HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-18; Habitat Management Plan Reporting(Districts - All); Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date 5 /,g /)J CA ✓ CC ✓ CM _✓ ACM ✓ DCM (3) V
March 18, 2021
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager (ti}
Re: Habitat Management Plan Reporting (Districts -All)
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021061
This memorandum provides information related to the Habitat Management Plan {HMP) Annual
Report, Triennial Biological Monitoring Report and annual public meeting.
Background
The HMP, which was approved by City Council Resolution No. 2004-364, is a citywide
conservation program that identifies how the city, in cooperation with state and federal
agencies, will preserve and protect the diversity of native species and habitats while allowing for
continued economic growth consistent with the General Plan and Growth Management Plan.
As required by the HMP Implementing Agreement, staff submitted the 16th annual HMP Report
{Attachment A) and Triennial Biological Monitoring Report (Attachment B) to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (collectively, Wildlife Agencies),
and hosted a public meeting on March 9, 2021. These reports are also available in this link:
https://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/pw/environment/habitat/reports.asp
Discussion
The purpose of the HMP Annual Report is to document the city's compliance with HMP for the
Wildlife Agencies. This report includes habitat gains (conserved) and losses (developed), land
acquisitions, HMP Minor Amendments, Lake Calavera mitigation parcel tracking, HMP mitigation
fees collected and a summary of management and monitoring conducted throughout the
preserve system.
The Triennial Biological Monitoring Report documents the long-term biological monitoring to
track the status and trends of sensitive species covered by the HMP. Most of the long-term
monitoring is conducted by preserve managers on each preserve. The city compiles the data and
summarizes the status, threats and management for each species in the Triennial Biological
Monitoring Report. The report also summarizes citywide studies conducted by the city's Habitat
Management Division in coordination with the land managers, including wildlife movement,
coastal California gnatcatcher and its habitat, and post-fire recovery. These studies help evaluate
the overall ecological function of the preserve system and support broader regional studies being
conducted by other agencies and institutions.
Public Works Branch
Environmental Management Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-4689 t
Council Memo -Habitat Management Plan Reporting (Districts -All)
March 18, 2021
Page 2
The following highlights from 2020 were included in the reports and presented at the public
meeting:
• The HMP preserve system currently consists of 6,195 acres of permanently conserved
native habitats, which is 96% of the required target acreage. The preserve consists of
hundreds of individual parcels owned and managed as follows:
o City of Carlsbad -10%, managed by Center for Natural Lands Management
(CNLM)
o Privately owned, actively managed -60%, managed by a variety of land managers
o Privately owned or semi-public agencies, unmanaged -30%
• The 307.6-acre Gnatcatcher Core Area obligation required by the HMP was fulfilled in
total through the purchase of the remaining 12.9 acres of credit (coastal sage scrub
habitat) through an agreement with the Wildlife Agencies and purchase of the Luchia
Property, approved by City Council Resolution No. 2020-043, located just outside of the
city's eastern boundary.
• The 15.1-acre Aura Circle property was purchased with Proposition C funds, approved by
City Council Resolution No. 2020-034. This property was fully entitled and ready for
development when it was put on the market with a developable area of 5.6 acres and
the remaining 9.5 acres planned for permanent open space. The city's purchase added
15.1 acres to the HMP preserve system and initiated long-term management on the
entire property.
• Ward's weed eradication program, approved by City Council Resolution No. 2019-194:
Phase 1 (intensive treatment) ofthe Ward's weed eradication program was completed,
and Phase 2 (surveillance and maintenance) has been initiated.
• The city established a management fund for the Poinsettia Station Vernal Pool Preserve,
approved by City Council Resolution No. 2018-091; responsible for land management;
prepared a management plan and conducted surveys and intensive weed removal, the
Wildlife Agencies authorized HMP coverage for six vernal pool species, many of which
are state or federally endangered.
• 2020 observations of note
o Prairie false oat, thought to be extinct and historically only known from Mexico,
was discovered by two botanists in Carlsbad
o Although extremely rare in coastal San Diego County, there was a confirmed
observation of a mountain lion in eastern Carlsbad
Council Memo -Habitat Management Plan Reporting (Districts -All)
March 18, 2021
Page 3
Next Steps
The city will continue to partner with the Wildlife Agencies, preserve managers and private
landowners to support the long-term survival of native species and habitats.
Attachments: A. Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan Annual Report, Year 16
B. Triennial Biological Monitoring Report, through 2020
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
James Wood, Environmental Manager
Rosanne Humphrey, Senior Program Manager
City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
Annual Report
Reporting Year 16, November 2019–October 2020
March 2021
Environmental Management
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: Rosanne Humphrey, HMP Coordinator
ATTACHMENT A
{'city of
Carlsbad
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Acknowledgments:
Implementing Agreement Signatories:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Preserve Steward:
Alanna Sullivan – Environmental Science Associates
Preserve Managers:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Center for Natural Lands Management
Habitat Restoration Sciences, Inc.
Helix Environmental, Inc.
San Diego Habitat Conservancy
Urban Corps San Diego Habitat Services
Other Contributors:
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation
Buena Vista Audubon
Preserve Calavera
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Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 i March 2021
Table of Contents
Page
ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS .................................................................................... III
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 1
1.0 PLAN ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................................... 3
1.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 3
1.2 HMP COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING ...................................... 3
1.2.1 HMP Conservation Goals .................................................................................. 3
1.2.2 Compliance Monitoring .................................................................................... 4
1.2.3 Effectiveness Monitoring .................................................................................. 4
1.3 CURRENT STATUS OF PRESERVES ...................................................................................... 4
1.3.1 Categories of HMP Preserves ........................................................................... 4
1.3.2 Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel ....................................................................... 8
1.3.3 Gnatcatcher Core Area Preservation Obligation Acreage ................................. 9
1.3.4 Habitat Mitigation Fee Program ..................................................................... 10
1.4 HABITAT GAINS AND LOSSES ......................................................................................... 10
1.4.1 Target Acreage ............................................................................................... 10
1.4.2 Land Acquisitions ............................................................................................ 11
1.4.3 Habitat Gains and Losses ................................................................................ 12
1.5 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ........................................................................................... 12
1.5.1 HMP Amendments ......................................................................................... 13
1.5.2 City Compliance with Terms and Conditions of Take Authorization ............... 13
1.5.3 City Compliance with HMP Zone‐Wide Standards .......................................... 13
2.0 BIOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING ................................................... 15
2.1 CONSEQUENCES OF THE COVID‐19 PANDEMIC .................................................................. 15
2.2 NOTABLE NEW SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ........................................................................... 15
2.2.1 Native Grass Species Thought to be Extinct .................................................... 16
2.2.2 Mountain Lion Observation ............................................................................ 16
2.3 INVASIVE SPECIES EARLY DETECTION AND RAPID RESPONSE ................................................. 16
2.3.1 Ward’s Weed Eradication Program ................................................................ 16
2.3.2 Other High Priority Invasive Species Surveillance .......................................... 17
2.4 LONG‐TERM BIOLOGICAL MONITORING ........................................................................... 18
3.0 FINANCIAL SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 21
3.1 CITY FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF HMP .............................................................................. 21
3.1.1 HMP Implementation ..................................................................................... 21
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 ii March 2021
3.1.2 Habitat Mitigation Fees .................................................................................. 21
3.2 STATUS OF PRESERVE MANAGEMENT ENDOWMENTS ......................................................... 22
4.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 25
APPENDIX A. Regulatory Compliance Tables
APPENDIX B. Preserve‐Specific Summary of Management and Monitoring Activities
APPENDIX C. Triennial Long‐Term Biological Monitoring Report 2020
List of Figures
Page
Figure 1. Categories of HMP Preserves ............................................................................. 6
Figure 2. Current Condition of HMP Preserve System ..................................................... 14
List of Tables
Table 1. Mitigation Acreage at Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel ....................................... 9
Table 2. Status of Carlsbad HMP Gnatcatcher Core Area Obligation ................................. 9
Table 3. HMP Target Conservation of Habitats ............................................................... 11
Table 4. Habitat Mitigation Fee Fund Activity ................................................................. 22
Table 5. Endowment Status for HMP Preserves .............................................................. 23
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 iii March 2021
Acronyms and Definitions
Annual Reports – Preserve‐specific annual reports, which summarize management and
monitoring activities, threats, and monitoring results, are due in November of every year.
