HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-16; City Council; 19679; Preserve Management Plan & Preserve Manager AgmtCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL 15
AB# 19,679
MTG. 12/16/08
DEPT. PLN
REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD PRESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND
APPROVAL OF CONSULTING SERVICES WITH CENTER
FOR NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT (CNLM) TO
PERFORM OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT ON CITY-
OWNED PRESERVE LANDS
DEPT. HEAD \JrfQ
CITY ATTY. dj^>
CITY MGR. {jS—
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 2008-340 ACCEPTING the City of
Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan and ADOPT Resolution No. 2008-341
APPROVING an Agreement for Consulting Services with Center for Natural Lands
Management (CNLM).
ITEM EXPLANATION:
On December 6, 2005, the City Council authorized staff to conduct sole source negotiations
with Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) to perform the role of the City's Preserve
Manager. The responsibilities of the preserve manager are to maintain, manage, and monitor
the City-owned preserve lands in accordance with the City's Habitat Management Program
(HMP) and provide annual reports detailing the status of the City's preserve lands and
management activities proposed for the upcoming year.
In order to guide these preserve management activities, the HMP requires that a site specific
Preserve Management Plan (PMP) and cost estimate be prepared. The purpose of the PMP is
to guide the maintenance, management, and monitoring of open space properties within the
HMP Preserve. Annual management and monitoring costs are based on the activities
described in the PMP.
Through consultation with City staff, CNLM completed a PMP and cost estimate for
management of City-owned HMP lands in February 2008. The Preserve Management Plan
(PMP) has undergone review by the Wildlife Agencies and their comments have been
addressed in the September 2008 PMP. The cost estimates used to derive the contract
amounts for years one through three are based upon this most recent PMP.
There are a total of 13 properties covered in the proposed PMP and CNLM contract, the largest
areas being the Lake Calavera property and the natural areas in and around the Crossings Golf
Course (see Exhibit "3"). Other prominent areas include Veteran's Park, Macario Canyon, and
a portion of the Maerkle Reservoir site. The level of management activities needed on each
property varies due to their varying size, configuration, status of habitat vitality, and surrounding
land uses.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Michael Grim 760-602-4623 mgrim@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION:APPROVED
DENIED
CONTINUED D
WITHDRAWN D
AMENDED D
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D
RETURNED TO STAFF D
OTHER - SEE MINUTES D
Page 2
CNLM has submitted a scope of work (Exhibit "A" of the attached Consulting Contract)
describing the anticipated management and monitoring activities for the next three years. Much
of the effort in the first few years of preserve management involves removal of non-native
invasive species, public access control, and biological surveys to establish a baseline condition
of the vitality of the preserve. Since these are labor intensive activities, the cost of preserve
management start-up is usually much higher than the cost of long-term management and
monitoring.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the consulting services to complete Year One of the Preserve Management
Plan is $344,000, which includes approximately $159,000 for initial one-time property
maintenance tasks and field/office equipment costs. Funding for the subsequent two years will
be subject to annual budget appropriations. Last fiscal year (FY 07-08), the City Council
approved the Habitat Management Program Option to appropriate $670,000 to fund those
activities that are required by the HMP. Such activities include not only management of the
City's preserves (the subject of this agenda bill), but also funding of approximately $317,000 for
a Preserve Steward, Public Outreach, Annual Reporting, fencing, and contingency. These
funds continue to be available and the proposed contract amount is within the budgeted amount
identified in the Habitat Management Program Option.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed management activities contained in the City's Preserve Management Plan are
consistent with the Habitat Management Plan, Open Space Management Plan, and HMP
Ordinance (Chapter 21.210 of the City's Zoning Ordinance). These regulatory documents have
been approved by the State and Federal Wildlife Agencies. Therefore, the activities authorized
by the proposed consultant agreement constitute actions by a regulatory agency for the
protection of the environment and are exempt from further environmental documentation
pursuant to Section 15308 of the State CEQA Guidelines. A Notice of Exemption will be filed.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. 2008-340 , accepting the City's Preserve
Management Plan for the maintenance, management, and monitoring of City owned
HMP Preserve lands.
2. City Council Resolution No. 2008-341 approving a Consulting Agreement
with Center for Natural Lands Management.
3. Map of City owned HMP Preserve Lands.
EXHIBIT 1
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-340
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE CITY OF
3 CARLSBAD PRESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE
MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND MONITORING OF CITY
4 OWNED HMP PRESERVE LANDS.
CASE NAME: CITY OF CARLSBAD PRESERVE MANAGEMENT
5 PLAN
6
WHEREAS, the Habitat Management Plan, Open Space Management Plan, and
7
City HMP Ordinance (Chapter 21.210 of the Zoning Ordinance) require the preparation of a
8
Preserve Management Plan for all newly created Habitat Management Plan preserve areas;
9
and
10
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad owns approximately 600 acres of Habitat
Management Plan preserve areas; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Natural Lands Management has prepared the City of
Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan for the maintenance, management, and monitoring of City14
owned HMP preserve lands.15
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of16
Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1 . The above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Council accepts the report entitled, "City of Carlsbad
Preserve Management Plan", dated September 2008, on file in the office of the City Clerk.20
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Carlsbad on the 16th day of December, 2008, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Blackburn.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
A LEWIS, Mayo1
ATTEST:
u6RRAlti& M. W<6qJ>, City Clerk
(SEAL)
EXHIBIT 2
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-341
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONSULTING
3 AGREEMENT WITH CENTER FOR NATURAL LANDS
MANAGEMENT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE,
4 MANAGEMENT, AND MONITORING OF CITY OWNED OPEN
SPACE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE HABITAT MANAGEMENT
5 PLAN PRESERVE.
6 WHEREAS, the City Council has authorized the sole source negotiation with
7 Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) for the services of Preserve Manager of City
8 owned HMP Preserve lands; and
9 WHEREAS, CNLM has prepared a Preserve Management Plan and cost
10 estimate for the first three years of preserve management; and
11 WHEREAS, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Planning
12 Department budget to include funds for the Preserve Manager contract.
13 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
14 Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. The above recitations are true and correct.
2. That a consulting agreement, attached as Exhibit 1, with Center for
17 Natural Lands Management (CNLM) for consulting services to perform maintenance,
management, and monitoring of City owned open space properties within the Habitat
18 Management Plan preserve is hereby approved and the City Manager is authorized to execute
said agreement.
19 3. Following the City Manager's execution of said agreement, the City Clerk
2Q is directed to forward copies of this resolution and said agreement to Center for Natural Lands
Management, Attention: Executive Director, 425 Alvarado Street, Suite H, Fallbrook, CA 92028;
21 and to the Planning Department.
22 /"
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Carlsbad on the 16th day of December, 2008, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Blackburn.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ATTEST:
£xY\\VM 1 -to
AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE,
MANAGEMENT, AND MONITORING OF CITY-OWNED OPEN SPACE PROPERTY
WITHIN THE HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN PRESERVE
(Center for Natural Lands Management - CNLM)
/nTHIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the /'O> day of
>^<^G^r^^J , 200 E. by and between the CITY OF CARLSBAD, a municipal
corporation, ("City"), and the Center for Natural Lands Management, a California
501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation , ("Contractor").
RECITALS
A. City requires the professional services of a consultant that is experienced
in maintenance, management, and monitoring of habitat management plan preserve
open space.
B. Contractor has the necessary experience in providing professional services and
advice related to these professional services.
C. Selection of Contractor is expected to achieve the desired results in an expedited
fashion.
D. Contractor has submitted a proposal to City and has affirmed its willingness and
ability to perform such work.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these recitals and the mutual covenants
contained herein, City and Contractor agree as follows:
1- SCOPE OF WORK
City retains Contractor to perform, and Contractor agrees to render, those services (the
"Services") that are defined in attached Exhibit "A", which is incorporated by this
reference in accordance with this Agreement's terms and conditions.
2. STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE
While performing the Services, Contractor will exercise the reasonable professional
care and skill customarily exercised by reputable members of Contractor's profession
practicing in the Metropolitan Southern California Area, and will use reasonable
diligence and best judgment while exercising its professional skill and expertise.
3. TERM
The term of this Agreement will be effective for a period of one year from September 15,
2008, or as otherwise agreed due to changes in circumstances. The City Manager may
agree to amend the Agreement to extend it for two additional one year periods or parts
thereof in an amount not to exceed Three Hundred Forty Four Thousand Dollars
($344,000) per Agreement year. Extensions will be based upon a satisfactory review of
Contractor's performance, City needs, and appropriation of funds by the City Council.
The parties will prepare a written amendment indicating the effective date and length of
the extended Agreement.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
4. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Time is of the essence for each and every provision of this Agreement.
5. COMPENSATION
The total fee payable for the Services to be performed during the three-year Agreement
term will be Six Hundred Eighty Two Thousand Three Hundred Fifty -Eight Dollars
($682,358) and set forth in Exhibit B. No other compensation for the Services will be
allowed except for items covered by subsequent amendments to this Agreement. The
City reserves the right to withhold a ten percent (10%) retention until City has accepted
the work and/or Services specified in Exhibit A.
Incremental payments, if applicable, should be made as outlined in attached Exhibit B.
6. STATUS OF CONTRACTOR
Contractor will perform the Services in Contractor's own way as an independent
contractor and in pursuit of Contractor's independent calling, and not as an employee of
City. Contractor will be under control of City only as to the result to be accomplished,
but will consult with City as necessary. The persons used by Contractor to provide
services under this Agreement will not be considered employees of City for any
purposes.
The payment made to Contractor pursuant to the Agreement will be the full and
complete compensation to which Contractor is entitled. City will not make any federal or
state tax withholdings on behalf of Contractor or its agents, employees or
subcontractors. City will not be required to pay any workers' compensation insurance or
unemployment contributions on behalf of Contractor or its employees or subcontractors.
Contractor agrees to indemnify City within thirty (30) days for any tax, retirement
contribution, social security, overtime payment, unemployment payment or workers'
compensation payment which City may be required to make on behalf of Contractor or
any agent, employee, or subcontractor of Contractor for work done under this
Agreement. At the City's election, City may deduct the indemnification amount from any
balance owing to Contractor.
7. SUBCONTRACTING
Except as provided in Exhibit A, Contractor will not subcontract any portion of the
Services without prior written approval of City. If Contractor subcontracts any of the
Services, Contractor will be fully responsible to City for the acts and omissions of
Contractor's subcontractor and of the persons either directly or indirectly employed by
the subcontractor, as Contractor is for the acts and omissions of persons directly
employed by Contractor. Nothing contained in this Agreement will create any
contractual relationship between any subcontractor of Contractor and City. Contractor
will be responsible for payment of subcontractors. Contractor will bind every
subcontractor and every subcontractor of a subcontractor by the terms of this
Agreement applicable to Contractor's work unless specifically noted to the contrary in
the subcontract and approved in writing by City.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
is
8. OTHER CONTRACTORS
The City reserves no right to employ concurrently with the Term of this Agreement other
Contractors for services than are substantially similar to those Services described in
Exhibit A.
9. INDEMNIFICATION
Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City and its officers, officials,
employees and volunteers from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses
including attorneys fees arising out of the performance of the work described herein
caused by any negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the Contractor, any
subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or anyone for
whose acts any of them may be liable.
The parties expressly agree that any payment, attorney's fee, costs or expense City
incurs or makes to or on behalf of an injured employee under the City's self-
administered workers' compensation is included as a loss, expense or cost for the
purposes of this section, and that this section will survive the expiration or early
termination of this Agreement.
10. INSURANCE
Contractor will obtain and maintain for the duration of the Agreement and any and all
amendments, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damage to property
which may arise out of or in connection with performance of the services by Contractor
or Contractor's agents, representatives, employees or subcontractors. The insurance
will be obtained from an insurance carrier admitted and authorized to do business in the
State of California. The insurance carrier is required to have a current Best's Key Rating
of not less than "A-:VH". OR with a surplus line insurer on the State of California's List of
Eligible Surplus Line Insurers (LESLI) with a rating in the latest Best's Key Rating Guide
of at least "A:X".
10.1 Coverages and Limits.
Contractor will maintain the types of coverages and minimum limits indicated below,
unless City Attorney or City Manager approves a lower amount. These minimum
amounts of coverage will not constitute any limitations or cap on Contractor's
indemnification obligations under this Agreement. City, its officers, agents and
employees make no representation that the limits of the insurance specified to be
carried by Contractor pursuant to this Agreement are adequate to protect Contractor. If
Contractor believes that any required insurance coverage is inadequate, Contractor will
obtain such additional insurance coverage, as Contractor deems adequate, at
Contractor's sole expense.
10.1.1 Commercial General Liability Insurance. $1.000.000 combined single-limit per
occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage. If the submitted
policies contain aggregate limits, general aggregate limits will apply separately to the
work under this Agreement or the general aggregate will be twice the required per
occurrence limit.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
10.1.2 Automobile Liability (if the use of an automobile is involved for Contractor's work
for City). $1,000,000 combined single-limit per accident for bodily injury and property
damage.
10.1.3 Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability. Workers' Compensation limits
as required by the California Labor Code. Workers' Compensation will not be required if
Contractor has no employees and provides, to City's satisfaction, a declaration stating
this.
10.1.4 Professional Liability. Errors and omissions liability appropriate to Contractor's
profession with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per claim. Coverage must be
maintained for a period of five years following the date of completion of the work.
10.2. Additional Provisions. Contractor will ensure that the policies of insurance
required under this Agreement contain, or are endorsed to contain, the following
provisions:
10.2.1 The City will be named as an additional insured on General Liability.
10.2.2 Contractor will obtain occurrence coverage, excluding Professional Liability,
which will be written as claims-made coverage.
10.2.3 This insurance will be in force during the life of the Agreement and any
extensions of it and will not be canceled without thirty (30) days prior written notice to
City sent by certified mail pursuant to the Notice provisions of this Agreement.
10.3 Providing Certificates of Insurance and Endorsements. Prior to City's execution
of this Agreement, Contractor will furnish certificates of insurance and endorsements to
City.
10.4 Failure to Maintain Coverage. If Contractor fails to maintain any of these
insurance coverages, then City will have the option to declare Contractor in breach, or
may purchase replacement insurance or pay the premiums that are due on existing
policies in order to maintain the required coverages. Contractor is responsible for any
payments made by City to obtain or maintain insurance and City may collect these
payments from Contractor or deduct the amount paid from any sums due Contractor
under this Agreement.
10.5 Submission of Insurance Policies. City reserves the right to require, at anytime,
complete and certified copies of any or all required insurance policies and
endorsements.
11. BUSINESS LICENSE
Contractor will obtain and maintain a City of Carlsbad Business License for the term of
the Agreement, as may be amended from time-to-time.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
iO
12. ACCOUNTING RECORDS
Contractor will maintain complete and accurate records with respect to costs incurred
under this Agreement. All records will be clearly identifiable. Contractor will allow a
representative of City during normal business hours to examine, audit, and make
transcripts or copies of records and any other documents created pursuant to this
Agreement. Contractor will allow inspection of all work, data, documents, proceedings,
and activities related to the Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the date of
final payment under this Agreement.
13. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
All work product produced by Contractor or its agents, employees, and subcontractors
pursuant to this Agreement is the property of City. In the event this Agreement is
terminated, all work product produced by Contractor or its agents, employees and
subcontractors pursuant to this Agreement will be delivered at once to City. Contractor
will have the right to make one (1) copy of the work product for Contractor's records.
14. COPYRIGHTS
Contractor agrees that all copyrights that arise from the services will be vested in City
and Contractor relinquishes all claims to the copyrights in favor of City.
15. NOTICES
The name of the persons who are authorized to give written notices or to receive written
notice on behalf of City and on behalf of Contractor under this Agreement.
For City:
Name Michele Masterson
Title Senior Management Analyst
Department Planning
City of Carlsbad
Address 1635 Faraday Ave
Carlsbad. CA 92008
Phone No. 760-602-4615
For Contractor:
Name Center for Natural Lands
Management (CNLM)
Title Executive Director
Address 215 West Ash Street
Fallbrook. CA 92028
Phone No. 760-731-7790
Each party will notify the other immediately of any changes of address that would
require any notice or delivery to be directed to another address.
16. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
City will evaluate Contractor's duties pursuant to this Agreement to determine whether
disclosure under the Political Reform Act and City's Conflict of Interest Code is required
of Contractor or any of Contractor's employees, agents, or subcontractors. Should it be
determined that disclosure is required, Contractor or Contractor's affected employees,
agents, or subcontractors will complete and file with the City Clerk those schedules
specified by City and contained in the Statement of Economic Interests Form 700.
Contractor, for Contractor and on behalf of Contractor's agents, employees,
subcontractors and consultants warrants that by execution of this Agreement, that they
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
have no interest, present or contemplated, in the projects affected by this Agreement.
Contractor further warrants that neither Contractor, nor Contractor's agents, employees,
subcontractors and consultants have any ancillary real property, business interests or
income that will be affected by this Agreement or, alternatively, that Contractor will file
with the City an affidavit disclosing this interest.
17. GENERAL COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
Contractor will keep fully informed of federal, state and local laws and ordinances and
regulations which in any manner affect those employed by Contractor, or in any way
affect the performance of the Services by Contractor. Contractor will at all times observe
and comply with these laws, ordinances, and regulations and will be responsible for the
compliance of Contractor's services with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.
Contractor will be aware of the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act
of 1986 and will comply with those requirements, including, but not limited to, verifying
the eligibility for employment of all agents, employees, subcontractors and consultants
that the services required by this Agreement.
18. DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT PROHIBITED
Contractor will comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations
prohibiting discrimination and harassment.
19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
If a dispute should arise regarding the performance of the Services the following
procedure will be used to resolve any questions of fact or interpretation not otherwise
settled by agreement between the parties. Representatives of Contractor or City will
reduce such questions, and their respective views, to writing. A copy of such
documented dispute will be forwarded to both parties involved along with recommended
methods of resolution, which would be of benefit to both parties. The representative
receiving the letter will reply to the letter along with a recommended method of
resolution within ten (10) business days. If the resolution thus obtained is unsatisfactory
to the aggrieved party, a letter outlining the disputes will be forwarded to the City
Manager. The City Manager will consider the facts and solutions recommended by each
party and may then opt to direct a solution to the problem. In such cases, the action of
the City Manager will be binding upon the parties involved, although nothing in this
procedure will prohibit the parties from seeking remedies available to them at law.
20. TERMINATION
In the event of the Contractor's failure to prosecute, deliver, or perform the Services,
City may terminate this Agreement for nonperformance by notifying Contractor by
certified mail of the termination. If City decides to abandon or indefinitely postpone the
work or services contemplated by this Agreement, City may terminate this Agreement
upon written notice to Contractor. Upon notification of termination, Contractor has five
(5) business days to deliver any documents owned by City and all work in progress to
City address contained in this Agreement. City will make a determination of fact based
upon the work product delivered to City and d of the percentage of work that Contractor
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
has performed which is usable and of worth to City in having the Agreement completed.
Based upon that finding City will determine the final payment of the Agreement.
Either party upon tendering thirty (30) days written notice to the other party may
terminate this Agreement. In this event and upon request of City, Contractor will
assemble the work product and put it in order for proper filing and closing and deliver it
to City. Contractor will be paid for work performed to the termination date; however, the
total will not exceed the lump sum fee payable under this Agreement. City will make the
final determination as to the portions of tasks completed and the compensation to be
made. Upon the termination or expiration of this contract, City will receive
unencumbered title and possession of the vehicle purchased by Contractor pursuant to
this Contract.
21. COVENANTS AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES
Contractor warrants that Contractor has not employed or retained any company or
person, other than a bona fide employee working for Contractor, to solicit or secure this
Agreement, and that Contractor has not paid or agreed to pay any company or person,
other than a bona fide employee, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift,
or any other consideration contingent upon, or resulting from, the award or making of
this Agreement. For breach or violation of this warranty, City will have the right to annul
this Agreement without liability, or, in its discretion, to deduct from the Agreement price
or consideration, or otherwise recover, the full amount of the fee, commission,
percentage, brokerage fees, gift, or contingent fee.
22. CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS
By signing this Agreement, Contractor agrees that any Agreement claim submitted to
City must be asserted as part of the Agreement process as set forth in this Agreement
and not in anticipation of litigation or in conjunction with litigation. Contractor
acknowledges that if a false claim is submitted to City, it may be considered fraud and
Contractor may be subject to criminal prosecution. Contractor acknowledges that
California Government Code sections 12650 et seq.. the False Claims Act applies to
this Agreement and, provides for civil penalties where a person knowingly submits a
false claim to a public entity. These provisions include false claims made with deliberate
ignorance of the false information or in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of
information. If City seeks to recover penalties pursuant to the False Claims Act, it is
entitled to recover its litigation costs, including attorney's fees. Contractor acknowledges
that the filing of a false claim may subject Contractor to an administrative debarment
proceeding as the result of which Contractor may be prevented to act as a Contractor
on any public work or improvement for a period of up to five (5) years. Contractor
acknowledges debarment by another jurisdiction is grounds for City to terminate this
Agreement.
23. JURISDICTIONS AND VENUE
Any action at law or in equity brought by either of the parties for the purpose of
enforcing a right or rights provided for by this Agreement will be tried in a court of
competent jurisdiction in the County of San Diego, State of California, and the parties
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
waive all provisions of law providing for a change of venue in these proceedings to any
other county.
24. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
It is mutually understood and agreed that this Agreement will be binding upon City and
Contractor and their respective successors. Neither this Agreement or any part of it nor
any monies due or to become due under it may be assigned by Contractor without the
prior consent of City, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
25. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement, together with any other written document referred to or contemplated
by it, along with the purchase order for this Agreement and its provisions, embody the
entire Agreement and understanding between the parties relating to the subject matter
of it. In case of conflict, the terms of the Agreement supersede the purchase order.
Neither this Agreement nor any of its provisions may be amended, modified, waived or
discharged except in a writing signed by both parties.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
CALIFORNIA ALL-PURPOSE
CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
State of California
County of
On before me,4 flaw;F>U&LjC
(here insert name and title of the officer)
personally appeared
who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(/) whose name(^) is/are subscribed to
the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized
capacity(ies), and that by hts/her/4lre*r signature(s) on the instrument the person^), or the entity upon behalf of
which the person^*} acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph
is true and correct.
WIT 1ROMINA A. ROQUE
COMM.# 1786993 i
NOTARY PUBLIC - CALIFORNIA S
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
My Comm. Ex^g^pec. 25, 2011
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT
crd fi
(Title or description of attached document)
(Title or description of attached document continued)
Number of Pages Document Date
(Additional information)
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY THE SIGNER
D Individual (s)
^ Corporafe-Offker
rl??£lu^}Yu-
n
n
D
n
(Title)
Partner(s)
Attorney-in-Fact
Trustee(s)
Other
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THIS FORM
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verbiage does not require the notary to do something that is illegal for a notary in
California (i.e. certifying the authorized capacity of the signer). Please check the
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''' Additional information is not required but could help to ensure this
acknowledgment is not misused or attached to a different document.
•> Indicate title or type of attached document, number of pages and date.
<• Indicate the capacity claimed by the signer. If the claimed capacity is a
corporate officer, indicate the title (i.e. CEO, CFO, Secretary).
• Securely attach this document to the signed document
CAPA v!2.10.07 800-873-9865 www.NotaryClasscs.com
26. AUTHORITY
The individuals executing thjs_A§feement and the instruments referenced in it on behalf
of Contractor each represent and wajrajrf^trTat they have the legal power, right and
actual authorityje^md ContractorJfHUeterms and conditions of this Agreement.
BAD, a municipal
Stdfte of jCaJtfornia•
ATTEST:
(e-mail address)
(sign here)
(print name/title)
(e-mail address)
If required by City, proper notarial acknowledgment of execution by contractor*,t
must be attached. If a Corporation, Agreement must be signed by one corporate
officer from each of the following two groups.
*Group A.
Chairman,
President, or
Vice-President
**Group B.
Secretary,
Assistant Secretary,
CFO or Assistant Treasurer
Otherwise, the corporation must attach a resolution certified by the secretary or
assistant secretary under corporate seal empowering the officer(s) signing to bind the
corporation.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RONALD R. BALL, City Attorney
HA ^ r^ ^~^By: | y»^J ^oujSg_ \-£ \ ar<
Janelvlobaidi
Assistant City Attorney
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
A0506897
OF
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
APR-3 1933 -
JO?;ES, s^rcETAFiY OF STATE;
The undersigned certify that:
1. They are the president and the secretary , respectively, of Center for Natural Lands
Management, a California corporation.
2. Article Two B of the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation is amended to read as
follows:
The specific purposes of this corporation are : (a) to preserve or to assist in the preservation of
natural b*h*tttf, native species ?n^ fiinctinnirig ecosystems; (b) to own and/or manage lands in an
ecologically beneficial manner consistent with federal and state environmental laws; (c) to
promote the conservation values of such lands though education; (d) to promote and facilitate
uses of such lands by the public that preserve the conservation values; and (e) to enable and assist
the state and federal governments in their obligations to protect native fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats necessary for maintaining biologically sustainable populations of such species for the
public benefit.
3. The forgoing of Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the required
vote of the board of directors.
4. The forgoing amendment of Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the required
vote of ' the members. .
We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the Start of California that the
matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge.
Date: April 1,1998
/5L
De Witt Bowman, Secretary
Resolution 141-08
Board of Directors
Center for Natural Lands Management
October 2, 2008 - Board of Directors' Meeting
The Board of Directors hereby resolves to authorize CNLM to enter into the following
Management Agreement with the City of Carlsbad:
CNLM BOARD OF DIRECTORS' PROPERTY RESOLUTION
Property
City of Carlsbad
Open Space
Location
San Diego
County
Acreage
600
Funding Requirement
FY08-09 $343.016.26
FY09-10 $169,412.05
FY10-11 $169,929.71
Type
Management
Agreement
The Center will provide habitat management services (Services), over the course of three years,
to the City of Carlsbad (City) to help fulfill the goals of the City's Preserve Management Plan
("PMP").
Center will maintain fences, perform habitat management and monitoring activities pursuant to
the PMP. Habitat management and monitoring will include the following: (a) surveying (including
mapping) for sensitive plants species, (b) mapping vegetation, (c) assessing vegetation,
conducting yearly presence/absence surveys for 3 consecutive years for the coastal California
gnatcatcher and least Bell's vireo (while noting all sensitive species observed) on all parcels, (d)
installing minor erosion control measures, (e) removing nonnative plant species, (f) patrolling City
properties pursuant to the schedules provided in PMP, (g) attending public outreach events, (h)
posting signs and installing mini kiosks, (I) removing trash and debris, (j) summarizing yearly
management and monitoring activities within annual reports as outlined in the PMP, and (k)
providing yearly work plans and budgets.
Funding provided by: City of Carlsbad
Funding: Will be provided monthly based upon invoices for work completed.
Approved and adopted 01 2008.
David M. Ivester, Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Center for Natural Lands Management
Votes: Ayes:Nays:Abstain:Absent:
RESOLUTION 121-07
Board of Directors
Center for Natural Lands Management
Authorization to Contractually Bind the
Center for Natural Lands Management
WHEREAS, in the course of its standard business practice, the Center for Natural
Lands Management ("Center"), acting as (a) client, (b) service provider, or (c) grant
recipient, routinely enters into contracts for services, consulting, and grants with third
parties ("Contracts");
WHEREAS, authorization to execute Contracts is currently limited to the Executive
Director and the Director of Operations; ~— -
WHEREAS, the Director of Operations position no longer exists;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to have other agents of the Center authorized to execute
Contracts;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Center for Natural
Lands Management hereby authorizes that the (a) Chairperson of the Board, (b)
Director of Acquisitions and (c) Director of Administration may contractually bind the
Center, with the understanding Contracts are subject to legal review by the General
Counsel;
AND FURTHER RESOLVED, all Contracts greater than Ten Thousand Dollars
($10,000.00) and less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) not executed
by the Executive Director shall have two (2) signatures;
AND FURTHER RESOLVED, all Contracts greater than One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be approved by the Board of Directors by resolution.
DATED:
SIGNED:
jr, Chairman/of the Board of Directors
inter for Natural Lands Management
Votes: Ayes Nays Abstain
EXHIBIT A
Services - Description of Duties
Habitat Management of the City of Carlsbad's Open Space
The Center for Natural Lands Management ("CNLM") will provide habitat
management services (Services) to the City of Carlsbad ("City") to help fulfill the
goals of the Preserve Management Plan ("PMP"), as presently described in the
September 2008 version, The proposed approach and narrative below describes
how CNLM will provide consulting habitat management services to the City for this
project.
1 Management and Monitoring Tasks
a. CNLM will assist the City fulfill the management and monitoring
obligations as outlined and stated in the PMP, as follows:
(1) As outlined in Chapter 5 of the PMP the City will install fencing
and the Center will maintain these fences.
(2) The Center will perform habitat management and monitoring
activities pursuant to the PMP and as provided in Exhibit B of
this agreement. Habitat management and monitoring will
include the following:
(a) Survey (including mapping) for sensitive plants species
for one season on all parcels except Calavera Lake and
the Golf Course properties (which are not being surveyed
as part of this Scope and PMP). Exceptions: survey for
Blochman's dudleya at the Golf Course.
(b) Map vegetation of all parcels except Calavera Lake and
the Golf Course properties.
(c) Assess vegetation pursuant to guidelines provided in the
PMP on all parcels.
(d) Conduct yearly presence/absence surveys for 3
consecutive years for the coastal California gnatcatcher
and least Bell's vireo (while noting all sensitive species
observed) on all parcels.
(e) Install minor erosion control measures at the Batiquitos
Drive parcel.
(f) Remove nonnative plant species pursuant to PMP
Chapter 5 and Appendix G.
(g) Patrol City properties pursuant to the schedules provided
in PMP Chapter 5 for each parcel.
(h) Attend or organize four public outreach events,
(k) Post signs and install mini kiosks as outlined in PMP
Chapter 5.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
(I) Remove trash and debris.
(m) Summarize yearly management and monitoring activities
within annual reports as outlined in the PMP. Provide a
yearly work plan and budget.
2. Reporting and Coordination Tasks
a. Reporting requirements will be pursuant to the PMP, but will also
include a monthly report of activities and tasks accomplished.
b. The Scope and Cost includes time and costs to allow CNLM staff to
attend meetings (80 hours total), to coordinate activities with the City of
Carlsbad's Preserve Steward, and to provide support to Senior
Planning Staff. Additional funds will be required if additional time
(above the 80 hours) are required for such meetings.
3. Exceptions to Management Tasks
CNLM and City expressly agree that CNLM has no responsibilities for either
trail management or fuel zone management. City, as property owner, retains all
such related responsibilities.
CNLM and City recognize and agree that this description of the Services is
based upon certain costing assumptions that may require changes both to this
Exhibit A and to Exhibit B ("Compensation"). These include the following:
• The costs of implementing the PMP are based on the management and
monitoring assumptions provided in Section 4.2 and the Cost provided in
Exhibit B of this agreement.
• The PMP proposes areas where fencing should be installed to protect the
preserve areas. The City will pay for all fence installation expenses.
CNLM will maintain these fences. Fencing is used to protect properties
and usually allows for less enforcement and patrolling. If the City decides
not to build some of the fences that were proposed in the PMP, CNLM will
have to increase patrolling and enforcement hours and costs.
• The Services does not include the removal or follow up maintenance of
the palm grove within the Calavera Lake/Creek area, which will be
removed by the City as part of project specific mitigation efforts. It is
assumed that there will be 5 years of follow up maintenance performed by
the City as required by most permit-required mitigation.
• The Services does not include tasks associated with trail planning or
construction. It does not include costs to restore undesired trails with
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
native vegetation, or block these trails with fencing, such as those at
Calavera Lake.
The Services does not include post-fire management and monitoring
tasks. This includes, but is not limited to, new fence installation, major
fence repair or fence replacement, post-fire nonnative plant control,
erosion control, post-fire biological monitoring and other activities
associated with post-fire conditions except as mutually agreed upon and
separately funded by the City.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
Table 1. CNLM Task List
Task List
Capital
Improvements
Biological
Surveys
Habitat
Maintenance
Public
Services
General
Maintenance
Reporting
Specification
Coordinate Installation of
Fences and Gates with City
(City to install all fences and
gates)
Maintain Fencing
Supervise and Coordinate
Sensitive Plants
Blochman's dudleya, Golf
Course
Vegetation Mapping
Vegetation Analysis
CAGN/LBVI and sensitive birds*
Erosion Control per PMP
Initial Nonnative Plant Removal
Nonnative Plant Maintenance
Assess Moderate Tolerant
Nonnative Plant Species
Mow Areas East of Faraday
Patrol
Signing
Install Kiosks
Community Outreach
Trash and Debris Removal
Data Management
Monthly Report
Annual Workplan and Budget
Annual Agency Report
Revise Management Plan
Calavera Lake
and
Golf Course
Year 1-2
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
N/A
Year 2
N/A
Year 2
Year 1-3
Year 1
Year 2-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Yearl
YeaM
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
YearS
All other City
Open
Space
Properties
Year 1-2
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Year 1-3
Yearl
Yearl
Year 2-3
Year 1-3
As Needed
Year 1-3
Yearl
Yearl
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
Year 1-3
YearS
*CAGN surveys at the Golf Course will be conducted by Dudek & Associates.
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
EXHIBIT B
Compensation for Services
Habitat Management of the City of Carlsbad's Open Space
Incremental Payments. CNLM shall submit an itemized monthly request for
payment covering the services completed to date. A progress report will
accompany each payment request. Payment to CNLM shall be due upon receipt
of payment request.
Yearly Costs by Category
Task Category
Site Construction/Maintenance - Identify fence
types and installation locations per Preserve
Management Plan. Includes cost offence
maintenance supplies.
Biotic Surveys - Surveys for sensitive and state-
and federally-listed threatened or endangered
species and other required biological monitoring
activities. Includes oversight and planning costs
for these activities as well as adaptive
management.
Habitat Maintenance - Planning, oversight and
implementation ofnonnative plant removal and
erosion control.
Public Services - Site enforcement (patrolling),
trash pick up, fence maintenance, sign materials
and installation costs, kiosk materials and
installation costs, and community outreach.
General Maintenance - Debris removal and
dumping costs.
Reporting - Data analysis, data management,
monthly reports, annual reports, annual work
plans and budgets and revising the preserve
management plan. It also includes report
production costs.
Office Maintenance - Office time and
expenditures for preserve management staff,
quarterly preserve manager meetings,
coordination, meetings and planning with City staff
and typical office costs for preserve managers.
The cost contains a share of rent, utilities,
supplies, and equipment for maintaining a local
office.
Field Equipment - Purchase of field equipment,
vehicle, mileage (rate includes fuel, insurance,
registration, depreciation, maintenance, and
replacement), tools and supplies and staff
Yearl
$5,630.00
$13,339.40
$122,595.60
$35,552.80
$1,918.40
$9,643.60
$15,232.40
$41,950.00
Year 2
$5,217.00
$29,837.80
$20,952.30
$30,724.96
$1,958.00
$9,926.32
$12,452.40
$7,450.00
YearS
$3,570.00
$14,078.44
$21,501.70
$31,612.28
$1,997.20
$25,656.76
$12,515.52
$7,900.00
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
uniforms.
Operations - Internal audits, producing contracts,
legal support and personnel development and
training.
Contingency and Administration - Contingency
equals 10% of annual operating costs to respond
to unforeseen events and challenges to the
stewardship of the site and to buffer for
unforeseen costs for particular tasks.
Administration includes the costs of administering
contracts, running payroll, benefits, accounting,
and other tasks in support of employees. The
Center uses a standard 24% overhead rate.
Totals
$5,616.00
$91,538.06
$343,016.26
$5,683.60
$45,209.67
$169,412.05
$5,750.00
$45,347.81
$169,929.71
Special Agreement CNLM 08/08
I
5 EXHIBIT 3
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
Research Center
(2.8 Ac.)
:
Carlsbad Village
(12.6 Ac.)Lake Caln\ era
Mitigation Bank
(256 Ac.)
City of Carlsbad
Open Space Parcels
Considered in this
Preserve Management Plan
——-J \ /
*^SLos ^1900^
(2(j5'Ac.)
> -7
/
<*1 (I25AC) CariltoRai*..
(16,6 Ac.) S~
"
Batiquitos Drive (2.7 Ac.)_ „La Costa < jm<>
Lit Costa / Romero
(12.9 Ac.)
HA riuunos DRIVE
CARLSBAD VILLAGE
CARRILLORANC'H
LA COSTA CAN Y< >N PARK
I.ACOSTA/RdMEKo
LAOOONLANK
AKHCALAVERA MITIGATION BANK [ | Other Cities
LOS MON( )S
MAC ARK) CANYON
MUNICIPAL GOLF COIJRSK
HOINSKTTIAPARK
RESEARCH CENTER
VETERANS PARK
| [ Cil> ol Carlsbad
'• Unincor|H>ra(cd
| Lakes and Lagoons
Koads
Freeways
Map 1-1. Location of City of Carlsbad open space parcels considered herein.
Introduction
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office
6010 Hidden Valley Rd. Suite 101
Carlsbad, California 9201 1
(760)431-9440
FAX (760) 431-5902
California Department of Fish and Game
South Coast Region
4949 Viewridge Avenue
San Diego, California 92 1 23
(858)467-4201
FAX (858) 467-4299
In Reply Refer To:
FWS/CDFG-SDG-04B0002-09TAO167
Mr. Mike Grim
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, California 92008-7314
DEC 16 2008
Subject: Support for Approving Carlsbad's Habitat Management Plan (HMP) Preserve
Manager and Preserve Management Plan
Dear Mr. Grim:
The California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (collectively,
the Wildlife Agencies) are pleased to hear that resolutions to adopt the Carlsbad Preserve
Management Plan and an agreement for retaining the Center for Natural Lands Management
(CNLM) as the HMP Preserve Manager has been scheduled for the December 16, 2008, City of
Carlsbad (City) Council meeting. As you know, the Wildlife Agencies have been working with
the City to review the Preserve Management Plan and support the adoption of these two
resolutions. Bringing CNLM on board as the HMP Preserve Manager and adopting the Preserve
Management Plan will be an important step towards fulfilling the requirements stipulated in the
HMP Implementing Agreement, and will enhance and protect Carlsbad's biological resources.
We appreciate the work that the City has done to finalize this, and other obligations of the HMP.
Sincerely,
Karen A. Goebel
Assistant Field Supervisor
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
f'lLA
<^ Stephen M. Juarez
Environmental Program Manager
California Department of Fish and Game
TAKE PRIDE!
Page 1 of 2
Maiflldefitity
From: "Jucfi VmoenT <JvgicQcLcartebad.ca.us>
To: "<fiar*e nygaanT <dandd2@peoptepc.com>
Cc: "Aaron Beanan" <V9ean@ci.carfsbad.ca.us>; "Lisa Inriner <Ljrvin@a.cartsbad-ca.us>; "Slop Hammann"
<Shamm@cicartsbad-ca.us>
Sent Thursday, December 11,2008 4:57 PM
Subject Re: First responders training fati&ty
Ms. Nygaard,
Of the $24,500,000 currently appropriated to the Joint First Responded Project, $13,650,000 comes
from Prop C funds and $10,850,000 comes from General Capital Construction (GCC) funds,
Mr. Hammann's response that approximately $1 million of Prop C funds were allocated for this
project was based on a preliminary report Since that time the project has been redefined and
additional funds have been allocated.
The Prop C funds' remaining balance is $5,034,205.
If you need additional information, please let us know.
Regards-
Judi Vincent, CPA
Budget Manager
CITY OF CARLSBAD
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314
760.602,2422
760.602.8553 (FAX)
>» "diane nygaard" <dandd2@peoplepe.com> 12/11/2008 1:05 PM >»
Ms Vincent
Can you tell me the funding sources for the $ 24.5 m facility and also the balance remaining in the
Prop C account
Thank you.
Diane Nygaard
Habitat Management PlanHabitat Management PlanCity Preserve Management PlanCity Preserve Management PlanCity Preserve ManagerCity Preserve Manager
Preserve Management PlansPreserve Management Plans•Required by HMP for all habitat preserves.•Guide management and monitoring activities on preserve.•Prepared by property owner and Preserve Manager.•Reviewed and approved by Wildlife Agencies.
City Preserve Management PlanCity Preserve Management Plan•Includes 13 City-owned properties, totaling 600 acres.•Prominent preserve areas are Lake Calavera and habitat within the Crossings Golf Course.•Three-year term for start up and initial baseline studies.•City Plan reviewed and approved by Wildlife Agencies.
Preserve ManagerPreserve Manager•Responsible for managing and monitoring the preserve area, including:– biological surveys and reporting– invasive species removal– habitat enhancement and restoration– access control– outreach and education– coordination with City-wide habitat preserve efforts.
City Preserve ManagerCity Preserve Manager•Center for Natural Lands Management– Proven track record of successful preserve management throughout California.– Knowledgeable about HMP preserve system by managing many preserves in City (Villages of La Costa, Kelly Ranch, Carlsbad Oaks North, Calavera Hills Phase II, Robertson Ranch, North County Habitat Bank)
Costs of Preserve ManagementCosts of Preserve Management•Three year term for Preserve Management Plan.– Start up costs = $344,000– Annual costs after initial year = $170,000•Cost projections are estimated - City only billed for services performed.•Potential future cost savings through grants and volunteer programs.
