Soft mast plants such as blueberry, blackberry, huckleberry, and wild raspberry and grapes, are also expected to be smaller in crop and fruit size. These fruits will drop early and be less plentiful than normal. Wildlife which rely on this type of hard and soft mast may suffer as a result of diminished food source, particularly as winter approaches. With less food available in the forest, wildlife will be more likely to look for an easy food source in residential area gardens and farms which can increase human and animal interface problems. Although national forests act as a large sponge, holding water for gradual release, most forest stream water levels are at an all-time low.
Some streams have no surface flowing water.
Aquatic habitats are showing signs of stress similar to land-based wildlife habitat. Low water in many area streams has concentrated fish in remaining, isolated pools. This concentration poses a number of threats to fish populations including increased predation by raccoons, limited food supplies, and warmer water. Most ponds used by frogs and salamanders for breeding currently appear unaffected by the drought. While some are lower than observed over the past several years, they still have water with numerous tadpoles and larvae.