considerations for Exotic Species Control ................................................ 88

The Influence of Native Insect and Disease Outbreaks ...................................................... 88

Root Diseases ....................................................................................................... 89

Dwarf and True (Leafy) Mistletoes ............................................................................ 90

Bark Beetles ......................................................................................................... 90

Round and Flatheaded Borers .................................................................................. 91

The Influence of Recreation Activities........................................................................... 92

The Influence of Roads ................................................................................................ 96

The Influence of Timber and Fuelwood Harvest ................................................................ 99
v

Contents

The Influence of Livestock Grazing .............................................................................. 100

The Influence of Mining............................................................................................. 104

The Influence of Private Land Development .................................................................. 106

The Influence of Air Pollution ..................................................................................... 106

Ozone Deposition ................................................................................................ 106

Nitrogen Deposition ............................................................................................ 108

Climate Change Considerations.................................................................................... 109

Chapter 4 – Potentially Vulnerable Species: Animals 111

Key Questions .......................................................................................................... 111

Evaluating Status and Conservation Potential ................................................................ 112

Species Accounts ...................................................................................................... 115

Habitat Generalists .............................................................................................. 115

Animals of Aquatic, Aquatic/Upland, Riparian, and Lake Habitats ............................... 125

Fish............................................................................................................. 125

Aquatic/Upland Amphibians and Reptiles .......................................................... 133

Riparian Birds ............................................................................................... 145

Riparian Invertebrates .................................................................................... 154

Riparian Mammals.......................................................................................... 156

Lake Species ................................................................................................. 157

Animals of Monterey Coast Habitats ....................................................................... 158

Animals of Low-Elevation Valley Habitats ................................................................ 163

Western San Joaquin Valley Inhabitants ............................................................ 163

Coastal Valley Inhabitants............................................................................... 167

Inhabitants of Both Coastal and San Joaquin Valleys .......................................... 170

Animals of Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats ...................................................... 171

Inhabitants of Coastal Sage Scrub and Other Habitats Below 3,000 Feet................. 172

Inhabitants of Coastal-side Chaparral and Scrub ................................................. 178

Inhabitants of Coastal and Desert-side Shrublands .............................................. 179

Animals of Foothill Oak Woodland and Savanna Habitats ........................................... 182

Animals of Mixed Hardwood-Conifer Forest Habitats ................................................. 185

Animals of Montane Conifer Forest Habitats ............................................................ 192

Montane Conifer Invertebrates......................................................................... 193

Montane Conifer Reptiles ................................................................................ 195

Montane Conifer Birds .................................................................................... 198

Montane Conifer Mammals............................................................................... 203

Animals of Montane Meadow Habitats .................................................................... 206

Animals of Subalpine or Alpine Habitats ................................................................. 210

Animals of Desert Montane Habitats....................................................................... 211

Desert Montane Invertebrates .......................................................................... 211

Desert Montane Reptiles ................................................................................. 214

Desert Montane Birds ..................................................................................... 214

Desert Montane Mammals................................................................................ 217

Animals of Desert Floor Habitats ........................................................................... 218

Chapter 5 – Potentially Vulnerable Species: Plants 223

Key Questions .......................................................................................................... 223

Evaluating Status and Conservation Potential ................................................................ 223

Species Accounts ...................................................................................................... 226

Riparian Plants ................................................................................................... 226

General Riparian Associates ............................................................................. 226

Low-Elevation Riparian Associates .................................................................... 228

Foothill Woodland, Savanna, and Grassland Plants .................................................... 234

Scrub and Chaparral Plants ................................................................................... 239
vi

Plants of Both Scrub and Chaparral................................................................... 239

Plants of Coastal Sage Scrub............................................................................ 245

Plants Specific to Chaparral Habitats ................................................................ 246

Plants Associated with Gabbro Soils ................................................................. 256

Montane Conifer Forest Plants ............................................................................... 262

Pebble Plains Plants ....................................................................................... 271

Montane Meadow Plants ....................................................................................... 274

Plants Associated with Wet and Dry Meadows ..................................................... 274

Plants of Wet Meadows ................................................................................... 279

Plants of Dry Meadows.................................................................................... 285

Subalpine/Alpine Plants ....................................................................................... 287