Pre‐HMP preserves are generally not required to prepare annual reports unless stipulated
in previously negotiated agreements with the city and/or Wildlife Agencies. HMP‐wide
annual reports (e.g., the current report) are due to the Wildlife Agencies in December of
every year. HMP annual reports summarize gains and losses in the HMP preserve system,
current status of individual preserves and species, management and monitoring activities,
and a financial summary. Every third year, the HMP annual report includes an analysis of
species monitoring data. The latest 3‐year report was prepared as part of the 2016/2017
HMP annual report.
ASMD – Area Specific Management Directive
BLF – Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation
Caltrans – California Department of Transportation. Caltrans is responsible for design,
construction, maintenance and operation of the California State Highway System and
Interstate Highway segments within the state's boundaries.
City – City of Carlsbad
CDFW – California Department of Fish and Wildlife (formerly CDFG – California Department of
Fish and Game)
CNDDB – California Natural Diversity Database, operated and maintained by CDFW
CNLM – Center for Natural Lands Management, a non‐profit organization that provides
management and biological monitoring of mitigation and conservation lands in perpetuity
Compliance Monitoring – Monitoring to determine if the HMP is being properly implemented
pursuant to the Implementing Agreement and state and federal take
authorizations/permits
Conservation Easement (as defined in California Civil Code Section 815.1) – Any limitation in a
deed, will or other instrument in the form of an easement, restriction, covenant or
condition, which is or has been executed by or on behalf of the owner of the land subject
to such easement and is binding upon successive owners of such land, and the purpose of
which is to retain land predominantly in its natural, scenic, historical, agricultural, forested
or open‐space condition
Critical Location – An area that must be substantially conserved for a particular sensitive species
to be adequately conserved by the MHCP. Critical locations often coincide with major
populations of the same sensitive species, but not all major populations are considered
critical.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 iv March 2021
Edge Effects – Impacts to natural open space resulting from adjacent, contrasting environments,
such as developed or disturbed land. When an edge is created, the natural ecosystem is
affected for some distance in from the edge.
Effectiveness Monitoring – Monitoring habitat and species to determine if the HMP is protecting
sensitive biological resources as planned and if any adaptive management is needed
EMP – SANDAG’s TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program, a funding allocation category for
the costs to mitigate habitat impacts for regional transportation projects. Funding grants
from this program may be used for habitat acquisition, management, and monitoring
activities as needed to help implement the MHCP.
ESA – Endangered Species Act
Existing Hardline Preserve Areas – Natural habitat open space areas, such as Ecological Reserves
and Dawson‐Los Monos Reserve that were preserved prior to final approval of the HMP, or
areas that were previously Proposed Hardline Areas or Standards Areas that have secured
preservation, long‐term management and monitoring, and a non‐wasting endowment to
fund activities in perpetuity
FPA – Focused Planning Area
GIS – Geographic Information System
Gnatcatcher Core Area – An area identified in the MHCP that is considered critical to the recovery
of the coastal California gnatcatcher. Approximately 500 acres of core habitat must be
conserved by the MHCP jurisdictions as a condition of coverage for gnatcatcher. Although
the core area is located outside of the City of Carlsbad, the city is responsible for 307.6 acres
of conservation.
Habitrak – A GIS‐based tool that was developed and is maintained by CDFW for habitat
accounting. The tool calculates the acreage, type and location of vegetation communities
that are gained (conserved), or lost (impacted) from the HMP planning area.
HCP – Habitat Conservation Plan, a planning document required as part of an application for an
incidental take permit from the USFWS that describes the anticipated effects of the
proposed taking, how those impacts will be minimized or mitigated, and how the HCP is to
be funded
HMP – Habitat Management Plan; serves as the MHCP Subarea Plan for the City of Carlsbad
HMP Hardline– an HMP Hardline is a preserve that has been set aside for permanent conservation
and is protected by a conservation easement, which runs permanently with the land.
Hardline properties cannot be developed.
HOA – Homeowners’ Association
HRS – Habitat Restoration Sciences, Inc., a for‐profit native habitat restoration and general
engineering firm specializing in installation and long‐term maintenance of natural areas
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 v March 2021
Implementing Agreement – The legal agreement between the City of Carlsbad, CDFW, and
USFWS that ensures implementation of the Carlsbad HMP binds each of the parties to
perform the obligations, responsibilities and tasks assigned and provides remedies and
recourse should any of the parties fail to perform
IPM – Integrated Pest Management, a science‐based, decision‐making process that combines
biological, physical and chemical tools in a way that achieves control objectives while
minimizing economic, health, and environmental risk
Landowner – The legal entity that owns the land in fee‐title. The landowner has the ultimate
responsibility to ensure that preserve management is secured prior to habitat impacts.
Often, the management responsibility is contracted to a third party.
LFMZ – Local Facility Management Zone, one of 25 Growth Management Plan sub‐areas the City
of Carlsbad used for planning and financing infrastructure improvements and other city
services and facilities concurrent with development
Major Population – A population of sensitive species considered sufficiently large to be self‐
sustaining with a minimum of active or intensive management intervention (especially for
plants) or that at least supports enough breeding individuals to contribute reliably to the
overall meta‐population stability of the species (especially for animals). A Major Population
also includes smaller populations that are considered important to long‐term species
survival.
Management Unit – Groupings of adjacent or nearby preserve parcels that have similar
management needs
MHCP – Multiple Habitat Conservation Program, a subregional conservation plan prepared and
administered by SANDAG that encompasses the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido,
Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach and Vista. The goal of the MHCP is to conserve
approximately 19,000 acres of habitat and contribute toward the regional habitat preserve
system for the protection of more than 80 rare, threatened, or endangered species. The
MHCP serves as an umbrella framework to guide the preparation of city‐specific plans such
as the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan.
NCC – Natural Communities Coalition, a non‐profit group in Orange County whose main purpose
is to coordinate the land management, monitoring, and research across the approximately
38,000‐acre Reserve System
NCCP – Natural Community Conservation Planning, a program of CDFW that takes a broad‐based
ecosystem approach to planning for the protection and perpetuation of biological diversity
throughout the state. The MHCP is a sub‐regional component of the statewide NCCP.
Non‐Wasting Endowment – An endowment with sufficient principal that provides for the setup
costs and management/monitoring of a preserve in perpetuity through investment returns.
The endowment is designed to increase in value over time for the generated revenues to
increase, and thus keep pace with inflation. Pre‐HMP preserves generally did not require
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 vi March 2021
endowments to fund management, unless specified in a previously negotiated agreement
with the city and/or Wildlife Agencies.
OSMP – Open Space Management Plan, which serves as the Preserve Management and
Monitoring Plan referenced in Section 12.3 of the Implementing Agreement
PAR – Property Analysis Record, a cost analysis that estimates the management and monitoring
costs of a specific preserve in perpetuity, often in the form of an endowment to fund long‐
term management. A PAR is based on industry‐accepted parameters, allows an objective
cost/benefit analysis for each line item, and adjusts for inflation.
PMP – Area‐specific preserve management plan, the permanent management plan developed for
a particular preserve within the preserve system. The city has contracted CNLM to develop
a master PMP for all city‐owned preserves that addresses each preserve individually.
Preserve – Land conserved with a conservation easement, restrictive covenant, deed restriction,
or transfer of fee‐title to the city or CDFW that is being managed to HMP and MHCP
standards. (Note: Lands already set aside for preservation through an open space easement
prior to HMP adoption have limited management activities until a regional funding source
is available).
Preserve Manager – The entity responsible for monitoring and managing the preserve. The
majority of preserve lands are owned/managed by the city, CDFW, CNLM, or private HOAs.
Pursuant to state due‐diligence legislation that took effect January of 2007, preserve
managers must be certified by either the city or CDFW before they can begin managing
lands in the city.
Priority Species – Sensitive species that have site‐specific permit conditions requiring populations
to be tracked individually using GIS
Proposed Hardline Preserve Areas – Areas identified in the HMP as natural habitat open space
that were proposed for permanent conservation and perpetual management during the
design phase of development projects but not completed prior to final approval of the HMP
RY – Reporting Year, or from November 1 to October 31
Rough Step Assembly – A policy that requires development (losses) occur in “rough step” with
land conservation (gains) during preserve assembly to ensure that development does not
greatly outpace land conservation. It is generally understood by the Wildlife Agencies that
losses should be no more than 10% greater than gains
SANDAG – San Diego Association of Governments. SANDAG is the San Diego region’s primary
public planning, transportation, transit construction and research agency, providing the
public forum for regional policy decisions about growth, transportation planning and transit
construction, environmental management, housing, open space, energy, public safety and
binational topics
SDG&E – San Diego Gas and Electric
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 vii March 2021
SDHC – San Diego Habitat Conservancy, a non‐profit organization that provides management and
biological monitoring of mitigation and conservation lands in perpetuity. Prior to February
of 2009, SDHC was called Helix Community Conservancy.