RecommendationRecommendation•Adopt Resolution 2008-340, accepting the Preserve Management Plan for City-owned HMP preserve lands, and•Adopt Resolution 2008-341, approving an Agreement for Consultant Services with the Center for Natural Lands Management to serve as the City’s Preserve Manager.
Habitat Management PlanHabitat Management PlanCity Preserve Management PlanCity Preserve Management PlanCity Preserve ManagerCity Preserve Manager
City of Carlsbad
Preserve Management Plan
September 2008
Prepared for:
Prepared by:
Tierra Data Inc.
10110 W. Lilac Road
Escondido, California 92026
Center for Natural Lands Management
425 E. Alvarado Street, Ste. H
Fallbrook, CA 92028-2960
i
September 2008
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Purpose of This Preserve Management Plan..............................................................................................1
1.2 How This Plan Is Organized.......................................................................................................................3
1.3 Administration and Management of the Preserve ......................................................................................8
1.3.1 Management Context ................................................................................................................8
2.0 Biophysical Overview of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1 Geographic and Topographical Setting ....................................................................................................11
2.2 Property Boundaries and Adjacent Land Use...........................................................................................11
2.3 Climate, Hydrology, Geology and Soils...................................................................................................11
2.3.1 Climate....................................................................................................................................11
2.3.2 Water Resources and Hydrology.............................................................................................18
2.3.3 Geology and Soils...................................................................................................................20
2.4 Cultural Features.......................................................................................................................................20
3.0 Habitat and Species Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1 Vegetation Communities, Habitats, and Plant Species.............................................................................22
3.1.1 Vegetation Communities.........................................................................................................22
3.2 Sensitive Species Covered by the HMP...................................................................................................25
3.2.1 Sensitive Plant Species............................................................................................................25
3.2.2 Sensitive Animal Species........................................................................................................25
3.3 Summary of Issues and Threats in Carlsbad Open Spaces.......................................................................28
4.0 Management Strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.1 Definition of Terms Used in This Plan.....................................................................................................30
4.2 Management and Monitoring Assumptions..............................................................................................31
4.3 Biological Element...................................................................................................................................32
4.3.1 Vegetation Associations Goals and ASMDs...........................................................................32
4.3.1.1 Coastal Sage Scrub and Coyote Brush Scrub........................................................32
4.3.1.2 Southern Maritime Chaparral ................................................................................33
4.3.1.3 Southern Mixed Chaparral and California Sage - Chaparral Scrub.......................34
4.3.1.4 Valley Needlegrass Grassland and Non-native Grassland.....................................34
4.3.1.5 Wetlands and Waters (Freshwater Marsh, Alkaline Marsh, Seeps,
Open Water, Emergent Wetlands)...............................................................................35
4.3.1.6 Coast Live Oak Woodland.....................................................................................36
4.3.1.7 All other Vegetation Associations..........................................................................36
4.3.2 Covered Species Goals and ASMDs.......................................................................................37
4.3.2.1 San Diego Thornmint, Orcutt's spineflower and
Thread-leaved brodiaea ..............................................................................................38
4.3.2.2 .Nuttal's Scrub Oak, Cliff spurge, Orcutt's hazardia, San Diego
Ambrosia, and Blochman's dudleya, and Del Mar Manzanita...................................39
4.3.2.3 Orange-throated Whiptail, San Diego Horned Lizard, and
Spadefoot Toad...........................................................................................................40
4.3.2.4 Cooper's Hawk and American Peregrine Falcon...................................................40
4.3.2.5 Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow........................................................41
4.3.2.6 Coastal California Gnatcatcher..............................................................................41
4.3.2.7 Yellow-breasted Chat and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.................................42
4.3.2.8 Least Bell's Vireo...................................................................................................42
4.3.3 Wildlife Corridors ...................................................................................................................43
4.3.4 Non-native Plants....................................................................................................................43
4.3.5 Exotic and Feral animals.........................................................................................................43
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
ii
4.3.6 Erosion Control.......................................................................................................................44
4.3.7 Reporting, Updating, and HMP Coordination ........................................................................44
4.3.8 Adaptive Management ............................................................................................................45
4.4 Public Use Element...................................................................................................................................45
4.4.1 Public Use Goal and ASMDs..................................................................................................46
4.5 Fire Management Element........................................................................................................................47
4.5.1 Fire History .............................................................................................................................47
4.5.2 The Fire Environment .............................................................................................................49
4.5.3 Goals........................................................................................................................................51
4.5.4 Fire Management ASMDs ......................................................................................................52
4.6 Facility Maintenance Element..................................................................................................................53
4.6.1 Facility Maintenance Goal and ASMDs .................................................................................53
4.7 MHCP Biological Monitoring Element....................................................................................................54
4.7.1 Monitoring Goal and ASMDs.................................................................................................54
5.0 Parcel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.1 Batiquitos Drive Open Space....................................................................................................................57
5.1.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................57
5.1.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................58
5.1.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................59
5.1.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................59
5.1.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................59
5.1.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................60
5.1.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................60
5.2 Carillo Ranch Open Space........................................................................................................................61
5.2.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................61
5.2.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................62
5.2.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................62
5.2.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................63
5.2.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................63
5.2.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................64
5.2.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................64
5.3 Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course..............................................................................................................65
5.3.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................66
5.3.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................67
5.3.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................68
5.3.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................68
5.3.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................68
5.3.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................70
5.3.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................70
5.4 Carlsbad Village Open Space...................................................................................................................71
5.4.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................72
5.4.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................72
5.4.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................73
5.4.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................74
5.4.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................74
5.4.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................75
5.4.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................75
5.5 La Costa Canyon Park Open Space..........................................................................................................76
5.5.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................77
5.5.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................78
5.5.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................79
5.5.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................79
iii
September 2008
5.5.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................80
5.5.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................81
5.5.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................81
5.6 La Costa/Romero Open Space..................................................................................................................82
5.6.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................82
5.6.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................83
5.6.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................84
5.6.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................85
5.6.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................86
5.6.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................87
5.6.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................88
5.7 Lagoon Lane Open Space.........................................................................................................................88
5.7.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................89
5.7.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................90
5.7.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................90
5.7.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................91
5.7.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................91
5.7.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................92
5.7.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................92
5.8 Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space............................................................................................93
5.8.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics................................................................................93
5.8.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................94
5.8.3 Soil Characteristics..................................................................................................................95
5.8.4 Fire History .............................................................................................................................95
5.8.5 Vegetation................................................................................................................................96
5.8.6 Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................................96
5.8.7 Management Actions...............................................................................................................99
5.9 Los Monos Reserve................................................................................................................................100
5.9.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics..............................................................................100
5.9.2 Land Use ...............................................................................................................................101
5.9.3 Soil Characteristics................................................................................................................101
5.9.4 Fire History ...........................................................................................................................102
5.9.5 Vegetation..............................................................................................................................103
5.9.6 Sensitive Resources...............................................................................................................104
5.9.7 Management Actions.............................................................................................................104
5.10 Macario Canyon Open Space...............................................................................................................105
5.10.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics............................................................................105
5.10.2 Land Use .............................................................................................................................106
5.10.3 Soil Characteristics..............................................................................................................106
5.10.4 Fire History .........................................................................................................................107
5.10.5 Vegetation............................................................................................................................107
5.10.6 Sensitive Resources.............................................................................................................109
5.10.7 Management Actions...........................................................................................................109
5.11 Poinsettia Park Open Space..................................................................................................................110
5.11.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics............................................................................110
5.11.2 Land Use..............................................................................................................................111
5.11.3 Soil Characteristics..............................................................................................................111
5.11.4 Fire History..........................................................................................................................112
5.11.5 Vegetation............................................................................................................................112
5.11.6 Sensitive Resources.............................................................................................................113
5.11.7 Management Actions...........................................................................................................113
5.12 Research Center Open Space................................................................................................................114
5.12.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics............................................................................115
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
iv
5.12.2 Land Use .............................................................................................................................116
5.12.3 3.Soil Characteristics...........................................................................................................117
5.12.4 Fire History .........................................................................................................................117
5.12.5 Vegetation............................................................................................................................117
5.12.6 Sensitive Resources.............................................................................................................118
5.12.7 Management Actions...........................................................................................................118
5.13 Veterans Park Open Space....................................................................................................................119
5.13.1 General Open Space Site Characteristics............................................................................119
5.13.2 Land Use .............................................................................................................................120
5.13.3 Soil Characteristics..............................................................................................................120
5.13.4 Fire History .........................................................................................................................121
5.13.5 Vegetation............................................................................................................................121
5.13.6 Sensitive Resources.............................................................................................................123
5.13.7 Management Actions...........................................................................................................123
6.0 Implementation Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
6.1 Roles and Responsibilities......................................................................................................................123
6.1.1 Wildlife Agencies..................................................................................................................123
6.1.2 California Coastal Commission ............................................................................................124
6.1.3 City of Carlsbad ....................................................................................................................124
6.1.4 Carlsbad HMP Preserve Steward..........................................................................................124
6.1.5 Preserve Manager..................................................................................................................125
6.1.6 Scientific Community, Environmental NGOs and General Public.......................................126
6.2 Preserve Management Decision Authority.............................................................................................126
6.3 Existing Staff and Additional Personnel Needs Summary.....................................................................127
6.4 Management, Monitoring, Operations and Maintenance Budget Summary..........................................128
6.5 Reporting Requirements.........................................................................................................................128
6.5.1 Three-Year Management Plans.............................................................................................128
6.5.2 Annual Reports and Work Plans ...........................................................................................128
6.5.3 Data .......................................................................................................................................128
7.0 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Appendices
Acronyms................................................................................................................................................... A-1
Sensitive Species Profiles........................................................................................................................... B-1
Animal Checklists for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course............................................................ C-1
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course............................................................... D-1
Ecological Models...................................................................................................................................... E-1
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols........................................................................ F-1
Zero and Moderate Tolerant Nonnative Plant Species ............................................................................. G-1
Budget and Implementation Tables .......................................................................................................... H-1
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan .......................................................................................................... I-1
v
September 2008
List of Figures
Figure 2-1. Average monthly temperature regime at two weather stations at (A) Oceanside
and (B) Vista. ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Figure 2-2. Annual precipitation at two weather stations from 1953 to 2006 (partial
data available for 2006). Oceanside data covers the period from 1953 to 2004. Vista
data covers the period from 1963 to 2006......................................................................................................16
List of Tables*
Table 1-1. Open space planning in the City of Carlsbad................................................................................. 2
Table 2-1. Hydrologic subunits of the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit for the parcels covered in
this PMP. These hydrologic units are used for managing water quality through the Carlsbad
Watershed Management Plan (Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego 2002),
the San Diego Basin Plan (Regional Water Quality Control Board 1994, as amended), and
the Carlsbad Water Urban Runoff Management Plan. .................................................................................. 18
Table 2-2. Characteristics of soils found on Open Space Preserves.............................................................. 21
Table 3-1. Sensitive flora documented and potentially occurring on Carlsbad Open Space
Preserves, and their sensitivity status............................................................................................................ 26
Table 3-2. Sensitive fauna documented and potentially occuring on Carlsbad Open Space
Preserves, and their sensitivity status............................................................................................................ 27
Table 4-1. Summary of Required Monitoring Strategies for MHCP Covered Species.
Baseline surveys for sensitive plant species will not be conducted on the Calavera Lake and
Golf Course properties as they were recently surveyed and mapped and no sensitive species
that were observed during those surveys will require follow up surveys in the first three years
of management, the period that this PMP covers. Details of established MHCP monitoring
protocols are in Appendix G.......................................................................................................................... 38
Table 4-2. Species to be monitored and time of optimum detection. Bolded species are known
to occur on the property................................................................................................................................. 56
Table 6-1. Personnel may spend a percentage of their time performing tasks on site or
generally related to management of the Carlsbad Oaks North HCA. ..........................................................127
List of Maps*
Map 1-1. Location of City of Carlsbad open space parcels considered herein. ..............................................4
Map 1-2. Open space parcels and management units in the Open Space Preserve
Management Plan. ...........................................................................................................................................5
Map 1-3. Management entities and the Carlsbad Open Space Preserve Management
Plan lands. ........................................................................................................................................................6
Map 1-4. Conservation status of lands within the Open Space Preserve Management Plan. .........................7
Map 1-5. Cores, linkages, special resource areas and the Carlsbad open space parcels
considered herein. ............................................................................................................................................9
Map 1-6. Facilities management zones and open space parcels considered herein. .....................................10
Map 2-1. Forty-foot contours and the Carlsbad Open Space parcels. ...........................................................12
Map 2-2. Regional land use, the Carlsbad watershed, and the City of Carlsbad. .........................................13
Map 2-3. Land use within the City of Carlsbad. ...........................................................................................14
Map 2-4. Mean annual precipitation in northern San Diego County. ...........................................................17
Map 2-5. The Carlsbad hydrologic unit and watersheds within. ...................................................................19
Map 4-1. Regional fire history, with extent of fire called out by decade. .....................................................48
*The lists of Tables and Maps do not include those in Chapter 5, Parcel Descriptions.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
vi
Introduction 1
September 2008
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Purpose of This Preserve Management Plan
The purpose of this preserve management plan (PMP) is to provide management,
monitoring, and reporting guidelines that are consistent with the north coastal
San Diego County's Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP), Carlsbad
Open Space Management Plan (OSMP) (Technology Associates International
Corporation [TAIC], 2004) and the City of Carlsbad Subarea Plan, also called the
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP), for specific natural habitat proper-
ties directly owned and managed by the City. The properties discussed in this plan
are to be managed for the purpose of preserving sensitive resources and to meet
the City's obligation to the MHCP, OSMP, and HMP.
The purpose of this plan is
to provide management,
monitoring, and reporting
guidelines that are consis-
tent with both the OSMP
and the Carlsbad Subarea
HMP for specific habitat
properties directly managed
by the City.
The MHCP is a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional planning program that
guides the long-term conservation and management of sensitive species and hab-
itats within the north coastal portions of San Diego County. It is intended to pro-
tect viable populations of key sensitive plant and animal species and their
habitats, while accommodating continued economic development for residents
of the North County region. The MHCP is one of several large multi-jurisdic-
tional habitat planning efforts in San Diego County, each of which constitutes a
subregional plan under the State of California's Natural Community Conserva-
tion Planning (NCCP) Act of 1991.
The current MHCP area encompasses about 30,000 acres of natural habitat
across seven incorporated cities in northwestern San Diego County (Carlsbad,
Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and Vista). The
seven subarea plans will contribute collectively to the conservation of biological
communities and species in the MHCP area, and, in concert with other subre-
gional plans, to continued ecosystem viability in southern coastal California.
These plans defined core areas, linkages, and special resource areas that would be
necessary to sustain the targeted species and habitats in perpetuity within the
Carlsbad Subarea (see Map 1-5). Jointly these plans provide a mechanism for
complying with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the NCCP Act and for
issuing permit conditions related to development projects. Within both the ESA
and NCCP context, the Carlsbad OSMP and the Carlsbad Subarea HMP form the
regulatory bounds within which this specific PMP must remain consistent.
As the umbrella plan for open space in the City of Carlsbad, the OSMP establishes
the unified process, standards, guidelines, and conditions for all the Preserve
Managers of the 7,135.1 acres of open space established by HMP (Table 1-1).
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
2 Introduction
Table 1-1. Open space planning in the City of Carlsbad.
Prior to 1986, the Carlsbad General Plan created in the 1950s directed that 25% of the City would be preserved as open space to pro-
tect environmentally significant land and sensitive habitat. Under the Growth Management Plan approved by the voters in 1986, the tar-
geted amount of open space was increased by 15% to fulfill aesthetic and quality of life concerns. Thus, at full buildout, the total
planned open space will be 9,899 acres.
The Growth Management Plan implemented the increased acreage by way of an Open Space Standard, which provided that “Fifteen
percent of the total land area in the zone exclusive of environmentally constrained non-developable land must be set aside for perma-
nent open space and must be available concurrent with development.” This is one of 11 public facility/service “standards” addressed in
the Growth Management Plan. The Growth Management Plan identifies, in each of the 25 development zones located throughout the
City, the 15% of open space to be set aside in addition to the 25% originally mandated in the General Plan.
Within the context of the City of Carlsbad, open space refers to land that is specifically designated and set aside for: 1) Preservation of
natural resources; 2) Managed production of resources; 3) Programmed and unprogrammed outdoor recreation; and 4) Public health
and safety. The OSMP covers three types of parcels:
Natural Lands (7,345 acres)
- 5329 acres covered in the Carlsbad Subarea HMP of the MHCP. These lands are 100% preserves plus Standards Areas.
(Standards areas are where a portion is expected to be developed and a portion is conserved. Standards are special land
use regulations adopted by the City of Carlsbad to implement the Carlsbad Subarea HMP, applied only to lands designated
as standards areas) The OSMP represents the implementing framework lands come with a regulatory framework
- 2015 acres left out of the MHCP because they did not contribute much to the overall preserve design of the City’s Subarea
HCP but are managed as open space.
Developed Parks (both existing and planned)
Drainage basin overlay lands (these may overlap with the Carlsbad City Subarea/MHCP lands or lands in other categories).
The OSMP specifies the mechanisms for coordinating among several different organizations or entities that manage the various types
of property constituting the lands covered in the OSMP. The General Management Entities associated with the Carlsbad OSMP are:
Biological Management Entity (1,413 acre)
- Center for Natural Lands Management (Carlsbad Oaks North, La Costa Villages, Kelly Ranch, Calavera Hills Phase II and
Robertson Ranch East Village)
- University of California Reserve System
City of Carlsbad (600.4 acres of natural areas and developed parks)
- Lake Calavera
- portions of Municipal Golf Course
- Veterans Memorial park and Hub Park (considered one unit for management purposes)
Future Biological Management Entity (1,732 acres) (will take over management of much of the area in the Standards Areas)
Other Public or Semi-Public Organization (420 acres)
- North County Transit
- San Diego Gas & Electric
- Cabrillo Power
- State Parks
Private/Homeowners Association (1,713 acres) (land is in dedicated open space but there are currently no obligations to actively
manage these areas for biological value)
- Calavera Heights Mitigation Property which is 110 acres in northeast Carlsbad. From HMP: “In 1998 the developer donated
title to the mitigation parcel to The Environmental Trust, a local non-profit conservation entity. An Open Space Easement in
favor of the City was recorded.”
- Aviara Open Space - 244 acres with deed restrictions for conservation
- Rancho Carrillo Open Space - 182 acres with Open Space Easement in favor of the City
Wildlife Agencies (CDFG) (1,254 acres)
Introduction 3
September 2008
The PMP specifically addresses the 600.4 acres of open space for which the City
of Carlsbad is directly responsible as the Preserve Manager (or General Manage-
ment Entity [GME] as described in the OSMP). There are other Preserve Manag-
ers in charge of the other portions of open space, all under the umbrella of the
OSMP. Map1-1 through Map 1-4 depict the properties covered in this plan within
the City's broader open space planning context.
The Carlsbad Subarea HMP is a requirement of the MHCP. The HMP established
the open space preserve and provides a regulatory framework for the OSMP. The
HMP also incorporates the requirements of all involved regulatory agencies and
sets systematic standards and permit conditions for new development in environ-
mentally sensitive areas.
1.2 How This Plan Is Organized
This PMP follows the required format from Appendix D of the Carlsbad OSMP,
which is also the standard format for preserve management plans as defined by
the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The CDFG administers
the NCCP program.
The first sections of this plan provide an overview of the conservation status and
current natural resources condition of the parcels as a group. They serve as a
descriptive inventory of fish, wildlife and native plant habitats, which occur on,
or use these lands. A statement follows the key habitat issues, preserve goals, and
Area-Specific Management Directives (ASMDs) which are tied to the conditions
of the HMP and Implementing Agreement. These objectives guide appropriate
public uses of the preserve; preserve-level and subregional monitoring activities;
operation and maintenance needs; and personnel requirements. Guidance is pro-
vided for incorporating new information gained from adaptive management of
the preserve and other nearby similar preserve areas, and new information con-
tained in the MHCP Three-Year Status Summary Reports.
Finally, this plan serves as a budget planning aid for preserve activities and
investments, with details in Appendix I. Also included or appended are individ-
ual parcel and ASMD descriptions (Chapter 5); focus species profiles (Appendix
B); species checklists (Appendix C and Appendix D); ecological models for per-
tinent plant communities (Appendix E); MHCP monitoring protocols (Appendix
F); and a list of control priorities for exotic plants (Appendix G).
The following 15 properties owned or managed by the City, totaling 600.4 acres,
are covered in this PMP:
Batiquitos Drive Open Space, 2.7 acres
Carrillo Ranch Open Space, 16.6 acres
Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course, 198.2 acres
Carlsbad Village Open Space, 12.7 acres
La Costa Canyon Park Open Space, 8.9 acres
La Costa/Romero Open Space, 13.0 acres
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
4 Introduction
Map 1-1. Location of City of Carlsbad open space parcels considered herein.
Introduction 5
September 2008
Map 1-2. Open space parcels and management units in the Open Space Preserve Management Plan.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
6 Introduction
Map 1-3. Management entities and the Carlsbad Open Space Preserve Management Plan lands.
Introduction 7
September 2008
Map 1-4. Conservation status of lands within the Open Space Preserve Management Plan.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
8 Introduction
Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space, 256.1 acres
Lagoon Lane Open Space, 2.7 acres
Los Monos Reserve1, 20.5 acres
Macario Canyon Open Space, 33.2 acres
Poinsettia Park Open Space, 12.4 acres
Research Center Open Space, 2.6 acres
Veterans Park Open Space, 21.1 acres
1.3 Administration and Management of the Preserve
1.3.1 Management
Context
The City of Carlsbad, as the Preserve Manager of these properties, requires this
PMP to achieve the City's obligation to protect and enhance wildlife values under
its Subarea HMP and Implementing Agreement, and its OSMP.
Because they are part of the overall HMP preserve, the biological and conserva-
tion objectives for the lands covered by this PMP are to help:
Conserve the full range of vegetation types remaining in the City, with a
focus on rare and sensitive habitats.
Conserve areas of habitat capable of supporting the HMP species in perpetuity.
Maintain functional biological cores.
Maintain functional wildlife corridors and habitat linkages within the City
and to the region, including linkages that connect coastal California gnat-
catcher populations and movement corridors for large mammals.
Conserve rare vegetation communities.
Conserve narrow endemic species and maintain populations of target species.
The City of Carlsbad organizes much of its planning functions using Local Facil-
ities Management Zones (LFMZs) (Map 1-6). For this reason, the Subarea HMP
organized and adopted certain objectives by LFMZ. These objectives are cross-
referenced and carried forward in this Plan by each individual property and its
related LFMZ (see Chapter 5 "Parcel Descriptions").
Roles and responsibilities for implementing this plan are described in Section 6.1.
1. City owned parcel near UC Los Monos Preserve.
Introduction 9
September 2008
Map 1-5. Cores, linkages, special resource areas and the Carlsbad open space parcels considered herein.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
10 Introduction
Map 1-6. Facilities management zones and open space parcels considered herein.
Biophysical Overview of Properties 11
September 2008
2.0 Biophysical Overview of Properties
The following sections describe the biophysical milieu of the open space parcels
collectively. For more detailed information and maps on specific parcels refer to
Chapter 5.
2.1 Geographic and Topographical Setting
The parcels considered in this PMP are scattered across the City of Carlsbad,
from within three-quarters of a mile of the ocean (Batiquitos Drive Open Space)
to the eastern boundary of the City, five miles inland (Carrillo Ranch Open
Space). Likewise, the topography within the boundaries of the individual parcels
show a range of features, including lakes and minor watercourses to steep slopes
of canyon walls with over 30% grades. Map 2-1 depicts the topographical setting
of the City of Carlsbad and the elevation range within each open space parcel.
2.2 Property Boundaries and Adjacent Land Use
Note the placement of the urban centers of Escondido and Vista within the water-
shed of Carlsbad (Map 2-2). Map 2-3 shows land use within the City of Carlsbad
as of 2006. Understanding this intensive urban context will guide the setting of
priority activities on the individual parcels, as certain biological threats emanate
from the urban setting.
2.3 Climate, Hydrology, Geology and Soils
2.3.1 Climate The climate defines what plant community and wildlife can potentially exist on
preserve lands, in combination with hydrology and soil conditions. The geo-
graphic position of southern California at mid-latitudes and its coastal setting
have resulted in the development of a Mediterranean climate. The presence of a
cold offshore current and semi-permanent high pressure ridge over the Pacific
Ocean creates a climate that is similar to that found in Europe, South Africa, and
Australia, and is characterized by mild winters, cool summers, infrequent rain-
fall, moderate daytime onshore breezes, high relative humidity, and frequent
early morning clouds that disperse to hazy afternoon sunshine. Rainfall occurs in
winter when the oceanic high-pressure center is at its weakest and farthest point
south, and as the fringes of mid-latitude storms occasionally move through the
area.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
12 Biophysical Overview of Properties
Map 2-1. Forty-foot contours and the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Biophysical Overview of Properties 13
September 2008
Map 2-2. Regional land use, the Carlsbad watershed, and the City of Carlsbad.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
14 Biophysical Overview of Properties
Map 2-3. Land use within the City of Carlsbad.
Biophysical Overview of Properties 15
September 2008
Data from two National Weather Service monitoring stations located at Oceans-
ide and Vista (no weather stations are available from Carlsbad itself) characterize
the general climate conditions (the Oceanside station has more of a coastal influ-
ence than would prevail at the coastal locations, and the Vista station is further
inland and likely somewhat warmer than Carlsbad). Figure 2-1 shows the aver-
age monthly temperature regime at both weather stations [National Climatic Data
Center (NCDC) 2006]. The frost-free growing season averages about 280-360
days (average dates of first and last frost).
Figure 2-1. Average monthly temperature regime at two weather stations at (A) Oceanside and (B) Vista. (Data Source:NCDC 2006.)
Annual precipitation is highly variable, ranging from just 3 inches to 28 inches
(Figure 2-2.), with the average annual rainfall being 9.7 and 13.56 inches at
Oceanside and Vista, respectively. January is usually the wettest month with an
average of about 2.1 - 2.8 inches of precipitation, while July is usually the driest
month with a mean of 0.03 and 0.1 inches of precipitation at Oceanside and Vista,
respectively (Figure 2-2.). The fall and winter are punctuated by warm, dry Santa
Ana winds. El Niño conditions occur periodically, about every seven to ten years,
bringing wetter than usual winters to southern California. Map 2-4 shows mean
annual precipitation in northern San Diego County.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
JFMAMJJASOND
MonthAverage Temperature (°F)Oceanside Monthly Average Temperature
Oceanside Average Maximum Temperature
Oceanside Average Minimum Temperature
Vista Monthly Average Temperature
Vista Average Maximum Temperature
Vista Average Minimum Temperature
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
16 Biophysical Overview of Properties
Figure 2-2. Annual precipitation at two weather stations from 1953 to 2006 (partial data available for 2006). Oceanside data covers the period from 1953 to 2004. Vista data covers the period from 1963 to 2006. (Data Source: National Climatic Data Center 2006.)
5
10
15
20
25
30
Annual Precipitation (in)"Oceanside Annual Precipitation"
"Oceanside average"
"Vista Annual Precipitation"
"Vista average"
0
195319541955195619571958195919601961196219631964196519661967196819691970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006
Biophysical Overview of Properties 17
September 2008
Map 2-4. Mean annual precipitation in northern San Diego County.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
18 Biophysical Overview of Properties
2.3.2 Water
Resources and
Hydrology
All the parcels discussed in this plan are located within the Carlsbad Hydrologic
Unit (See Map 2-5) of the San Diego Basin Plan (Regional Water Quality Control
Board as adopted 1994, amended 2006). The Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit contains
seven coastal watersheds and ten subareas that drain into either one of four major
coastal lagoons or directly to the Pacific Ocean, and includes portions of Oceans-
ide, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, and the
County of San Diego. It contains four major coastal lagoons: Buena Vista, Agua
Hedionda, Batiquitos and San Elijo, and the Loma Alta Slough.
The parcels covered in this PMP are placed in their appropriate hydrologic sub-
unit in Table 2-1, and the concerns and beneficial water uses are also identified
for each subunit from the San Diego Basin Plan. These regional priorities and the
regulatory framework of the Basin Plan may affect the ASMD priorities for the
individual parcels. To support the Basin Plan, a Watershed Urban Runoff Man-
agement Plan (WURMP) has been created specifically for the Carlsbad Hydro-
logic Unit. This management plan identifies tasks related to urban runoff that all
jurisdictions in the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit are committed to implementing in
order to improve the water quality of the individual watersheds.
Table 2-1. Hydrologic subunits of the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit for the parcels covered in this PMP. These hydrologic units are used
for managing water quality through the Carlsbad Watershed Management Plan (Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego
2002), the San Diego Basin Plan (Regional Water Quality Control Board 1994, as amended), and the Carlsbad Water Urban Runoff
Management Plan.
Hydrologic Subunit PMP Parcels Concerns Designated Beneficial Uses
Buena Vista Creek Carlsbad Village
Buena Vista lagoon suffers from high
coliform, nutrients, sedimentation and silt-
ation. Habitat fragmentation and invasive
exotic species are also concerns.
Agriculture, Industry, Contact Water
Recreation, Non-contact Water Rec-
reation, Warm Freshwater Habitat,
Wildlife, and Rare Species.
Agua Hedionda &
Buena Creeks
Calavera Mitigation Bank,
Los Monos, northernmost
portion of Municipal Golf
Course
Sedimentation and coliform contamination
are problems at the lagoon downstream.
Habitat fragmentation and invasive exotic
species are also concerns.
Municipal, Agriculture, Industry, Con-
tact Water Recreation, Non-contact
Water Recreation, Warm Freshwater
Habitat, and Wildlife
Canyons de las
Encinas Creek
Municipal Golf Course (most),
Research Park, Veterans
Park, Marcario Canyon
Sedimentation, habitat fragmentation and
invasive exotic species are concerns.
Non-contact Water Recreation, Warm
Freshwater Habitat, and
Wildlife
San Marcos Creek
Batiquitos Drive, Lagoon
Lane, La Costa Canyon, La
Costa/Romero
Sedimentation and siltation, habitat frag-
mentation and invasive exotic species are
concerns. Lake San Marcos is experiencing
regular algal blooms, likely exacerbated by
urban and irrigation runoff from golf courses
within the area.
Industry, Contact Water Recreation,
Non-contact Water Recreation, Warm
Freshwater Habitat, and Wildlife. Most
of the beneficial uses focus around
Batiquitos Lagoon. The lagoon is cur-
rently managed by the California
Department of Fish and Game as a
biological reserve, after the lagoon
underwent a massive restoration effort
by the Port of Los Angeles and the City
of Carlsbad.
Biophysical Overview of Properties 19
September 2008
Map 2-5. The Carlsbad hydrologic unit and watersheds within.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
20 Biophysical Overview of Properties
2.3.3 Geology and
Soils
Forty-two different soil mapping units exist on the open spaces parcels covered in
this PMP. Characteristics of these soils are presented in Table 2-2, and individual
soil maps for each parcel are in Chapter 5. Soils in Carlsbad are a patterned com-
plex of over 95 different loams, clays, and sands, among others. These soils are
organized into landscape associations by their underlying origin, geology, and
geomorphic position. They are then subdivided into mapping units based on their
soil profile, surface texture, slope, and erodibility.
The soils of Carlsbad are a mix of coastal plain and foothill complexes. The
coastal plain soils include Huerhuero (formed from marine deposits) and the
Marina-Carlsbad-Chesterton complex (formed from wind-blown sands). Low,
wave-cut terrace escarpments or cliffs occur along the ancient seaward edge of
the mesas which make up the coastal plain. The Diablo, Altamont, and Las Flores
soils formed from marine sandstone and shale, and are older (more uplifted) and
finer textured than their more coastal counterparts. The drainages that cut through
these soils consist of the clay-textured Salinas soil.
Starting at about 600-800 feet in elevation, rolling to hilly uplands replace the
coastal mesas. Soils of these foothills formed in place of granitic or gabbro parent
material, rather than by ocean deposition. These include the Cieneba (recogniz-
able by its granitic boulders on the surface), Fallbrook, and Vista soils on the
slopes. In the alluvial drainages are Visalia and Tujunga soils, which are deep and
loamy.
Through use of the San Diego County Soil Survey on line (http://soildatam-
art.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/CA638/0/part2.pdf), the Preserve Manager can
interpret soils on each parcel for their adaptability for various uses including rec-
reation, habitat, restoration, and others.
2.4 Cultural Features
Currently no cultural information has been assembled for these parcels, other
than the Golf Course. A search should be made at the San Diego Museum of Man
for known cultural sites. In addition, this information may have been assembled
for individual development plans associated with the parcels. The Preserve Man-
ager is not responsible for cultural resource management.
Biophysical Overview of Properties 21
September 2008
Table 2-2. Characteristics of soils found on Open Space Preserves.
Soil Code Description Erodibility
a Depth (in.) Range Site
b
AtD Altamont clay, 9 to 15 percent slopes Moderate 26-38 Clayey
AtD2 Altamont clay, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded Moderate 24-30 Clayey
AtE Altamont clay, 15 to 30 percent slopes Moderate to High 20-36 Clayey
AtE2 Altamont clay, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded Moderate 20-28 Clayey
CbC Carlsbad gravelly loamy sand, 5 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 32-39 Sandy
CfB Chesterton fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes Slight 12-24 Acid Claypan
CfC Chesterton fine sandy loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 12-24 Acid Claypan
ClD2 Cieneba coarse sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes, eroded Slight to Moderate 10-20 Shallow Loamy
ClG2 Cieneba coarse sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes, eroded High to Very High 10-20 Shallow Loamy
CmrG Cienaba very rocky coarse sandy loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes High to Very High 5-15 Shallow Loamy
CnG2 Cieneba-Fallbrook rocky sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes High to Very High 20-34 Loamy
CsC Corralitos loamy sand, 5 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 60+ N/A
DaE Diablo clay, 15 to 30 percent slopes Moderate to High 25-36 Clayey
DaE2 Diablo clay, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded Moderate to High 20-32 Clayey
DaF Diablo clay, 30 to 50 percent slopes High 20-28 Clayey
DoE Diablo-Olivenhain complex, 9 to 30 percent slopes Moderate to High 25-37 Claypan
ExG Exchequer rocky silt loam, 30 to 70 percent slopes High to Very High 8-13 Shallow Loamy
FxE Friant rocky fine sandy loam, 9 to 30 percent slopes High 3-15 Shallow Loamy
FxG Friant rocky fine sandy loam, 30 to 70 percent slopes High to Very High 3-12 Shallow Loamy
GaE Gaviota fine sandy loam, 9 to 30 percent slopes Moderate to High 9-20 Shallow Loamy
HrC Huerhuero loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 20-43 Claypan
HrD2 Huerhuero loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded Moderate 20-40 Claypan
HuC Huerhuero-Urban land complex, 2 to 9 percent slopes N/A N/A N/A
LeC Las Flores loamy fine sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 20-40 Claypan
LeC2 Las Flores loamy fine sand, 5 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 18-37 Claypan
LeD Las Flores loamy fine sand, 9 to 15 percent slopes Moderate to High 16-31 Claypan
LeD2 Las Flores loamy fine sand, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded Moderate 42-52 Claypan
LeE Las Flores loamy fine sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes Moderate to High 16-28 Claypan
LeE2 Las Flores loamy fine sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded Moderate to High 16-26 Claypan
LeE3 Las Flores loamy fine sand, 9 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded Moderate to High 16-20 Claypan
LrG Las Posas stony fine sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes High to Very High 26-40 Shallow Loamy
LvF3 Loamy alluvial land-Huerhuero, 9 to 50 percent slopes, severely
eroded Severe N/A Not Suitable
MlC Marina loamy coarse sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 60+N/A
Rm Riverwash N/A N/A Not Suitable
SbC Salinas clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 60+N/A
ScA Salinas clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes Slight 60+ N/A
SnG San Miguel-Exchequer rocky silt loams, 9 to 70 percent slopes Moderate to Very High 18-23 Shallow Loamy
StG Steep gullied land Very High N/A N/A
TeF Terrace escarpments N/A 4-10 N/A
TuB Tujunga sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes Slight 60+ Sandy
VaB Visalia sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes Slight 60+N/A
VaC Visalia sandy loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes Slight to Moderate 60+ Loamy
a. Erodibility Rating System- Slight indicates that water erosion is a minor problem and the soil is suitable for intensive use if other factors are
favorable. Moderate and Severe indicate that protective and corrective measures are needed before and during the time the soil is used.
b. Range Sites are kinds of rangeland that produce significantly different kinds and amounts of vegetation. Each site has a different potential for
production of forage and presents different management problems. Clayey - The estimated total annual yield is 1,000 to 2,400 pounds per acre.
The estimated total annual yield that wildlife and livestock can graze is 900 to 2,000 pounds per acre. Claypan - The estimated total annual yield
ranges from 400 to 1,500 pounds per acre. The estimated total annual yield that wildlife and livestock can graze ranges from 350 to 1,350 pounds
per acre. Loamy - The estimated total annual yield ranges from 600 to 1,800 pounds per acre. The estimated total annual yield that wildlife and live-
stock can graze is 350 to 1,200 pounds per acre. Sandy - The estimated total annual yield ranges from 300 to 1,500 pounds per acre. The esti-
mated total annual yield that wildlife and livestock can graze is 225 to 1,000 pounds per acre. Shallow Loamy - Estimated total annual yield ranges
from 50 to 300 pounds per acre. Estimated total annual yield that wildlife and livestock can graze is 25 to 150 pounds per acre.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
22 Habitat and Species Descriptions
3.0 Habitat and Species Descriptions
3.1 Vegetation Communities, Habitats, and Plant Species
A variety of vegetation communities, habitats, and plant species exist within the
thirteen discontinous parcels that are considered in this plan. Below are descrip-
tions of the common vegetation communities that are present within the Carlsbad
Open Space Preserves. Maps of the vegetation types by parcel are presented in
Chapter 5. Excluding Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank and the Golf Course, all
vegetation maps were created with the City of Carlsbad vegetation layer main-
tained in the City geographic information system (GIS) database. This is the only
City-wide vegetation information that currently exists; it is rough (based on aerial
photos without ground truthing) and out of date. Therefore, the maps presented in
Chapter 5 should be considered with this in mind. Vegetation mapping for all par-
cels excluding Lake Calavera and the Golf Course is a planned activity under this
PMP.
3.1.1 Vegetation
Communities
The vegetation communities reported here were based on the conventionally
used Holland (1986, 1995) vegetation classification system. This system has
been adopted by the County of San Diego and is mandatory for use in biological
reports for the county. However, the State of California has recently adopted the
Sawyer/Keeler-Wolf (SKW) system of classification, which is a quantitative, flo-
ristic system rather than a descriptive, physiognomic approach such as that of
Holland.
Physiognomic vegetation classification units (based on the form of the vegeta-
tion), on the whole, are more stable than floristic ones because the units do not
contain species information. However, the two systems truly reflect different
mapping scales, and so any comparison should consider the appropriate mapping
scale for the project objective. The floristic detail added under SKW, and its link
to national and international quantitative standards, is more appropriate for con-
servation planning, site analyses, and impact assessment. Future vegetation map-
ping should follow the SKW system, with cross-referencing to the Holland
classification. This is because for conservation and management purposes, floris-
tic information is almost always needed. Patterns of succession, disturbance,
response to environmental stress, and natural assemblages are better assessed
through floristic composition than physiognomy.
Nonetheless, it remains important to be able to aggregate the floristic units into
broader, ecologically meaningful types that are easier to interpret. The following
plant community descriptions approximately follow the Holland system because
that is what maps are available; however, no detail is provided on floristic compo-
sition because it is not specifically recorded for the parcels covered in this PMP.
Coastal Sage Scrub. Coastal Sage Scrub is generally dominated by California
sagebrush (Artemisia californica); flat-top buckwheat (Eriogonum fascicula-
tum), and laurel sumac (Malosma laurina). Overall, the habitat is moderately tall
Habitat and Species Descriptions 23
September 2008
(5-6 feet in height) and dense; areas locally dominated by laurel sumac, lemon-
ade-berry (Rhus integrifolia), or toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) typically
exceed eight feet in height.
Coyote Brush Scrub. Coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) is the defining plant
species of this sage scrub-like plant community. It is generally found adjacent to
drainages, or where excess water is available in the soil profile that can be
exploited by these shrubs within a matrix of grassland.
Southern Maritime Chaparral. Southern Maritime Chaparral is usually
defined by a dominance of scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia). Summer-holly
(Comarostaphylis diversifolia) may be locally common, or occur as a scattered
element. Other plant species found in varying amounts in Southern Maritime
Chaparral include chamise (Adenostoma fasciculata), mission manzanita (Xylo-
coccus bicolor), toyon, and lemonade-berry. This community is typically 5-10
feet tall and relatively dense.
