Despite the fact that the Water Code mandates protection of native species and habitats without reference to threatened or endangered status, and despite the fact that the opinion of the most knowledgeable stream biologists supports this view, the environmental justification for the project is based solely on the absence of threatened or endangered species. The paucity of this notion is emphasized by Dr. Dieter Mueller-Dombois in a recent article, where he objects to the loss of a given tract of dry forest to development based on the absence of threatened or endangered species. Although many native plant species were found in the area in definable native communities, all were deemed fairly common. A 'flora' is a list of species, the 'vegetation' is the plant cover of an area. The latter can be divided into communities, such as native or alien communities.
Communities are much more unique than are regional floras.
Communities and ecosystems provide the home for the wild-growing plants and associated biota, including the native plant populations. A flora doesn't do that, it is just a list. Protection of natural communities and ecosystems, however, is the essence of an enlightened conservation policy. Mueller-Dombois' comments represent a principle that applies equally well to fisheries. The former is anchored legally in the Endangered Species Act and the latter in the State Water Code.