SDMMP – San Diego Management and Monitoring Program, a science‐based program that
provides a coordinated approach to management and biological monitoring of lands in San
Diego that have been conserved through various programs, including the Multiple Species
Conservation Program, the MHCP, the TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program, and
various other conservation and mitigation efforts
Standards Areas – Areas that were included in the MHCP Focused Planning Area (i.e., considered
high priority for inclusion into the preserve system), but for which projects had not been
proposed prior to the city’s HMP approval. Because potential protected habitat areas had
not been delineated, a set of zone‐specific conservation standards were established as a
condition of future project approval.
T&C – Terms and Conditions
Take – As defined in the Federal Endangered Species Act; to harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot,
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a listed species or attempt to do so, including impacts
to the habitats upon which these listed species depend
TET – The Environmental Trust. TET was a habitat management company that owned and
managed several preserves in Carlsbad until declaring bankruptcy in 2005. Their properties
were unmanaged until CDFW acquired title and management responsibility in early 2010.
TransNet ‒ The San Diego County half‐cent sales tax for transportation improvements first
approved by voters in 1988 and extended in 2004. The EMP is a component of TransNet
that funds habitat‐related environmental mitigation activities required to implement
projects identified in SANDAG’s Regional Transportation Plan, including a funding allocation
for habitat acquisition, management, and monitoring activities as needed to help
implement the Multiple Species Conservation Program and the MHCP.
UC ‒ Urban Corps Habitat Services, a non‐profit organization that provides management and
biological monitoring of mitigation and conservation lands in perpetuity
USACE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USFWS – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wildlife Agencies – Term used collectively for CDFW and USFWS
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 viii March 2021
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Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 15 E‐1 March 2021
Executive Summary
Covering the period from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020, this sixteenth annual Habitat
Management Plan (HMP) report summarizes the preserve status, implementation activities, and
preserve gains and losses that have occurred during the current reporting period. Highlights of
the HMP activities are summarized below.
Current Status of Preserves
The existing preserves continued to be managed, monitored, and/or maintained during the
reporting period. Established private and city‐owned Hardline Preserves were managed and
monitored in accordance with their approved preserve management plans; California Department
of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) preserves were managed subject to available funding and resources;
and pre‐existing natural open space areas were maintained according to their respective Open
Space Easements and/or Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, if applicable. Descriptions of
the different categories of preserves are contained in Section 1.3.
Two properties changed from Proposed Hardline to Existing Hardline with established long‐term
management since the last HMP Annual Report. The 15.1‐acre Aura Circle property was
purchased by the city, adding 5.6 acres of previously developable land to the HMP, and the San
Diego Habitat Conservancy began long‐term management of the 173‐acre Bressi Ranch Preserve.
Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel
During the reporting period, there were no debits from the mitigation parcel. To date, cumulative
debits and adjustments for wetland mitigation sites are 94.9 acres, leaving a total of 111.2 acres
(credits) remaining.
Gnatcatcher Core Area Conservation Obligation
On February 25, 2020, the City Council authorized payment in the amount of $1,104,114 to
purchase the remaining 12.93 acres of Gnatcatcher Core Area credits on the Luchia Property,
which is located just east of the city boundary in the Core Area. The Gnatcatcher Core Area
obligation has now been met in full.
Land Acquisitions
During the reporting period, two properties were acquired by the city using Proposition C funds:
1.3‐acre Paseo del Norte Property (pre‐existing hardline and 15.1‐acre Aura Circle Property (9.5
acres of Proposed Hardline and 5.6 acres of developable land).
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 15 E‐2 March 2021
Habitat Gains and Losses
A total of 5.6 acres of habitat was gained as part of the Aura Circle land purchase. There were no
losses during the reporting period.
Regulatory Compliance
Minor Amendments: During the reporting period, there were no HMP Minor Amendments.
Preserve Management and Monitoring
Ongoing management and monitoring activities in HMP preserves conducted this year included
invasive species monitoring and control, installation and maintenance of fences and signage, rare
plant counts and habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, sensitive bird species surveys, wildlife
movement monitoring, and public outreach activities, which are summarized in Appendix B.
Highlights discussed in Section 2.1 of this report include consequences of COVID‐19, notable new
species observations (native grass thought to be extinct and mountain lions), completion of Phase
1 of the Ward’s Weed Eradication Program, and other invasive species monitoring. In addition,
the 2020 triennial biological monitoring report was completed and is included in Appendix C.
Financial Summary
Habitat Mitigation Fee Program: A total of $29,998.15 of in‐lieu mitigation fees was collected
during the past year. On February 25, 2020, the City Council authorized payment of $1,104,114 to
purchase the remaining 12.93 acres of Core Area Credit, which was taken from the General Fund
Account because there were not sufficient funds in the Mitigation Fee Account to cover the cost.
The current balance of the Habitat Mitigation Fee Fund is ‐$1,244,016, which will be paid off
through future fees.
Preserve Management Endowments: During the reporting period, a total of $793,633 was spent
by the land managers on management and monitoring activities on 24 preserves and
endowments for these properties (not including most lands owned by the city) totaled
$17,851,104.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 3 March 2021
1.0 Plan Administration
1.1 Introduction
The Habitat Management Plan (HMP) is a citywide conservation plan that describes how the city
will comply with state and federal environmental laws while remaining consistent with the city’s
General Plan and Growth Management Plan. The HMP was developed in coordination with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (collectively, the
Wildlife Agencies) as part of a regional planning effort under the North County Multiple Habitat
Conservation Program (MHCP). Annual tracking and reporting of habitat gains, losses,
management, and monitoring is required by Sections 12.1 and 12.2 of the Implementing
Agreement (Nov. 12, 2004); the Federal Fish and Wildlife 10(a)(1)(B) Permit No. TE022606‐0 (Nov.
12, 2004); and the NCCP Permit No. 2835‐2004‐001‐05 (Nov. 15, 2004). This annual report covers
year 16 of the 50‐year HMP permit period.
1.2 HMP Compliance Monitoring and Effectiveness Monitoring
1.2.1 HMP Conservation Goals
To evaluate the city’s compliance with the HMP and the effectiveness of the MHCP/HMP program
with respect to natural resources protection, it is necessary to understand the underlying goals of
the plan, which are summarized below (see HMP p. A‐2 for a complete list):
Conserve the full range of vegetation community types, with a focus on sensitive habitat
types.
Conserve populations of narrow endemic species and other covered species.
Conserve sufficient habitat, functional biological cores, wildlife movement corridors, and
habitat linkages, including linkages that connect coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila
californica californica) populations and movement corridors for large mammals, to
support covered species in perpetuity.
Apply a “no net loss” policy to wetlands, riparian habitats, and oak woodlands.
Implement appropriate land use measures to ensure the protection of preserve lands in
perpetuity.
Meet conservation goals stated above while accommodating orderly growth and
development in the city.
Coordinate and monitor protection and management of conserved lands within the
preserve system.
Minimize costs of Endangered Species Act related mitigation and HMP implementation.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 4 March 2021
1.2.2 Compliance Monitoring
Compliance monitoring is required by the HMP‐related permits and Implementing Agreement to
ensure that the city is doing what it agreed to do from a regulatory perspective, such as conserving
particular species locations and acres of habitat, monitoring the condition of the habitat and
species, and performing required management actions (MHCP Vol. I). The preserve steward
assists the city by working with the preserve managers to ensure coordinated management across
the city. Habitat tracking results are provided in Section 1.4; regulatory compliance is discussed in
Section 1.5 and Appendix A; and management and monitoring activities are summarized in
Section 2.0 and Appendix B, and the Triennial Monitoring Report is included in Appendix C.