Southern Mixed Chaparral. Southern Mixed Chaparral encompasses several
on-site chaparral associations which vary due to relative abundance of compo-
nent species, slope exposure, and possibly soil type. Characteristic plants in this
habitat include chamise (often dominant), mission manzanita, toyon, black sage
(Salvia mellifera), and scrub oak. Incursions of narrow patches of flat-top buck-
wheat, laurel sumac, and California adolphia (Adolphia californica) are some-
times isolated components.
California Sage - Chaparral Scrub. This ecotonal community contains a high
proportion of both sage scrub and chaparral indicator species, as well as plants
that regularly occur in both scrub and chaparral communities (e.g. black sage,
toyon). Soil fertility is poor, a trait supporting chaparral growth. However, sage
scrub representation is too high to map such areas as clearly one vegetation type
or the other. The community is generally 4-6 feet in height, and shrub density is
considered moderate, creating a form which physically is similar to sage scrub.
Valley Needlegrass Grassland. Native bunchgrasses, primarily purple
needlegrass (Nassella pulchra), dominate the cover. Substantial numbers of blue-
eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) can be found in mesic areas. Non-native
grasses and forbs are intermixed. Animals associated with grassland are dis-
cussed below, in the Non-native Grassland section, due to the far more extensive
cover of non-native grass habitat.
Non-native Grassland. Historically, areas now dominated by non-native grasses
probably supported native grasslands and sage scrub. Conversion from these hab-
itats probably resulted from a combination of disturbances, including agricultural
practices and urban development. Slender wild oat (Avena barbata) is perhaps
the most conspicuous dominant species, but brome grasses (Bromus spp.) and
red-stem filaree (Erodium cicutarium) are also strongly represented. In some
areas, the canopy can be dominated by mustards (Brassica nigra, Hirschfeldia
incana). Other common species in Non-native Grasslands may include fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare), tocalote (Centaurea melitensis), horehound (Marrubium
vulgare), and western jimsonweed (Datura wrightii).
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
24 Habitat and Species Descriptions
Southern Cottonwood-Willow Riparian Forest. This community occurs along
creeks where mature, often well-spaced western sycamores (Platanus race-
mosa), dominate the canopy. Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), and Goodding's
black willow (Salix gooddingii) form supporting elements. Mature coast live
oaks (Quercus agrifolia) can contribute to the canopy on the upper margins away
from the water. The understory may contain scattered young willows, mulefat
(Baccharis salicifolia), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), mugwort
(Artemisia douglasiana), and poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). Wildlife
use of this habitat is high.
Southern Willow Scrub. This habitat is dominated by stands of willows (Salix
spp.). Depending on the habitat structure, these associations can be suitable for
use by the least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus). In addition, this habitat can sup-
port sensitive species including yellow-breasted chats (Icteria virens) and the
willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) among others.
Mulefat Scrub. Stands of mulefat define this habitat which occurs within or
along the margins of floodplains, and is associated with other riparian types.
Southern Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest. This plant community is generally
defined where coast live oaks dominate the riparian canopy. Mixed in are small
numbers of western sycamores, with various species of willows being uncom-
mon and isolated elements. The understory usually consists of dense poison oak
and leaf litter.
Coast Live Oak Woodland. Coast live oaks also occur away from drainages and
are a woodland when the canopy branches are less dense and interlocking. The
understory is again dominated by poison oak, but lacks a streambed component.
Cismontane Alkaline Marsh. When standing water or saturated soil are present
during most or all of year, this plant community may establish. High evaporation
and low input of fresh water render these marshes somewhat salty, especially dur-
ing the summer. Cismontane Alkali Marsh often includes southwestern spiny
rush (Juncus acutus), spearscale saltbush (Atriplex triangularis), and Dombey's
spike-sedge (Eleocharis montevidensis).
Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh. Freshwater Marsh is associated with
inundated portions of drainages and small ponds. The dominant plant may be
broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) which forms a dense, five- to seven-foot tall
canopy. Juncus acutus is occasionally found at the edges, along with saltgrass
(Distichlis spicata) and celery (Apium graveolens).
Freshwater Seep. Freshwater Seeps are characterized by low-growing (one to
three feet) herbaceous wetland species such as Dombey's spike-sedge, Mexican
rush (Juncus mexicanus), willow herb (Epilobium ciliatum), and salt marsh flea-
bane (Pluchea odorata). This community occurs adjacent to taller trees (e.g. wil-
lows) and shrubs (e.g. coyote brush).
Emergent Wetland. This is a wetland community found within or near drain-
ages. Plant species typical of this type include bristly ox-tongue (Picris
echioedes), annual beard grass (Polypogon monspeliensis), and cocklebur
(Xanthium spinosum). When this area is disturbed, it can contain tamarisk (Tam-
arix parviflora), giant reed (Arundo donax) and other exotics.
Habitat and Species Descriptions 25
September 2008
Ornamental/Revegetated Area. The slopes abutting commercial or home
developments are often planted with sage scrub and ornamentals. These include
eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), Perez rosemary (Limonium perezii), and a non-
native gumplant (Grindelia spp.) established with irrigation. In addition, this cat-
egory includes areas of eucalyptus near agricultural fields, landscape plantings
near commercial buildings, and stands of pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata).
3.2 Sensitive Species Covered by the HMP
3.2.1 Sensitive
Plant Species
As of this writing, only two parcels, the Municipal Golf Course and Lake Cala-
vera Mitigation Bank, have been surveyed for sensitive plants. These surveys,
like all inventories in natural environments are temporally and spatially limited
and inevitably capture a subset of the total species present at a given survey loca-
tion (See Merkel and Associates 2005 and Cotton/Beland/Associates 2000 for
lists of survey dates). The smaller parcels may have only been surveyed for a mat-
ter of one or two hours in association with a particular project.
The sensitive plants documented to date or with potential to occur (they may not
have been found as yet) on these properties are listed in Table 3-1 along with their
sensitivity status. The recorded locations of sensitive plant species at Lake Cala-
vera are depicted on Map 5-27 in Chapter 5. See Appendix B for profiles of sen-
sitive species found or potentially occurring at these properties. This appendix is
considered a work in progress and will continually be updated as new informa-
tion is generated on the species of interest. A checklist of plant species known to
occur on each property is presented in Appendix D.
3.2.2 Sensitive
Animal Species
As with the flora described above, only two parcels, the Municipal Golf Course
and Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank, have been surveyed for animal species. A
complete list of animal species known to occur on each of these two properties is
presented in Appendix C.
The sensitive animal species occurring or with potential to occur on these proper-
ties are listed in Table 3-2 along with their MHCP and Carlsbad HMP status. The
recorded locations of sensitive plant species at Lake Calavera are depicted on
Map 5-27 in Chapter 5. See Appendix B for profiles of sensitive species found or
potentially occurring at these properties. This appendix is considered a work in
progress and will continually be updated as new information is generated on the
species of interest.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
26 Habitat and Species Descriptions
Table 3-1. Sensitive flora documented and potentially occurring on Carlsbad Open Space Preserves, and their sensitivity status.
Common Name Latin Binomial MHCP Species
a Carlsbad HMP Statusb Federal, State,
and CNPS Statusc NE or
VPd Lake
Calavera
Golf
Course
Sensitive Plants Documented on Carlsbad Open Space Preservese
Del Mar manzanita Arctostaphylos glandulosa
ssp. crassifolia A.1 List 3 S1.1, CNPS List 1B NE X
California adolphia Adolphia californica S3.1, CNPS List 2 x x
Lewis' evening primrose Camissonia lewisii CNPS List 3 x
Western dichondra Dichondra occidentalis S3.2, CNPS List 4 x x
Clay-field goldenbush Isocoma menziesii var.
decumbens S2.2, CNPS List 1B x x
Southwestern spiny rush Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii S3.2, CNPS List 4 x x
Sensitive Plants Potentially Occuring on Carlsbad Open Space Preservesf
Nuttall's scrub oak Quercus dumosa A.2 List 1 S1.1, CNPS List 1B xg
Blochman's dudleya Dudleya blochmaniae ssp.
blochmaniae A.1 List 1 S2.1, CNPS List 1B x
h
San Diego thornmint Acanthomintha ilicifolia A.1 List 2 FT, SE, CNPS List 1B NE, VP
San Diego ambrosia Ambrosia pumila A.1 List 2 FE, S1.1, CNPS List 1B NE, VP
San Diego sagewort Artemisia palmeri CNPS List 4
Encinitas baccharis Baccharis vanessae A.1 List 3 FT, SE, List 1B NE
Thread leaved brodiaea Brodiaea filifolia A.1 List 3 FT, SE, CNPS List 1B NE,VP
Orcutt's brodiaea Brodiaea orcuttii CNPS List 1B VP
Wart stemmed ceanothus Ceanothus verrucosus A.2 List 2 S2.2, CNPS List 2
Orcutt's spineflower Chorizanthe orcuttiana A.1 List 1 FE, SE List 1B NE
Summer hollyi Comarostaphylis diversifolia
ssp. diversifolia A.2 List 3 S2.2, CNPS List 1B
Small flowered morning glory Convolvulus simulans S3.2, CNPS List 4
Del Mar mesa sand aster Corethrogyne filaginifolia var.
linifolia S1.1, CNPS List 1B NE
Sticky dudleya Dudleya viscida S2.2, CNPS List 1B
Cliff spurge Euphorbia misera A.2 List 1 S3.2, CNPS List 2
San Diego button-celery Eryngium aristulatum. ssp.
parishii A.1 FE, SE, CNPS List 1B NE, VP
Palmer's grapplinghook Harpagonella palmeri CNPS List 4
Graceful tarplant Holocarpha virgata ssp.
elongata S3.2, CNPS List 4
San Diego marsh elder Iva hayesiana A.2 List 3 S2.2, CNPS List 2
Small flowered microseris Microseris douglasii var. platy-
carpha CNPS List 4 VP
Little mouse tail Myosurus minimus var. apus A.1 List 3 S2.2, CNPS List 3 NE,VP
San Diego goldenstar Muilla clevelandii CNPS List 1B NE,VP
Spreading navarettia Navarretia fossalis A.1 List 3 FT, S2.1, CNPS List 1B NE, VP
California Orcutt grass Orcuttia californica A.1 List 3 FE, SE, CNPS List 1B NE, VP
Engelmann oak Quercus engelmannii S3.2, CNPS List 4
San Diego county viguiera Viguiera laciniata S3.2, CNPS List 4
a. MHCP Status: A.1-MHCP covered species with site specific permit conditions, individual populations to be tracked using GIS. A.2-MHCP covered species with habitat-
based permit conditions, to be tracked as habitat, using HabiTrak.
b. Carlsbad HMP Status: List 1: HMP Species Given Coverage under the Carlsbad Subarea Plan. List 2: HMP Species Coverage Contingent on Other MHCP Subarea Plans
being Permitted. List 3: HMP Species Coverage Contingent on Funding for Management of Conserved Areas.
c. Federal Status: FE=Federally endangered; FT=Federally threatened; State Status: SE=State endangered; ST=State threatened; S1=Less than 6 occurrences OR less than
1,000 individuals OR less than 2,000 acres; S2=6-20 occurrences OR 1,000-3,000 individuals OR 2,000-10,000 acres; S3=21-80 occurrences or 3,000-10,000 individuals OR
10,000-50,000 acres; 0.1=very threatened; 0.2=threatened; 0.3=no current threats known; California Native Plant Society Status: CNPS List 1B=Rare, threatened, or endan-
gered in California and elsewhere.; CNPS List 2=Rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere; CNPS List 3=need more information about this
plant (Review List).; CNPS List 4=Limited distribution (Watch List).
d. NE=Narrow Endemic species; VP=Vernal Pool species.
e. From documented sensitive species surveys in Cotton/Beland/Associates 2000 and Merkel and Associates 2005.
f. From lists of potentially occuring species (Cotton/Beland/Associates 2000, Merkel and Associates 2001, Merkel and Associates 2005).
g. Found within the construction footprint of the Golf Course prior to construction. No extant individuals known to occur within property boundaries.
h. Found adjacent to the Golf Course property and considered likely to occur.
i. Potentially occuring at Research Center Open Space.
Habitat and Species Descriptions 27
September 2008
Table 3-2. Sensitive fauna documented and potentially occuring on Carlsbad Open Space Preserves, and their sensitivity status.
Common Name Latin Binomial
MHCP
Species
Carlsbad
HMP Status Other Status
Lake
Calavera
Golf
Course
Sensitive Fauna Documented On Carlsbad Open Space Preservesa
Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii A.2 List 1 SSC X X
Sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus SSC X X
Tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor BCC, SSC X
Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow Aimophila ruficeps canescens A.2 List 1 X
Great blue heron Ardea herodias SA X
Northwestern San Diego pocket mouse Chaetodipus fallax fallax A.2 SSC X
Northern harrier Circus cyaneus SSC X X
Orangethroat whiptail Cnemidophorus hyperythrus beldingi A.2 List 1 SSC X
Monarch Danaus plexippus SA X
Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia brewsteri BCC, SSC X X
White-tailed kite Elanus leucurus State fully protected X
Southwestern willow flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus A.1 List 1 FE, SE Xb
California horned lark Eremophila alpestris actia SSC X
Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens auricollis A.2 List 1 SSC X X
Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus SSC X
San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit Lepus californicus bennettii A.2 SSC X
San Diego desert woodrat Neotoma lepida intermedia SSC X
Nuttall's woodpecker Picoides nuttallii SA X
Coastal California gnatcatcherc Polioptila californica californica A.1 List 1 FT, SSC X
Western spadefoot Spea hammondii A.2 SSC X X
Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia BCC, SSC X
California thrasher Toxostoma redivivum BCC, SA X X
Sensitive Fauna Potentially Occuring on Carlsbad Open Space Preservesd
Southwestern pond turtle Actinemys marmorata pallida A.2 SSC
Bell's sage sparrow Amphispiza belli belli A.2 List 1 BCC
Silvery legless lizard Anniella pulchra SSC
Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus SSC
Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos A.2 BCC, SSC
San Diego fairy shrimp Branchinecta sandiegonensis A.1 List 3 FE, SA
Arroyo toad Bufo californicus A.1 FE, SSC
Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis SSC
Dulzura California pocket mouse Chaetodipus californicus femoralis SSC
Rosy boa Charina (=Lichanura) trivigata SA
Coastal western whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris multiscutatus SA
Red diamond rattlesnake Crotalus ruber ruber SSC
San Diego ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus None
Coronado skink Eumeces skiltonianus interparietalis SSC
Western mastiff bat Eumops perotis SSC
Quino checkerspot Euphydryas editha quino FE, SA
Harbison's dun skipper Euphyes vestris harbisoni A.2 List 1 None
Prairie falcon Falco mexicanus BCC, SSC
American peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus anatum A.2 List 1 SE
Western least bittern Ixobrychus exilis hesperis List 1 SSC
Western red bat Lasiurus blossevillii List 1 SA
Hermes copper Lycaena hermes SA
California leaf-nosed bat Macrotus californicus List 1 SSC
Yuma myotis Myotis yumanensis SA
Mule deer Odocoileus hemionus A.2 None
Southern grasshopper mouse Onychomys torridus SSC
Osprey Pandion haliaetus A.2 List 1 SSC
Wandering skipper Panoquina errans List 1 SA
Belding's Savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi A.1 List 1 SE
Large-billed Savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus A.2 List 1 SSC
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
28 Habitat and Species Descriptions
3.3 Summary of Issues and Threats in Carlsbad Open Spaces
The large, historical losses and fragmentation of habitat continue to have impacts
on a day-to-day basis both regionally and locally on these individual preserve
parcels. These threats are cumulative and, to some extent, interactive. In addition,
the introduction of many non-native species (plant and animal) into habitat areas
threatens species diversity, longevity, and viability. The invasion threat of exotic
plants is exacerbated in the mild climate of coastal southern California, where
many horticultural introductions escape and thrive in natural areas.
In Carlsbad, the interface between preserved parcels intended for wildlife habitat
conservation and the urban, built environment is the daily, local battleground for
sensitive resources facing edge effects. The threats and impacts identified below
are those that preserve managers are most likely to address on a day-to-day basis.
Threats to habitats, species, and ecological processes may come from legal or
illegal activities, and are numerous. Due to the highly fragmented configuration
of open space in the City and the high edge-to-interior ratio, most open space
areas will be affected. See Appendix E for a review of the Center for Land Man-
agement's current modeling of threats to sensitive resources.
The following list contains general threats information. Initial parcel species
threats are outlined in Section 5 for each parcel. Most of the parcel specific threats
information will be collected during the first three years of management and will
be used to develop goals and objectives for future management plans.
Past, uncontrolled access to the properties by recreationists, mountain bikers,
and encampments constructed by transient homeless and illegal aliens,
California brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis californicus FE, SE
Pacific pocket mouse Perognathus longimembris pacificus A.1 FE, SSC
Double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus SSC
San Diego horned lizard Phrynosoma coronatum blainville SSC
Townsend's western big-eared bat Plecotus townsendii townsendii SSC
California red-legged frog Rana aurora draytonii FT, SSC
Coast patch-nosed snake Salvadora hexalepis virgultea SSC
Riverside fairy shrimp Streptocephalus woottoni A.1 List 3 FE, SA
American badger Taxidea taxus SSC
Two-striped garter snake Thamnophis hammondii SSC
Least Bell's vireo Vireo bellii pusillus A.1 List 1 FE, SE
a. From sensitive species surveys in Cotton/Beland/Associates 2000 and Merkel and Associates 2005.
b. Noted as migrant and unsure if spp. extimus
c. Calls heard at Carlsbad Village, Los Monos, and La Costa Canyon Open Space Preserves during 2006 site visits.
d. From lists of potentially occuring species (Cotton/Beland/Associates 2000, Merkel and Associates 2001, Merkel and Associates 2005).
A.1 - MHCP covered species with site specific permit conditions, individual populations to be tracked using GIS.
A.2 - MHCP covered species with habitat-based permit conditions, to be tracked as habitat, using HabiTrak.
List 1: HMP Species Given Coverage under the Carlsbad Subarea Plan.
List 2: HMP Species Coverage Contingent on Other MHCP Subarea Plans being Permitted.
List 3: HMP Species Coverage Contingent on Funding for Management of Conserved Areas.
BCC: United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Bird of Conservation Concern (USFWS Carlsbad Office website: http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad/ accessed
January 2007.
FE: USFWS Federally Endangered
FT: USFWS Federally Threatened
SCC: CDFG Species of Special Concern.
Table 3-2. Sensitive fauna documented and potentially occuring on Carlsbad Open Space Preserves, and their sensitivity status.
Common Name Latin Binomial
MHCP
Species
Carlsbad
HMP Status Other Status
Lake
Calavera
Golf
Course
Habitat and Species Descriptions 29
September 2008
present safety and security concerns, including an increased wildfire ignition
risk. These uses continue unless access is managed.
Altered fire regimes can result in declines of target management species as
well as increased fuel hazards that place human life and values in the built
environment at risk. The fire risk and hazard to species and to the built areas
has not been evaluated.
Soil erosion can result in an essentially permanent loss in the productive
capacity of an affected site, or sedimentation of downstream riparian and
estuarine habitat.
Fencing and lighting may alter species composition in the affected area and
restrict the necessary movement of species.
Public access will necessitate signage and other communication strategies to
enforce rules that allow for uses compatible with biological objectives.
Predator, exotic, and feral/domestic pet species can directly affect the success
of sensitive species and achieving other biological objectives. These conflicts
are especially prevalent in urban preserves.
Adjacent landscaping may negatively affect biological objectives by intro-
ducing nonnative plants and animals, horticultural regimes that alter site con-
ditions in the natural areas (irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and pruning),
thus promoting shifts in species composition to nonnatives and genetic con-
tamination from nonnative cultivars onsite or nearby.
Continued fragmentation of the otherwise undeveloped properties immedi-
ately adjacent to, or within the matrix of, habitats connected with the PMP
open spaces will negatively affect the potential for reproduction, genetic
exchange within species, as well as put greater demands on resources within
the PMP open spaces for motile species. Fragmentation can also have edge
effects that lower the quality of habitat for certain species, affecting biologi-
cal functioning.
Persistent and increasing cover of non-native plants may affect biological
functions by reducing the number and species richness of native pollinators,
and causing a reduction in native plant species richness and biodiversity.
Certain areas covered in this PMP have little potential to sustain healthy
native communities without active restoration effort.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
30 Management Strategy
4.0 Management Strategy
This section describes the proposed management strategies and tasks for the parcels
covered in this PMP.
4.1 Definition of Terms Used in This Plan
Element. An element refers to any biological unit, public use activity, or facility
maintenance program as defined below for which goals have been prepared and
presented.
Biological Element. This element consists of species, habitats, or communities
for which specific management goals have been developed with the plan.
Public Use Element. Public use elements are any recreational, scientific, or other
use activity appropriate to and compatible with the purposes for which this pre-
serve area is managed.
Facility Maintenance Element. This is a general-purpose element describing the
maintenance and administration program, which helps maintain orderly and ben-
eficial management of the area.
Fire Management Element. These are any management activities appropriate for
reduction of fire-related threats to property and natural resources.
Goal. This is a statement of the intended long-range results of management.
Biological Goal. This is a statement of the intended long-range results of man-
agement based upon feasibility of maintaining, enhancing, or restoring popula-
tions or habitat.
Public Use Goal. This is a statement of the desired type and level of public use
compatible with the biological element goals previously specified in the plan.
Area Specific Management Directive (ASMD). An ASMD is a management
work element that meets species- and habitat-specific needs in a phased manner
that takes into account site-specific circumstances. The ASMDs are paired with
preserve management hypotheses (assumptions and expectations for the
response or outcome of management actions), which should be stated along with
the ASMDs and can be tested through monitoring the results of management
actions and of species and habitat status. ASMDs function as the individual
projects or work elements that implement goals and are useful in planning opera-
tion and maintenance budgets. ASMDs are prioritized and described in detail in
the annual work plans for each preserve area by preserve managers. The individ-
ual preserve managers identify which management issues affect their particular
subunits and develop and implement the ASMDs, but in coordination with
related ASMDs throughout the rest of the Management Unit. Note that many
ASMDs already exist as they have been stipulated by the conditions for coverage
in the MHCP conservation analysis and in the Carlsbad Subarea HMP, and are
incorporated into this PMP.
Management Strategy 31
September 2008
Adaptive Management. The City of Carlsbad expects that management and mon-
itoring will occur though an adaptive approach. Information gained through mon-
itoring will influence the City's management decisions regarding the next steps in
the adaptive process. This approach acknowledges the lack of complete under-
standing of a system while at the same time recognizing the need to begin man-
agement activities. Adaptive management is a mechanism to learn more about
the system since controlled experiments may not be a biologically or economi-
cally reasonable option before management action is necessary. Targeted mea-
surement of key environmental and biological variables before and after the
management action can provide insight into the effects of actions at a particular
site. These actions can then be adapted to optimize the achievement of manage-
ment goals.
The trigger for a change in the management approach occurs when results have
not achieved the desired goal within a specified timeframe. The assumptions
underlying management goals must be stated explicitly and considered as
hypotheses to be tested through monitoring programs that are, in effect, manage-
ment experiments. The City will continue to use explicit models for experiments,
observational studies, and adaptive management to implement management
actions and test a priori assumptions. See Appendix E for examples of ecological
models being developed by the Center for Natural Lands Management that are
relevant to the PMP open spaces.
4.2 Management and Monitoring Assumptions
The Preserve Manager is not responsible for the following tasks which are the
responsibility of the City of Carlsbad (various departments):
Fuel or fire zone management or fuel suppression.
Clearing of debris from browditches, culverts, or any other man-made water
control structure.
Staking of property boundaries.
Trail construction or maintenance.
Permit required habitat restoration.
Major erosion problems (defined as problems that require local, state, federal
or other agency permits, excavation, grading, or other tasks up an beyond
simple sand bagging or other erosion control identified in Section 5 and the
attached cost estimate).
Removal of itinerant encampments. Preserve Manager is to find these
encampments and report their location to City. City will remove encampment
debris and trash.
Initial fence and gate installation.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
32 Management Strategy
4.3 Biological Element
The MHCP subregional plan includes policies and guidelines for coordinated
implementation of species protection across the entire MHCP preserve system.
The following section outlines goals and area specific management directives
(ASMD) (square bullets) for vegetation associations and HMP covered species
and methods to achieve these directives based on the MHCP Management and
Monitoring Plan, the OSMP and the Center for Natural Lands Management expe-
rience. Although the goals and ASMDs are consistent with the MHCP Manage-
ment and Monitoring Plan, and the City of Carlsbad's OSMP, some of the
timelines for surveys are adjusted to reflect comments, suggestions and require-
ments that the Center for Natural Lands Management has received on PMPs for
other Center managed properties in Carlsbad. For example, CNLM is not
required on its properties to monitor shrub species on an annual basis, which is
how it is outlined in the MHCP Management and Monitoring Plan.
Parcel-specific ASMDs are summarized in Chapter 5.
4.3.1 Vegetation
Associations
Goals and ASMDs
The goals and ASMDs outlined below reflect the general goal of collecting base-
line information on City owned parcels, which has yet to be accomplished for
most of the parcels. This information will help guide future management actions.
Parcels specific ASMDs are outlined in Chapter 5, which will be revised based on
the results of the baseline surveys and threats assessments. Section 4.7 identifies
other monitoring and management tasks not outlined below.
This PMP does not provide goals and ASMDs for all vegetation associations
found or anticipated to be found within City owned properties, but has selected
the most dominant, or most sensitive, vegetation associations. In depth monitor-
ing all vegetation associates is not deemed as necessary and would require finan-
cial resources that are not available at this time. However, habitat quality
assessments will be made for each vegetation association (or each parcel/prop-
erty) as described in Section 4.3.1.7.
4.3.1.1 Coastal Sage
Scrub and Coyote
Brush Scrub
Goal: Protect and manage the coastal sage and coyote brush scrub habitats to
provide for the continued health and persistence of these vegetation communities
and to provide habitat for species that exist in these areas.
Identify threats to these vegetation communities
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
Establish a vegetation monitoring program to determine baseline vegetation
structure and composition. Use baseline condition to determine long-term
vegetation management policies.
- Method: See Appendix I. In sum, the Preserve Manager will set up a min-
imum of eight study plots within selected coastal sage scrub areas. Varia-
bles measured will include ground cover by species, percent bare ground
Management Strategy 33
September 2008
and litter, shrub height, and species composition (richness). Other varia-
bles to be measured include mortality, recruitment, and abundance esti-
mates of shrub species.This work will primarily occur at Lake Calavera,
since this area has the largest contiguous stands of coastal sage scrub.
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associates will be tabulated. Attributes such
as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil com-
paction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one photo-
graph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
Map these vegetation communities using the dual-dominant SKW system,
and a half-acre minimum mapping unit.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will generate 1"=400' maps from current
aerial photography and to map vegetation communities. Vegetation com-
munities will be digitized and uploaded into GIS databases. These activi-
ties will occur on all parcels, except for the Golf Course and Calavera
Lake, which were recently mapped.
4.3.1.2 Southern
Maritime Chaparral
Goal: Protect and manage the southern maritime chaparral (SMC) to provide for
the continued health and persistence of this vegetation community and to provide
habitat for species that exist in these areas..
Identify threats to this vegetation community.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
Establish a vegetation monitoring program to determine baseline vegetation
structure and composition. Use baseline condition to determine long-term
vegetation management policies.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will determine a suitable methodology,
whether quantitative or qualitative, once management has commenced, as
the terrain and density of SMC stands is unknown. However, similar vari-
ables that will be measured in the CSS program will be measured and
evaluated.
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associates will be tabulated. Attributes such
as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil com-
paction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one photo-
graph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
Map chaparral vegetation using the dual-dominant SKW system, and a half-
acre minimum mapping unit.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
34 Management Strategy
- Method: The Preserve Manager will generate 1"=400' maps from current
aerial photography and to map vegetation communities. Vegetation com-
munities will be digitized and uploaded into GIS databases. These activi-
ties will occur on all parcels, except for the Golf Course and Calavera
Lake, which were recently mapped.
4.3.1.3 Southern
Mixed Chaparral
and California Sage -
Chaparral Scrub
Goal: Protect and manage the southern mixed chaparral and coastal sage scrub
to provide for the continued health and persistence of these vegetation communi-
ties and to provide habitat for species that exist in these areas.
Identify threats to these vegetation communities.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
Map vegetation using the dual-dominant SKW system, and a half-acre mini-
mum mapping unit.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will generate 1"=400' maps from current
aerial photography and to map vegetation communities. Vegetation com-
munities will be digitized and uploaded into GIS databases. These activi-
ties will occur on all parcels, except for the Golf Course and Calavera
Lake, which were recently mapped.
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associates will be tabulated. Attributes such
as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil com-
paction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one photo-
graph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
4.3.1.4 Valley
Needlegrass
Grassland and Non-
native Grassland
Goal: Protect and manage grassland areas to provide for the continued health
and persistence of these vegetation communities and to provide habitat for spe-
cies that exist in these areas.
Identify threats to these vegetation communities.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
Map vegetation using the dual-dominant SKW system, and a half-acre mini-
mum mapping unit.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will generate 1"=400' maps from current
aerial photography and to map vegetation communities. Vegetation com-
munities will be digitized and uploaded into GIS databases. These activi-
ties will occur on all parcels, except for the Golf Course and Calavera
Lake, which were recently mapped.
Management Strategy 35
September 2008
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associates will be tabulated. Attributes such
as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil com-
paction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one photo-
graph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
In the first three years of management, determine the percent cover of natives
verses non-natives plant species within selected native grassland areas to
guide long-term vegetation management policies.
- Method: Point-intercept transects will be installed in native grassland
communities. Point-intercept data will capture percent cover by species,
percent bare ground and litter. Transects will also incorporate species rich-
ness counts in order to track persistence, arrival, or disappearance of
native or non-native species. These activities will only occur on selected
parcels that include a native grass component. The density of transects will
be determined once mapping has been completed. Roughly, transects will
be installed at the density of one per acre of habitat, the length of transect
varying by the amount of linear ground occupied by native grassland.
Inventory unsurveyed grasslands for narrow endemic species.
- Method: Focused surveys will occur during the appropriate time of year
(see Table 4-2) to detect species such at thread-leaved brodiaea and San
Diego thornmint. Each occurrence will be mapped using GPS and abun-
dance noted.
4.3.1.5 Wetlands and
Waters (Freshwater
Marsh, Alkaline
Marsh, Seeps, Open
Water, Emergent
Wetlands)
Goal: Preserve and manage wetlands to provide for the continued health and
persistence of these vegetation communities and to provide habitat for species
that exist in these areas.
Identify threats to these vegetation communities.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associates will be tabulated. Attributes such
as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil com-
paction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one photo-
graph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
Map vegetation using the dual-dominant SKW system, and a quarter-acre
minimum mapping unit.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will generate 1"=400' maps from current
aerial photography and to map vegetation communities. Vegetation com-
munities will be digitized and uploaded into GIS databases. These activi-
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
36 Management Strategy
ties will occur on all parcels, except for the Golf Course and Calavera
Lake, which were recently mapped.
4.3.1.6 Coast Live
Oak Woodland
Goal: Protect and manage coast live oak woodland to provide for the continued
health and persistence of this vegetation community and to provide habitat for
species that exist in these areas
Identify any potential threats to oak woodlands and the species that depend
on them.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
Map vegetation using the dual-dominant SKW system, and a half-acre mini-
mum mapping unit.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will generate 1"=400' maps from current
aerial photography and to map vegetation communities. Vegetation com-
munities will be digitized and uploaded into GIS databases. These activi-
ties will occur on all parcels, except for the Golf Course and Calavera
Lake, which were recently mapped.
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associates will be tabulated. Attributes such
as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil com-
paction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one photo-
graph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
Prevent fragmentation of oak stands. Determine age stand characteristics of
the oak woodland to guide future management decisions and policies.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will select plots within oak woodlands
(likely Carrillo Ranch) and develop a study design that will include indi-
rectly assessing the stand age, censusing, and assessing threats. Plots will
include measures of a sample of individual live oak trees at diameter at
breast height (dbh). These data will also provide tracking for live, dead, or
diseased individuals. Seedlings will be counted per plot, if encountered,
and this will indirectly indicate success of recruitment, and/or mortality of
seedlings. Ground cover by species will be assessed within the plot by
using CNPS Releve'protocol.
4.3.1.7 All other
Vegetation
Associations
Assess the quality of these vegetation communities.
- Using a releve-type protocol, or other method, the primary attributes of
the "health" of the vegetation associations will be tabulated. Attributes
such as level of disturbance, nonnative plant and native plant cover, soil
compaction, past fire damage, and others will be noted. Provide one pho-
tograph which shows a representative section of the area monitored.
Management Strategy 37
September 2008
4.3.2 Covered
Species Goals and
ASMDs
The goals and ASMDs outlined below reflect the general goal of collecting base-
line information on City owned parcels, which has yet to be accomplished for
most of the parcels. This information will help guide future management actions.
Parcels specific ASMDs are outlined in Chapter 5, which will be revised based on
the results of the baseline surveys and threats assessments. Section 4.7 identifies
other monitoring and management tasks not outlined below. Table 4-1 summa-
rizes monitoring activities.
Goal: Determine the threat level to sensitive species to prioritize management
actions and mitigate threats.
Conduct surveys during the appropriate time of year, and per the outlines pro-
vided below, for all HMP-covered sensitive species on all parcels except for
Lake Calavera and the Municipal Golf Course where surveys were recently
completed.
Manage sensitive species indirectly through habitat management, and HMP
covered species by species-specific AMSDs (see following sections). Deter-
mine need for, and install, fencing of sensitive habitat if necessary.
Develop GIS data for the location of sensitive species. Include observation
day, time, weather, number of individuals, sex, and surveyor's name within
the GIS layers.
Use baseline monitoring data to develop indices for the estimated threat level
to sensitive species and resources and monitor changes over time.2
The goals and ASMDs outlined below focus on Carlsbad HMP List 1, Narrow
Endemics (that have potential to occur) and federally or state listed species, and
include only those MHCP covered species which are known to occur or are
highly likely to occur on City owned properties. All other sensitive plant and ani-
mal species, such as Carlsbad HMP List 2-4 or those with other sensitivity ratings
(i.e. CNPS), will be noted and mapped. Future PMPs will address any potential
future management and monitoring for all sensitive species.
2. See Section 4.7 MHCP Biological Monitoring Element for more guidance.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
38 Management Strategy
4.3.2.1 San Diego
Thornmint, Orcutt's
spineflower and
Thread-leaved
brodiaea
San Diego thornmint and thread-leaved brodiaea are known to occur in the City
of Carlsbad, near City-owned property. None were observed at the Golf Course
or Calavera Lake. Orcutt's spineflower has potential to occur. The following lists
goals and objectives for the species.
Table 4-1. Summary of Required Monitoring Strategies for MHCP Covered Species. Baseline surveys for sensitive plant species will not
be conducted on the Calavera Lake and Golf Course properties as they were recently surveyed and mapped and no sensitive species
that were observed during those surveys will require follow up surveys in the first three years of management, the period that this PMP
covers. Details of established MHCP monitoring protocols are in Appendix G.
Resource Monitoring Strategies Frequency
Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Grassland
San Diego thornmint
Thread-leaved brodiaea
Survey suitable habitat, map and delineate population boundaries if
observed (GIS)One season during term of PMP
Summer holly, Blochman's dudleya,
Nuttall's scrub oak
Survey suitable habitat, map and delineate general distribution
(GIS)One to two seasons during term of PMP
Coastal California gnatcatcher (CAGN)Conduct focused surveys and map general distribution (GIS)
Measure abundance (number of pairs)Annual
Orange-throated whiptail
Golden eagle
California rufous-crowned sparrow
Bell's sage sparrow
San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit
Southern mule deer
Map general distribution (GIS) of individuals or sign as observed
during CAGN surveys and other biological surveys.
As per frequency of CAGN surveys
Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Grassland
Coastal sage scrub avifauna (Not a part
of this HMP, these activities to be
funded by "regional" funding sources).
Avian point-count monitoring along established routes
California gnatcatcher dispersal
Collect vegetation data in relation to point counts.
To be determined by MHCP. USFWS is testing protocols.
Herpetofauna (Not a part of this HMP,
these activities to be funded by
"regional" funding sources).
Conduct pitfall trapping
Collect vegetation data in relation to trapping To be determined by MHCP.
Riparian Habitats
Cooper's hawk
Southwestern willow flycatcher
Least Bell's vireo (LBV)
Yellow-breasted chat
Map raptor nest sites as they are observed
Census number of breeding pairs of least Bell's vireo
Map yellow-breasted chat and southern willow flycatcher as they
are observed during LBV surveys
Annual
Arroyo toad Map potential habitat (GIS) N/A
Harbison's dun skipper butterfly
Western spadefoot toad
Southwestern pond turtle
Southern mule deer
San Diego marsh elder
Map occurrences as these species are observed during other bio-
logical monitoring activities (GIS)
As per frequency of other biological surveys
Oak Woodland
Harbison's dun skipper butterfly
Cooper's hawk
Golden eagle
Southern mule deer
Map occurrences as these species are observed during other bio-
logical monitoring activities (GIS)As per frequency of other biological surveys
Exotic Species
Nonnative plants, nonnative ants, red
fox, opossum, black rats, cowbirds,
bullfrogs, cats, dogs
Note these species are observed during biological monitoring activ-
ities (GIS)
Trap for cowbirds at Golf Course
As per frequency of other biological surveys
Wildlife Corridors
Southern mule deer Map sign and observations during other biological surveys
No special monitoring identified To be determined by MHCP
Management Strategy 39
September 2008
Goal: Protect existing populations of San Diego thornmint, Orcutt's spineflower
and thread-leaved brodiaea if found, and identify potential threats and enhance-
ment opportunities specific to the Carlsbad Open Space Preserve.
Monitor unsurveyed habitat that supports these species.
- Method: Focused surveys will occur during the appropriate time of year
(see Table 4-2) to this detect species. Each occurrence will be mapped
using GPS and abundance noted. Surveys will occur in all areas except
Calavera Lake and the Golf Course, which were recently surveyed.
Protect locations of these species.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will determine what measure will be
needed to protect this species depending on their location and need.
Outline short-term and long-term management goals and objectives if the
species is observed.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will evaluate the management needs for
future management plans.
4.3.2.2 .Nuttal's
Scrub Oak, Cliff
spurge, Orcutt's
hazardia, San Diego
Ambrosia, and
Blochman's dudleya,
and Del Mar
Manzanita.
Nuttal's scrub oak were observed at the Golf Course within the development foot-
print, so they still have the potential to occur. Cliff spurge have been observed at
Kelly Ranch (CNLM property), and are likely to occur on certain City-owned
properties. Orcutt's hazardia was not known in Carlsbad until CNLM introduced
populations at Kelly Ranch and Rancho La Costa. San Diego Ambrosia is not
known to occur, but suitable habitat exists in Carlsbad. Blochman's dudleya was
observed adjacent to the Golf Course and suitable habitat exists in Carlsbad.
Recent research indicates that most subspecies of Arctostaphylos (such as Del
Mar Manzanita) are not Del Mar Manzanita in Carlsbad, but ssp. zacaensis; how-
ever, Del Mar Manzanita was thought to be observed at the Golf Course.
Goal: Protect sensitive shrub and succulent populations.
Survey and map existing populations.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will survey suitable habitat for this spe-
cies at all parcels except for Calavera Lake and the Golf Course, which
were recently surveyed. Surveys for Blochman's dudleya will occur at the
Golf Course. Each occurrence will be mapped using GPS (either point or
polygon) and abundance noted or estimated.
Outline short-term and long-term management goals and objectives if the
species is observed.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will evaluate the management needs for
future management plans.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
40 Management Strategy
4.3.2.3 Orange-
throated Whiptail,
San Diego Horned
Lizard, and
Spadefoot Toad
Orange-throated whiptails are known to be widespread and abundant across San
Diego County. In Carlsbad, they are likely to occur in soft soils in most upland
vegetation communities. San Diego horned lizards have been observed at
CNLM's Rancho La Costa Preserve, and prior to development, in the Calavera
area (Calavera Hills Phase II) and Carlsbad Oaks area. They have moderate
potential to occur on City properties. Spadefoot toads have been observed at
Calavera Lake and Rancho La Costa.
Goal: Protect habitat that supports sensitive reptile species.
Map the distribution of sensitive reptile and amphibians to learn more about
their status on the City properties.
- Method: Sensitive reptile and amphibians will be mapped using GPS
and/or GIS as they are observed during other monitoring and management
activities
Outline short-term and long-term management goals and objectives if the
species is observed.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will evaluate the management needs for
future management plans.
4.3.2.4 Cooper's
Hawk and American
Peregrine Falcon
Cooper's hawks are common in Carlsbad and San Diego County, and were
recently removed from DFG's Species of Special Concern List. American Pere-
grine Falcons are likely to forage along the coast of Carlsbad, but may fly over
inland areas.
Goal: Protect suitable nesting and foraging habitat for the Cooper's hawk, and
foraging habitat for the American peregrine falcon, if present, along with other
raptors.
Map the locations of sensitive raptor species.
- Method: Sensitive raptor species will be noted and mapped as they are
observed during focused California gnatcatcher (CAGN) and least Bell’s
vireo (LBV) surveys. All nest locations will be mapped using GPS.