Desert Montane Plants ......................................................................................... 292

Carbonate Plants ........................................................................................... 300

Desert Floor Plants .............................................................................................. 306

Monterey and San Luis Obispo Coast Plants ............................................................. 307

Serpentine Plants .......................................................................................... 308

Habitat Generalist Plants...................................................................................... 312

Chapter 6 – Game and Other High-Interest Species 317

Key Questions .......................................................................................................... 317

Fish .................................................................................................................. 317

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) ............................................................... 317

Birds ................................................................................................................. 318

California Quail (Callipepla californica) and Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) ........... 318

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) ..................................................................... 319

Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata) ............................................................. 320

Mammals ........................................................................................................... 320

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) ..................................................................... 320

Nelson’s bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) ................................................ 324

Tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes)................................................................... 326

Black bear (Ursus americanus) ......................................................................... 328

Mountain lion (Puma concolor) ........................................................................ 330

Wild pig (Sus scrofa) ...................................................................................... 330

Wild horse (Equus caballos) ............................................................................. 331

Wild burro (Equus asinus) ............................................................................... 332

Chapter 7 – Areas of High Ecological Significance 335

Key Questions .......................................................................................................... 335

San Diego Ranges ..................................................................................................... 335

Santa Ana Mountains................................................................................................. 338

San Jacinto Mountains .............................................................................................. 340

San Bernardino Mountains.......................................................................................... 342

San Gabriel Mountains ............................................................................................... 344

Castaic Ranges ......................................................................................................... 346

Southern Los Padres Ranges ....................................................................................... 348

Southern Santa Lucia Range ....................................................................................... 350

Northern Santa Lucia Range........................................................................................ 352

References.......................................................................................................... 355

Appendix A: Focal Species List................................................................................ 381

Appendix B: Common and Scientific Names............................................................... 391

Appendix C: Watersheds and Associated Streams ........................................................ 393
vii

List of Figures and Tables

1.1. Map of the assessment area boundary. .................................................................... facing 2

1.2. Landownership percentages in the assessment area........................................................... 3

1.3. Map of elevation patterns. .................................................................................... facing 4

1.4. Map of patterns of human development. ...........................................................................5

1.5. Map of the nine mountain regions within the assessment area. .............................................6

1.6. Map of average annual precipitation in southern California. ............................................... 10

1.7. Map of major land cover classes. .................................................................................... 11

2.1. Diagram of the coarse-filter approach. ............................................................................ 16

2.2. List of fine-filter criteria used to identify species for individual consideration. ...................... 16

2.3. Map of broad-scale landscape mountain mosaics. .................................................... facing 16

2.4. Photo of a foothill landscape. ....................................................................................... 18

2.5. Photo of a lower montane landscape. ............................................................................. 19

2.6. Photo of a montane conifer landscape. ........................................................................... 20

2.7. Photo of a desert montane landscape. ............................................................................ 21

2.8. Photo of a subalpine landscape...................................................................................... 22

2.9. Photo of a Monterey coast landscape. ............................................................................. 23

2.10. Photo of a coast live oak woodland. ............................................................................... 26

2.11. Photo of a blue oak savanna. ........................................................................................ 26

2.12. Photo of coastal sage scrub........................................................................................... 27

2.13. Photo of coastal sage scrub degraded by overly short fire-return intervals. ........................... 29

2.14. Photo of northern mixed chaparral. ................................................................................ 29

2.15. Photo of Coulter pine surrounded by chaparral. ................................................................ 30

2.16. Photo of mixed conifer forest and alpine habitats............................................................. 32

2.17. Map of predicted understory densification. ............................................................. facing 32

2.18. Graph showing how stem densities have changed over sixty years. ...................................... 33

2.19. Map of the primary rivers and streams in the southern assessment area. .............................. 36

2.20. Map of the primary rivers and streams in the northern assessment area. ............................... 37

2.21. Graph showing miles of stream by elevation categories...................................................... 38

2.22. Photo of riparian woodlands.......................................................................................... 40

2.23. Photo of valley oak woodland. ....................................................................................... 42

2.24. Map of the distribution of Engelmann oak and black walnut woodland. ................................ 43

2.25. Photo of Engelmann and coast live oak woodland. ............................................................ 44

2.26. Photo of black walnut woodland. ................................................................................... 45