1.2.3 Effectiveness Monitoring
Effectiveness monitoring, also known as biological, ecological, or validation monitoring,
determines the effectiveness of the conservation program by evaluating if the preserve assembly
and management actions are achieving the HMP/MHCP goals within the city and across the MHCP
planning area. The preserve‐level monitoring program is used to evaluate the effectiveness of
management at specific preserve areas (MHCP Vol. III). At the subregional (MHCP‐wide) level,
effectiveness monitoring evaluates the status and trends in populations of covered species, and
assessing how well the conservation strategy is working to maintain natural ecological processes
(MHCP Vol. III).
Monitoring the effectiveness of the MHCP and HMP is more challenging than compliance
monitoring because the biological goals are broad and it may take many years or decades before
trends in species populations and habitat conditions are detectable. Species and habitat
monitoring, and monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of management are being conducted
on individual preserves as well as the regional landscape level. This work is being done through a
partnership with the city, preserve steward, preserve managers, Wildlife Agencies and San Diego
Management and Monitoring Program, which has developed regional and site‐specific monitoring
and management strategic plans and protocols for conserved lands across San Diego County.
1.3 Current Status of Preserves
This section contains: (1) a description of the different categories of preserves within the HMP
preserve system, (2) an accounting of the mitigation credits at the city’s Lake Calavera Mitigation
Parcel, (3) the status of the city’s Gnatcatcher Core Area conservation obligation, and (4) the status of
the HMP Mitigation Fee Fund.
1.3.1 Categories of HMP Preserves
Lands within the HMP preserve system can be grouped into four categories: (1) established
private and city‐owned Hardline Preserves; (2) CDFW Ecological Reserves; (3) pre‐existing natural
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 5 March 2021
open space preserves; and (4) future preserves (Proposed Hardline Preserves and Standards
Areas). These categories of preserve lands are distinguished by the level of management,
ownership, and/or status as described below and shown in Figure 1.
Established Private and City‐Owned Hardline Preserves
These Hardline Preserves were established during or after the adoption of the HMP. They have
approved preserve management plans implemented by preserve managers and are funded through
non‐wasting endowments or, in the case of the city‐owned preserves, through annual budget
appropriations. The city requires site specific annual reports for these preserves. The property owners
for these preserves are a preserve management entity, homeowners association (HOA), or the city.
Except for the city‐owned properties, these Hardline Preserves are protected by recorded
conservation easements. Examples of these preserves include Rancho La Costa, Carlsbad Oaks North,
Lake Calavera and the Crossings Golf Course, among others.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Ecological Reserves
These Hardline Preserves were established prior to or subsequent to the adoption of the HMP
and are all owned by the State of California. According to the HMP Implementing Agreement, the
level of management and monitoring of the CDFW preserves is based upon the available state
funding and resources. Except for the Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve, there are currently
no finalized long‐term management plans for the CDFW Ecological Reserves in Carlsbad.
Management is guided by draft plans, which have not been submitted to the city. CDFW obtains
State Wildlife Grant funding annually for management and monitoring activities on CDFW’s
preserves. Management accounts have been established for Carlsbad Highlands Ecological
Reserve and Agua Hedionda Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve
is managed and monitored by CDFW and funded through a mitigation account established by the
Port of Los Angeles and held by CDFW. The Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve is managed by
Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), a non‐profit land management entity, through
a contract and funded by a non‐wasting endowment held by CNLM. The city receives some
CDFW monitoring data for the lagoon preserves and a CNLM‐prepared annual report for the
Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve.
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City of CarlsbadCategories of HMP Preserves
Legend
Established Private and City-owned Preserve
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Ecological Reserve
Pre-existing Natural Open Space Preserve
Future Preserve Proposed Hardline
Future Preserve Standards Area
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Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 7 March 2021
Pre‐Existing Natural Open Space Preserves
These Hardline Preserves predate the HMP and are composed of natural open space areas within
subdivisions or master plan communities (owned by the respective HOA), the University of
California’s Dawson‐Los Monos Reserve, and areas owned by Cabrillo Power, San Diego Gas and
Electric (SDG&E), and the San Dieguito Union High School District. The lands were included in the
HMP because of their biological resources and ecological value. There are no preserve
management plans or active management and monitoring associated with these preserves, and
maintenance of the property is the responsibility of the property owner. Generally, management
consists of trash pickup and fence maintenance. The HMP envisioned that future management
and monitoring of these lands would be financed through a regional funding source. The
preserves owned by HOAs are protected by an Open Space Easement. The Dawson‐Los Monos
Reserve is owned by the Regents of University of California and has no open space or conservation
easement protection. Examples of the HOA‐owned preserves include Calavera Hills Phase I,
Aviara, and Arroyo La Costa.
Future Preserves (Proposed Hardline Preserves and Standards Areas)
These preserves are identified in the HMP and are associated with developable lands but have yet
to begin management and monitoring. As a condition of approval for any development on the
property, the developer is obligated to establish the preserve by preparing a preserve
management plan approved by the city and Wildlife Agencies, contracting with a qualified land
manager, funding a non‐wasting endowment or other secure financing mechanism, and recording
a conservation easement. An HMP Minor Amendment ‐ Equivalency Finding, approved by the city
and Wildlife Agencies, is required for any alterations to the Proposed Hardline Preserve boundary,
and the final preserve design for Standards Areas must be approved by the city and Wildlife
Agencies through an HMP Minor Amendment ‐ Consistency Finding. Examples of these future
preserves include Mandana and Kato.
Two properties changed from Proposed Hardline to Existing Hardline with established long‐term
management since the last HMP Annual Report. The city purchased the 15.1‐acre Aura Circle
property in February, 2020 and placed it under long‐term management by Center for Natural
Lands Management. Originally proposed for 9.5 acres of preserved open space, the city will gain
an additional 5.6 acres of HMP hardline by converting the developable acreage on the property
to preserved open space (see Section 1.4.2 for more details). In December 2020, San Diego Habitat
Conservancy took over long‐term management of the 173‐acre Bressi Ranch Preserve. Active
management of this preserve will be critical in our efforts to combat Ward’s weed (Carrichtera
annua), since approximately 87% of the infestation in Carlsbad occurs on the Bressi Ranch
Preserve (see Section 2.3.1 for more details).
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 8 March 2021
1.3.2 Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel
The city‐owned Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel, also known as the Lake Calavera Preserve,
provides mitigation as needed for upland habitat impacts related to city construction projects.
Credits are deducted on an acre‐for‐acre basis, regardless of the type of habitat being impacted,
except for impacts to gnatcatcher‐occupied coastal sage scrub, southern maritime chaparral, and
maritime succulent scrub. No credits can be sold to outside entities.
The HMP (Section D.3.B) states that there are 266.1 available acres on Lake Calavera Preserve and
the Implementing Agreement (Section 10.7) states that there are 206.1 acres. The Wildlife
Agencies and city have agreed to use the more conservative 206.1 acres stated in the
Implementing Agreement for tracking purposes.
In addition to the use of the Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel for upland mitigation credits, the city
also uses the property for wetland mitigation through active habitat creation, restoration, and/or
enhancement of disturbed areas within the preserve, in coordination with the Wildlife Agencies
and wetland permitting agencies. Once an area has been mapped and identified as mitigation for
a city project, it is no longer eligible for future mitigation credits, and the acreage of the mitigation
site is debited from the available balance. During the reporting period, there were no debits.
Cumulative upland debits and adjustments for wetland mitigation sites to date are 94.9 acres,
leaving a total of 111.2 acres (credits) remaining (see Table 1).
Palomar Airport Rd
....
.,
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 9 March 2021
Table 1. Mitigation Acreage at Lake Calavera Mitigation Parcel RY 16 (2019–2020)
Credits and Debits Acres1
Initial Credits 206.1
Total acres available as of November 1, 2019 111.2
Year 16 Deductions (Nov. 2019–Oct. 2020) 0.0
Total acres available as of October 31, 2019 111.2
1 Rounded to the nearest tenth of an acre.
1.3.3 Gnatcatcher Core Area Preservation Obligation Acreage
When the HMP was being developed, the Wildlife Agencies determined there was not enough
coastal sage scrub habitat in the city to conserve the coastal California gnatcatcher. Because of
this limitation, the city was required to preserve an additional 307.6 acres of coastal sage scrub in
the Gnatcatcher Core Area, a large block of high quality habitat southeast of the city, which is
regionally important for the long‐term survival of the species.