Protect raptor nesting sites.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will ensure that proper management
actions will be taken to protect raptor nests. For example, the Preserve
Manager will not conduct management activities that could harm the nest
or nesting activities.
Conduct any necessary tree trimming or cutting outside the breeding season
in areas used by raptors.
Eucalyptus trees will be checked for nests before removal. Eucalyptus trees
have become as common a nest site as coast live oaks, according to the San
Diego Bird Atlas Program (SDNHM 2004).
Management Strategy 41
September 2008
4.3.2.5 Southern
California rufous-
crowned sparrow
Southern California rufous-crowned sparrows have been observed in Carlsbad
and were recently removed from CDFG's Species of Special Concern List. CNLM
has observed a high abundance at Rancho La Costa, and scattered individuals at its
other preserves in Carlsbad. They are likely to occur on City-owned properties.
Goal: Protect Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow(RCSP) by protect-
ing habitat for this species.
Protect southern California rufous-crowned sparrow from the harmful effects
of human activities. Avoid activities that could disturb nesting pairs during
active breeding season.
- Method: Conduct regular patrols of properties and avoid conducting
potentially harmful management activities during the breeding season.
Remove nonnative plant species that degrade RCSP habitat
Map and monitor this species to determine the distribution and abundance of
rufous-crowned sparrow.
- Method: Note and map occurrences of RCSP during CAGN surveys.
Identify and minimize threats to this species in concert with the protection of
the California gnatcatcher.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will develop a threats table which identi-
fies each threat and provides management recommendations. This infor-
mation will be provided in the Year 3 annual report and used for revisions
to the PMP.
4.3.2.6 Coastal
California
Gnatcatcher
Coastal California gnatcatchers occur across Carlsbad, and have been observed at
Calavera Lake and the Golf Course.
Goal: Protect and maintain habitat that supports the coastal California gnat-
catcher.
Protect and monitor the coastal sage scrub vegetation community and the
habitat components that support the California gnatcatcher
- Method: Conduct regular patrols to protect CAGN habitat from human
impacts. Conduct vegetation monitoring pursuant to section 4.3.1.1
Remove nonnative plant species that degrade CAGN habitat.
Conduct surveys and generate GIS data for the location and distribution of
California gnatcatchers.
- Method: Conduct a minimum of 3 surveys separated by at least 7 days for
CAGN. Surveys will occur annually on all parcels identified in this PMP
that support suitable habitat. CAGN surveys at the golf course will be con-
ducted by Dudek and Associates through 2012 pursuant to the golf course
agency permits.
Avoid activities that may disturb the California gnatcatcher during breeding
season.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will avoid conducting activities, such as
nonnative plant removal, during the CAGN breeding season.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
42 Management Strategy
4.3.2.7 Yellow-
breasted Chat and
Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher
Yellow-breasted chats occur in many locations in Carlsbad (CNLM has observed
them in the Calavera area, Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve and Rancho La
Costa. They are known to occur at the Golf Course and Calavera Lake. No nest-
ing southwestern willow flycatchers have been observed in Carlsbad in many
years. Migrants may have been observed at the Golf Course (although it was
unclear if it was the ssp extimus) and have potential to pass through on City
owned properties.
Goal: Protect and maintain habitat that supports the Yellow-breasted chat
(YBCH) and southwestern willow flycatcher (WIFL).
Manage these species primarily through the removal of non-native species
within their habitats.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will remove nonnative invasive plant spe-
cies (Zero Tolerance Species per Appendix G) to protect YBCH and
WIFL habitat. The Preserve Manager will conduct regular patrols to
ensure that itinerant encampments do not become established and to mini-
mize human impacts.
Conduct surveys and generate GIS data for the location and distribution of
WIFL and YBCH.
- Method: Note and map WIFL and YBCH during focused LBV surveys.
4.3.2.8 Least Bell's
Vireo
Least Bell's vireo (LBV) are known to occur in Carlsbad, and have been observed
at the Golf Course along Macario Creek. They are likely to occur on other Carls-
bad properties.
Goal: Protect and maintain habitat that supports least Bell's vireo
Protect LBV habitat.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will remove nonnative invasive plant spe-
cies (Zero Tolerance Species per Appendix G) to protect YBCH and
WIFL habitat. The Preserve Manager will conduct regular patrols to
ensure that itinerant encampments do not become established and to mini-
mize human impacts.
Determine if cowbirds are present in areas that could support least Bell's
vireo and trap as necessary.
- Method: Cowbird trapping at the Golf Course will be conducted by Dudek
and Associates through 2012 pursuant to wildlife agency permits for the
site. Although other City parcels could support LBV and cowbirds, no
trapping is proposed or budgeted as it is felt that any traps would be van-
dalized in all potential trapping locations (such as Calavera Lake).
Protect the populations of LBV from the harmful effects of human activities.
Avoid activities that could disturb nesting pairs during active breeding sea-
son.
- Method: The Preserve Manager will work closely with the City Trail
Coordinator to ensure that trail maintenance activities avoid the LBV nest-
Management Strategy 43
September 2008
ing season, and to recommend trail closures if LBV are found within 100
feet of an existing trail.
Monitor this species to determine the distribution and abundance of least
Bell's vireo.
- Method: At least 3 surveys will be conducted for LBV during the breeding
season. The status (i.e. pair, single male, juvenile) and location will be
mapped and entered into GIS.
4.3.3 Wildlife
Corridors
Although some of the parcels that the City owns contain portions of areas within
HMP designated "linkage and corridor" areas, no management or monitoring
activities are planned as either the acreage is too small, the vegetation is too dense
or too steep, the portion of habitat preserve is not suitable for linkage and coori-
dor-type studies, "regional funding" is supposed to cover such monitoring and
management activities, or other proposed montoring activities within this PMP
will provide the necessary information required.
4.3.4 Non-native
Plants
Brief surveys were conducted on all City-owned properties to develop this PMP.
During those visits, lists of zero-tolerance plant species (Appendix G) were
made. These species were identified for immediate removal or management.
Zero-tolerance species for each City-owned parcel is outlined in Chapter 5.
Goal: Control the spread and introduction of invasive and noxious species with
priority on those with the greatest potential to impact sensitive species popula-
tions or habitats, and restore to native habitat when feasible.
Remove pampas grass, eucalyptus, and all other zero-tolerance species to
less than 1% cover. Appendix G summarizes which zero-tolerance plant spe-
cies will be removed during the first three years of management. A summary
of zero tolerant species observed during PMP preparation, and their proposed
removal, is provide in Chapter 5
Assess the occurence, and map as appropriate, the presence and location of
moderately tolerant non-native plant species listed in Appendix G.
Annually inspect property for new infestations.
Assess the cover of moderately tolerated non-native plant species within
coastal sages scrub (such as nonnative grasses) and riparian vegetation com-
munities to guide future management decisions.
Preemptively educate adjacent landowners on preferred selection of land-
scaping plants to limit overwatering and invasions by exotics.
4.3.5 Exotic and
Feral animals
Goal: Protect the Carlsbad Open Space Preserve from the detrimental effects of
exotic animals.
Prevent the spread of non-native ant species by working with adjacent land-
owners to prevent over-watering by irrigation and improper drainage into the
reserve.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
44 Management Strategy
Inform public of the threats that feral animals and released pets pose to sensi-
tive species, and provide contact information for the public to utilize in the
event of sightings. Conduct educational programs for residents regarding the
feeding and harboring of feral cats and dogs, especially within housing areas.
Distribute a brochure about the responsible care of pets near sensitive habi-
tats and wildlife.
Prevent the risks and potential losses and liabilities from dog use of the Pre-
serve areas open to the public. All dogs must be confined to a leash. Stray or
loose animals should be reported to the County Animal Control office.
4.3.6 Erosion
Control
Goal: Enhance long-term erosion control and watershed health by controlling
existing erosion, and by identifying and eliminating erosion liabilities early on
while they are still minor.
Prioritize locations for control and erosion monitoring where the loss and
destabilization of soil can have devastating and long-term effects on produc-
tion capacity, wetland values, ecological processes, and sensitive species.
Incorporate erosion monitoring into patrol protocols, especially during the
rainy season and during storms.
Mitigate for minor erosion issues with the use of wattling, gravel bags, and
silt fences. Revegetate with fast-growing natives in critically eroding areas.
Specific erosion measures identified during the development of this PMP are
outlined in Chapter 5.
Alert the City of Carlsbad immediately to major erosion problems that are out
of scope of the Preserves Manager duties and budget. Major erosion problems
are defined as problems that require local, state, federal or other agency per-
mits, excavation, grading, or other tasks up an beyond simple sand bagging or
other erosion control identified in Section 5 and the attached cost estimate.
4.3.7 Reporting,
Updating, and
HMP
Coordination
Goal: Support the City of Carlsbad's commitment to achieving the conservation
goals of the Carlsbad HMP and the MHCP through complying with reporting
requirements, report updating, and regular and effective communication and
coordination.
The schedule and process for meetings and reporting below provide the City of
Carlsbad's structure for:
1. Compliance monitoring (are the HMP and OSMP being implemented
according to the Implementing Agreement and the conditions, policies,
and guidelines established therein?); and
2. Effectiveness monitoring (is the management of the preserve system con-
serving the species and habitats as expected?).
Update this PMP every three years from its finalization. A draft update (or
initial) preserve management plan is due in November of every third year and
will be distributed to the Preserve Steward, City of Carlsbad, and Wildlife
Agencies for review and comment. The final preserve management plan will
be due the following February.
Management Strategy 45
September 2008
Submit an Annual Work Plan and Annual Report each year for the Carlsbad
Open Space Preserve. A draft Annual Work Plan and an Annual Report are
due October 15 to the Preserve Steward, City, and Wildlife Agencies for
review and comment, and the final Work Plan and Annual Report is due the
following February. The Annual Report will summarize the activities accom-
plished during the year and any management and monitoring recommenda-
tions. The Annual Work Plan will outline the planned monitoring and
management actions for the year and include a prioritization of specific man-
agement needs and ASMDs to be implemented in the adaptive management
context. See the OSMP Appendix D for required content and format. The
annual update will be reviewed by the Wildlife Agencies and Preserve Stew-
ard, and be available for public review and comment.
Attend the Quarterly Carlsbad OSMP Workshop to facilitate coordination
among preserve areas/managers, to share ideas, address common problems,
identify funding/grant opportunities (coordination of Section 6 and NCCP
local assistance applications), etc. Attendance is required of Preserve Manag-
ers and the Preserve Steward. Invited attendees include the City, Coastal
Commission, Wildlife Agencies, and public (key City and Wildlife Agency
staff may be required for certain issues).
Provide monthly Status Memos from Preserve Managers. This is a brief
memo to the Preserve Steward reporting status of new/ongoing issues and
progress on the work plan, and a discussion of management/monitoring
activities of the previous month.
Maintain frequent communication between Preserve Steward and Preserve
Managers (ongoing as needed) by phone, email, or in the field.
Report emergency/critical issues to the City, Wildlife Agencies and/or
Coastal Commission as needed (Preserve Manager and/or Steward to report
depending on severity of issue).
4.3.8 Adaptive
Management
Goal: Ensure that, through the monitoring and reporting process, results of man-
agement are evaluated and management is adjusted appropriately to meet the
Carlsbad Open Space Preserve goals and the City of Carlsbad's commitment to
the conservation goals of the HMP/MHCP.
Continue to learn and modify conceptual models in Appendix D by testing
assumptions through purposeful scientific monitoring.
Continue to assess the need for annual effort under each program Element,
and update this preserve management plan as appropriate to meet the com-
mitment to Carlsbad HMP conservation goals.
4.4 Public Use Element
Public use may include any recreational, scientific or other use activity appropri-
ate to and compatible with the purposes for which this preserve area is managed.
The preserve, with proper stewardship, is a significant amenity to the surround-
ing community, and has been used historically by recreationists. The Preserve
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
46 Management Strategy
Steward recognizes that informing and educating adjacent residents and busi-
nesses of the preserve's value as open space and wildlife habitat will be essential
to maintaining the current resource levels found onsite. Without local support,
there will be ongoing degradation through misuse, vandalism, poaching and trash
dumping. With an actively involved community there will be hundreds of eyes
and ears keeping a vigilant watch over the habitat.
4.4.1 Public Use
Goal and ASMDs
Goal: Allow for public access and use that is compatible with the conservation
goals and obligations of the OSMP, HMP, and MHCP. Public use on designated
trails will be restricted to Calavera Lake, the Carlsbad Village Drive parcels and
La Costa Canyon Park.
Prohibit public access to any City-owned parcels other than Calavera Lake,
the Carlsbad Village Drive parcels and La Costa Canyon Park because other
parcels contain at-risk resources, or because they lack accessible or suffi-
ciently ample terrain to implement a trail system. The City of Carlsbad is
responsible for all trails, trail construction and trail maintenance within City-
owned properties.
The Preserve Manager will patrol and enforce rules and regulations on a reg-
ular basis. An outline of the proposed patrolling schedule (i.e. weekly,
monthly, quarterly) for each City-owned parcel is provided in Chapter 5.
The Preserve Manager will work with the City of Carlsbad Trails Coordina-
tor to suggest trail improvements and resolution of problem areas at Calavera
Lake.
The City will install fencing to minimize or eliminate unwanted use and tres-
pass, or to guide users to appropriate trail heads or access points. The Pre-
serve Manager will maintain these fences. A summary of proposed fencing
and proposed locations is provided in Chapter 5. Cost estimates for fence
maintenance is provided in Appendix H.
The Preserve Manager will conduct two nature walks and two other public
outreach events per year to educate the public and bring awareness of natural
resources in local neighborhoods.
The Preserve Manager, with permission from the City, will allow access to
City-owned property for science and research as appropriate.
Implement the following potential rules for access:
- Dogs on leashes only.
- No motorized vehicles.
- Restricted horseback riding and mountain biking.
- Hiking on designated trails only.
- No collecting of plant and wildlife species.
- No hunting or shooting.
- No camping.
Management Strategy 47
September 2008
The Preserve Manager will post appropriate signage on each City-owned
parcel. Each sign will identify that the property is protected habitat, the City
as the owner, contact information, a list of illegal activities and other perti-
nent information.
Post "mini" kiosks in selected areas to provide useful information to the pub-
lic. A typical mini-kiosk may be a 4 x 4 inch post six feet high with a 2 x 2
foot plywood fascia covered in a protective plexi-glass. Materials can be
posted behind the plexi-glass.
The Preserve Manager will remove debris and trash within the properties.
4.5 Fire Management Element
All fuel management is the responsibility of parties other than the Preserve Man-
ager. There are fuel zones along the northern and eastern boundaries of Calavera
Lake and within the northern areas of La Costa/Romero. Other fuel modification
activities occur at the Carlsbad Village Drive property and Veterans Park (mow-
ing of mustard stands in both of these areas).
4.5.1 Fire History While fire history should be verified on the ground by searching for fire scars and
observing vegetation maturity, the open space preserves considered herein do not
appear to be affected by the common scenario of over-frequent fire and an
increase in fire size. Within the span of spatially recorded fires from 1910-2002
(California Department of Forestry), only Lake Calavera, Los Monos, La Costa
Canyon, and La Costa/Romero parcels have experienced fires. Maps of these par-
cels and their respective fires are presented in Chapter 5. A regional fire history is
shown in Map 4-1.
The MHCP asks that the regional assumption of over-frequent fire be evaluated
in the case of each preserve management plan, as this relates to the potential for
vegetation type conversion as well as protection of fire-dependent species. Based
on these maps, the open spaces here do not appear to be affected by the modern
trend to more frequent and larger fires as is typical in much of San Diego County.
However, the fire threat in this urban preserve is serious, as may be exemplified
by the nearby Harmony Grove Fire of October 21, 1996. According to the after-
action report, this fire became the most serious emergency event in Carlsbad's
history (Fire Report http://www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us/fire /hgfd.html). Slightly over
three hours after the fire began in the unincorporated community of Harmony
Grove, shifting winds drove the fire across the southeastern boundary of the City,
and into residential neighborhoods of La Costa. By midnight, the winds subsided
and the fire began to die out, leaving $11.8 million in private loss in the form of 54
Carlsbad homes destroyed and dozens of others damaged.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
48 Management Strategy
Map 4-1. Regional fire history, with extent of fire called out by decade.
Management Strategy 49
September 2008
4.5.2 The Fire
Environment
The following points are key to the fire planning context for the open space pre-
serves:
1. All of the open space preserves can be considered a wildland-urban inter-
face (W-UI). W-UI can be defined as the portion of burnable vegetation
within 1.5 miles of occupied structure densities greater than 1 unit/40
acres. Policy-specific criteria for defining a W-UI was published in the
Federal Register (January 4, 2001 66 FR 751), which established a mini-
mum density of one occupied structure per 40 acres (16 ha). In its identifi-
cation of a W-UI, the California Fire Alliance (2001) defined W-UI as all
areas within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of wildland vegetation, roughly the dis-
tance that firebrands can be carried from a wildland fire to the roof of a
house.
2. Under certain Santa Ana wind conditions (such as occurred in the county
in October of 2003 and 2007), entire open space preserves could be con-
sumed by fire more quickly than a fire suppression unit could be on site.
In mature chaparral or riparian vegetation, flame lengths could exceed
100 feet. In the mature riparian community, flame lengths could reach
even higher.
3. Many of the open space preserves are connected to other conservation
areas through native habitat corridors. Native vegetation in adjoining
lands is part of the same fire context as the PMP preserve considered in
this document. Fire can either spread from the PMP parcels onto those
lands, or reach the PMP parcels from them.
4. The native vegetation of the PMP parcels positioned adjacent to urban
land use, as well as the public access planned for the PMP lands predis-
pose this property to a high wildfire risk. The fire threat comes largely
from human-caused ignitions, such as from campfires set by recreation-
ists, homeless, or transient persons staying overnight. Other possible igni-
tion sources could come from arson, children with matches, or sparks
from equipment used on site or from off-road vehicles.
5. The plant and wildlife communities of the PMP open spaces evolved with
a natural fire regime as a key natural ecological disturbance process, pri-
marily driven by weather and the low moisture content of vegetation in
late summer and fall. Native Americans also set fires as a land manage-
ment tool, and burning for subsistence purposes had been a local practice
for thousands of years. The diversity of plants and wildlife present in the
region have a range of adaptations to fire, and open habitat conditions are
created by fire. Development and fragmentation of habitats do not allow
natural fire regimes to continue without placing adjacent homes and busi-
nesses at risk, thereby increasing pressure on fire protection agencies and
land managers to suppress wildfires. In the modern setting of a wildland-
urban interface, fires have become more frequent, and possibly much
larger and more disastrous than was natural. Additionally, today's preva-
lence of exotic annual grasses and forbs has changed fuel load character-
istics such that fires can ignite and carry through into shrublands more
easily.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
50 Management Strategy
6. The risk of extreme fire scenarios to species that are the focus of manage-
ment should be evaluated in the context of the managed preserve. The
highest risk is with respect to too short a return interval between fires,
which prevents plants from either accumulating sufficient carbohydrate in
their underground storage organs to resprout, or from accumulating suffi-
cient seed bank storage in the soil to replace their populations post-fire.
There is a risk that fires may be either too cool to germinate seeds that
require fire stimulus, or so hot that the seed is killed. And, in the com-
pressed and fragmented native habitats we now work with, there is a risk
of an entire open space preserve being taken by fire in a single event, and
species unable to disperse into the post-fire environment. In this latter
case, the highest risk is to species with narrow niche specialties, those
with sedentary life histories, or with low dispersal capability.
To evaluate potential fire regime risks on some of the target management species
of the PMP open spaces, certain key plant species are evaluated below. An evalu-
ation of fire effects on wildlife groups follows.
Nuttall's scrub oak (Quercus dumosa). The prolific sprouting ability of Nut-
tall's scrub oak makes it a prominent component of the early postfire community.
It is exceptionally persistent with or without fire (Minnich and Howard 1984,
Keeley et al. 1986). In coastal chaparral communities of southern California,
Nuttall's scrub oak generally becomes dominant during the second decade after
fire, and within 30 to 40 years communities on north-facing slopes have closed
canopies. The vegetation composition of these sites remains essentially
unchanged without further disturbance, with Nuttall's scrub oak continuing to
dominate (Hanes 1971). Seedlings likely establish in unusually moist years but
need litter, so this only happens in very old stands, similar to Q. berberidifolia
(Zedler 1977) with which Q. dumosa will hybridize. No special fire management
is recommended. Continued existence of this species would not be expected to be
jeopardized by fire, and populations are expected to be stable with or without fire.
It may increase in cover without fire due to its height and ability to dominate the
canopy.
San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia). San Diego thornmint is
restricted in distribution to San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mex-
ico (Skinner and Pavlik 1994; USFWS 1998). In San Diego County, this species
is known from Carlsbad and San Marcos south to the Sweetwater River and Otay
Mesa and east to Alpine (Beauchamp 1986; USFWS 1998). It is restricted to cal-
careous marine sediments (near the coast), clay, or gabbro-derived soils (Las
Posas soils), and is associated with chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, or
vernal pools (Hickman 1993; Skinner and Pavlik 1994; USFWS 1998)
(http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region5/crestridge/crestridge-acan-ili.html).
Because of its annual habit, San Diego thornmint may experience yearly fluctua-
tions in population size and spatial location. Thornmint plants tend to be clustered
around white sage shrubs or occur in denser (but primarily native) herbaceous
vegetation in open areas within the scrub. While this species may be damaged by
fire during the growing season, its annual habit and predisposition for low-fuel
conditions makes fire effects unlikely.
Management Strategy 51
September 2008
Thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia). A bulb of grasslands, seeps, and
wet meadows, this species is highly adapted to fire due to its underground storage
structure. These plants are normally dormant when a fire passes through, so are
not directly affected, but benefit from nutrient flush, canopy opening, and other
aspects of altered competitive status. It is an obligate resprouter. This adaptation
is also true for western dichondra (Dichondra occidentalis), a Carlsbad HMP-
covered species. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb that is considered a fire fol-
lower in both chaparral and coastal sage scrub. If present, its status would be
favored by fire.
Summer holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia ssp. diversifolia). Like its cousin,
the manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) in the Ericaceae family, this plant has urn-
shaped flowers. Its showy red fruits give it its name. While fire adaptation of this
species cannot be found in the literature, it is expected to be similar to coast scrub
oak and manzanitas in adaptation, a resprouter after fire.
Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica). California
gnatcatchers prefer the cover and structure provided by mature unburned coastal
sage scrub. Likewise the California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) will recolo-
nize burned sites four to five years after a burn, and do not reach maximum den-
sities until twenty years post-fire (Cody 1998). Of the sensitive wildlife present
on the open space preserves covered under the Carlsbad HMP, the coastal Cali-
fornia gnatcatcher is likely the most challenging species with regard to fire man-
agement. They would sustain at least short-term adverse effects from a fire event.
Coastal sage scrub would likely begin to be recolonized by gnatcatchers after
seven to eight years, but this would depend on environmental conditions that con-
trol both canopy closure and dispersal capability of the bird.
In contrast, researchers have reported that swallows, swifts, sparrows, and fly-
catchers are more abundant in burned chaparral the first year following a fire. The
San Diego Natural History Museum notes that this rebound effect is 'especially
dramatic' on Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae) (SDNHM 2003). This results
from heightened levels of poodle-dog bush (Turricula parryi), beardtongue (Pen-
stemon spectabilis), and woolly blue-curls (Trichostema lanatum) that promote
feeding and nesting.
Raptors. It is unusual for raptors to suffer mortality due to a direct impact of fire
(USFS 2003). Adults can escape fire, however fire could directly reduce raptor
populations if it impacts nesting trees. Low-intensity fires probably have little effect
on raptors. Most raptors are unaffected or benefitted when occupying burned habi-
tat. Burned areas provide little cover for prey species and raptors can take advan-
tage of this vulnerability. Additionally, because prey species often increase after
fire, raptors can also benefit. Coopers hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations have
been documented to benefit from fire (Dodd 1988, as referenced in Smith 2000).
Nonetheless, fires that destroy potential nesting trees could impede reproduction of
raptors when alternative nesting sites are scarce (USFS 2003).
4.5.3 Goals The fire management goals are to:
Goal 1: Protect human life and safety as the first priority of every fire manage-
ment activity. This is the responsibility of the City's fire department.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
52 Management Strategy
Goal 2: Suppress 100% of all unplanned wildland fires, regardless of ignition
source, to the smallest size possible, protecting all habitat values at risk in a pri-
oritized manner. This is the responsibility of the City's fire department.
4.5.4 Fire
Management
ASMDs
Coordinate with local City of Carlsbad Fire Department units on wildfire
suppression, especially the Battalion Chief that would be the first responder.
The following should be coordinated with the Fire Department:
- Consistent with the Carlsbad HMP, identify access points for firefighting
equipment. Identify locations for staging firefighting equipment that mini-
mize impacts to sensitive resources, and are logical and safe for fire sup-
pression.
- Identify evacuation routes, and which gates should remain unlocked for
this purpose or with emergency access protocols.
- Identify no-bulldozing preferred zones and, in consultation with the Fire
Department, a pre-defined anchor point(s) for stopping a fire, such as
crossing a riparian drainage at a specific location. Identify safety hazard
areas to firefighting personnel and place all the above on a map. Provide
the Fire Department a paper copy of the map and post signs on gates or
other access points providing emergency guidelines and a map for fire-
fighters. Phone numbers should be listed on the sign and provided to the
fire department.
Post a fire prevention and safety sign for recreational users of the PMP open
spaces at key access points.
Fuelbreaks should only be as wide as necessary to protect resources at risk,
and should be enforced adjacent to homes. Best management practices will
include mowing or grazing, but not disking unless a sensitive species benefits
from disking. Low-growing natives and shrub islands should be the desired
management condition, with highly flammable shrubs cut to minimum size
or limbed up if left behind. The Preserve Manager will work with the Fire
Department on this issue.
If improper management of the 60-foot fuel management areas are observed,
report to the Home Owner's Association (HOA) or business owner's associa-
tion, and request if necessary, inspections by the Carlsbad Fire Department.
This fuelbreak must function for fire protection, as there is little other reason-
able means of fire protection that is environmentally acceptable.
Consistent with MHCP guidelines, review the known fire history and field
verify the accuracy of the mapped fires. Update vegetation community maps
and attributes every five years based on any fires. Field monitoring will be
conducted as part of the habitat management efforts, and will include assess-
ments of the post-fire recovery of habitats and covered species.
If in the future it is believed to be beneficial to conduct prescribed burns for
ecological benefit, consider requesting that the Fire Department conduct
small burns as part of a training exercise.
Management Strategy 53
September 2008
Natural regeneration will be the primary approach for revegetation of natural
areas post-burn. Do not re-seed burned areas unless there appears to be no
natural recovery from a seed bank. If seeding appears necessary, only use
seed collected from the preserve or the immediate adjacent lands.
Post-fire activities may focus on erosion and sediment control especially in
riparian areas. As necessary, mechanical means will be used to control short-
term erosion. This could include mulching, jute matting, wattling, culvert
clearing, installation of debris racks in channels, or temporary water diversion
structures. Erosion control through seeding will not be conducted as a general
practice, but only with proper justification in a written rehabilitation plan that
contains success criteria. No short-term erosion control will be implemented
using non-native seed, or other actions that may inhibit natural regeneration.
Ryegrass will not be used for post-fire seeding. Ryegrass is a non-native which
has been shown to persist for years in the restored environment. In addition,
research has shown that ryegrass provides no more erosion control benefit
than native species within the first year after a fire (Beyers et al. 1994).
Areas of concentrated fire suppression activity should be rehabilitated imme-
diately after fires and prior to the subsequent rainy season.
If a fireline (a bare mineral soil line constructed as fire is burning used to con-
tain a wildfire) is required within riparian habitat, hand line or burnout is pre-
ferred to bulldozer lines. Only use bulldozers when necessary to minimize
fire size. Avoid the use of aerial fire retardant or Class A foams within 100 ft
of riparian habitat watercourse strip.
Work with HOAs to reduce runoff adjacent to preserves, which may lead to
overgrowth of native vegetation resulting in greater fuel load within the
preserve.
4.6 Facility Maintenance Element
4.6.1 Facility
Maintenance Goal
and ASMDs
Goal: The physical facility and grounds maintenance program will provide the
maintenance and administration necessary to maintain orderly and beneficial
management of the Carlsbad Open Space Preserves.
Maintain signage, fencing, and gates.
- Fences will be maintained to eliminate unwanted trespass and dumping.
Gates will be replaced as necessary, but most likely every 20 to 30 years.
Various signs will be posted at main access points to the open space pre-
serves. Signs will delineate the limits of the open space preserve, the Pre-
serve manager, and what activities are permitted or illegal.
While the preserve manager is not responsible for maintaining trails, periodi-
cally survey trails and identify erosion liabilities. Identify trails that are to be
restored or allowed to return to a natural state.
Maintain accurate business records on expenditures, staff, maintenance, and
other administrative duties.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
54 Management Strategy
Maintain regular office hours in order to respond to public requests for infor-
mation in a timely manner and otherwise conduct business in a normal manner.
Protect health and safety of staff and visitors to the property and maximize
efficient use of operating expenses allocated to this area.
- Regularly inspect and service all heavy equipment and vehicles.
4.7 MHCP Biological Monitoring Element
An MHCP-wide monitoring plan (MHCP Volume III) was developed to provide
guidance and direction for managing covered species and their habitats in com-
pliance with the conditions for coverage identified in the biological analysis of
the MHCP (MHCP Volume II), along with sample standardized survey protocols
and data collection sheets. Although some monitoring management activities are
adjusted to fit the need of management of City-owned land, this Preserve Man-
agement Plan is as consistent as possible with the monitoring and management
requirements of the MHCP monitoring plan and the Carlsbad HMP and OSMP.
Recommended and required survey protocols will continue to be updated over
time; therefore, current survey protocols should be obtained from and confirmed
with the Wildlife Agencies on an annual basis. The monitoring programs will be
aimed at achieving the goals outlined in the Section 4.3, Biological Elements.
The monitoring goals are set out for the first three years of management of the
City-owned parcels.
This section identifies species and general ASMD's following guidelines set forth
in the OSMP and MHCP management and monitoring plan. Site specific man-
agement related ASMDs summarized in Chapter 5. The monitoring results will
be presented in annual reports and management guidance will be provided in the
revised PMP.
4.7.1 Monitoring
Goal and ASMDs
Goal: Guide and direct the management of covered species and their habitats,
consistent with the current requirements of the MHCP monitoring plan, the
Carlsbad HMP and OSMP and the goals and ASMD's set forth in Section 4.3 of
this PMP.
Follow the ASMD's and monitoring methods outlined in Section 4.3 for sen-
sitive vegetation communities and species.
Support the MHCP compliance monitoring requirement of the City of Carls-
bad by providing information in annual reports on covered species locations
and acres of habitat, monitoring the condition of the habitat, and reporting on
the performance of other required management actions.
Monitor weather and climate. The Carlsbad Preserve Steward will be moni-
toring weather and climate for status reports to the MHCP. Ensure these data
are incorporated in annual reports of this preserve and used to interpret
changes in the status of covered species or habitat condition.
Ensure compliance with the Carlsbad HMP and the MHCP through regional
coordination of monitoring data collection and analysis. Keep up to date on
Management Strategy 55
September 2008
changes in monitoring protocols of the MHCP to ensure clear understanding
of the preserve-level and MHCP-level monitoring that is required for this
preserve. Coordinate with the Carlsbad Preserve Steward and Wildlife Agen-
cies to clarify the role of this preserve area in sub-regional and regional mon-
itoring efforts.
Use a systematic process for data management and updates, consistent with
the Carlsbad OSMP and HMP. Annually check with the Wildlife Agencies to
confirm current survey protocols of the MHCP program. Field data collected
to monitor the success of management actions and other ASMDs need to be
consistently organized and analyzed so that adaptive management lessons
can be shared and applied to other preserve areas. Species and monitoring
data must be collected, analyzed, and summarized with standardized meth-
ods so that data from individual preserves can be combined for City-wide
analysis and reporting, as well as for integration into subregional and
regional monitoring programs.
- Using standardized data entry formats preserve managers will submit data
to the Preserve Steward upon collection so that it can be analyzed by the
Steward, or the Steward can be assured that it was collected and that it will
be analyzed and interpreted in a timely manner for integration into an
annual report. Summary data should be prepared according to a consistent
format.
- Resource mapping updates (primarily vegetation mapping) should be com-
piled and submitted to the Preserve Steward and the City in GIS format.
- Data types and formats will vary project to project; however, researchers
should attempt to use consistent protocols and format whenever possible.
- Primary data types to be collected and summarized City-wide, such as
GIS data, tabular data, and data summary reports would ideally be coordi-
nated and managed with an Internet-based interface to make GIS mapping
data accessible through the Internet. At a minimum, the City and Preserve
Steward will provide preserve-level tabular data and pdf maps, along with
preserve management plans, annual work plans, three-year summary
reports and other general open space management information on the
City's web site.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
56 Management Strategy
Table 4-2. Species to be monitored and time of optimum detection. Bolded species are known to
occur on the property.
Species Optimum Survey Period
San Diego thornmint Blooms between April and July
Thread-leaf brodiaea Blooms between April and May
Summer hollya
a. Observed at the Research Center Open Space
Anytime
Blochman's dudleyab
b. Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
March 1 - June 30
Nuttall's scrub oakb September 1 (acorns present)
San Diego marsh elder Anytime
Harbison’s dun skipper butterfly May 15 through July 15
Arroyo toad March 1 through July 1
Western spadefoot toad During major rain events
Southwestern pond turtle March 15 through November 1
California gnatcatcherb,c,d,e
c. Lake Calavera
d. Los Monos (heard).
e. Carlsbad Village (heard)
March 15 through June 30
California rufous-crowned sparrow b Anytime
Bell’s sage sparrow Anytime
Southwestern willow flycatcherb,March 15 through August 30
Least Bell’s vireo May 15 through August 10
Yellow-breasted chatb,c April 1 through August 30
Cooper’s hawkb,c Anytime (winter)
Golden eagle Anytime
San Diego black-tailed jackrabbitb Anytime
Southern mule deer Anytime
Herpetofauna, orange-throated whiptailb April 15 through August 31
Avian coastal sage scrub March 1 through January 31
Wildlife corridor monitoring Anytime
Parcel Descriptions 57
September 2008
5.0 Parcel Descriptions
5.1 Batiquitos Drive Open Space
Photo 5-1. Batiquitos Drive Open Space Preserve looking south.
5.1.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
A majority of this 2.7 acre long narrow parcel is set on a steep slope, consisting of
oak woodland, sage scrub, and dense chaparral (See Photo 5-1). While adjacent
to a major road on one side, and a housing development on the other, its steep
topography presumably limits public use of the area. A eucalyptus dominated
community park across Batiquitos Drive presents a potential source for the exotic
tree. Table 5-1 summarizes key management attributes for this parcel.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
58 Parcel Descriptions
5.1.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-1.
Map 5-1. Local land use at Batiquitos Drive Open Space.
Table 5-1. Site characteristics at Batiquitos Drive Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 2.7
Elevation Range 80-120 ft.
Management Unit Poinsettia/Aviara
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisitng Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 4
Core/Linkage Area None
Watershed San Marcos Creek
Parcel Descriptions 59
September 2008
5.1.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-2 depicts soils on Batiquitos Drive Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Map 5-2. Soils at Batiquitos Drive Open Space.
5.1.4 Fire History There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.1.5 Vegetation Map 5-3 depicts vegetation on Batiquitos Drive Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
60 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-3. Vegetation at Batiquitos Drive. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and represents an
estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the character
of this map.
5.1.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-2
for a list of planned surveys for the site.
5.1.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-2 presents a list of planned management actions required on Batiquitos
Drive Open Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-2. Management activities and specific actions at Batiquitos Drive Open Space.
Management Activity Specific Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
Sensitive plant surveys.
California gnatcatcher surveys.
Capital Improvements None recommended at this time.
Habitat Maintenance
Remove 30 olive trees.
Install erosion control measures with 600 ft. of silt fence, 300 sand bags
City needs to address one major erosion-prone area.
Public Services Quarterly patrol
Install 5 signs with posts.
Parcel Descriptions 61
September 2008
5.2 Carillo Ranch Open Space
Photo 5-2. Non-native grassland at Carillo Ranch.
5.2.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This oddly shaped parcel surrounds the historic Leo Carillo Ranch. This historic
site is owned by the City of Carlsbad. The southern and eastern portions of the
property is landscaped with ornamentals that surround a dirt parking lot and are
not part of the Preserve Managers management responsibility. The northern strip
of the parcel runs along a riparian zone and oak woodland that contains a variety
of large invasives including tamarisk, brazilian pepper, arundo, palms, and pam-
pas grass. An open non-native grassland dominates the northwestern portion
property (See Photo 5-2). Table 5-3 summarizes key management attributes for
this parcel.
Table 5-3. Site characteristics at Carillo Ranch.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 16.6
Elevation Range 240-280 ft.
Management Unit Bressi/Carillo
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Existing Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 18
Core/Linkage Area Link D
Watershed San Marcos Creek
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
62 Parcel Descriptions
5.2.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-4.
Map 5-4. Local land use at Carillo Ranch.
5.2.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-5 depicts soils on Carillo Ranch Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil prop-
erties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Parcel Descriptions 63
September 2008
Map 5-5. Soils at Carillo Ranch Open Space.
5.2.4 Fire History There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.2.5 Vegetation Map 5-6 depicts vegetation on Carillo Ranch Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
64 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-6. Vegetation at Carillo Ranch Open Space.This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and represents
an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the
character of this map.
5.2.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-4
for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.2.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-4 presents a list of planned management actions required on Carillo
Ranch Open Space for years 1-3.
Parcel Descriptions 65
September 2008
5.3 Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Photo 5-3. The natural and cultivated matrix at the Municipal Golf Course.
Table 5-4. Management actions at Carillo Ranch Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping.
Oak woodland vegetation community assessment.
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Annual least Bell’s vireo surveys.
Annual raptor surveys.
Annual yellow breasted chat surveys.
Capital Improvements None recommended at this time.
Habitat Maintenance Remove 30 tamarisk, 50 pepper trees, 3 arundo clumps, 1/8 acre of iceplant.
Fire breaks to be maintained by Carillo Ranch staff.
Public Services
Quarterly patrols.
Install 10 signs with posts.
Install 2 mini kiosks.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
66 Parcel Descriptions
5.3.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 198 acre open space is a labyrinth of naturally vegetated fingers within and
surrounding the Carlsbad municipal golf course (See Photo5-3). Faraday Avenue
bounds the open space to the North, while a series of industrial parks form its
southern border. The construction of the golf course necessitated the production
of an EIR and associated biological surveys (Cotton Beland and Associates
2000). Table 5-5 summarizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-5. Site characteristics at the Municipal Golf Course.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 198
Elevation Range 40-320 ft.
Management Unit Faraday
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisiting Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 5 and 8
Core/Linkage Area Core 4 and Link F
Watershed Canyons de las Encinas and Agua Hediona and Buena Creek
Parcel Descriptions 67
September 2008
5.3.2 Land Use Local land use and proposed fencing are presented in Map 5-7.
Map 5-7. Land use at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
68 Parcel Descriptions
5.3.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-8 depicts soils on the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Open Space. Table
2-2 lists the soil properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Map 5-8. Soils at Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course Open Space.
5.3.4 Fire History There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.3.5 Vegetation Map 5-9 depicts vegetation on the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 69
September 2008
Map 5-9. Vegetation at the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course and surrounding open space preserves. This is the only vegetation data that
currently exists for this property and represents an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended
vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the character of this map.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
70 Parcel Descriptions
5.3.6 Sensitive
Resources
The following tables (Table 5-6 and Table 5-7) identify the sensitive species
observed on the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course.
5.3.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-8 presents a list of planned management actions required on Carlsbad
Munipical Golf Course Open Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-6. Sensitive plants identified or potentially occurring on-site (Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis,1997, p.18-24 in Cotton Beland Associates 2000)
Common Name Scientific Name CNPS List State Status Federal Status
California adolphia Adolphia californica 2.1a none none
Del Mar Manzanita Arctostaphylos glandulosa
ssp. crassifolia 1B.1b none Federally Endangered
Lewis' evening primrose Camissonia lewisii 3c none none
Prostrate spineflower Chorizanthe procumbens 4d none none
Western dichondra Dichondra occidentalis 4.2e none none
Blochman's dudleyaf Dudleya blochmaniae ssp.
blochmaniae 1B.1 none none
Decumbent goldenbush Isocoma menziesii var.
decumbens 1b.2g none none
Southwestern spiny rush Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii 4.2 none none
Nuttall's scrub oakh Quercus dumosa 1B.1 none none
Ashy spike-moss Selaginella cinerascens 4 none none
a. Rare or endangered in CA, more common elsewhere. Seriously endangered in CA.
b. Rare or endangered in CA. Seriously endangered in CA.
c. Plants for which we need more information. Review list.
d. Plants of limited distribution.
e. Plants of limited distribution. Fairly endangered in CA.
f. Observed off-site, but adjacent to the Golf Course.
g. Rare or endangered in CA. Fairly endangered in CA.
h. Individuals observed on golf course were impacted by development.