2.27. Map of the distribution of gabbro soils, Cuyamaca cypress, and Tecate cypress. ..................... 46

2.28. Photo of Cuyamaca cypress. .......................................................................................... 47

2.29. Photo of mature Tecate cypress...................................................................................... 48

2.30. Photo of rocky gabbro soil. ........................................................................................... 49

2.31. Map of the distribution of montane meadows in southern California. ................................... 31

2.32. Photo of a montane meadow. ........................................................................................ 51

2.33. Map of pebble plains and carbonate outcrops. .................................................................. 53

Figures
viii

2.34. Photo of a pebble plain. ............................................................................................... 54

2.35. Photo of carbonate habitat. .......................................................................................... 54

2.36. Map of the distribution of serpentine outcrops. ................................................................ 56

2.37. Map of the distribution of Santa Lucia fir forest and Sargent cypress groves.......................... 57

2.38. Photo of Sargent cypress and chaparral growing on serpentine soil. .................................... 58

2.39. Photo of a Santa Lucia fir stand. .................................................................................... 59

2.40. Photo of knobcone pine................................................................................................ 60

3.1. Map of fire frequency patterns. ...................................................................................... 65

3.2. Photo of bigcone Douglas-fir trees at risk to stand-replacing fire. ....................................... 69

3.3. Map of dams and diversions on central and south coast streams.......................................... 74

3.4. Photo of Sutherland Dam on Santa Ysabel Creek. .............................................................. 76

3.5. Photo of Arundo donax thickets. .................................................................................... 79

3.6. Photo of bullfrog with a juvenile pond turtle in its mouth. ................................................ 87

3.7. Photo of a nest that has been parasitized by a brown-headed cowbird. ................................ 86

3.8. Aerial photo of ski area developments near Big Bear Lake. ................................................. 92

3.9. Map of developed recreation sites and other areas of concentrated use. ............................... 93

3.10. Photo of recreation use in and along the San Gabriel River................................................. 95

3.11. Photo of gully erosion caused by runoff from a culvert. ..................................................... 97

3.12. Map of roadless areas that are larger than one thousand acres. ........................................... 98

3.13. Graph of logging intensity, 1947-1990. ........................................................................... 99

3.14. Photo of livestock grazing at Hudson Ranch. ................................................................. 101

3.15. Map of current grazing allotments on national forest system lands. ................................... 102

3.16. Photo of a riparian area before and after livestock grazing was excluded. ........................... 104

3.17. Photo of a limestone quarry in the San Bernardino Mountains. ......................................... 104

3.18. Photo of housing construction adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest. .......................... 106

4.1. List of fine-filter criteria used to identify rare or at-risk species........................................ 111

4.2. Breakdown of rare or at-risk species by taxonomic group. ................................................ 112

4.3. Comparision of the distributions of rare species. ............................................................ 114

4.4. Map of areas currently occupied by California condors. .................................................... 120

4.5. Map of the distribution of the California chipmunk. ........................................................ 124

4.6. Map of the distribution of southern steelhead. ............................................................... 128

4.7. Map of the distribution of the Santa Ana sucker. ............................................................ 130

4.8. Map of the distribution of the unarmored threespine stickleback....................................... 132

4.9. Map of locations of the arroyo toad. ............................................................................. 136

4.10. Photo of an arroyo toad emerging from the sand on a streamside terrace. .......................... 137

4.11. Photo of an adult red-legged frog at Cole Creek on the Santa Rosa Plateau......................... 138

4.12. Map of locations of the California red-legged frog........................................................... 139

4.13. Map of locations of mountain and foothill yellow-legged frogs. ........................................ 141

4.14. Map of riparian bird point count monitoring stations. ..................................................... 146

4.15. Map of locations of the least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. ..................... 149

4.16. Map of locations of the Smith’s blue butterfly along the Monterey coast. ........................... 160

4.17. Map of the ranges of the giant kangaroo rat and the San Joaquin antelope squirrel.............. 166

4.18. Map of the ranges of the San Bernardino and Stephens kangaroo rats. ............................... 169

4.19. Map of locations of the quino checkerspot butterfly. ....................................................... 174
ix

4.20. Map of locations of the California gnatcatcher. ............................................................... 176