On February 25, 2020, the City Council authorized payment in the amount of $1,104,114 to
purchase the remaining 12.93 acres of Gnatcatcher Core Area credits on the Luchia Property,
which is located just east of the city boundary in the Core Area. This payment provided by the city
was used to establish long‐term management on the 40‐acre property ($755,273), and contribute
toward the purchase price of the property ($348,840) as part of an agreement between the city,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), CDFW, and CNLM. As of April 3, 2020, the land purchase
has been completed and long‐term management has been initiated. As documented in a letter
from the USFWS and CDFW dated December 19, 2019, the city has now fulfilled its Gnatcatcher
Core Area obligation in full. Table 2 shows the status of Core Area conservation credits.
Table 2. Status of Carlsbad HMP Gnatcatcher Core Area Obligation through RY 16 (2019–2020)
Core Area Components Acres
Total Core Area Conservation Requirement 307.6
Core Area Credits Acquired as of November 1, 2019 294.7
Core Area Credits Acquired in RY 16 (2019‐2020) 12.9
Remaining Core Area Conservation Requirement 0.0
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 10 March 2021
1.3.4 Habitat Mitigation Fee Program
The purchase of Gnatcatcher Core Area credits is funded through the Habitat Mitigation Fee
Program (called the In‐lieu Mitigation Fee Program in the HMP). Project impacts to certain upland
habitat types require a mitigated fee, which is deposited into the Habitat Mitigation Fee Fund.
These funds can only be used to offset the cost of Gnatcatcher Core Area conservation. A total of
$29,998 of in‐lieu mitigation fees was collected during the reporting period, and $1,104,114 was
expended during the reporting period. A detailed accounting of the in‐lieu mitigation fees and
expenditures is given in Section 3.1.2.
1.4 Habitat Gains and Losses
Pursuant to the HMP and Implementing Agreement, the city is required to provide an annual
accounting of the amounts and locations of habitat lost and conserved over time due to public
and private development projects and land acquisition. This information will be used to
demonstrate to the Wildlife Agencies that: (1) the HMP preserve is being assembled as
anticipated; (2) the habitat conservation goals of the HMP are being achieved; and (3) habitat
conserved is in rough step with development. HabiTrak is a GIS database tool that was designed
to satisfy these tracking and reporting requirements by providing standard tracking protocols and
reporting output. It uses standard baseline spatial databases (e.g., vegetation, preserve
boundaries, and parcel boundaries) and development project footprints to prepare standardized
tables and maps for annual reporting.
1.4.1 Target Acreage
Some of the habitat types used in the standard HabiTrak table outputs are more specific than
those used in HMP Table 8. To make it easier to compare the Habitrak tables with the HMP table
for compliance monitoring, Table 3 below lists acres of target conservation and compares habitat
categories in HMP Table 8 to categories used in HabiTrak. Note that the GIS data layers used for
this analysis included the more detailed habitat categories.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 11 March 2021
Table 3. HMP Target Conservation of Habitats
(Comparison of Habitat Categories in HMP and Habitrak)
HMP Table 8 Habitrak
Habitat Type Target
Acres1 Habitat type Target
Acres1
Coastal sage scrub 2,139
Maritime succulent scrub 29
Coastal sage scrub 2,003
Coastal sage‐chaparral scrub 107
Subtotal 2,139
Chaparral 676 Chaparral 676
Southern maritime chaparral 342 Southern maritime chaparral 342
Oak woodland 24 Coast live oak 20 Other oak woodland 4
Subtotal 24
Riparian 494
Riparian forest 82
Riparian woodland 17
Riparian scrub 395
Subtotal 494
Marsh 1,252
Southern coastal salt marsh 143
Alkali marsh 9
Freshwater marsh 165
Freshwater 53
Estuarine 789
Disturbed wetland 93
Subtotal 1,252
Grassland 707 Grassland 707
Eucalyptus woodland 99 Eucalyptus woodland 99
Disturbed lands 745
Agriculture 185
Disturbed Land 244
Developed 316
Subtotal 745
Total Target Conservation
within Carlsbad
6,4782
Total Target Conservation
within Carlsbad
6,4782
Carlsbad’s Gnatcatcher Core
Area Contribution
308 Not tracked in Habitrak N/A
Total HMP Target
Conservation
6,7862
1 Rounded to the nearest acre. 2 Note that the target acreage includes 100% of all Standards Area parcels. However, a portion of these parcels
are expected to be developed; therefore, the final total will be slightly less than the target value.
1.4.2 Land Acquisitions
During the reporting period, two properties were acquired using Proposition C funds. In Carlsbad,
the City Council cannot authorize the spending of more than $1 million of general fund money for
property acquisition or improvements without prior approval from voters. In 2002, voters
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 12 March 2021
passed Proposition C, which allowed the City Council to exceed the $1 million amount on four
projects, including the purchase of land from willing sellers for open space/trails purposes.
Paseo del Norte Property
On November 12, 2019, the City Council authorized the purchase of the 1.3‐acre Paseo del Norte
Preserve property, located between I‐5 and Paseo del Norte, south of Palomar Airport Road. The
disturbed wetlands onsite provide an opportunity for wetland mitigation credits within the
coastal zone, which can be difficult to find. The potential mitigation credits are expected to be
used for city infrastructure projects. This land acquisition will not add acreage to the HMP
preserve system, as it was already designated as a pre‐existing hardline.
Aura Circle Property
On February 11, 2020, the City Council authorized the purchase of the 15.1‐acre Aura Circle
property, located south of the Tamarack Avenue‐El Camino Real intersection. The property
initially consisted of 9.5 acres of Proposed Hardline and 5.6 acres of developable land zoned for
single family residential homes. The entire property is now under long‐term management by
CNLM; 5.6 acres have been added to the HMP preserve system; and the entire property will now
be designated as “Existing Hardline” (permanently conserved).
1.4.3 Habitat Gains and Losses
During RY 16 (2019–2020) a total of 5.6 acres of habitat was gained (permanently protected and
added to HMP preserve system) from the purchase of the Aura Circle property, as discussed
above. Zero acres were lost (impacted). Since adoption of the HMP, 6,195 acres have been gained
and 1,760 acres have been lost. Figure 2 shows the status of the preserve system.
1.5 Regulatory Compliance
To ensure regulatory compliance, the city is implementing the HMP: (1) through the project
review process for new development projects; (2) by issuing HMP permits when impacts to habitat
or covered species are involved; (3) by issuing incidental take permits when take of a listed
species is involved; and (4) by ensuring consistency with the terms and conditions of the
Implementing Agreement, and State NCCP and Federal Fish and Wildlife permits.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 13 March 2021
1.5.1 HMP Amendments
Amendments processed during the reporting period are described below. See HMP Section E‐3
and Implementing Agreement Section 20.1 for a description of Minor Amendment types and the
HMP amendment process.
1. Consistency Finding: During the reporting period, no minor amendments were processed
through a Consistency Finding.
2. Equivalency Finding: During the reporting period, no minor amendments were processed
through an Equivalency Finding.
3. Other Minor Amendments (pursuant to Section 20.1 of the Implementing Agreement):
No other minor amendments were processed during the reporting period.
1.5.2 City Compliance with Terms and Conditions of Take Authorization
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the state and federal take authorization, the city is required
to fulfill the obligations outlined in Sections 10‐14 of the Implementing Agreement, the Conditions
of the State NCCP Permit, and Terms and Conditions of the Federal ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B)
Incidental Take Authorization/Permit. Implementation tasks associated with these regulations are
completed or ongoing, and are described in Appendix A.
1.5.3 City Compliance with HMP Zone‐Wide Standards
The city is also required to ensure that all projects within Standards Areas comply with the zone‐
specific standards outlined in HMP Section D (Table 8). All projects that occur within a Standards
Area are processed with a Consistency Finding. During this process, projects must demonstrate
compliance with the standards before they receive concurrence from the Wildlife Agencies and
are approved by the city; therefore, all approved development within Standards Areas is
consistent with the HMP. Appendix A summarizes property‐specific and linkage‐related standards
and current status. Refer to HMP Section D pages D‐73 through D‐82 for additional zone‐specific
standards.
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Legend
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Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 15 March 2021
2.0 Biological Management and Monitoring
The Wildlife Agencies have issued permits to jurisdictions and participating landowners for
implementation of regional conservation plans like the HMP throughout California to address the
development, conservation, and land management activities of conserved lands. One of the
primary commitments made by permittees is to maintain the long‐term habitat value of the
preserve system and its ability to support viable populations of covered species. This section
highlights some of the monitoring and management activities conducted by the HMP Division that
took place during the reporting period and summarizes the Triennial Long‐term Monitoring
Report (included in its entirely in Appendix C). Appendix B includes a preserve‐by‐preserve
summary of activities conducted by preserve managers and environmental organizations.