Table 5-7. Sensitive wildlife identified on-site (Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological Constraints Analysis, 1997, p. 25-
30 in Cotton Beland Associates 2000)
Common Name Scientific Name State Status Federal Status
Orangethroat whiptail Cnemidophorus hyperythrus beldingi none none
White-tailed kite Elanus leucurus Fully Protected none
Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii none none
Burrowing owl Speotyto cunicularia SSC none
Southwestern willow flycatcherb a Empidonax traillii extimus State Endangered Federally Endangered
California horned lark Eremophila alpestris actia none none
Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus SSC none
Coastal California gnatcatcher Polioptila californica californica SSC Federally Threatened
Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia SSC none
Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens auricollis SSC none
Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow Aimophila ruficeps canescens none none
Great blue heron Ardea herodias none none
San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit Lepus californicus bennettii SSC none
Northwestern San Diego pocket mouse Chaetodipus fallax fallax SSC none
San Diego desert woodrat Neotoma lepida intermedia SSC none
a. Noted as migrant and not confirmed as ssp. extimus.
Parcel Descriptions 71
September 2008
5.4 Carlsbad Village Open Space
Photo 5-4. The Carlsbad Village Open Space looking north.
Table 5-8. Management actions at Carlsbad Munipical Golf Course Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Habitat quality assessments. Possible location for coastal sage scrub monitoring plots.
California gnatcatcher survey on entire property are being conducted by Dudek and Assocaites through
2012 pursuant to the agency permit conditions of the golf courses.
Conduct presence/absence surveys for Least Bell's vireo each season.
Cowbird trapping is being conducted by Dudek and Associates through 2012 pursuant to the agency per-
mits for the golf course.
Capital Improvements None recommended at this time.
Habitat Maintenance
Dudek and Associates will maintain upland and wetland mitigation areas through 2012 pursuant to wild-
life agency permits for the golf course.
Preserve Manager will remove nonnative invasive plant species as necessary. Nonnative species
observed include shamal ash, pampas grass, myoporum, palm, tamarisk, castor bean, tree tobacco, fen-
nel and others.
Preserve Manager shat NOT remove Eucalyptus north and south of Hole 18, nor the Eucalyptus and
pepper trees located at the southeast corner of the golf course per Golf Course superintendent require-
ments
Public Services Conduct monthly patrols.
Install 200 signs with posts.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
72 Parcel Descriptions
5.4.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 13 acre parcel is a small canyon with a mixture of exotic and native vegeta-
tion including costal sage scrub, non-native grassland, eucalyptus woodland, rud-
eral, and chaparral vegetation (See Photo 5-4). Because of the high level of
exotics, it presently is low quality habitat, nonetheless a California gnatcatcher
was heard on the property indicating improvements may benefit this species.
An access road runs through the middle of the parcel for maintenance of the high
power lines that cut through the valley north to south. The property is bounded by
a dog park and Carlsbad Village Drive to the south, and to the north is contiguous
with large section undeveloped land. Housing developments bound the parcel to
the east and west. The access road provides a conduit for the public that wish to
access the larger and undeveloped riparian areas to the north. Fennel (Foenicu-
lum vulgare) and mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) infestations are significant on the
north side of the property. Table 5-9 summarizes key management attributes for
this parcel.
5.4.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-10. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-10 and the associated details in Table 5-10, Management Actions.
Table 5-9. Site characteristics at Carlsbad Village Open Space
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 13
Elevation Range 160-240 ft.
Management Unit Buena Vista Creek
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisiting Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 2
Core/Linkage Area Core 2 (only partially)
Watershed Buena Vista Creek
Parcel Descriptions 73
September 2008
Map 5-10. Land use at Carlsbad Village Open Space.
5.4.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-11 depicts soils on Carlsbad Village Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
74 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-11. Soils at Carlsbad Village Open Space.
5.4.4 Fire History There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.4.5 Vegetation Map 5-12 depicts vegetation on Carlsbad Village Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 75
September 2008
Map 5-12. Vegetation at Carlsbad Village Open Space. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and
represents an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine
the character of this map.
5.4.6 Sensitive
Resources
While sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property, a California
gnatcatcher was heard during a site visit in summer of 2006 (CNLM personal
communication). Refer to Table 5-10 for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.4.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-10 presents a list of planned management actions required on Carlsbad
Village Open Space for years 1-3.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
76 Parcel Descriptions
5.5 La Costa Canyon Park Open Space
Photo 5-5. La Costa Canyon Park Open Space looking west.
Table 5-10. Management actions at Carlsbad Village Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys.
One season of sensitive plant surveys .
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
Annual coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
Capital Improvements
City to install 300 linear ft. of chain link fencing on northwest boundary, 800 ft. along Carlsbad Village Dr.
Install signage indicating appropriate access to area.
City to install two chain link gates.
Habitat Maintenance
Minor erosion problems to be mitigated by installation of 100 gravel bags .
About 1/2 acre requires clearing of fennel and other non-natives. Suggest revegetation with CSS spe-
cies.
Remove exotics: 25 pampas grass clumps, 25 tree tobacco shrubs, 1 olive tree, remove small eucalyptus
(1-24 inch diameter) from grove and trim lower branches, but do not remove, large eucalyptus (>24
inches from grove) , fennel.
Educate City about mowing large stands of mustard found within this parcel (which they do for fuel man-
agement purposes) prior to seed set to gradually reduce the presence of this species.
Public Services
Monthly patrol.
Install two mini-kiosks near dog park to direct walkers to trails.
20 signs with posts.
Parcel Descriptions 77
September 2008
5.5.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 8.9 acre parcel is predominantly south facing southern maritime chaparral
habitat (See Photo5-5) and is contiguous with larger undeveloped areas to the
west and north. A small eucalyptus stand occupies the eastern end of the property.
There are few signs of significant public usage of the area. Table 5-11 summa-
rizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-11. Site characteristics at La Costa Canyon Park Open
Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 8.9
Elevation Range 40-200 ft.
Management Unit Villages of La Costa
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisiting Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 6
Core/Linkage Area Coie 7
Watershed San Marcos Creek
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
78 Parcel Descriptions
5.5.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map B-13. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-13 and the associated details in Table 5-12, Management Actions.
Map 5-13. Land Use and proposed fencing at La Costa Canyon Park Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 79
September 2008
5.5.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-14 depicts soils on La Costa Canyon Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Map 5-14. Soils at La Costa Canyon Open Space.
5.5.4 Fire History There is one fire recorded in 1935 that completely covered the current extent of
this property (See Map 5-15). Several others, in 1943, 1970, and 1996 came very
close. Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and
2003.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
80 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-15. Fire history at La Costa Canyon and La Costa/Romero Open Spaces.
5.5.5 Vegetation Map 5-16 depicts vegetation on La Costa Canyon Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 81
September 2008
Map 5-16. La Costa Canyon Vegetation. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and represents an
estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the character
of this map.
5.5.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-12
for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.5.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-12 presents a list of planned management actions on La Costa Canyon
Open Space for years 1-3.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
82 Parcel Descriptions
5.6 La Costa/Romero Open Space
Photo 5-6. The south end of La Costa / Romero Open Space looking north.
5.6.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 12.9 acre parcel is bordered by residential properties to the east and west,
with La Costa Avenue forming its northern border. It is composed of CSS, dis-
turbed riparian, and southern mixed chaparral. It is not contiguous with any
Table 5-12. Recommended management actions on the La Costa Canyon Park Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys.
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Annual coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
Capital Improvements None.
Habitat Maintenance
Remove exotics: 20 pampas grass clumps, 25 small eucalyptus within the riparian zone, 20 palms, 20
acacia trees, 10 tamarisk trees.20 signs with posts.
Preserve Manager will NOT remove Eucalytpus along both sides of trail that connects La Costa Can-
yon Park to the apartments located to the east, nor the large Eucalyptus along the edges of La Costa
Canyon Park.
Public Services
Monthly patrols.
Two mini kiosks recommended.
20 signs with posts.
Parcel Descriptions 83
September 2008
nearby undeveloped areas. Toward its northern end, the parcel is highly impacted
by the prevalence of exotic species, including ice plant (Carpobrotus spp.) and
non-native grasses. There is a wide central path that runs the length of the parcel
that seems that encourages public access (See Photo5-6). Table 5-13 summarizes
key management attributes for this parcel.
Site needs to be surveyed to locate property boundary.
5.6.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-17. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-17 and the associated details in Table 5-14, Management Actions.
Table 5-13. Site characteristics at La Costa/Romero.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 12.9
Elevation Range 120-200 ft.
Management Unit Arroyo La Costa
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisitng Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 6
Core/Linkage Area None
Watershed San Marcos Creek
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
84 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-17. Local land use at La Costa/Romero Open Space.
5.6.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-18 depicts soils on La Costa/Romero Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Parcel Descriptions 85
September 2008
Map 5-18. Soils at La Costa/Romero Open Space.
5.6.4 Fire History The Harmony Grove Fire in 1996 partially covered the current extent of this
property (See Map 5-19). Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history
between 1910 and 2003.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
86 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-19. Fire history at La Costa Romero Open Space.
5.6.5 Vegetation Map 5-20 depicts vegetation on La Costa/Romero Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 87
September 2008
Map 5-20. Vegetation at La Costa/Romero Open Space. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and
represents an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine
the character of this map.
5.6.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-14
for a list of planned surveys for the site .
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
88 Parcel Descriptions
5.6.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-14 presents a list of planned management actions required on
LaCosta/Romero Open Space for years 1-3.
5.7 Lagoon Lane Open Space
Photo 5-7. Lagoon Lane seen from Poinsettia Lane.
Table 5-14. Management actions at La Costa/Romero Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
Annual coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Capital Improvements
City to install 1000 ft. of 5ft. high chain link fencing along La Costa Avenue, and 100 ft. of chain link along the
southern boundary with one gate. Refer to B-17.
Site needs to be surveyed by City to locate exact property boundaries.
Habitat Maintenance
Remove exotics: 20 pampas grass clumps, 20 tree tobacco shrubs, 5 myoporum shrubs, 30 acacia trees, 1
Brazilian pepper, and 100 small tamarisk trees.
Install straw wattles as necessary to limit erosion in main drainage area.
Public Services Conduct monthly patrols.
Install 10 signs with posts.
Parcel Descriptions 89
September 2008
5.7.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This small 2.7 acre parcel is bounded on three sides by streets and on the forth by a
housing development (See Photo5-7). It is a recovering, previously disturbed,
riparian area that was once part of the small stream systems that fed Batiquitos
Lagoon from catchments from within the City of Carlsbad. Willows dominate the
canopy, accompanied by Baccharis salicifolia and coastal sage scrub elements
that cascade down from the surrounding hillside from the west. Table 5-15 sum-
marizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-15. Site characteristics at Lagoon Lane Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 2.7
Elevation 120 ft.
Management Unit Poinsettia/Aviara
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Existing Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 4
Core/Linkage Area None
Watershed San Marcos Creek
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
90 Parcel Descriptions
5.7.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-21.
Map 5-21. local land use at Lagoon Lane Open Space.
5.7.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-22 depicts soils on Lagoon Lane Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil prop-
erties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Parcel Descriptions 91
September 2008
Map 5-22. Soils at Lagoon Lane Open Space.
5.7.4 Fire History There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.7.5 Vegetation Map 5-23 depicts vegetation on Lagoon Lane Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
92 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-23. Vegetation at Lagoon Lane Open Space. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and represents
an estimation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the character of this
map.
5.7.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-16
for a list of planned surveys for the site.
5.7.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-16 presents a list of planned management actions on Lagoon Lane Open
Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-16. Management actions at Lagoon Lane Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys.
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
One season of sensitive plant surveys
Annual least Bell's vireo surveys.
Capital Improvements None.
Habitat Maintenance Remove exotics: 100 clumps of fountain grass, and ornamental acacia between fire station and preserve.
Preserve Manager will not remove large Eucalyptus along edges of Fire Station.
Public Services
Quarterly patrols.
Install 5 signs with posts.
Install mini kiosk.
Parcel Descriptions 93
September 2008
5.8 Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space
Photo 5-8. A rope swing at Lake Calavera.
5.8.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This relatively expansive 256 acre parcel surrounds Lake Calavera. It is bordered
by housing developments to the north and south, however it is contiguous with
undeveloped natural lands to the east and west. The lake supports a variety of
wildlife. Exotic plant species, such as mustard, (Brassica nigra and Hirschfeldia
incana), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgaris) pose threats near the lake's levee,
while scattered through the riparian areas palms, pepper trees, pampas grass, tam-
arisk, and others reduce habitat quality.
Lake Calavera is extensively used by the public for walking and mountain biking.
Mountain bike trails cover large areas of the open space. There is a rope for swing-
ing into the lake from an large coast live oak tree, Quercus agrifolia, (See Photo 5-
8) and in scattered, secluded areas, rubbish from delinquent or itinerant use.
In conjunction with the Lake Calavera Trail project, a biological resources report
was developed for the property (Merkel and Associates 2005). Summarized
results of sensitive species observed and vegetation mapped as part of this study
are provided in this section.
See Table 5-17 for site characteristics of this property.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
94 Parcel Descriptions
5.8.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-24. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-24 and the associated details in Table 5-20, Management Actions.
Map 5-24. Land use and proposed fencing at Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space.
Table 5-17. Site characteristics of Lake Calavera Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 256
Elevation Range 280-400 ft.
Management Unit Calavera
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Existing hardline conservation area.
Facilities Management Zone 14
Core/Linkage Area Core 3
Watershed Agua Hediona and Buena Creek
Parcel Descriptions 95
September 2008
5.8.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-25 depicts soils on Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space. Table 2-2
lists the soil properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Map 5-25. Soils at Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space.
5.8.4 Fire History There is one recorded fire from 1979 that affected Calavera Lake (Refer to Map
5-26). Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and
2003.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
96 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-26. Fire history at Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space.
5.8.5 Vegetation Map 5-27 depicts vegetation on the Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space.
5.8.6 Sensitive
Resources
The following tables (Table 5-18 and Table 5-19) identify the sensitive species
observed on the Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank.
Table 5-18. Sensitive floral species identified on-site (Biological Resources Report for Lake
Calavera Trails, Merkel and Associates 2005), Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank.
Common Name Scientific Name CNPS List
State
Status
Federal
Status
California adolphia Adolphia californica 2.1a
a. Rare or endangered in CA, more common elsewhere. Seriously endangered in CA.
none none
Western dichondra Dichondra occidentalis 4.2b
b. Plants of limited distribution. Fairly endangered in CA.
none none
Clay-field goldenbush Isocoma menziesii var decumbens 1B.1c
c. Rare or endangered in CA. Seriously endangered in CA.
none none
Southwestern spiny rush Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii 4.2 none none
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
98 Parcel Descriptions
This page intentionally blank.
Parcel Descriptions 99
September 2008
5.8.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-20 presents a list of planned management actions required on Lake Cala-
vera Open Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-19. Sensitive fauna species observed on-site, Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank.
Common Name Scientific Name State Status Federal Status
Monarch Danaus plexippus none none
Western spadefoot Spea hammondii SSCa
a. Species of Special Concern.
none
White-tailed kite Elanus leucarus Fully protected none
Northern harrier Circus cyaneus SSC none
Sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus none none
Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii none none
Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus SSC none
Coastal California gnatcatcher Polioptila californica californica SSC Federally Threatened
California thrasher Toxostoma redivivum none none
Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia brewsteri SSC none
Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens SSC none
Tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor SSC none
Table 5-20. Management actions at Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Habitat quality assessments and CSS vegetation plots.
Three seasons of coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
Three seasons of Least Bell's vireo surveys.
Capital Improvements City to install fencing along most of the northern, eastern, and southern boundary (where it abuts CDFG
land).
Habitat Maintenance
City to coordinate and pay for the removal of 100+ Mexican fan palms and other exotics including pampas
grass within the large stand of palms near the northeastern corner of property.
Preserve Manager to remove scattered Brazilian pepper trees, myoporum, Spanish bayonet, ice plant, arti-
choke thistle, fennel, and tamarisk.
Work with City of Carlsbad Fire Department to have them reduce fuel loads along northern side of property
to meet CDF standards while using refined management prescriptions. These areas are dominated by non-
native black mustard which should be reduced over time to minimize threat to overall property.
City of Carlsbad's Trail Program will cover restoration of all rogue and other unwanted trails. The Trail Pro-
gram will cover all trail improments, signs, fences and other trail construction and public outreach needs.
City Trail Program will be responsible for removal of bike jumps located within the property.
Public Services
Patrol 2-4 times per week to discourage illegal and unwanted activities, dumping (observed near east end)
and the construction of new bicycle jumps and paths.
100 signs with posts.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
100 Parcel Descriptions
5.9 Los Monos Reserve
Photo 5-9. Los Monos Open Space.
5.9.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 20.5 acre parcel is dominated by high quality CSS and chaparral with mini-
mal cover by exotics. Public access has been restricted by the presence of barbed-
wire fencing that is maintained by the City's water district (See Photo 5-9). Table
5-21 summarizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-21. Site characteristics of Los Monos Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 20.5
Elevation Range 360-560 ft.
Management Unit Los Monos
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Existing Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 15
Core/Linkage Area Core 5
Watershed Agua Hediona and Buena Creek
Parcel Descriptions 101
September 2008
5.9.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-28.
Map 5-28. Local land use at Los Monos Open Space.
5.9.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map5-29 depicts soils on Los Monos Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil proper-
ties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
102 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-29. Soils at Los Monos Open Space Preserve.
5.9.4 Fire History There was one recorded fire in 1982 during the period of recorded fires between
1910-2003 (Refer to Map 5-30). Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire
history between 1910 and 2003.
Parcel Descriptions 103
September 2008
Map 5-30. Fire history at Los Monos Open Space.
5.9.5 Vegetation Map 5-31 depicts vegetation on Los Monos Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
104 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-31. Vegetation at Los Monos Open Space.This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and represents an
estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the character
of this map.
5.9.6 Sensitive
Resources
While sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property, a California
gnatcatcher was heard during a site visit in summer of 2006 (CNLM personal
communication). Refer to Table 5-22 for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.9.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-22 presents a list of planned management actions required on Los Monos
Open Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-22. Management actions at Los Monos Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
One season of Sensitive plant surveys.
Annual coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
Capital Improvements None, assuming that fencing is maintained by the City via the Water District.
Habitat Maintenance Remove exotics: 20 pampas grass clumps, 20 tree tobacco shrubs.
Public Services Conduct quarterly patrols.
Install 10 signs with posts.
Parcel Descriptions 105
September 2008
5.10 Macario Canyon Open Space
Photo 5-10. Macario Canyon looking north from Faraday Avenue.
5.10.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 33 acre parcel contains several discontiguous sections, intersected by Fara-
day Avenue (See Photo 5-10). The site adjacent to the Veterans Park open space
is a plateau, with a south and southeast facing slopes that extend down to Faraday
Avenue. Its topography is characterized by a flat plateau with gentle slopes
extending down to Faraday Ave to the south and southwest. Vegetation is pre-
dominantly coastal sage scrub and soils are fine sandy loams. Table 5-23 summa-
rizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-23. Site characteristics for Macario Canyon Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 33
Elevation Range 80-240 ft.
Management Unit Faraday
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisiting Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 8
Core/Linkage Area Core 4
Watershed Canyons de las Encinas
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
106 Parcel Descriptions
5.10.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-32. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-32 and the associated details in Table 5-24, Management Actions.
Map 5-32. Local land use and proposed fencing at Macario Canyon Open Space.
5.10.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-33 depicts soils on Macario Canyon Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Parcel Descriptions 107
September 2008
Map 5-33. Soils at Macarion Canyon Open Space.
5.10.4 Fire
History
There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.10.5 Vegetation Map 5-34 depicts vegetation on Macario Canyon Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
108 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-34. Vegetation at Macario Canyon and surrounding open spaces.This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this
property and represents an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will
undoubtedly refine the character of this map.
Parcel Descriptions 109
September 2008
5.10.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-24
for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.10.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-24 presents a list of planned management actions on Macario Canyon
Open Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-24. Management actions at Macario Canyon Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
Annual least Bell's vireo and coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Capital Improvements City to install 800 linear ft. of smooth wire fencing on southern boundary with Faraday Avenue and 100 ft. of
smooth wire fencing along northern boundary.
Habitat Maintenance
Install 20 sand bags for erosion control along the illegal trail.
PMP assumes that agricultural land will be mowed by City to treat non-native mustard.
Stump spray, or remove completely, about 15 eucalypatus from main parcel north of Faraday Avenue. Work
with City to decide whether stump spraying will be sufficient, or if complete removal is required.
Remove 50 tree tobacco, 30 fountain grass, rose natal, fennel, Spanish bayonette from north of Faraday
Avenue.
Remove exotics (area east of creek and south of Faraday Avenue): 10 Brazilian pepper trees, 1 palm, 30
myoporum shrubs, 0.25 acres of ice plant, umbrella sedge, 100 ash, 5 junipers, 50 pampas grass clumps,
etc.
Public Services Conduct monthly patrols.
Install 30 signs with posts.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
110 Parcel Descriptions
5.11 Poinsettia Park Open Space
Photo 5-11. Looking southeast, towards Poinsettia Park’s eastern edge.
5.11.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This 12.5 acre parcel is bounded on three sides urban development, and is contig-
uous with a downstream open space to the north. A public park borders its eastern
edge (Photo 5-11) Poinsettia Park appears to have good quality coastal sage scrub
and southern willow scrub. Sycamores line the riparian zone. Table 5-25 summa-
rizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-25. Site characteristics for Poinsettia Park Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 12.5
Elevation Range 120-160 ft.
Management Unit Poinsettia/Aviara
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Exisiting Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 20
Core/Linkage Area None
Watershed Canyons de las Encinas
Parcel Descriptions 111
September 2008
5.11.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-35. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-35 and the associated details in Table 5-26, Management Actions.
Map 5-35. Local land use and proposed fencing at Poinsettia Park Open Space.
5.11.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-36 depicts soils on Poinsettia Park Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
112 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-36. Soils at Poinsettia Park Open Space.
5.11.4 Fire
History
There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.11.5 Vegetation Map 5-37 depicts vegetation on Poinsettia Parks Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 113
September 2008
Map 5-37. Vegetation at Poinsettia Park Open Space.This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and
represents an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine
the character of this map.
5.11.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-26
for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.11.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-26 presents a list of planned management actions on Poinsettia Park
Open Space for years 1-3.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
114 Parcel Descriptions
5.12 Research Center Open Space
Photo 5-12. Research Center Open Space showing red friant soils.
Table 5-26. Management actions for Poinsettia Park Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Annual coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
Annual least bell's vireo surveys.
Cowbird trapping if needed.
Capital Improvements City to install 1200 linear ft. of smooth wire or chain-link fencing after non-natives are removed. Consult
with Fire Department and City prior to any installation.
Habitat Maintenance Remove nonnative acacia, myoporum and other nonnative along main road. Trim or remove Eucalyp-
tus trees. Preserve Manager will discuss Eucalyptus removal and trimming prior to any work activities.
Public Services
Monthly patrol.
25 signs with posts.
2 mini kiosks.
Parcel Descriptions 115
September 2008
5.12.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This small 2.6 acre southwest facing parcel is bordered by a series of industrial
parks and offices. Its southern end is adjacent to small undeveloped areas that
extend into the main basin just above Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Its dry, rocky, and
low growing chamise chaparral habitat is relatively free from invasive plant spe-
cies and represents high quality habitat, including Del Mar manzanita and sum-
mer holly (See Photo 5-12). Table 5-27 summarizes key management attributes
for this parcel.
Table 5-27. Site characteristics of Research Center Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 2.6
Elevation Range 200-240 ft.
Management Unit Faraday
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Existing Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 5
Core/Linkage Area Core 4
Watershed Canyons de las Encinas
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
116 Parcel Descriptions
5.12.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-38.
Map 5-38. Land use at Research Center Open Space.
Parcel Descriptions 117
September 2008
5.12.3 3.Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-39 depicts soils on Research Center Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil
properties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Map 5-39. Soils at Research Center Open Space.
5.12.4 Fire
History
There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.12.5 Vegetation Map 5-40 depicts vegetation on Research Center Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
118 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-40. Vegetation at Research Center Open Space. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and
represents an estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine
the character of this map
5.12.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-28
for a list of planned surveys for the site.
5.12.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-28 presents a list of planned management actions on Research Center
Open Space for years 1-3.
Table 5-28. Management actions at Research Center Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Annual sensitive bird surveys.
Capital Improvements None.
Habitat Maintenance None.
Public Services Quarterly patrol.
10 signs with posts.
Parcel Descriptions 119
September 2008
5.13 Veterans Park Open Space
Photo 5-13. Veterans Park Open Space looking northwest.
5.13.1 General
Open Space Site
Characteristics
This south facing 21 acre parcel sits adjacent to the Marcario Canyon open space
to the west. Its topography is characterized by a flat plateau with gentle slopes
extending down to Faraday Ave to the south (See Photo 5-13). It is composed
mainly of coastal sage scrub and southern mixed chaparral of good quality. Table
5-29 summarizes key management attributes for this parcel.
Table 5-29. Site characteristics of Veterans Park Open Space.
Descriptor Value/Category
Acreage 21
Elevation Range 160-280 ft.
Management Unit Faraday
Management Entity City of Carlsbad
Conservation Status Existing Open Space
Facilities Management Zone 8
Core/Linkage Area Core 4
Watershed Canyon de las Encinas
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
120 Parcel Descriptions
5.13.2 Land Use Local land use is presented in Map 5-41. Note location of proposed fencing in
Map 5-41 and the associated details in Table 5-30, Management Actions.
Map 5-41. Land use and proposed fencing at Veterans Park Open Space.
5.13.3 Soil
Characteristics
Map 5-42 depicts soils on Veterans Park Open Space. Table 2-2 lists the soil prop-
erties for all soils found on the Carlsbad Open Space parcels.
Parcel Descriptions 121
September 2008
Map 5-42. Soils at Veterans Park Open Space.
5.13.4 Fire
History
There are no recorded fires for the period between 1910 and 2003 for this property.
Refer to Map 4-1 for a depiction of regional fire history between 1910 and 2003.
5.13.5 Vegetation Map 5-43 depicts vegetation on Veteran's Park Open Space.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
122 Parcel Descriptions
Map 5-43. Soils at Veterans Park Open Space. This is the only vegetation data that currently exists for this property and represents an
estimation of vegetation based on aerial photos from the 1970s. Recommended vegetation surveys will undoubtedly refine the character
of this map.
Implementation Strategy 123
September 2008
5.13.6 Sensitive
Resources
Sensitive resources have yet to be identified on this property. Refer to Table 5-30
for a list of planned surveys for the site .
5.13.7 Management
Actions
Table 5-30 presents a list of planned management actions required on Veterans
Park Open Space for years 1-3.
6.0 Implementation Strategy
6.1 Roles and Responsibilities
The following identification of roles and responsibilities is summarized from the
Carlsbad OSMP.
There are six primary entities or general groups involved in implementation of
the OSMP, including the City of Carlsbad, their Preserve Steward and Preserve
Managers who have direct responsibility for on the ground implementation on a
daily basis, the Wildlife Agencies, California Coastal Commission, the broader
scientific community, environmental NGOs; and the general public who have the
opportunity and/or responsibility for reviewing and commenting on the associ-
ated planning documents, ongoing implementation process, and analysis and
reports. A brief description of the roles of these entities follows.
6.1.1 Wildlife
Agencies
The Wildlife Agencies include the USFWS and the CDFG. The USFWS and
CDFG are responsible for:
Enforcing compliance of the City of Carlsbad with management and moni-
toring obligations of their Implementing Agreement and the Carlsbad HMP
and MHCP.
Reviewing Annual Reports and proposed annual work plans, three-year status
summary reports, preserve management plans, and other associated manage-
ment/research activities.
Table 5-30. Management actions at Veterans Park Open Space.
Management Category Actions
Biological Surveys
Vegetation mapping and habitat quality assessments.
One season of sensitive plant surveys.
Annual coastal California gnatcatcher surveys.
Capital Improvements City to install 100 ft. of barbed wire fencing along northern edge.
Block trails leading downslope to the north. City to install one gate along northern boundary.
Habitat Maintenance
Road requires minor erosion control fixes. Restore main road if this is not used by the City or utility compa-
nies.
Remove five eucalyptus trees.
Remove evidence of previous encampments.
Public Services Monthly patrol.
20 signs with posts.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
124 Implementation Strategy
Under the MHCP, the Wildlife Agencies will conduct the same level of mon-
itoring on lands they administer. Data management and analysis at the subre-
gional level are the responsibility of the Wildlife Agencies. The agencies may
choose to delegate some of their subregional and regional monitoring respon-
sibility-for example, to an MHCP conservancy.
The distinction between compliance and effectiveness monitoring is important
for understanding legal responsibilities under the MHCP. If compliance monitor-
ing indicates that the cities are adequately performing their required actions per
the implementing agreement, but effectiveness monitoring reveals that biological
objectives are not being met due to unforeseen circumstances, then the federal
"No Surprises" rule (USFWS 1998a) takes effect; hence, rectifying the problem
becomes the financial responsibility of the Wildlife Agencies. For example, if the
cities are performing all required conservation and adaptive management actions
for a covered species, but the species is declining regardless due to an unforeseen
circumstance, any specific research, management, or conservation actions that
are required above and beyond those conducted pursuant to MHCP obligations
become the responsibility of the State and federal governments. Any declines
related to changed circumstances, as defined in the implementing agreement, are
the responsibility of the take authorization holder (see MHCP Plan, Section 5.2),
and should be addressed through adaptive management practices to rectify the
problem.
6.1.2 California
Coastal
Commission
The California Coastal Commission's primary mission is to plan for and regulate
land and water uses in the coastal zone consistent with the policies of the Coastal
Act. With respect to the MHCP and the Carlsbad HMP, the California Coastal
Commission is responsible for:
Overseeing development and HMP implementation in the Coastal Zone.
Reviewing of Annual Reports.
6.1.3 City of
Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad will:
Oversee implementation and maintain compliance with this Plan.
Conduct compliance monitoring through the development project approval
process.
Conduct species and habitat monitoring via the Preserve Steward and preserve
managers.
Manage and maintain properties via the Preserve Steward and Preserve
Managers.
6.1.4 Carlsbad
HMP Preserve
Steward
The Preserve Steward is a role that has evolved from the necessity for the City to
have the services of a person with the necessary ecology, conservation biology,
and statistics background to oversee the City-wide monitoring, management, and
maintenance of the whole OSMP preserve system. The Preserve Steward will
Implementation Strategy 125
September 2008
play the central role in preserve management, serving as the City's technical
expert on preserve management. The Preserve Steward is a contracted consultant
(currently TAIC), and is responsible for:
Taking a leadership role in the overseeing and coordination of City-wide pre-
serve management, monitoring and reporting.
Communicating frequently with the preserve managers, City, and Wildlife
Agencies.
Providing science-based technical guidance and direction to preserve manag-
ers for survey design, data collection and analysis.
Supporting the City on compliance monitoring (review of predevelopment
plans and post-construction conformance review) by training and updating
City planning staff regarding development standards and guidelines required
for development adjacent to preserve areas.
The Preserve Steward will have primary responsibility for coordinating all par-
ties having a role in preserve management, including the preserve managers, City
departments, the Wildlife Agencies, and public interest groups. The Preserve
Steward will direct the collection of all monitoring data, review all data and
reports, formulate hypotheses regarding the status of species and habitats, consult
with other scientists as needed to interpret monitoring data, design and carry out
research within the limits of the resources available for management, prescribe
adaptive management programs when needed, and prioritize threats to the pre-
serve system and direct management actions accordingly. One of the Preserve
Steward's key responsibilities will be to continuously evaluate the effectiveness
and efficiency of management activities in view of the resources available, and
ensure that the most cost-effective measures are consistently used. When the
MCHP structure is formed, the Preserve Steward's role should evolve to become
a subregional coordinator shared by all MHCP cities having approved plans.
6.1.5 Preserve
Manager
This is the person with on-the-ground responsibility for managing and monitor-
ing the preserve area covered in this Plan. Preserve Managers may be employees
of the City, recognized environmental non-profit organizations that manage natu-
ral areas (like the Center for Natural Lands Management), a State agency (such as
California Department of Fish and Game), or another public or semi-public land
management entity (such as the North County Transit District or San Diego Gas
& Electric). The Preserve Manager is responsible for:
Updating this PMP every three years as required in the HMP.
Managing individual parcels according to the PMP.
Monitoring species, habitats, and management actions according to the PMP.
Coordinating with the Preserve Steward, other preserve managers, the City,
and the Wildlife Agencies regarding open space management issues, man-
agement, and monitoring.
Collecting biological monitoring data according to MHCP-established proto-
cols for preserve-level, MHCP-level, and regional monitoring.
Submitting data to the Preserve Steward and Wildlife Agencies.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
126 Implementation Strategy
6.1.6 Scientific
Community,
Environmental
NGOs and
General Public
This last group includes the broader community of individuals and interest
groups that play a role in the public process of open space planning and manage-
ment within the NCCP context. The scientific community, environmental NGOs
and general public have the opportunity and/or responsibility for:
Reviewing Annual Reports.
Observing actions and identifying issues in preserve areas.
Providing input to the Wildlife Agencies, Coastal Commission, and the City
as needs arise.
6.2 Preserve Management Decision Authority
The following delineation of decision authority is taken from the Carlsbad
OSMP.
Preserve managers will have full budget discretion, within the limits of their
funding, to implement preserve management and monitoring on non-City owned
properties according to the directives of their preserve management plans and
annual work plans. Actions and expenditures not specifically identified in pre-
serve management plans or work plans are allowed if required as a part of a rea-
sonable adaptive management response or to address another emergency
situation. However, such unknown future expenditures should be carefully deter-
mined since they will likely exceed annual budgets and may reduce funding for
future years when funding is supported by an endowment.
For the City-owned land, budgets will be spent according to the directives of their
preserve management plans and annual work plans; however, budget discretion
would remain with the City for annual approval of these plans and for actions and
expenditures not specifically identified in these plans for adaptive management
response or to address another emergency situation beyond that covered by the
annual budget for City-owned lands.
The Preserve Steward will assist preserve managers in making the decisions for
actions and expenditures not identified in the preserve management plans or
annual work plans and will be responsible for obtaining City approval for addi-
tional actions or expenditures when required.
If the Preserve Steward or the Wildlife Agencies determine that additional budget
needs to be spent on a particular task, the preserve manager will comply with this
decision. In general, the preserve manager will retain control of the budget and
will be in charge of how it is spent.
Initially, the City Planning Department will work closely with the preserve man-
agers and Preserve Steward to establish a chain of command and communication
with the Police Department, Fire Department and other relevant City depart-
ments. The Ranger that will be hired by the Preserve Manager will go through an
orientation process to understand the limits of their authority and to understand
when they will need to call in the Police Department. Eventually, the chain of
command and communication will become routine.
Implementation Strategy 127
September 2008
Through the orientation process the rangers will also learn how to identify activi-
ties that are illegal or otherwise not permitted or acceptable uses in or near the
OSMP preserve system. If there is a conflict between the preserve management
plans (MHCP, HMP, individual Preserve Management Plans, or annual work
plans) and any other public need (such as a trail, sewer line, etc.) the City will
evaluate and resolve the conflict as follows:
1. Is the public need a matter of health, safety and welfare, or is it a
matter of convenience?
2. Was the project covered in the HMP as a project that would be per-
mitted by the HMP, or is it a new project not previously addressed?
3. Is there a reasonable alternative that would avoid the impact?
4. Is the impact direct or indirect?
5. Is the impact temporary or permanent?
6. Would any covered species in the HMP be affected, directly or indi-
rectly?
7. Can the impact be mitigated to less than significant?
8. Can the impact be mitigated by seasonal restrictions?
9. Would the impact cause an increase in costs or management effort
by the preserve manager?
The City and Preserve Steward would consult with the Wildlife Agencies on
these points and try to arrive at a consensus decision. The Preserve Steward
would make recommendations to the City regarding the decision, but the City
would be responsible for the final decision and will evaluate the impacts of this
action on covered species or the resources they use in a timely and quantitative
manner.
6.3 Existing Staff and Additional Personnel Needs Summary
A total of eight personnel may spend a percentage of their time performing tasks
on site or generally related to management of the Carlsbad Open Space Pre-
serves. These are listed, along with their general duties, in Table 6-1.
Table 6-1. Personnel may spend a percentage of their time performing tasks on site or generally related to management of the Carlsbad Oaks North HCA.
Position Title General Duties
Project Manager Supervise and coordinate
Plant Ecologist Vegetation analysis, sensitive species surveys
Ornithologist Survey avian species including sensitive species.
Science Director Planning and review
GIS/Database Manager Maintain maps and databases.
Office Administrator General support for bookkeeping, purchasing, record-keeping
Exotic Plant Control Specialist Apply herbicides or other eradication treatments as needed
Legal Assistant Inspection, negotiation, prepare and review documents
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
128 Implementation Strategy
6.4 Management, Monitoring, Operations and Maintenance Budget
Summary
Preserve management will be funded by contracts via the City of Carlsbad. Refer
to Appendix I for the associated Property Analysis Record (PAR). Other funding
mechanisms could include volunteerism, public and private donations or grants
from wildlife groups or entities.
The total contributions as of writing are expected to be $675.918 for the first
three years of management, with each annual budget increased by the Consumer
Price Index (CPI). Refer to Appendix H for a summary cost estimate and pro-
posed budget provided by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
6.5 Reporting Requirements
Reporting includes three-year management plans, annual reports and work plans,
and GIS and other data compilation.
6.5.1 Three-Year
Management
Plans
Management plans outline the primary goals of preserve management, the man-
agement techniques employed, funding mechanisms and budgets, and preserve
manager qualifications. The City of Carlsbad's Open Space Management Plan
calls for open space-specific management plans to be completed every three
years.
6.5.2 Annual
Reports and Work
Plans
Annual reports summarize all management activities undertaken in a particular
year and report and discuss survey results. Work plans will outline specific
projects and management activities that will be undertaken in a coming year.
Both reports will include budget information, such as expenditures for the year
and total remaining funds.
The annual report and work plan will be submitted to the City of Carlsbad by the
15th of December of each year.
6.5.3 Data Various data collected during the year will be entered into MSAccess or MSExel
and/or GIS databases for long term storage and use. The Preserve Steward will
submit all GIS layers, such as project boundaries, vegetation, and sensitive spe-
cies, each year to the City of Carlsbad and Wildlife Agencies.
References 129
September 2008
7.0 References
Websites
California Department of Fish and Game
(http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region5/crestridge/crestridge-acan-ili.html)
(http://www.dfg.ca.gov/cpb/species/ssc/ssc.shtml)
(http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hcpb/species/t_e_spp/tespp.shtml)
(http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/html/animals.html)
California Department of Forestry
(http://www.fire.ca.gov/)
California Fire Alliance 2001
(http://www.cafirealliance.org/master_content/downloads/AllianceOneP-
ager.pdf)
California Native Plant Society
(http://cnps.web.aplus.net/)
Federal Register (January 4, 2001, 66 FR 751)
(http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-
doc.cgi?dbname=2001_register&docid=01-52-filed.pdf)
North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP)
(http://www.sandag.org/index.asp?projectid=97&fuseaction=projects.detail)
San Diego Bird Atlas Project (SDNHM)
(http://www.sdnhm.org/research/birdatlas/support.html)
State of California's Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act of
1991
(http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/01/02/01-002.pdf)
U.S. Department of Commerce National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) 2006.
(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html)
U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service
(http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.do?groups=Q&listingType=L)
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Beyers, J. L., S. G. Conard, and C.D. Wakeman. 1994. Impacts of an introduced
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Jose Purrua Turanzas, Madris. As in Marvin Dodge. 1975. Vegetational
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Collins, Joseph T. 1990. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for
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L.; Pendleton, Beth Giron; Moss, Mary Beth; [and others], eds. Proceed-
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Hall, E. Raymond, Ph.D. 1981. The Mammals of North America. Two volumes.
John Wiley & Sons, New York, New York. 1,181 pp + Tech Appendices.
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Holland, Robert F. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural
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Holland, Robert F. 1995. California Vegetation. Kendall-Hunt Publishing Com-
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Jameson, E.W., Jr. and Hans J. Peeters. 1988. California Mammals. University of
California Press, Berkeley, California.
Kendall, W.L. 2001. Using models to facilitate complex decisions. Pages 147-
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Oberbauer, T. 1993. Vegetation Communities in San Diego County Based on
Holland's Descriptions. Unpublished list.
San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM). 2003. San Diego Natural His-
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Sawyer, J., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A Manual of California Vegetation. Cali-
fornia Native Plant Society Press.
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Wright, H. A., and A. W. Bailey. 1982. Fire ecology: United States and Southern
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of Cabrillo National Monument. Report submitted to National Biological
Service, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California. 115 pp.