4.21. Map of the range of the red diamond rattlesnake. ........................................................... 181

4.22. Map of the range of the yellow-billed magpie. ................................................................ 184

4.23. Map of the ranges of the large-blotched and yellow-blotched salamander and

locations of the San Gabriel Mountain salamander............................................................ 188

4.24. Map of locations of the California spotted owl. ............................................................... 190

4.25. Map of the range of the southern rubber boa. ................................................................. 196

4.26. Map of locations of the northern goshawk. ..................................................................... 199

4.27. Map of locations of the flammulated owl. ....................................................................... 201

4.28. Map of the distribution of the San Bernardino flying squirrel. ............................................ 205

4.29. Map of locations of the Laguna Mountains skipper. .......................................................... 208

4.30. Map of locations of the gray vireo. ................................................................................ 216

4.31. Photo of a Peninsular Ranges’ bighorn sheep. ................................................................. 218

4.32. Map of the distribution of the Peninsular Ranges’ bighorn sheep. ....................................... 219

4.33. Map of the range of the desert tortoise and locations of the Mohave

ground squirrel. ......................................................................................................... 221

5.1. Map of rare plant concentrations across the assessment area. ............................................ 225

5.2. Map of the distribution of Cirsium loncholepis. ................................................................ 231

5.3. Map of the distribution of Dodecahema leptoceras and

Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum. ............................................................................ 232

5.4. Map of the distribution of Chlorogalum purpureum var. reductum,

Eriastrum hooveri, and Eremalche parryi ssp. kernensis. ..................................................... 237

5.5. Map of the distribution of Allium munzii, Baccharis vanessae,

and Dudleya cymosa ssp. ovatifolia. ............................................................................... 242

5.6. Map of the distribution of Berberis nevinii. ..................................................................... 243

5.7. Map of the distribution of Ceanothus ophiochilus. ............................................................ 252

5.8. Map of the distribution of Acanthomintha ilicifolia. .......................................................... 258

5.9. Map of the distribution of Brodiaea filifolia. ................................................................... 259

5.10. Map of locations of Astragalus lentiginosus var. antonius

and Castilleja gleasonii. ............................................................................................... 266

5.11. Map of locations of Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and

Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum. ...................................................................... 273

5.12. Map of locations of Thelypodium stenopetalum. ............................................................... 279

5.13. Map of locations of Poa atropurpurea. ............................................................................ 284

5.14. Map of locations of Sidalcea pedata and Taraxacum californicum. ........................................ 285

5.15. Map of locations of Heuchera hirsutissima and Leptodactylon jaegeri. .................................. 290

5.16. Map of locations of Caulanthus californicus. .................................................................... 296

5.17. Map of locations of Eriogonum ovalifolium var. vineum, Lesquerella kingii

ssp. bernardina, and Oxytheca parishii var. goodmaniana. .................................................. 304

5.18. Map of locations of Calochortus obispoensis and Carex obispoensis. ..................................... 310

6.1. Deer population estimates for 1990-1996 by deer assessment unit. .................................... 321

6.2. Map of the distribution of Nelson’s bighorn sheep. .......................................................... 324

6.3. The estimated size of Nelson’s bighorn sheep populations. ................................................ 325

6.4. Bighorn sheep census data from 1977 to 1998. ............................................................... 325

6.5. Map of the distribution of tule elk in the central coast ranges. .......................................... 327

List of Figures and Tables
x

6.6. Map of the distribution of black bear in the coastal mountains. ......................................... 328

6.7. Hunter take of black bear from 1990 to 1997. ................................................................. 329

6.8. Map of the distribution of wild pigs in and near the assessment area.................................. 331

6.9. Hunter take of wild pigs from 1992 to 1998 in southern California counties......................... 332

6.10. Map of the distribution of wild horses and wild burros. .................................................... 333

7.1. Areas of high ecological significance in the San Diego ranges............................................ 336

7.2. Areas of high ecological significance in the Santa Ana Mountains. ..................................... 339

7.3. Areas of high ecological significance in the San Jacinto Mountains. ................................... 341

7.4. Areas of high ecological significance in the San Bernardino Mountains. .............................. 343

7.5. Areas of high ecological significance in the San Gabriel Mountains..................................... 345

7.6. Areas of high ecological significance in the Castaic Ranges. .............................................. 347

7.7. Areas of high ecological significance in the Southern Los Padres ranges. ............................. 349

7.8. Areas of high ecological significance in the Southern Santa Lucia Range. ............................ 351

7.9. Areas of high ecological significance in the Northern Santa Lucia Range. ............................ 353

Tables

1.1. Key questions addressed in this assessment. ...................................................................... 3