2.1 Consequences of the Covid‐19 Pandemic
Most biological monitoring and management occurs during the spring and summer, generally
between February and July. In 2020, many activities had to be postponed or canceled due to the
COVID‐19 pandemic, including a planned expansion of the HMP volunteer program. The goal of
the volunteer program is to protect native habitat and species on unmanaged preserves by
performing invasive species removal, installation of interpretive signage, repairing habitat
damaged from unauthorized trail use, and other management tasks. Long‐term monitoring, such
as wildlife movement studies, was ongoing but reduced in 2020. Implementation of a newly
developed inspection program was also postponed. The purpose of the inspection program is to
evaluate the condition of the unmanaged preserves, identify threats, and prioritize potential
remedial management actions.
Another outcome of the pandemic was heavy use of the outdoors by the public, which resulted
in significant damage to native habitat and rare plants from off‐trail use. Enjoying the outdoors
was one of the few things residents could safely do, and many people had more free time than
usual. The unmanaged preserves had some of the most damage because there was no land
manager patrolling those areas, but even actively managed preserves were damaged because
land managers did not always have the resources to keep up with the increased use.
2.2 Notable New Species Observations
In 2020 there were two significant observations in Carlsbad, as described below.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 16 March 2021
2.2.1 Native Grass Species Thought to be Extinct
Prairie false oat (Sphenopholis interrupta subsp. californica) was thought
to be extinct. Previously, it was only known from two locations in Baja
California, Mexico from the 1880s. In April, 2020, botanists Jessie Vinje
(Conservation Biology Institute) and Margie Mulligan (San Diego Natural
History Museum) discovered this species in Carlsbad while conducting
rare plant surveys. The species was found on clay soils while surveying
for another clay soil species (few species can tolerate soils with a high
clay content). Not only did they rediscover a species that was thought to
be extinct for over 100 years, but this was the first known record from
the United States. The botanists plan to survey throughout Carlsbad and
other areas within the county in 2021 to see if they can find other locations.
2.2.2 Mountain Lion Observation
Although there have been a few
eye‐witness accounts of a possible
mountain lion (Puma concolor) in
Carlsbad, until recently, we have
not obtained clear evidence such
as a photo. On November 3, 2020,
a photograph of a mountain lion was first captured by a trail camera by CNLM just east of Carlsbad
on Rancho La Costa Preserve (photo on the left), which extends into Carlsbad near Avenida
Soledad. Shortly thereafter, a sighting in Carlsbad near Babilonia Street was reported on the local
news and corroborated with a video (still shot from video on the right). Extensive research being
conducted on radio collared mountain lions in the region show that the vast majority of mountain
lion territories and movement occur north of State Route 76 and east of Interstate 15 (Vickers et
al. 2017). This individual was likely a young male just passing through.
2.3 Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response
Invasive non‐native plants and animals are some of the biggest threats to the HMP preserve
system and most costly to manage. In partnership with land managers, regional groups and
agencies, the HMP Division uses the early detection and rapid response (EDRR) strategy to catch
new infestations early when they are smaller and less costly to eradicate or control. This section
discusses some of the key invasive species currently under surveillance.
2.3.1 Ward’s Weed Eradication Program
Ward’s weed, a small annual in the mustard family, was first discovered in Carlsbad in 2007, which
was the only extant location in North America. Now it has spread to approximately 200 acres of
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 17 March 2021
habitat within the HMP preserves (see map below). Approximately 98% of the known locations in
the United States occur in Carlsbad. The remaining locations are small isolated populations in San
Diego County. This species is a prolific seed producer, may spread rapidly as a dense mat, and
creates flashy fuel after drying up in the summer, creating a wildfire risk.
On Oct. 8, 2019, Carlsbad City Council approved a program to eradicate Ward’s weed because of
the threat to native habitats, protected plant and animal species, and recreational and agricultural
areas in Carlsbad. Phase 1 of the program, consisting of intensive treatment using pre‐emergent
herbicide Gallery throughout the infested area, was initiated in November 2019 and completed
in February 2021. A single treatment has been shown to be effective at suppressing seed
germination for at least two years. Phase 2, which is expected to last at least three years, will
consist of surveillance and spot treatment as necessary.
For more information, visit the Ward’s weed information page at:
https://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/pw/environment/habitat/wardsweed.asp.
2.3.2 Other High Priority Invasive Species Surveillance
Land managers continued ongoing surveillance and adaptive management for the invasive shot
hole borer (Euwallacia ssp.), gold‐spotted oak borer (Agrilus auroguttatus), and the Italian white
snail (Theba pisana), among others. The two borer species are relatively new invaders to Southern
California and are known to cause significant damage to native trees in a short period of time. The
invasive shot hole borer has been confirmed from at least four preserves in Carlsbad and there
are unconfirmed signs at several other locations. Although the gold‐spotted oak borer has not
been confirmed in Carlsbad, it has been confirmed in Oak Riparian Park in Oceanside, which is
Palomar Airport Rd HMP Preserve System
Ward’s weed infestation I=
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 18 March 2021
adjacent to Lake Calavera Preserve. Because knowledge of these species is evolving rapidly, the
city and land managers coordinate regularly with the Eskalen Lab at the University of California
Cooperative Extension to ensure that the adaptive management responses are based on the best
available science.
The Italian white snail has been in San Diego County for about 100 years. In the early 1900s, it
caused significant damage to agricultural plants in San Diego but was thought to be eliminated
after an intensive eradication program in the 1920s (Martin and Wilen 2018). The snails
reappeared in San Diego County a few times since then but didn’t show the explosive growth of
the early 1990s until recently. In recent years, several locations of explosive growth of the Italian
white snail have been identified in Carlsbad. In one location in the Bressi Ranch area, ornamental
tree trunks were 100% covered with the snails, which are known to climb up onto vegetation
during the hot summer months to avoid ground‐level heat. Although it is unknown if the snails
can significantly damage native plants, the snail is now considered to be a high alert species by
the University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources because of its
explosive growth in San Diego County. Currently, the city and land managers are not aware of
effective management for this species. After scraping and crushing the snails from the trees in
Bressi Ranch, the snails reappeared the following year in the same density. It is notable that the
Italian white snail in Carlsbad is often observed in the same location as Ward’s weed, which also
originated in the Mediterranean region.
2.4 Long‐term Biological Monitoring
Long‐term biological monitoring is required by the HMP, and results are reported every three
years. Site‐specific monitoring is conducted by the preserve managers on actively managed
preserves, which accounts for approximately 70% of the HMP preserve system. Vegetation
monitoring is accomplished by mapping every five years to evaluate changes in the boundaries of
vegetation types over time. CNLM also conducts more detailed studies to evaluate the structure,
composition and species richness of coastal sage scrub habitat using permanent sampling plots
established evenly across the landscape in Carlsbad.
Focused species surveys are required for a subset of the sensitive species that occur in Carlsbad
(MHCP 2003, Vol. III). For discussion purposes, these species are organized into the following
functional groups (species that share similar life history characteristics):
Upland Plants: San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia), Thread‐leaved brodiaea
(Brodiaea filifolia), Del Mar Mesa sand aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. linifolia), Del
Mar manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia), Encinitas baccharis (Baccharis
vanessae), and Orcutt’s hazardia (Hazardia orcuttii).
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 19 March 2021
Vernal Pool Species: California Orcutt grass (Orcuttia californica), little mousetail
(Myosurus minimus ssp. apus), San Diego button celery (Eryngium aristulatum var.
parishii), spreading navarretia (Navarretia fossalis), Riverside fairy shrimp
(Streptocephalus woottoni), and San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis).
Lagoon/Coastal Bird Species: Belding’s savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis
beldingi), California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), Ridgeway Rail (Rallus
longirostris levipes), and western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus).
Riparian Bird Species: least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), and southwestern willow
flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus).
Upland Bird Species: coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica).
See the 2020 triennial monitoring report for the results and a discussion of current status, threats
and management (Appendix C).
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 20 March 2021
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Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 21 March 2021
3.0 Financial Summary
3.1 City Funding in Support of HMP
The city uses funding to support implementation of the HMP in two ways: (1) permanent funding
allocated specifically for HMP coordination and management of city lands, and (2) existing
resources, including administrative staff and staff from the Environmental Management Division,
Planning Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Police Department.