Acronyms A-1
September 2008
Appendix A: Acronyms
Acronym Definition
ASMD Area Specific Management Directives
CDFG California Department of Fish and Game
CNPS California Native Plant Society
CPI Consumer Price Index
ESA Endangered Species Act
FIFRA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act
FE Federally Endangered
FT Federally Threatened
GIS Geographic Information System
GME General Management Entity
HMP Carlsbad Subarea Habitat Management Plan
HOA Home Owners Association
LBV Least Bell’s vireo
LFMZ Local Facilities Management Zone
MHCP Multiple Habitat Conservation Program
MS MicroSoft
NCCP State of California Natural Community Conservation Planning
NCDC National Climatic Data Center
NE Narrow Endemic
OSMP Carlsbad Open Space Management Plan
PMP Preserve Management Plan
SA Special Animal (California)
SDNHM San Diego Natural History Museum
SE State Endangered
SKW Sawyer/Keeler-Wolf
SSC Species of Special Concern (CDFG)
ST State Threatened
TAIC Technology Associated International Corporation
USFS United Stated Forestry Service
USFWS United Stated Fish and Wildlife Service
VP Vernal Pool
WIFL Southwester willow flycatcher
WURMP Watershed Urban Runoff Management Plan
YBCH Yellow-breasted chat
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
A-2 Acronyms
Sensitive Species Profiles B-1
September 2008
Appendix B: Sensitive Species Profiles
B.1 Sensitive Plant Species Profiles
B.1.1 Thread-leaved Brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia, Liliaceae)
Status: Federally Threatened, CDFG Endangered
Thread-leaved brodiaea is found in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernar-
dino, and San Diego counties. It is a perennial bulb of the family Liliaceae and
blooms from March to June (Beauchamp 1986; Skinner and Pavlik 1994). It has
purple-blue petals and grows from 20-30 cm high (Hickman 1993). This species
is inconspicuous unless it is flowering.
Most sources (Munz 1959; Skinner and Pavlik 1994; USMC 1999) report B. fili-
folia inhabiting clay soils in grasslands, vernal pools, coastal sage scrub, and
chaparral. Additional data suggest that this species may prefer recently burned
habitat (USDON 1998) and may not persist in areas which do not burn frequently.
B.1.2 San Diego Thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia,
Lamiaceae)
Status: Federal Threatened State Endangered
Grows up to 15 cm tall, producing leaves with serrate margins. The flower is
white sometimes tinged in rose color, and the anthers are glabrous (Hickman
1993). Flowers between April and May. Distributed from San Diego County to
Baja California, Mexico.
This species grows in openings found within sage scrub and chaparral habitats. It
has been mapped on Las Posas and San Miguel-Exchequer soils. It grows along-
side spring annuals, often being found with Centaurea melitensis and Sisyrinch-
ium bellum (Reiser 1994).
B.1.3 California Adolphia, Spineshrub (Adolphia
californica, Rhamnaceae)
Status: No Federal or State
Shrub with green, rigid, opposite branches with thorn tips. It grows to be up to a
meter in height, and produces white flowers (Hickman 1993). Flowers between
March and April. Adolphia californica is distibuted through coastal San Diego
County and Baja California, Mexico (Reiser 1994). This plant grows in Diegan
sage scrub and hillside chaparal habitats. It is often found with Artemisia califor-
nica and Eriogonum fasciculatum in xeric places where the canopy reaches four
to five meters in height (Reiser 1994).
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-2 Sensitive Species Profiles
B.1.4 Palmer Sagewort (Artemisia palmeri, Asteraceae)
Status: No Federal or State
A biennial that grows from a woody base with brittle, glabrous stems. Leaves are
deeply and pinnately lobed, glabrous with sparse hairs on top, grayish-green
below. Inflorescences are open with nodding, glabrous to sparsely hairy heads
(Hickman 1993).Flowers between June and September. Distributed from coastal
San Diego county to coastal Baja, Mexico (Reiser 1994). This plant is typically
found in creeks and drainages along Coastal San Diego county and in Baja, Mex-
ico. It grows in the shady understory beneath willow, sycamore and cottonwood.
It may also occur more inland in chaparral habitats (Reiser 1994).
B.1.5 Wart-stemmed Ceanothus, Wart-stemmed Lilac,
White Coast Ceanothus (Ceanothus verrucosus,
Rhamnaceae)
Status: No Federal or State
This plant is a shrub with alternate, evergreen leaves growing from "warty"
stems.Twigs are minutely hairy, and the inflorescences form racemes with white
flowers (Hickman 1993).
Flowers between December and June. Wart-stemmed ceanothus is found along the
coast from northern San Diego county down to chaparral habitats north of Ensenada,
Mexico. Its range extends inland for a couple of miles, although one population is
reported from Lake Hodges. Ceanothus verrucosus produces a fruit that is dispersed
after birds and mammals consume it. It is a fire follower, and new seedlings can be
observed cropping up to fill in the newly scrubbed habitat after a burn.
Wart-stemmed ceanothus grows in coastal chaparral mixed with mission manza-
nita and chamise. It tends to dominate habitats it occurs in, which typically are
found on north-facing slopes. It has been documented growing on several differ-
ent soil types including: Exchequer rocky silt loams, San Miguel-Exchequer
rocky silt loams, terrace escarpments, and Gaviota fine sand loams (Reiser 1994).
B.1.6 Summer Holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia,
Ericaceae)
Status: No Federal or State
Summer holly has gray, hairy twigs with shredding bark. It stands up to five
meters tall and produces red, holly-like drupes. It is very similar in appearance to
a much more common plant on MCAS Miramar, mission manzanita (Xylococcus
bicolor) (Hickman 1993).
This plant is distributed throughout Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties as
well as into Baja California, Mexico (Reiser 1994). Flowers between May and
June. This plant is most often found in southern mixed chaparral habitat on north
facing, mesic slopes. It occurs in dense, tall, mature chaparral alongside Cean-
othus verrucosus or C. tomentosus, Heteromeles arbutifolia, and less promi-
nently, Adenostoma fasciculatum (Reiser 1994).
Sensitive Species Profiles B-3
September 2008
B.1.7 Palmer's Grappling Hook (Harpagonella palmeri var.
palmeri, Boraginaceae)
Status: No Federal or State
Palmer's grappling hook has a low, prostrate growth form with stems that are
ascending to erect and grow between three and thirty centimeters. It's flowers are
white, but the most defining character of this plant is the form of its fruits, or "nut-
lets". They form a spined, claw-like hook, that has been likened to a "grappling
hook", its namesake (Hickman 1993).
Flowers between March and April. Small populations of Palmer's grappling hook
are found scattered along the coast of southern California. There is also one very
large population of several thousand individuals reported on the slopes of Table
Mountain near Jacumba in San Diego County.This plant's dispersal method is
unknown, but the spines surrounding the seed and the plant's low, prostrate growth
form suggest that they are carried on the coats of animals to new locations.
Palmer's grappling hook can be found on open grassy slopes or in openings
within Diegan sage scrub on diablo clay soils (Reiser 1994).
B.1.8 San Diego Golden Star (Muilla clevelandii, Liliaceae)
Status: No Federal or State
Leaves are 6-15 centimeters. Inflorescences grow up to 30 centimeters with
pedicels 20-35 reaching millimeters, they produce 20-30 flowers. Flowers are
yellow with green stripes, perianth lobes 6-10 mm, filaments 3-5 mm, append-
ages 3 mm, entire, anthers white or pale yellow. Fruits are small black seeds, 4-5
mm. It is a perennial herb which grows from a small, fibrous-coated corm (Hick-
man 1993). Flowers between March and May.
Muilla clevelandii is native to California. It historically ranges from the south-
western U.S. in Riverside and San Diego counties to northwestern Mexico. Its dis-
tribution appears to be dwindling around San Diego county, but the populations
mapped on MCAS Miramar in 2001 appear vast and healthy. The distribution of
the species within the survey areas can be found in Section 3.1 "Population Sum-
maries". It was not surveyed for during phase one of the rare plant surveys in 1999
and 2000, but its presence was recorded as notable (Rebman and Dossey 2000).
The San Diego golden star is found on open valley grasslands, scrub edges and
clay soils surrounding vernal pool habitats. Associated plants include Nassella
pulchra, Sisyrinchium bellum, Gnaphalium californicum, Selaginella cineresc-
rens, Plantago erecta, and Pentaquita aurea. Flowering occurs from March to
May. It looks strikingly similar to Bloomeria crocea, which is very common
around San Diego County (Reiser 1994), but can be easily distinguished from
this species upon close inspection by its unfused perianth bases. In Bloomeria
crocea, perianth bases are fused, forming a cup.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-4 Sensitive Species Profiles
B.1.9 Nuttall's Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa, Fagaceae)
Status: No Federal or State
A small, evergreen oak that grows from 1-3 meters tall, Quercus dumosa has
intricately entwined multiple trunks. Leaves are 10-25 mm long, and variable in
form, with tips that can be rounded or spiny and margins that could be flat or
wavy. They are shiny green in color on the upper side and have sparse, minute-
stellate hairs above, and are pale dull green below with fine, dense, matted gray
hairs. They have long, narrow acorns that grow between 10 and 20 millimeters
and are glabrous on the inside (Roberts 1995).Flowers between April and June.
Quercus dumosa is found in Santa Barbara, Orange, and San Diego counties as
well as in Baja California, Mexico. Quercus dumosa can be found in relatively
open canopy cover on coastal hills, mesic slopes, chaparral, coastal sage scrub,
maritime succulent scrub, canyons and closed cone pine forests (Roberts 1995).
It tends to prefer north facing slopes and has been mapped on Chesterton fine
sandy loams (Reiser 1994).
B.2 Sensitive Animal Species Profiles
B.2.1 Arroyo Toad (Bufo californicus)
Status: Federal Endangered and CDFG Species of Special Concern
The arroyo toad (Bufo californicus) is a small (5-8 cm), stocky amphibian with an
olive-green to gray, tan, or pinkish back, often with off-white or light-colored sac-
ral and mid-dorsal patches; a spotless cream-colored underside; horizontal
pupils; and widely separated parotid glands. C. L. Camp first described the arroyo
toad as a subspecies of Bufo cognatus, the Great Plains toad (Camp 1915). G. S.
Myers (1930) first recognized californicus as a distinct species, referring to it as
the "southern California toad." Stebbins (1951) identified microscaphus popula-
tions from Arizona as a distinct species (specifically from earlier designations
within the compactilis, woodhousii, and cognatus species groups) with two allo-
patric subspecies, the Mexican toad (B. m. mexicanus) and the arroyo southwest-
ern toad (B. m. californicus). However, recent studies of the systematics of the
southwestern toad by E. W. A. Gergus (1994) based on allozyme data distin-
guished the arroyo toad as a full and distinct species.
Populations of this highly specialized, ecologically restricted amphibian have
been in decline in since the early 20th century. Jennings and Hayes (1994) esti-
mated that the arroyo toad had been extirpated from 75% of its former range in
the last century. Numerous factors have contributed. Damming of watercourses,
which leads to the disruption of a hydrologic regime of sedimentation and scour;
drawdown of the water table in the vicinity of breeding sites; and loss and frag-
mentation of upland habitats are among the leading causes (Campbell et al.
1996). In 1994 the USFWS listed the arroyo toad as an endangered species
(USFWS 1994).
Sensitive Species Profiles B-5
September 2008
Arroyo toads are nocturnal and spend the day buried in primitive burrows, often
just below the soil surface but usually not more than six inches underground
(Haas 2003). In coastal San Diego County, arroyo toads may be active throughout
the year. Outside of the breeding season arroyo toads are rarely active when tem-
peratures fall below 46 degrees F (7.8 degrees C). They may be active in limited
numbers when relative humidity exceeds 80% and temperatures exceed 52
degrees F (11.1 degrees C); however, they are often active in large numbers dur-
ing moderate to heavy rain when temperatures exceed 52 degrees F (Haas 2003).
Arroyo toads begin moving to breeding sites in February, and occasionally as
early as January (Holland and Goodman 1998). For breeding, the arroyo toad is
restricted to rivers and creeks of low stream gradient, usually in the range of 0 to
2%, with persistent water; or pooled water where streams have been altered (W.
Haas, pers. obs.). Breeding sites must retain water for 60 or more consecutive
days from the onset of breeding to accommodate larval development (Sweet
1992). Deposition of eggs and growth of larvae usually occur in shallows along
the edges of sandy to gravelly pools, within ox-bows, or along sandbars within
stream channels with little or no current or emergent vegetation. Periodic floods
are necessary to keep the pools free of vegetation and to keep the terrace soils fri-
able enough for burrowing (USFWS 1999). Floods following egg deposition,
however, are usually disastrous to breeding success (Haas 2003).
Breeding sites along the Santa Margarita River are typically near or adjacent to
"upland" terraces. These terraces often have open sandy areas surrounded by
patches of riparian vegetation (mule fat [Baccharis salicifolia] and arroyo willow
[Salix lasiolepis] are typical components) or live oak (Quercus agrifolia) wood-
lands. Beyond these terraces, arroyo toads may invade other upland associations
including alluvial and sage scrubs, open chaparral (for example, chamise [Adenos-
toma fasciculatum] chaparral), and oak woodlands. During the breeding season
most adult male arroyo toads move from burrows to breeding sites on a nightly
basis. After exhausting nights of calling they retreat from breeding pools to bur-
row into sandy substrate, often within meters of their calling sites (Haas 2003).
Adult females and sub-adults typically remain to forage in upland habitats, the
females moving to breeding sites when sufficiently nourished to have fully devel-
oped eggs, rarely only to soak in quiet pools or meanders. Females are able to
deposit eggs only once per breeding season (Sweet 1992); they may visit a breed-
ing site often no more than once each year, spending the remainder of the year in
uplands near breeding sites (Haas 2003). During extremely dry periods, when
breeding conditions are lacking, and when forage is poor, arroyo toads remain in
upland habitats; during the driest years they remain primarily on sandy terraces
adjacent to breeding sites (Haas 2003).
Average distance from breeding sites is related to the amount of rain, soil mois-
ture apparently favoring a broader spectrum of usable substrate. Arroyo toads
wander farthest abroad when rainfall is distributed throughout the non-breeding
season (Haas 2003). Some individuals may disperse up to two km from the stre-
ambed breeding sites (Holland and Goodman 1998, USFWS 1999). Long-dis-
tance movements are typically documented along easily accessible and open
thoroughfares including roads; hiking and game trails; areas cleared of vegetation
by wildfire; or along rivers, streams, and creeks (Haas 2003). This behaviour was
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
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probably a significant means of fostering genetic exchange between populations
within adjacent drainages during periods of favorable rainfall regimes and when
overland connectivity of breeding sites was not disrupted by development. Toads
that stray far from the friable soils near rivers and streams, however, may suc-
cumb to desiccation during extended dry periods, especially in hostile soils (e.g.,
predominantly clay soils) (Haas 2003). Arroyo toads remain close to breeding
sites during the driest years.
Numerous factors in addition to changes in hydrologic regime, including the
introduction of numerous exotic plant and animal species contribute to the
decline of the arroyo toad. Non-native fish (for example, bluegill (Lepomis mac-
rochirus) and crayfish (for example, red swamp crayfish [Procambarus clarkii])
may eat eggs and larvae while bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) may devour arroyo
toads at any stage of development. Thick mats of watercress (Rorippa nastur-
tium-aquaticum) may prevent arroyo toads from accessing otherwise suitable
breeding sites (Haas 2003). Eggs and larvae of the arroyo toad are highly suscep-
tible to sedimentation (Sweet 1992); impacts from off-road vehicle use, foot traf-
fic by humans and livestock, and upstream deposition of sediments in the vicinity
of breeding pools may reduce or eliminate arroyo toad fecundity.
B.2.2 Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii
extimus)
Status: Federal Endangered
The southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) is one of a
group of closely related species of the genus Empidonax that are very difficult to
distinguish, especially by appearance, in the field. They are small (15 cm., 11-14
grams) songbirds having grayish-green back, white throat, and pale yellow
breast. The two wingbars are faint, as are the eyerings. The upper mandible is
dark, the lower mandible orange. In southern California, only those individuals
exhibiting territorial behavior outside of the migration period (i.e., after June 21)
or individuals known to be nesting at any time during the breeding season should
definitively be considered southwestern willow flycatchers.Once widely distrib-
uted in California (Grinnell and Miller 1944), adverse land use practices, loss of
habitat, alterations of watershed hydrology, and possibly nest parasitism have
resulted in the precipitous decline of the southwestern willow flycatcher (Unitt
1987). In response to steadily declining population numbers the USFWS listed
the southwestern willow flycatcher an endangered species in 1995 (CDFG 2000).
Willow flycatchers are a neotropical migrant that have an extremely limited
breeding range within the southwestern United States. The breeding range
includes riparian habitats from southern California to west Texas; portions of
southern Nevada, Utah, and Colorado; and possibly the northern extremes of
Baja California and northwestern mainland Mexico. Their winter range extends
along the Pacific slope of southern Mexico south to Costa Rica, and possibly into
Panama (Unitt 2000). On the breeding grounds, southwestern willow flycatchers
inhabit both native and non-native dominated riparian habitats (Finch and Stole-
son 2000) along rivers, streams, or other wetlands, with dense growths of shrubs
and trees, including willows (Salix sp.), mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), arrow-
Sensitive Species Profiles B-7
September 2008
weed (Pluchea sp.), tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), or cottonwood (Populus sp.). When
migrating they utilize similar habitats but may also use desert washes and oases
(Finch and Stoleson 2000; Small 1994; Unitt 1984). In San Diego County most
willow flycatcher migrants are of the northwestern subspecies, E. t. brewsteri.
The largest population of southwestern willow flycatchers in the state of Califor-
nia occupies riparian forest and oak woodland habitats along the upper San Luis
Rey River below Lake Henshaw Dam in north central San Diego County. Smaller
clusters of breeding pairs occur in several drainages within MCB Camp Pendle-
ton and even smaller numbers occur along the lower San Luis Rey River. Tribu-
taries of the upper and lower San Luis Rey River also harbor small breeding
populations (Haas and Weaver, pers. comm.).
Southwestern willow flycatchers arrive in San Diego County from their winter-
ing grounds in early May. Breeding activity may be initiated as early as mid-May,
and adults and young of the year have usually departed by early September. Nests
are typically placed approximately one to five meters off the ground, but occa-
sionally as high as 20 m, in the fork or on a horizontal branch of a tree, shrub, or
vine. Female willow flycatchers weave their nests of forb stems, plant fibers, pine
needles, shreds of bark, and dry grasses; outside may contain lichens, paper,
cocoons, and shredded grass. The cup is typically lined with feathers, hair, root-
lets, and finer materials. Nests typically have a characteristic trail of loosely or
poorly woven fibers dangling from the underside. Clutch size may vary from one
to four eggs, with an occasional large clutch size of five. Females perform all
incubation duties, the period lasting approximately 12-15 days. Both males and
females feed the young, but females usually play a larger role (Sedgewick 2000).
Fledging occurs at 12-14 days (Haas, pers. comm.). Willow flycatchers are
mainly aerial foragers that use low, exposed perches in or at the edge of thickets
or perches in nearby meadows to hunt for flying insects (CDFG 2000). They
favor hymenopterans (bees, wasps, ants), but also feed on coleopterans (beetles),
dipterans (flies), lepidopterans (butterflies and moths) and hemipterans (true
bugs). Occasionally they eat fruit as well (Sedgewick 2000).
B.2.3 Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus)
Status: Federal Endangered and CDFG Endangered
The diminutive least Bell's vireo is an aggressive defender of its nest and a con-
stant forager. It gleans foliage for small insects and will occasionally take fruits
after July. Both the male and female help build a cup-shaped nest, usually in
dense willow thickets along riparian corridors. Three to five eggs are laid and are
incubated for 14 days by both the male and female. Egg dates are from early April
through mid?July. Fledging occurs in another 11–12 days and the young are
tended by both parents.
Least Bell's vireos are summer migrants in the United States, breeding from
coastal central California south along the coast, including the western portion of
the desert, to the Mexican border. This subspecies apparently winters entirely in
southern Baja California. In the United States, vireos utilize young, dense ripar-
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-8 Sensitive Species Profiles
ian thickets and occasionally scrub oak woodlands near a year-round water
source for nesting and foraging. They are currently federally listed as endangered
and state listed as endangered.
Approximately 50% of the breeding population can be found in San Diego
County, mostly along the Santa Margarita, San Luis Rey, San Diego, Tijuana and
Sweetwater Rivers, and Jamul Creek. The main threat to the least Bell's vireo's
continued existence is the loss or degradation of its breeding habitat in southern
California combined with cowbird parasitism (USFWS 1998). Least Bell's vireo
is a common host of the brown-headed cowbird. Disturbance processes within
the riparian zone help maintain the younger age classes of willows in which these
birds predominantly breed. Since its listing as endangered, the least Bell's vireo
has made a dramatic recovery with the protection and management afforded it.
This recovery is, however, limited due to the historical loss of suitable riparian
habitat. The protection and restoration of additional willow riparian habitat
within the bird's historic range is essential to a full recovery and the continued
existence of this species (USFWS 1998).
B.2.4 California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica
californica)
Status: Federal Threatened and CDFG Species of Special Concern
The California gnatcatcher is a diminutive member of the thrush family (Musci-
capidae) and is an obligate coastal sage scrub species. Its plumage is gray above
and grayish?white below. Both male and female have a distinctive white eyering.
The males lose the white eye-ring and develop a black cap during the mating and
nesting seasons from late February to the end of July.
This gnatcatcher is listed as federally threatened and as a state Species of Special
Concern primarily because of the continuing destruction and fragmentation of its
habitat. USFWS estimated that only about 2,500 pairs exist in the United States
as of the Listing date (March 30, 1993). The range of this non-migratory songbird
extends from the coastal areas of southern California including Los Angeles,
western Orange, and San Diego Counties, south to El Rosario in Baja California,
Mexico. Within this range, the California gnatcatcher is found in the coastal areas
or in areas where the temperature regime is moderated by the marine influence.
Coastal sage scrub on slopes less than 25% appears to be the habitat most associ-
ated with the nesting California gnatcatcher, although dispersal often occurs
through other nearby habitats such as riparian and chaparral.
Nesting territories range in size from two to 30 acres, which both the male and
female defend zealously. In fact, both sexes play an active role in all phases of the
nesting cycle. Clutch size averages four eggs and the incubation and nestling
periods last for approximately 14 and 16 days respectively. Fledglings will stay
with the parents for up to several months before they disperse from their natal ter-
ritory (50 CFR Part 17; March 30, 1993).
Sensitive Species Profiles B-9
September 2008
B.2.5 Southwestern Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata
pallida)
Status: Federal and CDFG Species of Concern
The southwestern pond turtle has a range that stretches from northern Baja Cali-
fornia, Mexico up through central California. The northern subspecies ranges
from the Pacific slopes of Klickitat County, Washington south to integrade with
C. m. pallida in central California. The southwestern pond turtle is moderately
sized (120–210 mm) and brown to khaki in color without prominent markings
(Holland 1991). Juveniles and females have light and dark mottled face and
throat markings, while sexually mature males are lightly colored in these areas
(Jennings and Hayes 1994).
The southwestern pond turtle is an aquatic turtle that generally leaves the water to
overwinter, aestivate and reproduce, but have also been observed overwintering
in the water. Their activity levels are closely tied to the temperature of the water;
activity is notably increased when water temperatures reach 15 degrees C (Hol-
land, pers comm, as recorded in Jennings and Hayes, 1994). Because of this, they
are typically active year round in southern California (Holland 1985, 1991;
Zeiner et al. 1990; Rathbun et al. 1993). Pond turtles spend significant portions of
their time in thermoregulation activities; when the air is warmer than the water,
they will bask in the sun out of the water, but when the air becomes too warm,
they will soak in the shallow surface layer, suspended on submergent vegetation
with their heads out of the water (Bury 1972; Holland 1985a).
They tend to live in aquatic habitats with some slack or slow water. Western pond
turtle populations reach the highest densities in areas where there are many good
aerial and aquatic basking sites available to them. There also must be a high qual-
ity oviposition site within a suitable distance. Nests tend to be dug in soils with a
high clay or silt component on unshaded, south-facing slopes. The distance of the
nest to the aquatic site most likely depends on the availability of good habitat;
nests typically are dug within 200m, but have been recorded as far as 402m away
from the aquatic site. Turtles are known to move significant distances if their
aquatic habitat changes (Jennings and Hayes 1994).
Mating generally takes place in late April or early May, but can occur throughout
the year. Females can lay more than one clutch per year, depositing 1-13 eggs at a
time. When it is time to oviposit, between late April and early August, the
females will emigrate from their aquatic site to an upland site (Storer 1930; Rath-
bun et al 1992, 1993, D. Holland, pers. comm., as recorded in Jennings and Hayes
1994). Most hatching and juvenile movement to the aquatic site occurs in the
spring, but a few records in southern and central California show that it can also
occur in the fall (Holland 1985). Pond turtles reach reproductive maturity
between 7 and 11 years of age; the species is thought to be long-lived (Jennings
and Hayes 1994).
Pond turtles are opportunistic eaters, and will consume almost anything they are
able to catch, but because they are relatively slow movers, their diets consist
mainly of carrion and slow-moving aquatic invertebrates as well as vegetation.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-10 Sensitive Species Profiles
Major threats to the southwestern pond turtle are numerous. Streambed alteration
is a major factor in the decline of the turtle because habitat is generally destroyed
as the regime of scour and sedimentation is altered. Introduction of predatory
species such as bullfrog, large mouth bass and bluegill have caused direct reduc-
tions in turtle populations. The introduction of the slider turtle presents the pond
turtle with direct competition for habitat. Finally, as with most sensitive southern
California reptile and amphibians, illegal collection has significantly reduced the
pond turtle's numbers (Jennings and Hayes 1994).
B.2.6 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Golden eagles are one of the largest raptors left in the wild with a wingspan of up
to 224 cm (7.35 ft.). They occur throughout California and North America, from
sea level up to 3800 meters (Zeiner et al 1990). They feed primarily on rabbits
and California ground squirrels, but also hunt other small mammals, birds, rep-
tiles, and carrion. Open areas such as grasslands, open chaparral or sage scrub and
early successional stages of woodlands are important as hunting grounds (Zeiner
et al.1990).
Golden eagles form a long term pair and share most nesting responsibilities. They
will nest on cliffs and large trees, often reusing previous nests. Nests can be three
meters across, built of sticks and foliage. Golden eagles breed from January
through August, producing clutches of 1-3 eggs in February to May (Zeiner et al
1990). Incubation takes 43-45 days, and fledging occurs in 65-70 days. They may
abandon a nest during incubation if disturbed by humans.
As a population, golden eagles in Orange and San Diego counties are acutely
threatened by habitat loss, electrocution and shooting. Golden eagles that fledge
from coastal southern California nests typically move less that 50 miles, and
many are either electrocuted or shot directly after fledging and during dispersal
(Bloom 1985).Sources of population decline are power line electrocution, inad-
vertent poisoning by coyote control programs and killing by ranchers.
In San Diego County, golden eagles are distributed mainly in the foothill zone
and inland sections of the coastal lowland as well as along the desert-edge zone of
Anza-Borrego Desert (Unitt 1984). There are currently about 35 widely scattered
pairs (Unitt 2002).
B.2.7 Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramas savannarum
perpallidus)
No designations
The grasshopper sparrow is a grassland bird of the Emberizidae family who was
named for its song, which seemingly mimics a grasshopper's call. It is a small spar-
row with a dark head streaked with buff and a back streaked with chestnut and black.
This sparrow's breast is light colored, and yellow colors the edges of its wings.
Grasshopper sparrows breed across most of the United States. There is no special
Sensitive Species Profiles B-11
September 2008
status designation afforded this bird; it has been chosen as a focus species because it
prefers a distinct type of grassland than does the Stephen's kangaroo rat and may be
excluded with a management direction geared only for the endangered rat.
Grasshopper sparrows lay eggs from April to May and fledge from May to June.
Clutch sizes fall between three and six eggs which are incubated by the female
alone for eleven to thirteen days while the male perches at the edge of the terri-
tory. Both sexes are responsible for feeding the young various invertebrate spe-
cies. Grasshopper sparrow nests are vulnerable to brood parasitism by the brown-
headed cowbird, although parasitism rates for this species are thought to be rela-
tively low compared with other grassland birds (Vickery 1996).
Grasshopper sparrows typically select lush grasslands with some shrub cover
typical of coastal sage scrub plants, such as flat-topped buckwheat (Eriogonum
fasciculatum). In San Diego, they scatter themselves throughout the inland val-
leys of the coastal lowland. Extensive stands of Nassella with blue-eyed grass
(Sisyrinchium bellum) and the yellow flowered onion (Bloomeria crocea) are
good indicators of grasshopper sparrow habitat. Females build cup-shaped
ground nests at the base of Nassella clumps with grass overhanging them for
visual protection. The birds are active from late March through Mid-July and can
be seen singing from tall grasses. When they are not singing, they hide in dense
grasses and are very difficult to detect. It is unsure whether the local population is
fully resident or partially migratory (Unitt, 1984).
B.2.8 Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
The pallid bat is medium sized with buff or sandy colored fur and emerges fairly
late in the evening. It uses its very long ears to locate prey on the ground, usually
Jerusalem crickets (Stenopelmatus fuscus), June beetles (Polyphylla), and scorpi-
ons (this bat is is immune to the sting). The pallid bat has two foraging periods
with an intervening roosting period which lengthens as summer progresses into
autumn. This night roosting appears to be social as the bats locate each other
vocally and roost in a group where they enter torpor (Vaughn and O'Shea 1976).
Pallid bat colonies are generally smaller than those of the Mexican free-tail rang-
ing from 12 – 100 individuals.
The pallid bat is especially common in open, lowland areas below 2000 m. Dis-
tributed throughout most of the other western United States and from central
Mexico to British Columbia, the pallid bat is typically considered a desert spe-
cies.The pallid bat makes seasonal movement according to temperature changes,
but is apparently not migratory (Jameson and Peeters 1988). Hibernation roosts
often occur in close proximity to summer use areas.
Mating begins in October and occurs sporadically throughout the winter. After
winter, the sperm that is maintained in the uterus inseminates the egg and gesta-
tion lasts about 53-71 days. Female pallid bats gather in maternity roosts of 12-
100 individuals beginning in April where generally two (20% of births are single)
young are born and raised. Males are not excluded from these roosts, however
they can be found roosting separately as well. Mothers nurse only their own
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-12 Sensitive Species Profiles
young and the mother-offspring relationship appears to be quite strong (Barbour
and Davis 1969). Post breeding dispersal occurs in mid-August (Vaughn and
O'Shea 1976).
Habitat loss is the primary threat to the pallid bat. As development destroys the
foraging habitat for these bats, their numbers continue to drop. An additional
threat to these ground feeders is the associated vulnerability they experience
when on the ground. They are reportedly so engrossed in feeding that one can
walk up to them and pick them up. As development pushes into their habitats, it
brings a number of new predators including feral cats.
B.2.9 Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha
quino)
Status: Federally Endangered
The quino checkerspot butterfly has a one inch wingspan checkered in patterns of
dark brown with reddish and yellowish spots, and a medial orange band on the
hind wings. Its abdomen is orange banded (Ballmer et al.1998). The quino check-
erspot occurs at altitudes from just above sea level to 5,000 feet in a variety of
habitats (meadows, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, chaparral, chaparral and semi-
desert scrub) (Ballmer et al. 1998).
Female checkerspots usually mate only once, laying several egg masses of 120 to
180 eggs on their primary host plant, the dot-seed plantain (Plantago erecta).
Other plants used by checkerspots include dark-tipped bird's beak (Cordylanthus
rigidus) and owl's clover (Castilleja exserta) (USFWS 2000a). The eggs hatch
within seven to ten days and the larvae generally undergo two or three molts dur-
ing their first season. They enter a diapause phase to wait out the dry season, and
when winter rains renew the vegetation they will go through up to seven more
molts before pupating (Mattoni et al.1997). They have been known to remain
dormant for several years during drought years (Ballmer et al.1998). The butter-
fly emerges approximately ten days later. The adults are generally active from
February through April.
Once one of the most abundant butterflies in southern California, (Ballmer et
al.1998), habitat destruction or degradation has eliminated an estimated 50-75%
of their former range (Brown 1991 in Federal Register, 1997). Invasion of exotic
grasses and forbs has results in the displacement of dot-seed plantain, the primary
larval host plant. The spread of exotic predators (e.g., sow bugs and earwigs) has
also likely led to the decline of the quino checkerspot.
B.2.10 Western Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hammondii)
Status: Federal and CDFG Species of Concern
The western spadefoot (Scaphiopus hammondii) is a moderate-sized toad (37.0–
62.0 mm), of green, brown or gray color that gets its name from the distinctive
teardrop shaped spade on each hindfoot. It has four lightly colored irregular
Sensitive Species Profiles B-13
September 2008
stripes, which vaguely form the shape of an hourglass on its back. It occurs
almost exclusively in California west of the deserts and south from Shasta
County to northern Baja California.
The western spadefoot enters the water only to breed, and is otherwise a com-
pletely terrestrial species. They emerge beginning in the late winter from burrows
in the loose soil to breed in ephemeral rain pools. Larval development takes three
weeks and requires that the water be at least 9 degrees Celcius; the rainpools also
need to be free of exotic predators such as introduced fish, bullfrogs and crayfish
(Jennings and Hayes 1994).
Because eggs are frequently laid in temporary pools, they are not as prone to pre-
dation from the bullfrog. However, habitat destructio due to construction has
been a major contributor to their decline. Additionally, ground vibration caused
by off road vehicle activity in the desert regions, which mimics the cue of the win-
ter rains, has caused many populations to come out of hibernation before the win-
ter rains start and die (Dimmitt 1980; Brattstrom 1983).
B.2.11 San Diego Coast Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma
coronatus blainvillei)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Information on extant populations of the San Diego coast horned lizard is mini-
mal at best, though some may still remain along the Silver Strand and Coronado
coastal scrub habitats (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Specific habitat requirements
are loose, fine, sandy soils with limited vegetation cover. They may also be found
in areas of denser shrub cover where small pockets of open habitat occur, such as
those created by fire or other disturbance (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Its range
extends through much of southern California west of the deserts, and into Baja
California, Mexico, from sea level to 6,500 ft (2,000 m) (Smith 1946; Stebbins
1985). Historically, it was most abundant in riparian and coastal sage habitats of
the coastal plains of southern California, but has disappeared from about 45% of
the areas it once inhabited (Jennings and Hayes 1994).
The San Diego coast horned lizard is threatened by habitat fragmentation, non-
native ant species (causing a degradation of the food base for horned lizards), off
road vehicle activity, predation by domestic pets, and collecting, though commer-
cial collecting was banned in 1981 (Schoenherr 1992; Jennings and Hayes 1994).
Since horned lizards rely primarily on camouflage to avoid predators, they are
very easy for humans to catch, but survival in captivity is poor and few are ever
returned to the wild.
B.2.12 Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail
(Cnemidophorus hyperythrus beldingi)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Belding's orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidophorus hyperythrus beldingi)
reaches sizes between 50 and 94 mm. They are gray, reddish brown to dark brown
or black in color with five to seven pale stripes. The top of their heads is yellow-
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-14 Sensitive Species Profiles
brown to olive gray, and their ventral sides are lighter in color with grayish blue
bellies. Adults have a range of orange to red on their ventral sides, while
hatchlings and juveniles have bright blue tails.
Orange-throated whiptails live on floodplains or stream terraces. Their main food
source, termites, depend upon perennial vegetation for a food source, so one of
their habitat requirements is the presence of perennial plants such as California
buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), California sagebrush (Artemisia califor-
nica), black sage (Salvia mellifera), white sage (Salvia apiana) and chamise
(Adenostoma fasciculatum). They tend to avoid open areas, and hibernate on cov-
ered, south-facing slopes. The orange-throated whiptail is reported to have an
average home range of 364–445 meters (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Breeding
occurs during June and July, at which time adult females may lay one or two
clutches of eggs. Clutches range in size from 1-4 eggs.
The threats to the orange-throated whiptails are based on loss and fragmentation
of habitat. Hot fires, can scorch the ground where the orange-throats live, killing
them and any eggs which may be deposited. In an undisturbed setting, recoloni-
zation of the habitat pocket eventually takes place. Due to fragmentation, routes
of recolonization can be cut off and populations become limited to smaller habitat
patches, which are more easily lost.
B.2.13 Coronado Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus
interparietals)
Status: CDFG Speices of Concern
The coronado skink (Eumeces skiltonianus interparietals) is a smooth scaled liz-
ard with short limbs. It has blue coloration on the tail and a brown body with four
light dorsal stripes. It takes two to three years for the young to reach sexual matu-
rity; these animals have a life expectancy of five to six years.
They are habitat generalists, utilizing mesic pockets within coastal sage, chapar-
ral, oak woodlands, pinon-juniper, riparian woodlands and pine forests. They
feed on invertebrates found in leaf litter or dense vegetation but avoid preying
upon ants. They are burrowers, creating tunnels under stones or other cover to use
during hibernation and nesting (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Breeding in this spe-
cies occurs between June and July, when a single clutch of 2–6 eggs may be laid.
These eggs are tended by the female until hatching.
Like may other species in southern California, habitat destruction due to con-
struction is the main threat to the Coronado skink.
B.2.14 Coast patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis
virgultea)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
The coast patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis virgultea) is medium sized and
dark brown in color with a light middorsal stripe and ventral surface. Little is
known about their habitat requirements, but they are typically found in areas with
Sensitive Species Profiles B-15
September 2008
the low shrub cover preferred by their major prey item, the whiptail lizard. They
also utilize burrows and woodrat nests to overwinter, so may be associated with the
habitat requirements of these refuge creating mammals (Jennings and Hayes 1994).
B.2.15 Two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondi)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Two-striped garter snakes (Thamnophis hammondii) get their name from the yel-
low-orange lateral stripes running the length of either side of their body. Their
dorsal coloration is olive or brown to brownish gray.
Two-stripe garters live in perennial or intermittent streams with rocky beds that
are lined by dense riparian vegetation. They can also utilize artificially created
ponds, as long as the requirement for dense vegetation is met. They are infre-
quently found far from water, using it as cover to escape predators or to forage.
Known predators include: hawks, shrikes, herons, racoons, coyots and bullfrogs.
Introduced animals such as largemouth bass, catfish and feral pigs are also
thought to feed on this snake. Both juveniles and adults feed on fish, fish eggs,
tadpoles and frog metamorphs. This species is declining throughout its range due
to habitat modification, introduction of predators, loss of its anuran prey base and
livestock grazing (Jennings and Hayes 1994).
B.2.16 Northern red-diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus
ruber)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
The northern red-diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber= C. exsul) has a large tan-
nish-pink to brick red body with diamond shaped markings on its dorsal side. The
ventral side is light in color, and the tail has dark rings and the distinctive rattles
that give this snake its name.
The northern red-diamond rattlesnake is thought to be at least somewhat active
year-round, but mostly so in April and May because this is when mating is occur-
ing. Females give live birth to young they carry for 140-150 days. This species
tends to occur in areas with heavy brush associated with large boulders and rocks.
Adults feed on squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional fresh carrion while the juve-
niles also eat lizards. These snakes fall prey to red-tailed hawks (Jennings and
Hayes 1994).
Population levels for red-diamond rattlesnakes are declining due to a number of
reasons including habitat loss, illegal and over-collecting by snake breeders and
extermination wherever they are encountered by humans.
B.2.17 Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Cooper's hawks occur throughout much the United States and Mexico, and north
into Canada, particularly in wooded areas from sea level up to 2700 meters
(Zeiner et al. 1990). They feed on small birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibi-
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-16 Sensitive Species Profiles
ans. Cooper's hawk breed in from March through August, producing a single
clutch of 2–6 eggs. Incubation lasts for 35–65 days exclusively by the female
while the male provides food (Zeiner et al. 1990). Young hawks may sometimes
fall prey to ravens, goshawks, and owls.
In San Diego county, they are widely but lightly distributed throughout the
county during winter migrations, and are rarely present as summer residents.
They breed almost exclusively in oak woodlands and willows, and have lately
been recorded making nests in eucalyptus trees (Unitt 1984).
B.2.18 Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
The northern harrier is a distinctive raptor both in appearance and behavior. Juve-
niles and females are brown above with brown heads and orange or cream col-
ored mottled breasts. Males are gray above with a white mottled breast. All
harriers have a distinctive white rump patch and forage by flying low over open
fields and marshes.
Harriers nest from mid-April to July. They build a nest of sticks or grasses on the
ground, usually near a wetland or in agricultural fields or grassland. They forage
almost exclusively over grasslands and coastal sage scrub and feed on small
mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, crustaceans, and insects.
The northern harrier was formerly fairly common in San Diego County during
migration and winter months with some remaining to breed, but populations have
been decimated due to urbanization and pesticide use. Winter visitors are thought to
be absent now from San Diego County, but a few mating pairs remain. (Unitt 2002).
B.2.19 White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)
Status: Federal Species of Concern, CDFG Fully Protected Species
White-tailed kites, formerly called black-shouldered kites, are present in San
Diego County year-round. They are easily identified by their white breast, grey
back, and black shoulder patches. They have a long tail and forage by hovering
and dropping onto their prey. They feed primarily on small mammals but will
also take small birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
White-tailed kites nest in riparian areas or oak woodlands, usually adjacent to
open fields used for foraging. They will breed from February to October, when
they build a nest of loosely piled twigs lined with grass. Outside of the breeding
season they can be seen roosting in large groups. Their range has expanded over-
all in recent decades, but has probably lost much habitat to development in South-
ern California. Adults may be preyed upon by great-horned owls (Bubo
virginianus) and nests are vulnerable to opossums, jays, crows, and ravens (Unitt
1984; CDFG 1990).