1.2. Characteristics of the nine mountain regions within the assessment area. .............................. 7

2.1. The mix of dominant vegetation types in the foothills landscape. ........................................ 18

2.2. The mix of dominant vegetation types in the lower montane landscape................................. 19

2.3. The mix of dominant vegetation types in the montane conifer landscape. ............................. 20

2.4. The mix of dominant vegetation types in the desert montane landscape................................ 21

2.5. The mix of dominant vegetation types in the subalpine/alpine landscape. ............................. 22

2.6. The mix of dominant vegetation types in the Monterey coast landscape. ............................... 22

2.7. The primary vegetation types and series-level plant communities

along the southern and central California coast. ................................................................ 24

2.8. Acres of foothill oak woodland by mountain range. ............................................................ 27

2.9. Acres of cismontane chaparral and scrub by mountain range................................................ 28

2.10. Acres of lower montane forest types by mountain range...................................................... 30

2.11. Acres of montane and subalpine conifer forest types by mountain range. .............................. 31

2.12. Description of the model conditions used to predict areas of montane

conifer forest with overcrowded stand conditions. ............................................................. 33

2.13. Acres of desert-side montane vegetation types by mountain range. ...................................... 34

2.14. Threatened, endangered, and sensitive (TES) aquatic and semi-aquatic

animal species associated with low- or high-elevation streams. ........................................... 38

2.15. The most significant low-elevation streams on public lands. ................................................ 39

2.16. The extent and distribution of rare community types on public lands. ................................... 41

2.17. A partial list of montane meadows on the Cleveland, San Bernardino,

and Angeles national forests and Palomar Mountain State Park. ........................................... 52

3.1. Key ecological issues that are influenced by the current fire regime. .................................... 66

3.2. Recorded fire history patterns in foothill habitats by mountain range. .................................. 67

3.3. Desired conditions for managing fire in foothill habitats. ................................................... 67

3.4. Recorded fire history patterns in lower montane habitats. .................................................. 68

3.5. Desired conditions for managing fire in lower montane habitats. ......................................... 69
xi

3.6. Recorded fire history patterns in montane conifer habitats. ................................................ 70

3.7. Desired conditions for managing or mimicking fire regimes in

montane conifer forests. ................................................................................................ 71

3.8. Recorded fire history patterns in desert-side montane habitats. ........................................... 72

3.9. Desired conditions for managing fire in desert montane habitats. ........................................ 72

3.10. Opportunities and barriers associated with the primary management tools

available for restoring or mimicking the role of fire............................................................ 73

3.11. Key ecological issues influenced by water storage, control, and withdrawal. .......................... 75

3.12. Key ecological issues affected by the spread of invasive, non-native species. ......................... 77

3.13. Non-native animals occurring in southern California wildlands

and the level of threat they pose. ................................................................................... 83

3.14. Key ecological issues that are influenced by recreation activities. ........................................ 94

3.15. Key ecological issues that are influenced by the presence or density of roads. ....................... 96

3.16. The fifteen least-roaded watersheds in the assessment area. ............................................... 99

3.17. Key ecological issues that are influenced by fuelwood harvesting. ..................................... 100

3.18. Acres of national forest land within grazing allotments. ................................................... 102

3.19. Key ecological issues that are influenced by livestock grazing activities. ............................. 103

3.20. Key ecological issues that are influenced by mining activities. .......................................... 105

3.21. Key ecological issues that are influenced by development on private lands. ......................... 107

3.22. Key ecological issues that are influenced by air pollution. ................................................ 108

4.1. The thirty-one federally listed animal species within or near the assessment area. ................ 113

4.2. Categories and criteria used to evaluate species conservation potential and needs................ 114

4.3. Habitat generalist animals. .......................................................................................... 116