3.1.1 HMP Implementation
The majority of the city’s ongoing costs to support HMP implementation are activities required by
the HMP or the Implementing Agreement. Two of the city’s main responsibilities are: (1) oversight
of the HMP Preserve and (2) direct, active management of 618 acres of preserve land owned by
the city.
To fulfill the first responsibility, the city dedicates a senior‐level coordinator and provides other
staff support for HMP implementation. The city also contracted with a biological consulting firm
to serve as the city’s preserve steward, coordinating management throughout the HMP preserve
and evaluating management effectiveness. This reporting period, the city provided $95,000 in the
annual budget to fund the contract for preserve steward costs.
The second responsibility is being accomplished through the city’s contract with CNLM, a non‐
profit preserve management company for the management of city‐owned HMP preserves. CNLM
conducts regular biological monitoring and habitat management throughout the city’s preserves,
including maintenance fences and signage, closure of unauthorized trails, regular patrols, invasive
species removal, and public outreach.
In addition, although not funded through the HMP Program, the city has two permanent full time
rangers who patrol open space areas, including parks, trails, and habitat preserves. The ranger
program is administered by the Police Department, which allows the rangers to have citation
authority and close contact with the Homeless Outreach Team and police officers, which are often
needed to deal with issues such as encampments and other unauthorized access.
3.1.2 Habitat Mitigation Fees
As described in Section 1.3.5, habitat mitigation fees are collected from developers for project‐
related impacts to certain types of native habitat and deposited into the Habitat Mitigation Fee
Fund. Impacted habitats that require a fee include unoccupied coastal sage scrub, coastal
sage/chaparral mix, and chaparral (except southern maritime chaparral) (Group C); occupied
coastal sage scrub (Group D); non‐native grassland (Group E); and disturbed lands, eucalyptus, or
agricultural lands (Group F). The purpose of the habitat mitigation fee program is to fund the city’s
obligation to acquire, protect, and manage lands in the Gnatcatcher Core Area.
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 22 March 2021
As shown in Table 4, mitigation fees totaling $29,998.15 were collected during the current
reporting period. On February 25, 2020, the City Council authorized payment of $1,104,114 to
purchase the remaining 12.93 acres of Core Area Credit. The current balance of the Habitat
Mitigation Fee Fund is ‐$169,600.19. Since the adoption of the HMP, the city has taken advantage
of opportunities to purchase Core Area credits when they become available. On several occasions,
the cost of credits exceeded the available Habitat Mitigation Fee funds, requiring an advance from
the General Fund and resulting in a negative fund balance. In‐lieu fees will continue to be collected
for habitat impacts, as appropriate, and will be used to reimburse the General Fund.
Table 4. Habitat Mitigation Fee Fund Activity in RY 16 (2019‒2020)
Date Description Habitat Impacted Total1
11/01/19 Beginning Fund Total $‐169,900.19 1
Fees Collected
11/12/19 Baum Residence 0.54 acre Type F (Ag, Dist, Eucalyptus) $1,759.86
12/23/19 Lin Residence 0.47 acre Type F (Ag, Dist, Eucalyptus) $1,574.50
03/03/20 Argonauta Residence 0.44 acre Type F (Ag, Dist, Eucalyptus) $10,309.50
03/03/20 Argonauta Residence 0.30 acre Type D (Coastal Sage Scrub) $1,474.00
06/18/20 Laguna Drive Subdivision 0.09 acre F (Ag, Dist, Eucalyptus) $309.33
07/30/20 Goertzen Residence 0.38 acre Type D (Coastal Sage Scrub) $13,058.70
07/30/20 Goertzen Residence 0.39 acre Type F (Ag, Dist, Eucalyptus) $1,340.43
07/30/20 Goertzen Residence 0.01 acre Type E (Non‐native Grassland $171.83
Total Fees Collected $29,998.15
Funds Expended for Core Area Conservation
02/25/20 12.93 acres of credit associated with the Luchia Property ‐$1,104,113.60
Total Funds Expended ‐$1,104,113.60
10/31/20 Account Balance ‐$1,244,015.64
3.2 Status of Preserve Management Endowments
The endowment activity and status for preserves funded through endowments are given in
Table 5. During the reporting period, a total of $793,633 was spent by the land managers on
management and monitoring activities on 24 preserves and endowments for these properties
(not including most lands owned by the city) totaled $17,851,104. CDFW’s Carlsbad Highlands
Ecological Reserve and Agua Hedionda Lagoon Ecological Reserve are funded through State
Wildlife Grant funding. The Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve is funded through a mitigation
account established by the Port of Los Angeles and held by CDFW.
I
I I I
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 23 March 2021
Table 5. Endowment Status for HMP Preserves in RY 15 (2019‒2020)
Preserve Name Managing
Entity1
Inception
Date
Original
Endowment2
Inflation‐
Adjusted
Endowment3
RY 19‐20
Budget
RY 19‐20
Expend.
Total Funds
as of
9/30/20
Buena Vista Creek Ecol. Rsv. CNLM3 April 2007 $776,644 $996,165 $43,923 $44,546 $1,351,700
Calavera Hills II/Rob. Ranch CNLM3 June 2006 $1,834,813 $2,389,454 $105,373 $104,734 $3,638,227
Carlsbad Oaks North CNLM3 March 2006 $1,020,311 $1,332,461 $58,750 $59,075 $1,888,534
Carlsbad Raceway SDHC5 April 2014 N/A2 N/A2 $25,813 $25,473 $2,438
Cassia Professional Offices CNLM3 Jan. 2007 $104,600 $159,681 $5,844 $5,806 $192,578
City‐owned Preserves City/CNLM3 2009 N/A2 N/A2 Not reported $200,000 N/A2
Emerald Pointe SDHC Aug. 2008 $194,948 $251,442 $12,688 $8,172 $254,639
Encinas Creek CNLM3 May 2007 $427,004 $526,311 $23,205 $23,491 $815,290
Kelly Ranch CNLM3 March 2002 $296,125 $456,804 $17,903 $20,438 $669,350
La Costa Collection UC July 2005 $378,756 $437,022 $18,258 $18,258 $439,215
La Costa Glen CNLM3 Jan. 2013 $624,800 $733,348 $32,334 $31,312 $2,653,917
La Costa Villages CNLM3 Feb. 2002 $1,364,400 $2,089,767 $101,982 $104,240 $2,653,917
Laurel Tree Lane Preserve SDHC Dec. 2017 $365,092 $385,464 $23,861 $20,919 $406,239
Manzanita Partners HRS Oct. 2012 $51,000 $56,739 $1,600 $1,600 $68,264
Muroya SDHC Oct. 2015 $314,867 $347,674 $15,750 $13,512 $368,710
Nelson CNLM3 June 2001 $72,180 $104,102 $5,098 $4,720 $134,739
New Crest Preserve UC May 2015 $91,393 $100,072 $3,518 $3,518 $99,842
North Coast Calvary Chapel Helix Sept 2001 N/A2 N/A2 $7,833 $7,883 N/A2
Paseo Del Norte UC Aug. 2016 $100,009 $108,123 $4,250 $4,250 $127,060
Poinsettia Place UC July 2011 $167,935 $193,555 $6,991 $7,342 $189,486
Poinsettia Station Vernal Pools City 2019 $181,904 $188,174 $11,000 $10,914 $192,596
Quarry Creek SDHC June 2015 $806,496 $813,715 $36,075 $37,300 $825,623
Sage Creek SDHC April 2016 $275,404 $297,992 12,032 $14,476 $343,055
Southern UC Nov. 2013 $428,747 $469,018 $18,222 $21,654 $535,685
TOTAL 2018‐2019 $9,682,480 $12,437,083 $592,303 $793,633 $17,851,104
1 Total funds are reported as of 10/31/20 for HRS, Urban Corps, and Helix
2 Long‐term management is funded through an annual contract rather than an endowment
3 Original endowment amount adjusted for inflation to the current reporting year
Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 24 March 2021
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Carlsbad HMP Annual Report, Reporting Year 16 25 March 2021
4.0 References
City of Carlsbad. 2004. Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad.
Martin, T. and C. Wilen. 2018. Italian white snail becoming and invasive pest (again). University of
California Cooperative Extension.
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=27411.
Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP). 2003. Final MHCP Plan. Volumes I‒III. Prepared
for the Cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and
Vista, March 2003.