B.2.20 Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Sensitive Species Profiles B-17
September 2008
The prairie falcon is a large falcon (16 in) with a light brown back and white, mot-
tled underparts. Prairie falcons frequent open grasslands, fields, and scrub habi-
tats. They forage primarily on small mammals but will also take small birds and
reptiles (Unitt 1984; CDFG 1990).
Prarie falcons are found throughout San Diego County during migration and win-
ter months, but are rare breeders in the county. Nests have been found primarily in
the Anza-Borrego Desert region on sandstone bluffs, while the few that have
been observed nesting on the coastal slope have built their nests on rocky cliffs.
They breed from February to September. Fewer than thirty pairs are thought to
nest in the county (Unitt 1984, 2002).
B.2.21 Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Status: Federal and CDFG Species of Concern
The loggerhead shrike is uncommon, but widely distributed throughout much of
San Diego county and the state (Unitt 1984, 2002; Small 1994). This species,
along with other shrikes, has been on the decline for some time. Although the rea-
sons for this decline are not clearly known, they may be related to the bioaccumu-
lation of pesticides from its prey (Small 1994; Kaufman 1996). Changes in
habitat may also be contributing to this decline (Kaufman 1996).
The shrike requires dense shrubs for concealing its nests, with ample open ground
nearby for foraging (Unitt 1984). Eggs are laid from early March through mid-
June, and chicks are fledged by late July (Unitt 1984). Loggerhead shrikes prey
upon insects and vertebrate species (E. Copper, pers. comm.).
B.2.22 Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
The yellow warbler is common in spring and fall migrations, but uncommon as a
summer resident and winter visitor. Migrants prefer to rest in broadleaved trees, in
the fall they can often be found in the non-native tamarisk. They breed in riparian
corridors on the coastal slope and in a localized fashion on the desert slope. Popu-
lations are most dense in the coastal lowlands from Carlsbad north. In low eleva-
tions they are known to exist around large streams, but ranging into the foothills
and up into the mountains, the birds will utilize narrow strips and patches of ripar-
ian zone. They breed from early May to late June, and fledging occurs from June
to early August. The population in San Diego county is vulnerable to the brown-
headed cowbird, which parasitizes its nest heavily. In response to widespread
trapping of this parasite, the population here has been increasing since the 1980s,
but remains on the CDFG's list as a Species of Special Concern (Unitt 2002b.).
B.2.23 Southern California Rufous-crowned Sparrow
(Aimophila ruficeps canescens)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-18 Sensitive Species Profiles
The Southern California rufous-crowned sparrows are an uncommon to common
but localized resident that utilize steep and rocky areas of coastal sage scrub.
They are fire followers, colonizing grass that grows following brush fires (Unitt
1984). These birds typically build nests on the ground under clumps of grass or
bushes or hidden in hollows between rocks (Collins 1999). Rufous-crowned
sparrows lay their eggs from early March to early June, and fledging occurs from
April through July (Unitt 2002). They forage near the ground and feed on grass
seeds and insects. Little else is known about this bird because of its cryptic behav-
ior and remote habitat (Collins 1999).
B.2.24 Bell's Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli belli)
Status: Federal and CDFG Species of Concern
Bell's sage sparrows are uncommon to common but localized residents of semi-
open chaparral. They seem to choose their habitats based on vertical structure
and patchiness rather than shrub species, but are associated with sagebrush.They
forage on the ground for seeds, small fruits, arthropods, and succulent vegetation
(Martin and Carlson 1998). Open ground with little litter is essential to their for-
aging (Unitt 2002). Bell's sage sparrows construct their nests mainly in or under-
neath shrubs or in bunchgrass. They lay their eggs from late April through early
June, and fledging occurs between April and July (Martin and Carlson 1998).
B.2.25 Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus fuliginata)
No designations.
Mule deer occur throughout most of western North America, as far south as Baja
California and Sonora to Northern Tamaulipas, Mexico (Burt and Grosenheider
1976). They can be found in early to intermediate successional stages of most
woodland and brush habitats, preferring a mosaic of vegetation from open mead-
ows to woodlands (Zeiner et al 1990). Mule deer browse on tender new growth of
shrubs, forbs, and grasses from ground level to as high they can reach, and will
also dig up mushrooms from beneath the soil surface.
Rutting takes place in autumn and dominant males tend an estrous doe until mat-
ing has been completed. Fawning occurs in moderately dense shrublands and
woodlands from April through midsummer (Zeiner et al 1990). Twin births are
common after a doe's first or second fawning. Natural predators (e.g., mountain
lions, coyotes, bobcats, black bears) of mule deer have been reduced in most
areas, and overpopulation, accompanied by winter die-offs, occur periodically in
California (Zeiner et al 1990). Deer populations can be sensitive to habitat frag-
mentation and degradation (Zeiner et al 1990).
B.2.26 Dulzura Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus californicus
femoralis)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
Sensitive Species Profiles B-19
September 2008
This rare and relatively unstudied subspecies of the California pocket mouse is a
California state species of concern. Recent taxonomic revisions have placed this
species in the Chaetodipus genus, however much of the literature refers to this
species by its previous name, Perognathus californicus femoralis. The adult dul-
zura pocket mouse (Chaetodipus californicus femoralis) ranges from 81–91mm
in length. It is olive brown, with 20 teeth, and spinelike hairs on its rump (Burt
and Grossenheider 1976). This mouse breeds in the spring and early summer
(Bleich 2003).
B.2.27 San Diego Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus
californicus bennettii)
Status: CDFG Species of Concern
The San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit occurs throughout California, however,
the local race is declining due to development of its habitat. Jackrabbits have
large ears (6-7 inches) and legs, and are recognized by the black tips on its tail and
ears. They are approximately 17–21 inches long.
Black-tailed jackrabbits occur in open areas with enough shrubs for cover. They
prefer to eat grasses and forbs but will eat other vegetation as well. They do not
require access to drinking water because they take in enough moisture from the
plants they eat. Young jackrabbits are born under shrubs, but no special nest
structure is built. They are active during the day and do not act territorially and
tend to be solitary except when breeding. They will breed throughout the year and
produce up to four litters a year. Population size is cyclic and fluctuates in 3–6
year intervals. They have numerous predators including coyotes, raptors, and
snakes (CDFG 1990).
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
B-20 Sensitive Species Profiles
Animal Checklists for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course C-1
September 2008
Appendix C: Animal Checklists for Lake Calavera and
Municipal Golf Course
Table C-1. Faunal species observed at Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank (Merkel and Associates 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
Invertebrates
Branchinecta lindahli Versatile fairy shrimp
Butterflies
Pieris rapae Cabbage white
Brephidium exile Western pigmy-blue
Apodemia virgulti Behr’s metalmark
Nymphalis antiopa Mourning cloak
Basilarchia lorquini Lourquin’s admiral
Adelpha bredowii California sister
Danaus plexippus Monarch
Fish
Gambusia affinis Westerm mosquitofish
Micropterus salmoides Largemouth bass
Pomoxis annularis White crappie
Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill
Amelurus sp. Catfish sp.
Amphibians
Spea hammondii Western spadefoot
Batrachoseps major Garden slender salamander
Bufo boreas Western toad
Rana catesbeiana American bullfrog
Reptiles
Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence lizard
Lampropeltis getula californiae California kingsnake
Uta stansburiana Side-blotched lizard
Elgaria multicarinata Southern alligator lizard
Lampropeltis getula Common kingsnake
Crotalus viridis helleri Southern pacific rattlesnake
Masticophis lateralis Striped racer
Pituophis catenifer Gophersnake
Leptotyphlops humilis Western threadsnake
Masticophis flagellum Coachwhip
Birds
Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed grebe
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard
Phalancrocorax auritus Double-crested cormorant
Oxyura jamaicensis Ruddy duck
Anas clypeata Northern shoveler
Gallinula chloropus Common moorhen
Fulica americana American coot
Anas strepera Gadwall
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
C-2 Animal Checklists for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit
Troglodytes aedon House wren
Regulus calendula Ruby-Crowned kinglet
Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler
Pipilo maculates Spotted towhee
Ceryle alcyon Belted kingfisher
Picoides pubescens Downy woodpecker
Colaptes auratus Northern flicker
Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis Pacific-slope flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens Ash-throated flycatcher
Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-headed grosbeak
Calypte anna Anna’s hummingbird
Aphelocoma californica Western scrub-jay
Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren
Pipilo cirssalis California towhee
Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned sparrow
Geococcyx californianus Greater roadrunner
Mergus merganser Common merganser
Rallus limicola Virginia rail
Porzana carolina Sora
Eremophila alpestris Horned lark
Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln’s sparrow
Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar waxwing
Tachycineta bicolor Tree swallows
Aeronautes saxatalis White-throated swift
Passer domesticus House sparrow
Mammals
Spermophilus beecheyi California ground squirrel
Sylvilagus audubonii Desert cottontail
Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk
Procyon lotor Northern racoon
Canis latrans Coyote
Canis familiaris Domestic dog
Thomomys bottae Botta’s pocket gopher
Reithrodontomys megalotis Western harvest mouse
Neotoma sp. Woodrat
Neotoma fuscipes Dusky-footed woodrat
Spilogale gracilis Western spotted skunk
Dipodomys agilis Agile kangaroo rat
Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse
Peromyscus eremicus Cactus mouse
Myotis californicus California myotis
Pipistrellus hesperus Western pipistrelle
Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat
Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat
Tadarida brasiliensis Brazilian free-tailed bat
Table C-1. Faunal species observed at Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank (Merkel and Associates 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
Animal Checklists for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course C-3
September 2008
Table C-2. List of animals observed or detected (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological Constraints Analysis,
1997).
Common Name Scientific Name
REPTILES
Phrynosomatidae
Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence-lizard
Uta stansburiana Side-blotched lizard
Teiidae (Whiptails and Relatives)
Cnemidophorus hyperythrus Orangethroat whiptail
Viperidae (Vipers)
Crotalus viridis helleri Southern pacific rattlesnake
BIRDS
Ardeidae (Herons and Bitterns)
Ardea herodias Great blue heron
Butorides virescens Green heron
Cathartidae (American Vultures)
Cathartes aura Turkey vulture
Accipitridae (Hawks, Old World Vultures and Harriers)
Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered hawk
Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk
Falconidae (Caracaras and Falcons)
Falco sparverius American kestrel
Phasianidae (Quails, Pheasants, and Relatives)
Callipepla californica California quail
BUTTERFLIES
Satyridae (Satyrids)
Coenonympha tullia california California ringlet
Danaidae (Milkweed Butterflies)
Danaus gilippus Queen
Danaus plexippus Monarch
Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed Butterflies)
Basilarchia lorquini Lorquin’s admiral
Nymphalis antiopa Mourning cloak
Precis coenia Buckeye
Vanessa atalanta Red admiral
Vanessa cardui Painted lady
Vanessa anabella West coast lady
Vanessa virginiensis Virginia lady
Papilionidae (Swallowtails)
Papilio eurymedon Pale swallowtail
Papilio rutulus Western tiger swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon Anise swallowtail
Pieridae (Whites, Orange-tips and Sulfurs)
Anthocharis sara Sara orangetip
Artogeia rapae Cabbage white
Colias eurytheme Alfalfa butterfly
Colias harfordii Hartford’s sulfur
Pontia protodice Common white
Zerene eurydice California dogface
Riodinidae (Metalmarks)
Apodemia mormo virgulti Behr’s metalmark
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
C-4 Animal Checklists for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Lycaenidae (Hairstreaks, Blues and Coopers)
Callophrys augustus iroides Western elfin
Callophrys perplexa Perplexing hairstreak
Glaucopsyche lydamus australis Southern blue
Icaricia acmon Acmon blue
Leptotes marina Marine blue
Hesperidae (Skippers and Duskywings)
Erynnis brizo lacustra Lacustra duskywing
Erynnis zarucco funeralis Funereal duskywing
Pyrgus communis albescens Western checkered skipper
Table C-2. List of animals observed or detected (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological Constraints Analysis,
1997).
Common Name Scientific Name
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-1
September 2008
Appendix D: Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and
Municipal Golf Course
Table D-1. Floral species observed at Lake Calavera (from the Lake Calavera Trails Biological Resources Report, 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
CRYPTOGAMS
Pteridaceae - Brake Family
Pentagramma triangularis ssp. viscosa Yats silverback fern
Selaginellaceae - Spike-Moss Family
Selaginella cinerascens ashy-spike moss
DICOTYLEDONS
Aizoaceae - Fig-Marigold Family
Carpobrotus edulis hottentot-fig
Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family
Malosma laurina laurel sumac
Rhus integrifolia lemonadeberry
Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper tree
Toxicodendron diversilobum western poison oak
Apiaceae - Carrot Family
Apiastrum angustifolium mock parsley
Apium graveolens celery
Conium maculatum common poison hemlock
Foeniculum vulgare fennel
Lomatium lucidum shiny lomatium
Sanicula arguta sharp-tooth sanicle
Sanicula crassicaulis Pacific sanicle
Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
Ambrosia psilostachya western ragweed
Artemisia californica California sagebrush
Baccharis pilularis coyote brush
Baccharis salicifolia mule fat
Baccharis sarothroides broom baccharis
Centaurea melitensis tocalote
Chrysanthemum coronarium garland
Cirsium vulgare bull thistle
Cotula coronopifolia brass-buttons
Cynara cardunculus cardoon
Deinandra fasciculata fascicled tarplant
Encelia californica California encelia
Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum golden-yarrow
Gazania sp. gazania
Gnaphalium bicolor bicolor cudweed
Gnaphalium californicum California everlasting
Gnaphalium canescens ssp. beneolens fragrant everlasting
Gutierrezia sarothrae matchweed
Hazardia squarrosa ssp. grindelioides saw-toothed goldenbush
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-2 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Hedypnois cretica Crete hedypnois
Heterotheca grandiflora telegraph weed
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens clay-field goldenbush
Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii goldenbush
Picris echioides bristly ox-tongue
Pluchea odorata salt marsh fleabane
Psilocarphus tenellus slender woolly marbles
Rafinesquia californica California chicory
Silybum marianum milk-thistle
Sonchus asper prickly sow thistle
Stephanomeria diegensis San Diego wreath-plant
Xanthium strumarium cocklebur
Boraginaceae - Borage Family
Amsinckia intermedia fiddleneck
Cryptantha intermedia nievitas, cryptantha
Heliotropium curvassavicum salt heliotrope
Brassicaceae - Mustard Family
Brassica nigra black mustard
Hirschfeldia incana short-pod mustard
Lobularia maritima sweet alyssum
Rorippa nasturtium-officinale water cress
Cactaceae - Cactus Family
Opuntia ficus-indica Indian-fig
Opuntia littoralis coast prickly-pear
Capparaceae - Caper Family
Isomeris arborea bladderpod
Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle
Lonicera subspicata var. denudata San Diego honeysuckle
Sambucus mexicana blue elderberry
Caryophyllaceae - Pink Family
Silene gallica common catchfly
Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family
Salicornia virginica pickleweed
Salsola tragus Russian thistle
Cistaceae - Rock-Rose Family
Cistus sp. rock rose
Helianthemum scoparium peak rush-rose
Convolvulaceae - Morning-Glory Family
Dichondra occidentalis western dichondra
Crassulaceae - Stonecrop Family
Dudleya pulverulenta chalk-lettuce
Cucurbitaceae - Gourd Family
Marah macrocarpus var. macrocarpus wild-cucumber
Dipsacaceae - Teasel Family
Dipsacus sativus Fuller’s Teasel
Table D-1. Floral species observed at Lake Calavera (from the Lake Calavera Trails Biological Resources Report, 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-3
September 2008
Ericaceae - Heath Family
Xylococcus bicolor mission manzanita
Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family
Eremocarpus setigerus doveweed
Ricinus communis castor-bean
Fabaceae - Pea Family
Acacia baileyana Bailey acacia
Lathyrus splendens pride-of-California
Lathyrus vestitus ssp. alefeldii San Diego sweetpea
Lotus scoparius var. scoparius coastal deerweed
Lupinus bicolor miniature lupine
Medicago polymorpha California burclover
Trifolium albopurpureum rancheria clover
Fagaceae - Oak Family
Quercus agrifolia coast live oak
Quercus berberidifolia scrub oak
Geraniaceae - Geranium Family
Erodium botrys long-beak filaree
Erodium cicutarium red-stem filaree
Geranium carolinianum carolina geranium
Grossulariaceae - Currant Family
Ribes indecorum white flowering currant
Ribes speciosum fuchsia-flowered gooseberry
Hydrophyllaceae - Waterleaf Family
Phacelia ramosissima var. latifolia caterpillar phacelia
Pholistoma auritum fiesta flower
Lamiaceae - Mint Family
Salvia apiana white sage
Salvia mellifera black sage
Stachys ajugoides var. rigida hedge nettle
Lythraceae - Loosestrife Family
Lythrum hyssopifolia grass poly
Malvaceae - Mallow Family
Malacothamnus fasciculatus mesa bush mallow, chaparral mallow
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia checker-bloom
Myoporaceae - Myoporum Family
Myoporum laetum ngaio
Myrtaceae - Myrtle Family
Eucalyptus sideroxylon red ironbark
Eucalyptus sp. eucalyptus
Nyctaginaceae - Four-O-Clock Family
Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia wishbone bush
Onagraceae - Evening-Primrose Family
Clarkia purpurea purple clarkia
Paeoniaceae - Peony Family
Paeonia californica California peony
Table D-1. Floral species observed at Lake Calavera (from the Lake Calavera Trails Biological Resources Report, 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-4 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family
Plantago erecta dot-seed plantain
Polemoniaceae - Phlox Family
Eriastrum sapphirinum ssp. sapphirinum sapphire woolly-star
Navarretia hamata ssp. hamata hooked skunkweed
Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum interior flat-top bickwheat
Rumex crispus curly dock
Portulacaceae - Purslane Family
Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata common miner’s-lettuce
Primulaceae - Primrose Family
Anagallis arvensis scarlet pimpernel
Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. clevelandii padre’s shooting star
Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn Family
Adolphia californica California Adolphia
Rhamnus crocea spiny redberry
Rosaceae - Rose Family
Adenostoma fasciculatum chamise
Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon
Potentilla glandulosa ssp. glandulosa sticky cinquefoil
Rosa californica California rose
Rubiaceae - Madder Family
Galium angustifolium ssp. angustifolium narrow-leaf bedstraw
Galium aparine goose grass
Galium nuttallii ssp. nuttallii Nuttall’s bedstraw
Rutaceae - Rue Family
Cneoridium dumosum bushrue
Salicaceae - Willow Family
Salix exigua narrow-leaved willow
Salix gooddingii Goodding’s black willow
Salix lasiolepis arroyo willow
Salix lucida lance-leaf willow
Saururaceae - Lizard-tail Family
Anemopsis californica yerba mansa
Saxifragaceae - Saxifrage Family
Jepsonia parryi coast jepsonia
Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family
Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta purple owl’s clover
Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. setigerus dark-tip bird’s-beak
Keckiella cordifolia climbing bush penstemon
Mimulus aurantiacus coast monkeyflower
Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda California figwort
Simmondsiaceae - Jojoba Family
Simmondsia chinensis jojoba
Solanaceae - Nightshade Family
Nicotiana glauca tree tobacco
Solanum parishii Parish’s nightshade
Table D-1. Floral species observed at Lake Calavera (from the Lake Calavera Trails Biological Resources Report, 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-5
September 2008
Tamaricaceae - Tamarisk Family
Tamarix sp. tamarisk
MONOCOTYLEDONS
Arecaceae - Palm Family
Washingtonia filifera California fan palm
Cyperaceae - Sedge Family
Carex spissa San Diego sedge
Cyperus eragrostis tall flatsedge
Eleocharis macrostachya pale spike-sedge
Eleocharis montevidensis Dombey’s spike-sedge
Scirpus californicus California bulrush
Iridaceae - Iris Family
Sisyrinchium bellum blue-eyed grass
Juncaceae - Rush Family
Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii spiny rush
Juncus bufonius var. bufonius toad rush
Juncus dubius mariposa rush
Juncus mexicanus Mexican rush
Juncus xiphioides iris-leaf rush
Liliaceae - Lily Family
Agave americana American agave
Bloomeria crocea common goldenstar
Calochortus splendens splendid mariposa
Chlorogalum pomeridianum wavy-leaf soap-plant
Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum wild hyacinth
Yucca schidigera Mojave yucca
Poaceae - Grass Family
Arundo donax giant reed
Avena barbata slender wild oat
Bromus diandrus ripgut grass
Bromus hordeaceus soft chess
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens red brome
Cortaderia jubata pampas grass
Distichlis spicata saltgrass
Gastridium ventricosum nit grass
Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum hare barley
Leymus condensatus giant wild rye
Lolium multiflorum Italian ryegrass
Nassella lepida foothill needlegrass
Nassella pulchra purple needlegrass
Piptatherum miliaceum smilo grass
Polypogon monspeliensis annual beard grass
Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta foxtail fescue
Typhaceae - Cat-Tail Family
Typha latifolia broad-leaved cattail
Table D-1. Floral species observed at Lake Calavera (from the Lake Calavera Trails Biological Resources Report, 2005).
Scientific Name Common Name
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-6 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
CRYPTOGAMS
Azollaceae - Mosquitofern Family
Azolla filiculoides Pacific mosquitofern
Polypodiaceae - Polypody Family
Polypodium californicum California polypody
Pteridaceae - Brake Family
Pentagramma triangularis ssp. triangularis California goldenback fern
Selaginellaceae - Spike-Moss Family
Selaginella cinerascens ashy-spike moss
GYMNOSPERMS
Pinaceae - Pine Family
Pinus sp. pine
DICOTYLEDONS
Aizoaceae - Fig-Marigold Family
Carpobrotus edulis hottentot-fig
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum crystalline iceplant
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum slender-leaved iceplant
Amaranthaceae - Amaranth Family
Amaranthus albus tumbleweed
Amaranthus blitoides prostrate amaranth
Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family
Malosma laurina laurel sumac
Rhus integrifolia lemonadeberry
Schinus molle Peruvian pepper tree
Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper tree
Toxicodendron diversilobum western poison oak
Apiaceae - Carrot Family
Apiastrum angustifolium mock parsley
Apium graveolens celery
Daucus pusillus rattlesnake weed
Foeniculum vulgare fennel
Lomatium dasycarpum ssp. dasycarpum woolly-fruit lomatium
Sanicula crassicaulis Pacific sanicle
Araceae - Philodendron Family
Philodendron sp.
Araliaceae - Aralia Family
Hedera helix English ivy
Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
Acourtia microcephala sacapellote, purpleheads
Ambrosia psilostachya western ragweed
Artemisia californica California sagebrush
Artemisia douglasiana mugwort
Artemisia dracunculus tarragon
Aster subulatus ssp. ligulatus slim aster
Baccharis pilularis coyote brush
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-7
September 2008
Baccharis salicifolia mule fat
Brickellia californica California brickellbush
Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle
Centaurea melitensis tocalote
Chamomilla suaveolens pineapple weed
Chrysanthemum coronarium garland
Cirsium occidentale var. occidentale cobweb thistle
Cirsium vulgare bull thistle
Conyza bonariensis flax-leaf fleabane
Conyza canadiensis horseweed
Conyza coulteri Coulter’s fleabane
Cotula australis Australian brass-buttons
Cotula coronopifolia brass-buttons
Cynara cardunculus cardoon
Encelia californica California encelia
Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum golden-yarrow
Euthamia occidentalis western goldenrod
Filago californica California filago
Filago gallica narrow-leaf filago
Gnaphalium bicolor bicolor cudweed
Gnaphalium californicum California everlasting
Gnaphalium canescens ssp. microcephalum white everlasting
Gnaphalium luteo-album cudweed
Gnaphalium palustre lowland cudweed
Grindelia camporum var. camporum big gumplant
Gutierrezia sarothrae matchweed
Hazardia squarrosa ssp. grindelioides saw-toothed goldenbush
Hedypnois cretica Crete hedypnois
Helianthus annuus western sunflower
Hemizonia fasciculata fascicled tarplant
Heterotheca grandiflora telegraph weed
Hypochoeris glabra smooth cat’s-ear
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens clay-field goldenbush
Isocoma menziesii var. vernonoides coast goldenbush
Lactuca serriola wild lettuce
Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia cudweed aster
Osmadenia tenella osmadenia
Micropus californicus cotton batting plant
Picris echioides bristly ox-tongue
Pluchea odorata salt marsh fleabane
Rafinesquia californica California chicory
Senecio vulgaris common groundsel
Silybum marianum milk-thistle
Sonchus asper prickly sow thistle
Sonchus oleraceus common sow thistle
Stephanomeria diegensis San Diego wreath-plant
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-8 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Stylocline gnaphalioides everlasting nest straw
Uropappus lindleyi silver puffs
Xanthium strumarium cocklebur
Boraginaceae - Borage Family
Amsinckia intermedia fiddleneck
Cryptantha intermedia nievitas, cryptantha
Heliotropium curvassavicum salt heliotrope
Brassicaceae - Mustard Family
Brassica nigra black mustard
Hirschfeldia incana short-pod mustard
Lepidium lasiocarpum var. lasiocarpum sand peppergrass
Lobularia maritima sweet alyssum
Raphanus sativus radish
Rorippa nasturtium-officinale water cress
Sisymbrium irio london rocket
Cactaceae - Cactus Family
Opuntia ficus-indica Indian-fig
Opuntia littoralis coast prickly-pear
Opuntia prolifera cholla
Capparaceae - Caper Family
Isomeris arborea bladderpod
Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family
Lonicera subspicata var. denudata San Diego honeysuckle
Sambucus mexicana blue elderberry
Caryophyllaceae - Pink Family
Cardionema ramosissimum tread lightly
Polycarpon depressum California polycarp
Silene gallica common catchfly
Spergula arvensis stickwort starwort
Spergularia marina salt marsh sand-spurry
Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family
Atriplex rosea redscale, red saltbush
Atriplex semibaccata Australian saltbush
Atriplex triangularis Halberd-leaf saltbush
Bassia hyssopifolia five-hook bassia
Chenopodium ambrosioides Mexican tea
Chenopodium berlandieri pitseed goosefoot
Chenopodium murale nettle-leaf goosefoot
Salicornia virginica pickleweed
Salsola tragus Russian thistle
Cistaceae - Rock-Rose Family
Helianthemum scoparium peak rush-rose
Convolvulaceae - Morning-Glory Family
Calystegia macrostegia ssp. arida finger-leaf morning-glory
Convolvulus arvensis bindweed
Cressa truxillensis alkali weed
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-9
September 2008
Dichondra occidentalis western dichondra
Crassulaceae - Stonecrop Family
Crassula connata dwarf stonecrop
Dudleya blochmaniae ssp. blochmaniae Blochman’s dudleya
Dudleya edulis ladies-fingers
Dudleya lanceolata lance-leaf dudleya
Dudleya pulverulenta chalk-lettuce
Cucurbitaceae - Gourd Family
Cucurbita foetidissima calabazilla
Marah macrocarpus var. macrocarpus wild-cucumber
Cuscutaceae - Dodder Family
Cuscuta californica var. californica witch’s hair
Ericaceae - Heath Family
Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia Costa Baja manzanita
Xylococcus bicolor mission manzanita
Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family
Chamaesyce polycarpa spurge
Chamaesyce maculata spotted spurge
Eremocarpus setigerus doveweed
Ricinus communis castor-bean
Fabaceae - Pea Family
Acacia sp. acacia
Lotus purshianus Spanish-clover
Lotus scoparius deerweed
Lupinus bicolor miniature lupine
Medicago polymorpha California burclover
Medicago albus white sweetclover
Melilotus indicus sourclover
Trifolium sp. clover
Fagaceae - Oak Family
Quercus agrifolia coast live oak
Quercus dumosa Nuttall’s scrub oak
Gentianaceae - Gentian Family
Centaurium venustum canchalagua
Geraniaceae - Geranium Family
Erodium brachycarpum short-beak filaree
Erodium cicutarium red-stem filaree
Geranium carolinianum carolina geranium
Hydrophyllaceae - Waterleaf Family
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium thick-leaved yerba santa
Phacelia ramosissima var. latifolia caterpillar phacelia
Lamiaceae - Mint Family
Marrubium vulgare horehound
Salvia apiana white sage
Salvia columbariae chia
Salvia mellifera black sage
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-10 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Stachys ajugoides var. rigida hedge nettle
Trichostema lanceolatum vinegar weed
Lythraceae - Loosestrife Family
Lythrum hyssopifolia grass poly
Malvaceae - Mallow Family
Malacothamnus fasciculatus mesa bush mallow, chaparral mallow
Malva parviflora cheeseweed, little mallow
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia checker-bloom
Myoporaceae - Myoporum Family
Myoporum laetum ngaio
Myrtaceae - Myrtle Family
Eucalyptus sp. eucalyptus
Nyctaginaceae - Four-O-Clock Family
Mirabilis californica California wishbone plant
Oleaceae - Olive Family
Fraxinus sp. ash
Olea europea mission olive
Onagraceae - Evening-Primrose Family
Camissonia lewisii Lewis’ evening primrose
Clarkia purpurea purple clarkia
Epilobium brachycarpum large clarkia
Epilobium canum California fuchsia
Oenothera elata ssp. hirsutissima great marsh evening primrose
Papaveraceae - Poppy Family
Eschscholzia californica California poppy
Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family
Plantago erecta dot-seed plantain
Plantago lanceolata English plantain
Plantanaceae - Sycamore Family
Plantanus racemosa western sycamore
Plumbaginaceae - Leadwort Family
Limonium perezii Perez rosemary
Polemoniaceae - Phlox Family
Navarretia hamata ssp. leptantha narrow-throated skunkweed
Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family
Chorizanthe procumbens prostrate spineflower
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum flat-top bickwheat
Polygonum arenastrum common knotweed
Pterostegia drymarioides Granny’s hairnet
Rumex conglomeratus whorled dock
Rumex crispus curly dock
Portulacaceae - Purslane Family
Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata common miner’s-lettuce
Portulaca oleracea common purslane
Primulaceae - Primrose Family
Anagallis arvensis scarlet pimpernel
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-11
September 2008
Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. clevelandii padre’s shooting star
Ranunculaceae - Crowfoot Family
Clematis pauciflora ropevine
Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum Fendler’s meadow-rue
Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn Family
Adolphia californica California Adolphia
Rhamnus crocea spiny redberry
Rosaceae - Rose Family
Adenostoma fasciculatum chamise
Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon
Potentilla glandulosa ssp. glandulosa sticky cinquefoil
Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia holly-leafed cherry
Prunus sp. cherry affinity
Rosa californica California rose
Rubiaceae - Madder Family
Galium andrewsii ssp. andrewsii moss bedstraw
Galium nuttallii ssp. nuttallii Nuttall’s bedstraw
Rutaceae - Rue Family
Cneoridium dumosum bushrue
Salicaceae - Willow Family
Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii Fremont cottonwood
Populus nigra Lombardy poplar
Salix exigua narrow-leaved willow
Salix gooddingii Goodding’s black willow
Salix lasiolepis arroyo willow
Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra lance-leaf willow
Saururaceae - Lizard-tail Family
Anemopsis californica yerba mansa
Saxifragaceae - Saxifrage Family
Jepsonia parryi coast jepsonia
Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family
Antirrhinum nuttallianum ssp. subsessile Nuttall’s snapdragon
Castilleja affinis ssp. affinis coast paintbrush
Castilleja exserta owl’s clover
Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. setigerus dark-tip bird’s-beak
Mimulus aurantiacus coast monkeyflower
Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda California figwort
Simmondsiaceae - Jojoba Family
Simmondsia chinensis jojoba
Solanaceae - Nightshade Family
Datura wrightii western jimsonweed
Solanum douglasii Douglas’ nightshade
Tamaricaceae - Tamarisk Family
Tamarix sp. tamarisk
Ulmaceae - Elm Family
Ulmus sp. elm
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-12 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Urticaceae - Nettle Family
Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea hoary nettle
Verbenaceae - Verbena Family
Phyla nodiflora var. nodilfora garden lippia
MONOCOTYLEDONS
Arecaceae - Palm Family
Phoenix canariensis Canary Island date palm
Washingtonia robusta thread palm
Cyperaceae - Sedge Family
Cyperus eragrostis tall flatsedge
Cyperus involucratus umbrella flatsedge
Eleocharis macrostachya pale spike-sedge
Scirpus californicus California bulrush
Scirpus pungens threesquare bulrush
Scirpus robustus prairie bulrush
Iridaceae - Iris Family
Sisyrinchium bellum blue-eyed grass
Juncaceae - Rush Family
Juncus bufonius var. bufonius toad rush
Juncus mexicanus Mexican rush
Liliaceae - Lily Family
Agave attenuata agave
Allium praecox brandegee
Bloomeria crocea common goldenstar
Calochortus splendens splendid mariposa
Chlorogalum parviflorum small-flower soap-plant
Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum wild hyacinth
Yucca schidigera Mojave yucca
Poaceae - Grass Family
Achnatherum coronatum giant needlegrass
Arundo donax giant reed
Avena barbata slender wild oat
Bothriochloa barbinodis cane bluestem
Bromus diandrus ripgut grass
Bromus hordeaceus soft chess
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens red brome
Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass
Distichlis spicata saltgrass
Gastridium ventricosum nit grass
Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum hare barley
Leptochloa uninervia dense-flower sprangle-top
Leymus condensatus giant wild rye
Lolium perenne perennial ryegrass
Melica imperfecta coast range melic
Nassella lepida foothill needlegrass
Nassella pulchra purple needlegrass
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course D-13
September 2008
Piptatherum miliaceum smilo grass
Phalaris minor canary grass
Poa annua annual bluegrass
Polypogon monspeliensis annual beard grass
Schismus barbatus Mediterranean schismus
Setaria viridis green bristlegrass
Vulpia myuros foxtail fescue
Typhaceae - Cat-Tail Family
Typha latifolia broad-leaved cattail
Table D-2. Floral Species observed at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course (from the Carlsbad Muncipal Golf Course EIR Biological
Constraints Analysis, 1997).
Scientific Name Common Name
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
D-14 Floral Checklist for Lake Calavera and Municipal Golf Course
Ecological Models E-1
September 2008
Appendix E: Ecological Models
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
E-2 Ecological Models
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols F-1
September 2008
Appendix F: Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan
Monitoring Protocols
F.1 MHCP Monitoring Protocols
The following monitoring protocols are taken from:
Volume III, MHCP Biological Monitoring and Management Plan, for the cities of
Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and
Vista. SANDAG. March 2003.
The monitoring protocols for covered species are organized into habitat types in
which the species are most likely to be encountered. Included herein are monitor-
ing protocols for the three relevant habitat types for Carlsbad Oaks North Habitat
Conservation Area: Coastal Sage Scrub/Chaparral/Grassland; Riparian Commu-
nities; and Oak Woodland. Appendix C of the MHCP Monitoring and Manage-
ment Plan, Volume III as listed above, includes monitoring data form examples.
F.1.1 Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, and Grassland
F.1.1.1 MHCP Covered Species in Coastal Sage Scrub,
Chaparral, and Grassland
Orange-throated whiptail
Golden eagle
Coastal California gnatcatcher
Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow
Bell’s sage sparrow
Northwestern San Diego pocket mouse
San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit
Southern mule deer
San Diego thorn-mint
Summer holly
Blochman’s dudleya
Nuttall’s scrub oak
Thread-leaf brodiaea
F.1.1.2 Monitoring at All Preserve Areas
San Diego thorn-mint
The MHCP objective of monitoring this plant species is to annually track its dis-
tribution and density in all preserve areas where they occur. These plants are nar-
row endemic species with site-specific permit conditions. The San Diego thorn-
mint is federally and state listed.
Monitoring Protocol. The aerial extent of these species' populations will be
mapped as part of baseline inventory efforts and monitored annually. Additional
suitable habitat where the species has not been documented will also be surveyed
during at least two years with average to above-average rainfall. If the species is
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
F-2 Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols
not found, no further surveys are required. Each year’s distribution will be main-
tained in the database to allow tracking of the population’s spatial dynamics.
Within all of the mapped population areas, population density or relative abun-
dance will be estimated using appropriate sample techniques.
One way to evaluate the response of annual herbaceous species to factors hypoth-
esized to affect their status is to assess changes in density of the individuals in the
population. Density provides a useful metric for management purposes, in that it
can be directly related to changes in nonnative plant cover. Total population size
can be projected from density estimates, if the area occupied by the population is
known. In addition, sampling effort can be allocated to obtain statistical compar-
isons with adequate power.
This protocol is a variation of the methods described in the MSCP Biological
Monitoring Plan (Ogden 1996). This protocol uses the relevé quadrat survey
method (Braun-Blanquet 1932) and has been used in monitoring conducted by
Scott McMillan for the City of San Diego (McMillan and CBI 2002). Monitoring
will be conducted annually at each preserve where these species occur.
Determine the number of quadrats by the population size and distribution of the
population. Distribute quadrat plots across the observed range of rare plant densi-
ties at each locality (i.e., stratified sampling based on visual estimates of density).
Place quadrats in areas with low, medium, and high densities of the target rare
plant species and at varied distances from the center of the population. Note: For
small populations, the entire population should be counted. In this instance, quad-
rats would be used primarily to estimate densities of nonnative species.
Quadrats should not be permanently marked but rather should be redistributed
throughout the population each monitoring period. Reallocating sampling units
each monitoring period will provide an assessment of the change in the average
condition of the area from one sampling period to the next, instead of the change
in condition within the fixed quadrat locations. In addition, permanent quadrats
can result in more foot traffic disturbance from repeated visits in the monitored
areas, thus contributing to an increase in nonnative plant cover. It is likely that the
results of monitoring permanent quadrat locations would be influenced by the
repeated presence of the field investigator, rather than changes associated with
natural variability or other stresses.
Recommended quadrat size for these species is 1 m2 but quadrat size should be
reevaluated after initial field monitoring is conducted. In each quadrat, count the
number of individuals of each covered plant species, and estimate the percent
cover of native and nonnative species. In very small populations, all individuals
should be counted and the quadrats can be used to estimate native and nonnative
species cover. This approach allows the density of the target plant species and the
average cover of native and nonnative species to be estimated for the monitored
population.
In addition to counting numbers of individuals of a rare plant species, estimate
percent of individuals in vegetation, flower, and fruit for each quadrat. Also
record the slope and slope aspect (slope direction) for each quadrat, and the per-
cent native cover, nonnative cover, and bare ground. Describe the habitat sur-
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols F-3
September 2008
rounding the population, noting specific management problems and
disturbances. Monitor management actions for their effectiveness in controlling
or reducing exotic species and habitat disturbance.
Flag the monitored populations in the field, and map the perimeter of each popu-
lation using a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit for better geographic accu-
racy and improved relocation of each population. Knowing the exact boundary of
each population will make it easier to detect changes in the size and shape of the
population. This will also allow calculation of the total area for each population
which, in combination with knowing the plant densities, will allow for a more
accurate estimate of the total population size.
Density of covered plant species often varies widely with annual precipitation.
Correlations between annual precipitation and plant density will be important in
establishing a baseline range of variation for these species.
Summer holly, Blochman's dudleya, Nuttall's scrub oak
Permit conditions for summer holly, Blochman's dudleya, Nuttall's scrub oak, are
habitat-based, i.e., the permit assumes that managing the habitat will be sufficient
to maintain the species. These species are also known to occur outside the MHCP
planning area. The objective of monitoring these species is to annually track their
presence in all preserve areas where they occur, using systematic surveys for each
species. The wildlife agencies will provide guidance on the level of effort
required for these surveys.
Monitoring Protocol. The presence of these species' populations will be noted as
part of systematic surveys during baseline inventory efforts. Thereafter, annual
presence/absence surveys will be conducted, and general condition of the habitat
and degree of disturbance will be observed and recorded.
California gnatcatcher
The California gnatcatcher is a federally threatened species. The gnatcatcher
population within the MHCP planning area has been estimated to be 400 to 600
pairs (MHCP Plan, Volume II); however, not all areas of the MHCP planning area
have been thoroughly surveyed. Monitoring of conserved habitats will allow a
more accurate estimate of the population and will allow tracking of population
size across time. Habitat for the coastal cactus wren, a narrow endemic species, in
San Diego County is declining. MHCP permit conditions are site-specific for the
gnatcatcher (see MHCP Plan, Volume II).
Monitoring Protocol. For gnatcatcher surveys, surveyors will establish system-
atic survey routes through patches of suitable habitat, such that the suitable habi-
tat is completely covered. Survey routes should be varied relative to time of day
between visits. The surveyors will visit these patches three times during January
through mid-March each year, with at least a 7-day interval between site visits.
Taped vocalizations will be used, as needed. The number of gnatcatcher pairs will
be recorded, and notes will be taken on the condition of the habitat (e.g., level of
vehicular disturbance, trampling of habitat, relative abundance of exotic species,
trash, erosion, drainage conditions, etc.). Management actions to control or
reduce habitat disturbance will be monitored for effectiveness.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
F-4 Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols
The observer should be skilled in identification, including knowledge of the
songs and calls of birds. Surveys should begin within 1 hour after sunrise and end
by noon. Surveys should not be conducted under extreme conditions, i.e., during
heavy rain or when the temperature is >95°F or <40°F or with winds >10 mph.