4.4. Rare or potentially at risk fish that are native to southern California. ................................. 126

4.5. Amphibians and reptiles associated with aquatic and aquatic/upland habitats. .................... 134

4.6. Trends in the abundance of sixteen riparian birds from the riparian point-count

study and the Breeding Bird Survey. .............................................................................. 147

4.7. Birds associated with riparian habitats. ......................................................................... 148

4.8. Locations where Swainson Thrushes were detected in riparian point-count surveys. .............. 151

4.9. Riparian-associated mammals and invertebrates. ............................................................. 155

4.10. Animals associated with lake habitats. .......................................................................... 158

4.11. Animals associated with Monterey coast habitats. ........................................................... 159

4.12. Animals associated with low-elevation valley habitats...................................................... 164

4.13. Animals associated with coastal scrub or chaparral habitats. ............................................. 172

4.14. Animals associated with foothill oak woodland and savanna habitats. ................................ 183

4.15. Animals associated with mixed hardwood-conifer forest habitats. ...................................... 186

4.16. Reproductive success of spotted owls in the San Bernardino Mountains............................... 191

4.17. Invertebrates and reptiles associated with montane conifer forest habitats. ........................ 193

4.18. Birds and mammals associated with montane conifer forest habitats. ................................. 194

4.19. Animals associated with montane meadow habitats. ........................................................ 207

4.20. Animals associated with subalpine or alpine habitats. ...................................................... 210

4.21. Animals associated with desert montane habitats. ........................................................... 212

4.22. Animals associated with desert floor habitats. ................................................................ 220

5.1. Federally listed plant species occurring within or near the assessment area. ........................ 224

5.2. Rare plants found in riparian habitats (general). ............................................................. 227

List of Figures and Tables
xii

5.3. Rare plants found in low elevation riparian habitats. ....................................................... 229

5.4. Rare plants found in foothill woodland, savanna, or grassland habitats. .............................. 235

5.5. Rare plants found in both scrub and chaparral habitats. ................................................... 240

5.6. Rare plants found in coastal sage scrub habitats. ............................................................ 245

5.7. Rare plants found in chaparral habitats. ......................................................................... 248

5.8. Rare plants found in association with gabbro soils. .......................................................... 257

5.9. Rare plants found in montane conifer forest habitats. ...................................................... 264

5.10. Rare plants found in association with pebble plains. ........................................................ 272

5.11. Rare plants found in wet and dry montane meadows. ....................................................... 275

5.12. Rare plants found only in wet montane meadows. ............................................................ 280

5.13. Rare plants found only in dry montane meadows. ............................................................ 286

5.14. Rare plants found in subalpine/alpine habitats. .............................................................. 288

5.15. Rare plants found in desert montane habitats. ................................................................ 294

5.16. Rare plants found in association with carbonate soils....................................................... 301

5.17. Rare plants found in desert floor habitats. ..................................................................... 306

5.18. Rare plants found in Monterey coast habitats.................................................................. 307

5.19. Rare plants found in association with serpentine soils. ..................................................... 309

5.20. Rare plants with general or unknown habitat parameters. ................................................. 313
xiii

This document provides a synthesis of ecological information on the mountains and foothills of

southern California. The information comes from a wealth of sources, many of which are unpublished or in technical reports that are difficult to find. By compiling this information in a single

reference, we hopefully have furthered its usefulness and heightened awareness of the key issues

affecting the ecological integrity of this region. It is our belief that to effectively move forward we

must first assemble and understand the existing foundation of knowledge and then build off it.

We thank the Southwest Ecoregion Planning Group (SWEPG) for identifying and promoting the

need for this Assessment and the Ecosystem Conservation Staff of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Southwest Region for providing the funding. The four Forest Supervisors of the southern California

national forests – Anne Fege, Jeanine Derby, Michael Rogers, and Gene Zimmerman – provided the

leadership to initiate and sustain this effort. The Assessment never would have been completed were it

not for their guidance and support.

Many people assisted in the development of this Assessment, but a few were particularly instrumental.

Deveree Volgarino provided a great deal of leadership in the compilation of information on botanical

issues. Her ever upbeat and helpful demeanor also inspired us. Greg Nichols was instrumental in the

development of our GIS database and provided invaluable assistance in conducting spatial analyses

and mapmaking. Milan Mitrovich gathered, synthesized, and analyzed all kinds of information for us;

his ability to be equally effective at strenuous field work, library research, repetitious data entry, and

challenging statistical analysis was outstanding.