Orange-throated whiptail, golden eagle, rufous-crowned sparrow, Bell's
sage sparrow, northwestern San Diego pocket mouse, San Diego black-
tailed jackrabbit, and southern mule deer
Permit conditions for orange-throated whiptail, golden eagle, rufous-crowned
sparrow, Bell's sage sparrow, northwestern San Diego pocket mouse, San Diego
black-tailed jackrabbit, mountain lion, and southern mule deer are habitat-based,
i.e., the permit assumes that managing the habitat will be sufficient to maintain
the species.
Monitoring Protocol. The general locations of these species' populations will be
mapped, based on observation of individuals or their sign during systematic sur-
veys of the preserve, as part of annual presence-absence survey efforts. Condition
and degree of disturbance to the habitat will be recorded. Management actions to
control or reduce habitat disturbance will be monitored for effectiveness. In addi-
tion, suitable habitat will be surveyed for sign of Stephens' kangaroo rat and
Pacific little pocket mouse during at least 2 separate years of average or above-
average rainfall. If the species is not found, no further surveys are required. The
wildlife agencies will provide guidelines on the expected level of effort for pres-
ence-absence surveys and surveys of suitable habitat. The amount of search effort
before a species is declared "absent" should also be standardized so that presence
and absence results across the MHCP preserves can be compared.
F.1.1.3 Additional Monitoring at Selected Preserve Areas
(Subregional Monitoring)
Avian Coastal Sage Scrub Community
The MHCP conservation strategy has focused to a large degree on conserving
coastal sage scrub vegetation and, particularly, habitat for the California gnat-
catcher. The objective of monitoring coastal sage scrub bird species is to track the
status and trends of the entire coastal sage scrub bird community, not just MHCP
covered species.
Sampling Strategy. Annually conduct "extensive" point-count surveys along
fixed routes, according to the methods described in Ralph et al. (1993). This
method allows observations of the yearly changes in bird populations at fixed
points, differences in species composition between habitats, and abundance pat-
terns of species.
Monitoring Locations. The locations of sampling points will be determined by
the area for which inference is desired and the amount of money and time avail-
able. Avian point count monitoring should be considered at the following critical
locations (MHCP Plan, Volume II) for California gnatcatchers, along the
assumed stepping-stone coastal sage scrub linkage through the MHCP planning
area. Critical locations are defined in the MHCP Plan as areas that must be sub-
stantially conserved for the species to be considered adequately conserved by the
MHCP. Most of these locations also support major populations of gnatcatchers,
defined in the MHCP Plan as populations considered sufficiently large to at least
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols F-5
September 2008
support enough breeding individuals to contribute reliably to the overall metapo-
pulation stability of the species. The wildlife agencies and cities will work
together to determine the number and exact locations of the sampling sites and
frequency of monitoring.
Unincorporated gnatcatcher core area
La Costa/University Commons area in southeast Carlsbad/southwest San
Marcos
Stepping-stone coastal sage scrub habitat through Carlsbad
Calavera Lake/Carlsbad Highlands area in northeast Carlsbad
Oceanside Wildlife Corridor Planning Zone (see Oceanside Subarea Plan)
North Oceanside adjacent to Camp Pendleton
Portions of Escondido bordering San Pasqual Valley
Monitoring Protocol. Establish routes along roads or trails, consisting of ten
census points situated approximately 255 m (850 ft) apart. Census points should
be flagged, recorded on a GPS unit, and mapped. Point counts require the
observer to record all the birds seen or heard within 50 m of a fixed point, within
a given period of time (8 minutes at each point), and to describe the vegetation at
each census point. The observer should be skilled in identification, including
knowledge of the songs and calls of birds. Surveys should begin within 1 hour
after sunrise and end by noon. Surveys should not be conducted under extreme
conditions, i.e., during heavy rain or when the temperature is >95°F or <40°F or
with winds >10 mph.
California Gnatcatcher Dispersal
A major goal of the MHCP conservation strategy is maintaining genetic connec-
tivity for California gnatcatchers across the MHCP preserve with core gnat-
catcher areas to the north and south (MHCP Plan, Volume II). The objective of
gnatcatcher dispersal monitoring is to assess dispersal of gnatcatchers throughout
the MHCP preserve system.
Sampling Strategy. Initial baseline studies will be conducted where California
gnatcatchers will be individually marked and followed to monitor dispersal
through the MHCP preserve. The wildlife agencies and cities will coordinate
with Camp Pendleton and biological monitors for the MSCP preserve to record
locations, dispersal distances, and likely dispersal routes from source patch to
observation patch. After the initial baseline studies, the wildlife agencies and cit-
ies will develop a strategy and timeline for periodic banding and reassessment of
dispersal.
Monitoring Locations. The wildlife agencies and cities will work together to
determine the number and exact locations of the sampling sites and a specific
design for this monitoring program. Potential locations include:
Unincorporated gnatcatcher core area
La Costa/University Commons area in southeast Carlsbad/southwest San
Marcos
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
F-6 Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols
Stepping-stone coastal sage scrub habitat through Carlsbad
Calavera Lake/Carlsbad Highlands area in northeast Carlsbad
Oceanside Wildlife Corridor Planning Zone (see Oceanside Subarea Plan)
North Oceanside adjacent to Camp Pendleton
Portions of Escondido bordering San Pasqual Valley
Monitoring Protocol. The USFWS is testing monitoring protocols and will pro-
vide details once the testing period is completed.
Herpetofauna. The objective of herpetofauna monitoring is to annually track
distribution, species richness, and relative abundance by sampling a variety of
habitat types (i.e., coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grassland, oak woodland) and
landscape configurations (e.g., large and small patches, closed vs. open vegeta-
tion canopy, elevation or aspect variations) throughout the preserve.
Sampling Strategy. Reptile species diversity will be monitored at a selected
number of fixed sites in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodland, and grass-
land habitats of different patch sizes. Arrays will be distributed around the site to
capture variations in physical habitat features (e.g., closed vs. open vegetation
canopy, elevation or aspect variations).
Monitoring Locations. In coastal sage scrub habitats, sampling for herpetofauna
will be in the same general locations for monitoring the coastal sage scrub avian
community. The wildlife agencies and cities will work together to determine the
number and exact locations of the sampling sites. These may include:
Unincorporated gnatcatcher core area
La Costa/University Commons area in southeast Carlsbad/southwest San
Marcos
Stepping-stone coastal sage scrub habitat through Carlsbad
Calavera Lake/Carlsbad Highlands area in northeast Carlsbad
Oceanside Wildlife Corridor Planning Zone (see Oceanside Subarea Plan)
North Oceanside adjacent to Camp Pendleton
Portions of Escondido bordering San Pasqual Valley
Monitoring Protocol. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently evaluat-
ing herpetofauna survey results from monitoring efforts throughout the South
Coast Ecoregion. It is anticipated that the results of this evaluation will refine the
herpetofauna monitoring program for MHCP. The current USGS protocol
involves a minimum of ten pit fall trap arrays at each monitoring location, a max-
imum array density of one array per 20 acres of suitable habitat. Arrays will be
constructed and installed per the protocol used by USGS for other locations in the
South Coast Ecoregion. Arrays will be opened for a minimum 4-day sample
period and checked daily. (This is actually 5 days of work including opening day.)
One 4-day sampling period will occur in May/June, and one 4- day sampling
period will occur in August/September. All data will be collected on standardized
forms. All sites will be monitored every other year (with all sites being monitored
in the same year). The number of monitoring locations for the MHCP has not yet
been determined.
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols F-7
September 2008
Data analysis will include a list of all reptile and small mammal species captured
or observed within 100 ft of each pit fall trap array, relative abundance of each
species, species diversity index, and an assessment of any changes to the physical
setting or immediate surroundings of each site.
F.1.2 Riparian Vegetation Communities
F.1.2.1 MHCP Covered Species in Riparian Vegetation
Communities
Harbison’s dun skipper butterfly*
Arroyo toad
Western spadefoot toad
Southwestern pond turtle
Cooper’s hawk
Southwestern willow flycatcher
Least Bell’s vireo
Yellow-breasted chat
Mule deer
San Diego marsh-elder
F.1.2.2 Monitoring at All Preserve Areas:
Southwestern willow flycatcher, least Bell's vireo, yellow-breasted chat,
and Cooper's hawk
Monitoring in riparian communities will focus on breeding habitat for covered ripar-
ian bird species, i.e., southwestern willow flycatcher and least Bell's vireo (both are
federally and state listed species), yellow-breasted chat, and Cooper's hawk.
Monitoring Protocol. Surveyors will establish systematic survey routes through
patches of suitable habitat, such that the suitable habitat is completely covered.
Survey routes should be varied relative to time of day between visits. The survey-
ors will visit these patches three times during January through mid-March, with at
least a 7-day interval between site visits. Taped vocalizations will be used, as
needed. The number of pairs of each covered species will be recorded, and notes
will be taken on the condition of the habitat (e.g., level of vehicular disturbance,
trampling of habitat, relative abundance of exotic species, trash, erosion, drain-
age conditions, etc.).
The observer should be skilled in identification, including knowledge of the songs
and calls of birds. Surveys should begin within 1 hour after sunrise and end by noon.
Surveys should not be conducted under extreme conditions, i.e., during heavy rain or
when the temperature is >95°F or <40°F or with winds >10 mph. Condition and
degree of disturbance to the habitat will be recorded, and management actions to
control or reduce habitat disturbance will be monitored for effectiveness.
Arroyo toad
The federally endangered arroyo toad is not currently known to occur in the
MHCP planning area. However, thorough surveys have not been conducted
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
F-8 Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols
throughout the planning area for this federally endangered species. Conservation
and monitoring of riparian habitats will allow a comprehensive evaluation of
potential habitat for the arroyo toad.
Monitoring Protocol. First, survey for potential arroyo toad habitat. If potential
habitat occurs in the preserve area, conduct night-time surveys for toads, tadpoles,
and/or egg masses. Camp Pendleton is testing a new monitoring protocol over the
next 3-5 years that could be transferable to the MHCP. The protocol described
below is from the Biological Monitoring Plan for the MSCP (Ogden 1996).
In areas of potential breeding habitat, conduct surveys once every 3 years. Con-
duct at least three site visits between late March and late May. The survey should
be conducted by a permitted biologist familiar with the male arroyo toad's breed-
ing call and identification of toad eggs, tadpoles, and adults. Conduct surveys
between 1 hour after dusk and midnight on nights lacking a full moon and nights
when air temperatures are >55ºF. Avoid surveying during rain, high winds, or
flood flows. Surveyors must be silent during surveys so as not to disturb calling
toads. Use strong flashlights to visually identify adult toads; otherwise, lighting
should be kept to a minimum. Surveyors must not enter the water near mating
pairs and should not handle any toads.
Survey along the bank of the watercourse 10 ft back from the water's edge. If pos-
sible, survey up one bank and back along the other, concentrating on open habi-
tats adjacent to suitable breeding habitats. Stop, listen for calls, then proceed to
the next listening point until all suitable habitat has been covered. Shine a bright
light ahead to detect eye-shine, and also survey for toads at close range. When
crossing the stream, cross at the downstream end of potential breeding areas or on
stable substrate to avoid trampling eggs or larvae and to avoid clouding the water
with silt, which can smother eggs and young.
Each sighting of a toad, egg mass, or group of tadpoles will be entered as a sepa-
rate line on a standard field form, and a GPS reading will be recorded for the loca-
tion. Condition and degree of disturbance to the habitat will be recorded, and
management actions to control or reduce habitat disturbance will be monitored
for effectiveness.
San Diego marsh elder, Harbison's dun skipper, western spadefoot toad,
southwestern pond turtle, and southern mule deer
Permit conditions for San Diego marsh elder, Harbison's dun skipper, western
spadefoot toad, southwestern pond turtle, white-faced ibis, mountain lion, and
southern mule deer are habitat-based, i.e., the permit assumes that managing the
habitat will be sufficient to maintain the species.
Monitoring Protocol. The locations of these species' populations will be
mapped as part of annual presence-absence survey efforts, which will include
systematic surveys of all potential habitat. Condition and degree of disturbance to
the habitat will be recorded, and management actions to control or reduce habitat
disturbance will be monitored for effectiveness. The wildlife agencies will pro-
vide guidelines regarding the level of effort for presence-absence surveys.
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols F-9
September 2008
F.1.2.3 Additional Monitoring at Selected Preserve Areas
(Subregional Monitoring)
Avian Species and Vegetation Community Structure
None identified here for Carlsbad Oaks North HCA planning area
F.1.3 Oak Woodlands
F.1.3.1 MHCP Covered Species Potentially in Carlsbad Oaks
North HCA Oak Woodlands
Harbison’s dun skipper butterfly
Cooper’s hawk
Golden eagle
Mule deer
F.1.3.2 Monitoring at All Preserve Areas: Harbison's Dun
Skipper, Cooper's Hawk, and Southern Mule Deer
Permit conditions for Harbison's dun skipper, Cooper's hawk, and southern mule
deer are habitat-based, i.e., the permit assumes that managing the habitat will be
sufficient to maintain the species (MHCP Plan, Volume II).
Monitoring Protocol. The locations of these species' populations will be
mapped as part of annual systematic presence-absence survey efforts. Condition
and degree of disturbance to the habitat will be observed and recorded, and man-
agement actions will be monitored for their effectiveness in reducing habitat dis-
turbance. The wildlife agencies will determine the level of effort for the presence-
absence surveys.
Wildlife Corridors
The MHCP planning area includes six east-west riparian corridors that drain to
the coast. These include the San Luis Rey River to the mouth at Oceanside,
Buena Vista Creek to Buena Vista Lagoon, Agua Hedionda Creek to Agua Hedi-
onda Lagoon, San Marcos Creek and Encinitas Creek to Batiquitos Lagoon, and
Escondido Creek to San Elijo Lagoon. In all cases, the riparian vegetation com-
munities are fairly narrow, depending on the drainage, and range from riparian
scrub to riparian woodland and forest. The riparian vegetation communities are
bordered by residential, commercial, and industrial development, as well as
major highways. The riparian vegetation along these drainages is assumed to
function as primary habitat as well as movement corridors for coyotes and
smaller mammals, birds, herpetofauna, and invertebrates (e.g., butterflies). Dif-
ferent species will need different types of corridors for different reasons.
The linear configuration of riparian habitats often provides the only remaining
movement corridor through urban and agricultural areas for many species. As
such, riparian habitats provide the primary connection between coastal lagoon and
inland upland habitats. The MHCP Plan assumes that, by allowing top predators to
control mesopredators in small coastal lagoon systems, nest predation on ground-
nesting birds will be reduced. Therefore, maintaining connections between coastal
lagoons and inland habitats, primarily for coyote movement, was a specific ele-
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
F-10 Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols
ment of the MHCP preserve design. The riparian vegetation along drainages in the
MHCP planning area is assumed to function as primary habitat as well as move-
ment corridors for coyotes and smaller mammals, birds, herpetofauna, and inver-
tebrates. Different species will need different types of corridors for different
reasons. It is assumed that the corridors allow both for intergenerational move-
ment and gene flow between populations as well as provide habitat for individual
animals. It is not known if coyotes use the riparian habitats as seasonal movement
corridors between habitat patches or for daily movement within an individual's
home territory, or both. Deer and mountain lions are assumed to be present in the
eastern portions of the MHCP planning area (e.g., San Marcos, Daley Ranch, Lake
Wohlford) and were not a major consideration in MHCP linkage design.
Sampling Strategy. The monitoring program will use (1) standardized track sur-
vey and remote camera survey methods to obtain indices of use by different car-
nivore species at pinch points, and (2) data collected from Caltrans and MHCP
cities to assess relative road kill hazard by species and location. This paired
approach will facilitate analysis of trends and correlations, such as whether
increased road kill is associated with dysfunctional road underpasses, or whether
decreased use of underpasses occurs concomitant with decreased road kill inci-
dence (e.g., if predator populations decrease due to habitat loss). Remote cameras
will be used only in secure locations.
Monitoring Locations. A minimum of two sample locations will be established
along each major creek draining into the four coastal lagoons, as well as along the
San Luis Rey River. One sample site per drainage will be associated with the first
major road crossing upstream of the lagoon (or San Luis Rey river mouth). At
least one additional sample site per drainage will be located at another significant
road crossing upstream of the first. These additional crossing sites will be located
to provide meaningful comparisons with the downstream location, such as the
first major road crossing downstream from an inland core preserve area that
might support bobcats. For very long corridors with multiple pinch points or road
crossings, additional sample points will be established in order to determine
where the major constraints to carnivore movement may be.
The following sample locations will be established, subject to refinement as mon-
itoring proceeds. Additional sample locations may be added when new roads are
constructed across the corridors, or if warranted based on preliminary monitoring
results.
Agua Hedionda Creek watershed at Cannon Road – Road crossing of Mac-
ario Creek upstream of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
El Camino Real – First major road crossing of Agua Hedionda Creek
upstream of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Underpass (Pinch-point) Surveys. At each of the corridor pinch-points or under-
passes, standardized track stations and remotely triggered camera stations will be
established. Track stations will be constructed near each opening of each under-
pass to detect animal movement on both sides of the undercrossing. Each track
station will consist of a 1-m diameter circle of freshly sifted gypsum, 1 cm deep.
In addition, to monitor animals traveling through an underpass, wildlife sign sur-
veys will be conducted through presumed wildlife corridors (including under
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols F-11
September 2008
overpasses). Gypsum powder will be used in specific locations as necessary to
improve the clarity of tracks. All tracks will be identified and measured, and
direction of travel will be noted.
Each track station will be sampled for a minimum of 5 consecutive days during
each of two sampling periods per year (summer and fall). For each undercrossing,
relative abundance will be expressed as the total number of recorded visits for
each species divided by the total sampling effort (Linhart and Knowlton 1975;
Diefenbach et al. 1994). Surveys of mammal sign will be conducted once during
each 5-day track station survey.
Remotely triggered infrared cameras will also be stationed at selected under-
crossings. Although it would be valuable to have camera stations at all under-
crossings, camera locations may need to be restricted to relatively concealed
locations to minimize the possibility of camera theft or vandalism. Camera sys-
tems will serve to positively identify carnivore species present in the area and
provide verification of track identifications at track stations.
Road-Kill Surveys. If possible, historical and current road-kill records will be
obtained throughout the planning area from Caltrans and local cities that collect
such information. Compilation and mapping of road kill information will help
identify animal crossing locations, areas of high hazard for wildlife crossing roads,
and possibly effects of increasing traffic over time. This information can be corre-
lated with results of the track and camera sampling to identify areas where carni-
vores appear to be crossing over roads rather than using undercrossings.
Exotic Species
Invasive, exotic species are hypothesized to be among the greatest threats to cov-
ered species and the ecological integrity of the preserve system. Careful monitor-
ing and adaptive management will be necessary to identify invasions or
expansions of these exotic pests and hopefully to control them or minimize their
impacts on native resources.
Invasive Nonnative Plants
Control and removal of exotic invasive plant species is critical at all preserve
areas. The objective of this monitoring is to annually track the distribution of
invasive plant species in the preserve and to test methods to most effectively con-
trol them. Preserve managers should prioritize management actions annually
based on the species, relative abundance, and degree of threat.
Monitoring Protocol. The primary objective in exotic plant control should be to
monitor and control the abundance of invasive plant species, particularly around
populations of sensitive plants and in riparian areas, using mechanical or chemical
methods or prescribed burns. Continued monitoring of exotic species populations,
abundance, and locations will assist in determining which management options
are most appropriate. Locations of exotic plant species will be mapped as part of
the baseline vegetation mapping. Thereafter, survey these locations annually to
prioritize treatment for control or removal. Annually re-draw polygon boundaries,
if warranted, and estimate percent composition of exotic species to evaluate
response to management treatments.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
F-12 Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring Protocols
Argentine Ants and Fire Ants
Argentine ants and fire ants are exotic pests known to have detrimental effects on
terrestrial communities in southern California. The objective of this monitoring is
to annually document the presence of exotic ants in the preserve and to test meth-
ods for minimizing their distribution or impacts on native wildlife.
Monitoring Protocol. During field surveys and monitoring for other resources,
note and describe the distribution of exotic ants in the preserve. If present
throughout the preserve, simply record this observation in field notes rather than
preparing a map. If exotic ants are present only in certain locations of the pre-
serve, map these locations and reassess distribution annually. By mapping loca-
tions of Argentine ants and fire ants, evaluate whether runoff into the preserve
from adjacent lands or other adjacent land uses may be contributing to exotic ant
invasions. Monitoring will address whether and where these species are in the
reserve and whether their presence correlates with identifiable edge effects and
declines in covered species presence or relative abundance. Monitoring will track
the distribution of exotic species over time and the effectiveness of specific man-
agement actions in controlling invasions. The wildlife agencies will determine
the level of effort for the presence-absence surveys.
Other Exotic Animals
Preserve managers should annually observe and record the relative abundance of
red fox, opossum, cats, dogs, black rats, cowbirds, bullfrogs, African clawed
frogs, nonnative turtles, and nonnative fish in the preserve and areas of highest use.
Weather and Climate
If it is determined to be necessary by the wildlife agencies or their designated data
manager, temperature and precipitation data will be collected from four existing
weather stations in the MHCP planning area (Oceanside Marina, Vista 1 NE,
Escondido, Escondido 2). Weather data will be input and maintained in digital
format in a central repository. Additional weather data may be necessary to test
hypotheses. This information should be used to analyze population trend data
obtained from qualitative and quantitative sampling efforts. At a minimum,
monthly weather information is recommended, but daily information may be
required for some analyses. The product of this task will be a digital database of
temperature and precipitation information that can be easily accessed by preserve
managers and researchers. These data can then be analyzed to assess the relation-
ship between weather variables and species abundance and will be important in
establishing baseline ranges of variability.
Zero and Moderate Tolerant Nonnative Plant Species G-1
September 2008
Appendix G: Zero and Moderate Tolerant Nonnative
Plant Species
Zero Tolerance Species
Acacia Acacia spp/
Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima
Giant reed Arundo donax
Onionweed Asphodelus fistulosus
Ice plant/hottentot-fig Carprobrotus chilensis, C. edulis
Yellow star-thistles Centaurea solstitialis
Crown marigold Chrysanthemum coronarium
Pampas grass Cortaderia jubat, C. selloana
Scotch and Portuguese brooms Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus
Cape ivy Delairea odorata
Purple veldtgrass Erharta calycina
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus spp.
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
Shamal ash Fraxinus uhdei
French broom Genista monspessulana
English ivy Hedera helix
Myoporum Myoporum laetum
Fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum
Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis
Castor bean Ricinis communis
Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia
California and Brazilian pepper
trees
Schinus molle, S. terebinthifolius
Blessed milkthistle Silybum marianum
Spanish broom Spartium juneceum
Tamarisk Tamarix aphylla, T. chinensis, T. gallica, T. parviflorum, & T. ramo-
sissima
Periwinkle Vinca major
Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
Moderate Tolerance Species
Wild oats Avena barbata, A. fatua
False-brom Brachypodium distachyon
Black mustard Brassica nigra
Saharan mustard Brassica tournefortii
Italian thistle Cardusus pycnocephalus
Tocalote Centaurea melitensis
Poison hemlock Conium maculatum
Articoke thistle Cynara cardunculus
Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon
Russian olive Elaegnus angustifolia
Tall fescue Festuca arundinacea
Shortpod mustard Hirschfedlia incana
Perennial pepperweed Lepidium latifolium
Sweet alyssaun Lobularia maritima
Italian ryegrass Lolium multiflorum
Water-primrose Ludwigia hexapetala, L. peploides spp. montevidesis
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
G-2 Zero and Moderate Tolerant Nonnative Plant Species
Rose natal grass Melinis repens
Nasturcium Nasturcium sp.
Tree tobacco Nicotiana glauca
Buttercup oxalis Oxalis per-capre
Virginia and thicket creeper Parthenocissus guinguefolia, P. vitacea
Bristly oxtongue Picris echioides
Smilograss Piptatherum milaceum
Russian-thistle Salsola tragus
Puncture vine Tribulus teretris
Rose clover Triofolium hirtum
Budget and Implementation Tables H-1
September 2008
Appendix H: Budget and Implementation Tables
Section 8 - Initial & Capital Tasks and Costs
08/01/2008R083V4CA005 PAR ID:Dataset:City of Carlsbad HMPProperty Title:
Budget:PAR
Task list Specificaton Unit
Number
of Units
Cost /
Unit
Annual
Cost
Times
Years
Total
Cost
SITE CONSTRUCTION/MAINT.
41.20L. Hours 50.00Project Planning Coordinate installation w/City 2,060.00 2.0 4,120.00
65.00Roll 3.00Fence - Installed Wire for future use 195.00 3.0 585.00
4.00Item 100.00Fence - Installed t-posts for addit. fencing 400.00 3.0 1,200.00
2,500.00Item 1.00Fence Fence maint. supplies 2,500.00 3.0 7,500.00
19.00Item 25.00Lock Padlock 475.00 1.0 475.00
Sub-Total 13,880.00
BIOTIC SURVEYS
41.20L. Hours 16.00Project Management Supervise/coordinate Pres 659.20 3.0 1,977.60
46.35L. Hours 12.00Project Management Supervise/coordinate Area 556.20 3.0 1,668.60
41.20L. Hours 100.00Plant Ecologist SenP's 4,120.00 1.0 4,120.00
41.20L. Hours 40.00Plant Ecologist Golf Course: Blochmans 1,648.00 1.0 1,648.00
41.20L. Hours 40.00Plant Ecologist Vegetation Mapping 1,648.00 1.0 1,648.00
41.20L. Hours 200.00Plant Ecologist Vegetation Analysis/transects 8,240.00 1.0 8,240.00
41.20L. Hours 120.00Ornithologist Birds:Cal Lake and Golf 4,944.00 3.0 14,832.00
41.20L. Hours 128.00Ornithologist Birds: Other Properties 5,273.60 3.0 15,820.80
56.65L. Hours 16.00Science Director Planning and Review 906.40 3.0 2,719.20
1,000.00Year 1.00Other Adaptive Management 1,000.00 3.0 3,000.00
Sub-Total 55,674.20
HABITAT MAINTENANCE
41.20L. Hours 30.00Erosion Control Oversight 1,236.00 2.0 2,472.00
32.96L. Hours 80.00Erosion Control Installation 2,636.80 2.0 5,273.60
32.96L. Hours 25.00Erosion Control Willow Wattling 824.00 1.0 824.00
1.10Each 500.00Erosion Control Gravel bags 550.00 1.0 550.00
0.30Lin. Ft. 600.00Erosion Control Silt Fence 180.00 1.0 180.00
41.20L. Hours 60.00Exotic Plant Control Oversight 2,472.00 3.0 7,416.00
41.20L. Hours 60.00Exotic Plant Control Assess mod tolerent species 2,472.00 3.0 7,416.00
32.96L. Hours 3,255.00Exotic Plant Control Nonnative removal, exc palm 107,284.80 1.0 107,284.80
32.96L. Hours 410.00Exotic Plant Control Removal ongoing 13,513.60 2.0 27,027.20
50.00Gal. 30.00Exotic Plant Control Herbicide Initial 1,500.00 1.0 1,500.00
50.00Gal. 10.00Exotic Plant Control Herbicide follow up 500.00 2.0 1,000.00
100.00Day 20.00Exotic Plant Control Truck hauling rental 2,000.00 1.0 2,000.00
720.00Day 2.00Exotic Plant Control Mow East of Faraday 1,440.00 3.0 4,320.00
Sub-Total 167,263.60
PUBLIC SERVICES
41.20L. Hours 40.00Access Control Coordinate encampment 1,648.00 3.0 4,944.00
32.96L. Hours 800.00Patrolling Patrol, trash pk up 26,368.00 3.0 79,104.00
6.00Item 400.00Sign, Aluminum Aluminum 12" X 18" 2,400.00 1.0 2,400.00
15.00Item 100.00Sign U-channel posts 1,500.00 1.0 1,500.00
100.00Item 10.00Kiosk, Redwood mini-kiosk 1,000.00 1.0 1,000.00
32.96L. Hours 25.00Kiosk, Redwood mini-kiosk labor construct 824.00 1.0 824.00
41.20L. Hours 12.00Interpretive Literature Materials for kiosks 494.40 3.0 1,483.20
41.20L. Hours 16.00Community Outreach Meetings 659.20 3.0 1,977.60
425 E. Alvarado St., Suite H, Fallbrook, CA 92028-2960 1Sect.8 Page
Property Analysis Record Ver. 2.07.e 10/23/2003 (C) 1999 - 2003 Center for Natural Lands
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
H-2 Budget and Implementation Tables
Task list Specificaton Unit
Number
of Units
Cost /
Unit
Annual
Cost
Times
Years
Total
Cost
41.20L. Hours 16.00Community Outreach Citizen meetings 659.20 3.0 1,977.60
Sub-Total 95,210.40
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
32.96L. Hours 40.00Other Debris removal & dump trips 1,318.40 3.0 3,955.20
50.00Item 12.00Other dumping costs 600.00 3.0 1,800.00
Sub-Total 5,755.20
REPORTING
41.20L. Hours 60.00Database Management Data Input & Analysis 2,472.00 3.0 7,416.00
41.20L. Hours 60.00GIS/CAD Management Data Management 2,472.00 3.0 7,416.00
41.20L. Hours 36.00Monthly Reports Monthly report 1,483.20 3.0 4,449.60
41.20L. Hours 32.00Annual Work Plan Plan and Budget 1,318.40 3.0 3,955.20
41.20L. Hours 40.00Agency Report Annual Report 1,648.00 3.0 4,944.00
51.50L. Hours 300.00Management Plan Revise HMP & provide 3yr 15,450.00 1.0 15,450.00
250.00Item 1.00Report Production Costs 250.00 3.0 750.00
Sub-Total 44,380.80
OFFICE MAINTENANCE
41.10L. Hours 60.00Administrative Operations Preserve Man 2,466.00 3.0 7,398.00
46.35L. Hours 24.00Administrative Operations Area Man 1,112.40 3.0 3,337.20
46.35L. Hours 80.00Administrative Area Mgr Coordination w/City 3,708.00 3.0 11,124.00
3,000.00Year 1.00Preserve Office Office Rent 3,000.00 3.0 9,000.00
1,440.00Year 1.00Telephone Charges, Annual Email, cell and office phone 1,440.00 3.0 4,320.00
500.00Year 1.00Office Supplies, Year Supplies 500.00 3.0 1,500.00
3,000.00Item 1.00Computer, PC & Monitor Computer and peripherals 3,000.00 1.0 3,000.00
Sub-Total 39,679.20
FIELD EQUIPMENT
3,500.00Item 1.00GPS, Rover & Base Unit GPS/Corrected 3,500.00 1.0 3,500.00
31,000.00Item 1.00Vehicle Small pickup 31,000.00 1.0 31,000.00
0.84Mile 7,500.00Vehicle Mileage 6,300.00 3.0 18,900.00
1,000.00Item 1.00Other Misc tools and supplies 1,000.00 3.0 3,000.00
150.00Item 1.00Other Uniforms 150.00 3.0 450.00
Sub-Total 56,850.00
OPERATIONS
250.00Item 1.00Audit CPA Audit 250.00 3.0 750.00
56.65L. Hours 40.00Contracts Produce contracts 2,266.00 3.0 6,798.00
75.00L. Hours 24.00Contracts Legal Support 1,800.00 3.0 5,400.00
900.00Item 1.00Insurance Liability 900.00 3.0 2,700.00
200.00Day 2.00Employee Training Classes 400.00 3.0 1,200.00
Sub-Total 16,848.00
425 E. Alvarado St., Suite H, Fallbrook, CA 92028-2960 2Sect.8 Page
Property Analysis Record Ver. 2.07.e 10/23/2003 (C) 1999 - 2003 Center for Natural Lands
Budget and Implementation Tables H-3
September 2008
Task list Specificaton Unit
Number
of Units
Cost /
Unit
Annual
Cost
Times
Years
Total
Cost
CONTINGENCY & ADMINISTRATION
Contingency 49,554.14
Administration 130,822.93
Sub-Total 180,377.07
Total 675,918.47
425 E. Alvarado St., Suite H, Fallbrook, CA 92028-2960 3Sect.8 Page
Property Analysis Record Ver. 2.07.e 10/23/2003 (C) 1999 - 2003 Center for Natural Lands
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
H-4 Budget and Implementation Tables
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan I-1
September 2008
Appendix I: Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan
The Center for Natural Lands Management-San Diego:
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan
Objective: Track the changes in structure and composition of the coastal sage scrub (CSS) community.
a. Use data to evaluate the structure and composition of the CSS vegetation community and its corre-
lation to predictions of vegetation changes based on theories postulated by ecological and threats
models.
b. Use data to evaluate changes or trends in “populations”, presence/absence and/or occupied/unoc-
cupied habitat of sensitive animal species, primarily the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila
californica californica)(CAGN).
c. Use data to evaluate changes in plant diversity.
d. Use data to evaluate changes over time from a baseline vegetation pattern.
e. Use data to guide vegetation management decisions (i.e. nonnative plant removal, rare species.
range increases/introductions).
Background of Need:
The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) manages several thousand acres of CSS in San Diego
County. These areas host several threatened, endangered and sensitive plant and wildlife species, provide key
locations for wildlife movement and are some of the last remaining stands of CSS in coastal San Diego. These
areas were also specifically designated as important areas to conserve as part of regional Habitat Conservation
Planning (HCP) conservation efforts.
As a result, the CNLM needs to be able to evaluate recruitment and vigor of this vegetation community over
time to guide management decisions and to evaluate changes in plant and animal communities. This monitoring
will also provide an opportunity to evaluate theorized predictions of changes in vegetation communities result-
ing from urbanization, nonnative species invasion, global warming, increased edge, altered fire regime and
fragmentation (to name a few).
Background of Ecological Model and Threats
CSS is a fire-adapted vegetation community with fires occurring naturally, but most severely under the extreme
Santa Ana heat and winds of late summer and fall and during drought conditions. During these conditions there
would generally be a “complete burn” where all above ground vegetation within the fire’s path would be con-
sumed. After such a fire, herbaceous plants (fire followers), which are known to sprout after fires, would dom-
inate the landscape for a few years. Over time (3-5 years) the shrub lands would regain their dominance, and
after 5-10 years a mature assemblage of plants and wildlife would again be found on site (Dallman 1998).
The fire frequency in CSS is as frequent as chaparral due to the volatile oils and resins that occur in CSS plants.
The plants, such as white sagebrush (Saliva apiana), are able to resprout after a fire or produce many seedlings
from the dormant seed bank that lies in the soil. Seed germination of some species may also be stimulated by
fire (Holland and Keil 1995, Dallman 1998). However, if the fire frequency and intensity are too great, plants in
the CSS community, such as black sage (Salvia mellifera) and California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) are
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
I-2 Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan
permanently killed and can no longer regenerate, slowly converting the CSS community to a nonnative, annual
grassland (Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command 1998).
Each CNLM preserve in San Diego has a different fire history and a different predicted fire future. For example,
most of the Rancho La Costa (RLC) Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) burned in the Harmony Grove fire in
October of 1996, while the Manchester HCA has not burned (except two very small fires) in its entirety since
1917. Prior to 1917 no data are recorded, so it is uncertain as to when the last significant fire event occurred in
the Manchester HCA.
Regardless of fire history and the current vegetation characteristics, there are many realized or potential threats
to the integrity of the CSS vegetation community (See RLC Habitat Management Plan CSS Ecological Model
and Threats Section) that need to be evaluated:
1. What is the effect of the altered fire regime at each HCA?
2. What is the potential effect of global climate change?
3. What are the effects of urban edge?
4. What are the effects of fragmentation and isolation?
5. What are the effects of altered wildlife usage patterns?
These threats questions lead to other questions associated with their effect on ecological processes and patterns:
1. Are the variables investigated representing a threat?
2. At what spatial scale are the variables representing a threat?
3. How do the effects of the threats listed above effect the distribution and abundance of sensitive
plant and wildlife species?
4. How do the threats listed above effect the distribution of non-sensitive plants and animals?
5. How do the effects of each threat alter ecological processes?
6. How do the various measured factors interact?
Predictions
Fire. We predict that as a result of fragmentation, complete burns of preserves are now less likely and there will
be fewer, smaller fires resulting in a mosaic of CSS with various age structures.
Global Climate Change. We predict that rainfall patterns will change (likely decrease) over the next 100 years
resulting in a lengthening of the fire season, frequency of lightening fires, frequency of drought, and areas
burned. We predict:
1. Possible regime shifts (altered abundance and recruitment patterns in various native vegetation
assemblages)
2. Altered invasion severity of exotic species due to changes from native-adapted variations in
weather phenomena
3. Lowered seedling survival of species due to changes from native-adapted variations in weather
phenomena
4. Lowered seed and/or clonal production of future generations due to changes from native-adapted
variations in weather phenomena
5. Negative interactions between native wildlife and changes resulting from the above mentioned pre-
dictions in vegetative cover
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan I-3
September 2008
Habitat Fragmentation and Urban Edge. We predict that habitat fragmentation will reduce plant diversity and
migration and/or genetic exchange between plant populations. This could affect the CSS community by reduc-
ing vigor within populations and eventually leading to extinctions of specific plant species. Habitat fragmenta-
tion has resulted in an increase of urban edge on all our preserves. We predict that this will result in increased
pressures from nonnative plant species, illegal vegetation clearing, dumping, erosion, and other threats that will
change the vegetation structure and composition.
Monitoring Methodology
Approximately fifty plots will be established inside three of our preserves, and the number per preserve allo-
cated by the amount of acreage currently occupied by CSS in each preserve. These plots will be placed in a
stratified random manner across our preserves. Stratification will take into account:
1. Size of preserve
2. Slope and aspect
3. Distance from preserve edge/urban edge
4. Presence or absence of CAGN or San Diego horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillii)
5. Fire history
Plot Design and Setup
The plot design will be of a modified Whittaker nested vegetation sampling design as in Stohlgren et al. 1995.
The dimensions of the macroplot will be 50 meters long by 20 meters wide. Three smaller nested plots will be
placed inside the macroplot. The larger of these three is to be 20 meters long and 5 meters wide, placed in the
center of the macroplot, with the long axis corresponding to that of the macroplot. The two other nested plots
will be at opposite corners of the macroplot, and will be 5 by 2 meters in length, again with the long axis corre-
sponding to that of the macroplot. The design of the modified Whittaker plot we are using deviates from that
described in Stohlgren et al. 1995 by not including the 12 smaller 1- square meter rectangles. The long axis of
the modified Whittaker plots will be set to cross the environmental gradient present. Sampling will be carried
out for both continuous variables (percent cover by species, perennial species height), non-parametric and
semi-continuous variables (count of shrub seedlings, species presence).
Point Intercept Data
Percent cover by species will be gathered by running a point-intercept transect along one or both long borders
of the macroplots. In addition to species cover, height measurements will be collected for all perennial species
measured as a “hit” along the transects. The point-intercept transects will be measured at half meter intervals,
thus generating 98 “hits” along one or each long side of the macroplot. Living plants will count as a point or
“hit,” if a 1.5 millimeter dowel is intersected in the vertical plane by the living tissue of a plant. At each half
meter, data pertaining to bare ground, rock, or litter incident with the dowel will also be collected.
Species Diversity, Recruitment and Mortality
Information gathered inside the plots will include species present in each plot, including the macroplot whole
plot. In the two small plots, and in the large central plot, counts of shrub seedlings by species will be docu-
mented.
City of Carlsbad Preserve Management Plan
I-4 Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring Plan
Rational for a Two-Tiered Approach
The data collected in the macroplot, and smaller sub-plots will be useful in generating species area curves and
(more importantly) in documenting species presence or absence, as well as recruitment and mortality over time.
The advantages of using a multi-scaled approach to quantifying species richness are identified in Stohlgren et
al. 1995. As the years progress, small changes in species presence or seedling recruitment may be observed as
disappearances, appearances, increases, or decreases on the micro-scale of sub-plot. The appearance of nonna-
tive species may be quickly identified on the macroplot scale, while the disappearance, or lack of recruitment
among native shrubs may be apparent on the smaller plot scale prior to any notice of change on the macroplot
scale. Another advantage of using smaller nested plots is that it provides an affordable estimate of shrub recruit-
ment and mortality, since attempting to quantify these measures would be very labor-intensive if carried out on
the macroplot scale.
The point-intercept transect measures will provide a method of quantifying change in abundance by species
that may provide clues that tie into changes in recruitment or mortality among the sub-plot counts and diversity
estimates. For instance, nonnative grasses and/or litter cover changes may be predictive as explanatory vari-
ables in a multifactorial analysis of the response variables mortality or species number decline. Other variables
that may be tied into a model explaining the measured pattern may include regional rainfall totals for the season
and/or seasonal temperature averages, slope and aspect of plots, fire history, and the presence or absence of ani-
mal herbivory.
References
Dallman, P.R. 1998. Plant life in the world’s Mediterranean climates. California Native Plant Society. Univer-
sity of California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles.
Holland, V. L., and Keil, D. J., 1995. California vegetation. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Dubuque, IA.
Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command. 1998. Camp Pendleton wildland fire manage-
ment plant update. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. California.
Stohlgren, T. J., Falkner, M. B., and L. D. Schell. 1995. A modified-Whittaker nested vegetation sampling
method.Vegetation. 117:113-121.