Other individuals generously contributed material that was directly used in the report. Laura Merrill wrote

the sections on forest insects and diseases. Leigh Sevy synthesized information on the role of defensible fuel

profiles in fire management. Melody Lardner, Diane Freeman, Mike Foster, and Kirsten Winter contributed sensitive species evaluations that were used extensively in the species accounts. Thanks to all of you.

The Assessment Analysis Team played a key role in identifying, describing, and prioritizing land management issues. The multidisciplinary and interagency composition of this group helped provide a wide range

of perspectives, which led to a balanced evaluation of the subject matter. We greatly appreciate the work of

this group and the guidance they provided. A special thanks to Tom White for outlining a structured

process to work through the issues as a group and for facilitating many of the discussions.

Many reviewers contributed their thoughtful evaluations to various chapters. Their comments greatly

improved the accuracy of the document and we thank them all. We would like to particularly recognize the efforts of Joe Copp, who painstakingly identified corrections to the amphibian and reptile

accounts, and Dieter Wilken, who performed a similar service for the plant accounts.

In the course of this project we conducted several field studies to gather additional data. We thank the

National Biological Survey (now the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey) and

Bat Conservation International for providing grants that made this field work possible. We especially

thank the people who spent long days and nights in the field collecting data. Diana Simons, Drew

Stokes, Karen Miner, Patricia Brown, Robert Berry, and Lisa Underwood collected data on the

distribution and abundance of bats. Robert Fisher, Ed Ervin, Lisa Underwood, and Sharon McKelvey

monitored pitfall traps to gather information on the distribution and abundance of amphibians and

reptiles. Jack Levy examined the distribution and habitat associations of the Laguna Mountain skipper

butterfly. Milan Mitrovich and Zarine Dorabji resampled historic vegetation plots to assess change in

forest structure and composition.

Finally, we extend a special thanks to Lark Burkhart for her editorial assistance and for making this

document pleasant to look at and easy to read.

Preface
xiv

Contributors

Deveree Volgarino, Botanist. San Bernardino National Forest, Fawnskin, CA.

Greg Nichols, GIS Analyst. Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, CA.

Milan Mitrovich, Biologist. Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, CA.

Laura Merrill, Entomologist. San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino, CA.

Melody Lardner, Botanist. San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino, CA.

Mike Foster, Resource Officer. Los Padres National Forest, Frazier Park, CA.

Leigh Sevy, Range Conservationist. Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, CA.

Analysis Team Members

Mike Arbaugh, Research Scientist. PSW Riverside Fire Laboratory, Riverside, CA.

Steve Bear, Resource Officer/Forester. Angeles National Forest, Arcadia, CA.

Paul Bennett, Winter Sports Specialist. San Bernardino National Forest, Fawnskin, CA.

Mark Borchert, Province Ecologist. Los Padres National Forest, Ojai, CA.

Sara Chubb, Fisheries Biologist. Los Padres National Forest, Goleta, CA.

Jim Davis, Wildlife Biologist. California Department of Fish & Game, Chino, CA.

Scott Eliason, Botanist. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad, CA.

Maeton Freel, Wildlife Biologist. Los Padres National Forest, Goleta, CA.

Diane Freeman, Wildlife Biologist. San Bernardino National Forest, Idyllwild, CA.

Rich Hawkins, Deputy Fire Mgmt Officer. Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, CA.

Janet Kurman, Ecosystems Staff Officer. Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, CA.

Marj Nelson, Wildlife Biologist. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad, CA.

Kim Nicol, Wildlife Biologist. California Department of Fish & Game, Indio, CA.

Jim O’Hare, Province Soil Scientist. Angeles National Forest, Arcadia, CA.

Jenny Rechel, Wildlife Biologist. PSW Riverside Fire Laboratory, Riverside, CA.

Jim Turner, Land Management Planner. Los Padres National Forest, Goleta, CA.

Gail Van der Bie, District Ranger. San Bernardino National Forest, Fawnskin, CA.

Tom White, Land Management Planner. Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, CA.