U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index. 2020, December. CPI Inflation Calculator.
Retrieved from https://data.bls.gov/cgi‐bin/cpicalc.pl
Vickers, W., K. Zeller, H. Ernest, K. Gustafson, and W. Boyce. 2017. Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)
Connectivity in North San Diego County Multi‐Species Plan Area and Assessment of
Mountain Lion Habitat Use and Connectivity in Northern San Diego and Southern Riverside
and Orange Counties, with Special Focus on Prioritization of North San Diego County MSCP
Lands for Conservation, and Identification of Critical Highway Barriers and Solutions. A joint
report to the San Diego County Association of Governments and California Department of
Wildlife including appended peer‐reviewed publications resulting from this research
project.
Final
TRIENNIAL BIOLOGICAL MONITORING REPORT
ATTACHMENT B
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Through 2020
Prepared for
City of Carlsbad
March 2021
r-ESA
~
Final
TRIENNIAL MONITORING SUMMARY REPORT
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Through 2020
Prepared for
City of Carlsbad
Prepared by
Alanna Sullivan
Environmental Science Associates
550 West C Street
Suite 750
San Diego, CA 92101
619.719.4200
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March 2021
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OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY ESA helps a variety of public
and private sector clients plan and prepare for climate change and
emerging regulations that limit GHG emissions. ESA is a registered
assessor with the California Climate Action Registry, a Climate Leader,
and lounding reporter for the Climate Registry. ESA is also a corporate
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Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 i ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HMP Triennial Report through 2020
Page
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Vegetation Communities ............................................................................................... 4 2.1 Influence of Weather on the Preserve System ....................................................... 4 2.2 Vegetation Mapping ................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Long-Term Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring ........................................................... 6
2.3.1 Results of Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring .................................................. 6 2.4 Post-Fire Recovery Monitoring ............................................................................... 8 2.4.1 Results of Post-Fire Recovery Monitoring ................................................. 10
3. Species .......................................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Upland Plants ........................................................................................................ 19 3.1.1 San Diego Thornmint ................................................................................. 19 3.1.2 Thread-Leaved Brodiaea ........................................................................... 21 3.1.4 Del Mar Mesa Sand Aster .......................................................................... 25 3.1.3 Del Mar Manzanita ..................................................................................... 26 3.1.5 Encinitas Baccharis .................................................................................... 29 3.1.6 Orcutt’s Hazardia ....................................................................................... 29 3.2 Vernal Pool Species .............................................................................................. 33 3.3 Lagoon/Coastal Bird Species ............................................................................... 34
3.3.1 Belding’s Savannah Sparrow ..................................................................... 34 3.3.2 California Least Tern .................................................................................. 36 3.3.3 Light-Footed Ridgway’s Rail ...................................................................... 39 3.3.4 Western Snowy Plover ............................................................................... 41 3.4 Riparian Bird Species ........................................................................................... 43 3.4.1 Least Bell’s Vireo ....................................................................................... 43 3.4.2 Southwestern Willow Flycatcher ................................................................ 45 3.5 Upland Bird Species ............................................................................................. 45 3.5.1 Coastal California Gnatcatcher .................................................................. 45
4. References .................................................................................................................... 47
Table of Contents
Page
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 ii ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
List of Figures
1 HMP Preserve Categories ................................................................................................ 2
2 Preserve Ownership/Management ................................................................................... 3 3 Poinsettia Fire Perimeter .................................................................................................. 9 4 Upland Herbs .................................................................................................................. 13 5 Upland Shrubs ................................................................................................................ 14 6 Vernal Pool Species ....................................................................................................... 15 7 Lagoon Species .............................................................................................................. 16 8 Riparian Birds ................................................................................................................. 17 9 Coastal California Gnatcatcher ...................................................................................... 18
List of Tables
1 Precipitation in Carlsbad .................................................................................................. 5 2 Priority Species Surveys Conducted on Actively Managed Preserves ......................... 11 3 Population of San Diego Thornmint on Carlsbad Preserves ......................................... 20 4 Sample Population of Thread-Leaved Brodiaea by Vegetative Count on Carlsbad Preserves ........................................................................................................ 23 5 Sample Population of Thread-Leaved Brodiaea by Flowering Count on Carlsbad Preserves ........................................................................................................ 23 6 Pollinator Diversity and Abundance on Carlsbad Preserves ......................................... 24
7 Thread-Leaved Brodiaea Flower Visitation Rates on Carlsbad Preserves* .................. 24 8 Seed Production of Pin-Flagged Thread-Leaved on Carlsbad Preserves .................... 25 9 Del Mar Manzanita at Carlsbad Preserves .................................................................... 28 10 Counts of Orcutt's Hazardia Transplanted to Kelly Ranch Preserve ............................. 31 11 Counts of Orcutt's Hazardia Transplanted to Rancho La Costa Preserve .................... 31 12 Number of Occupied Belding’s Savannah Sparrow Territories by Year ........................ 35 13 Number of California Least Tern Nests, Pairs, and Fledglings by Year ........................ 38 14 Number of Pairs or Unpaired Individuals of Ridgway’s Rails by Year ........................... 40 15 Western Snowy Plover Monitoring Results for Batiquitos Lagoon ................................ 42 16 Estimated Number of Least Bell’s Vireo Pairs ............................................................... 44
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 1 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
TRIENNIAL MONITORING SUMMARY REPORT
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
1. Introduction
This report summarizes the results of biological monitoring conducted within the Carlsbad
Habitat Management Plan (HMP) preserve system since adoption of the HMP in November of
2004. This monitoring summary is provided every three years, pursuant to the HMP and Open
Space Management Plan (TAIC 2004). Monitoring is conducted by the on-site preserve manager
of each preserve. The monitoring results are submitted through site-specific annual reports and
geographic information system (GIS) data to the HMP Preserve Steward. The HMP Preserve
Steward summarizes the data every three years into a triennial monitoring summary report for the
City of Carlsbad (city).
The preserve system is made up of several categories of HMP preserves (Figure 1):
1. Established private and city-owned preserves – established after approval of the HMP. These preserves are funded through endowments or other permanent funding sources for active management.
2. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ecological reserves – owned and managed by CDFW.
3. Pre-existing preserves – established prior to HMP approval. These preserves are generally owned by private homeowner associations (HOAs). Management on these lands is minimal, consisting mostly of access control and trash collection.
4. Future preserves. Future preserves include Standards Areas and Proposed Hardline Areas, which are undeveloped areas within the HMP boundary. When these areas are developed, HMP standards must be followed, including the permanent conservation of a portion of the property and funding for long-term management.
For the most part, monitoring data is collected on established private and city-owned preserves
and CDFW ecological reserves. Figure 2 shows the land owner and preserve manager for
individual preserves. Results of monitoring for vegetation communities and species are
summarized in Sections 2 and 3.
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Legend
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Date: 1/12/2021Document Path: \\shares\GIS_App\RequestsMarch2015\PublicWorks\PEM\MuniProp\RITM0020672_20\Working Map\Working.aprx
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City of CarlsbadCurrent Preserve Ownership/Management
City of CarlsbadCity Preserves*- Aura Circle- Aviara Park- Batiquitos Drive- Carlsbad Village Dr- Carrillo Ranch- Crossings Golf Course- Faraday- La Costa Canyon Park- La Costa/Romeria- Lagoon Lane- Lake Calavera- Los Monos- Macario Canyon- Poinsettia Park- Veteran's Park
Other Public/Semi-PublicOther Public/Semi-Public- Cabrillo Power- Dawson-Los Monos Canyon Reserve- North County Transit District- Other Public Agencies- San Diego Gas & Electric- San Dieguito Union School District- State of California
Wildlife AgenciesCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife- Agua Hedionda ER- Batiquitos Lagoon ER- Brodiaea Preserve- Buena Vista Creek ER- Buena Vista Lagoon ER- Carlsbad Highlands ER
Conservation Management EntityCenter for Natural Lands Management- Calavera Hills II/Robertson Ranch- Carlsbad Oaks North- Encinas Creek- Kelly Ranch- La Costa Glen- Rancho La CostaOther Management Entity- Habitat Restoration Sciences (HRS)- Helix Environmental- San Diego Habitat Conservancy- San Diego Urban Corps Habitat Services
PrivateHOAs- Aviara HOAs- Calavera Hills HOAs- La Costa HOAs- Other HOAs and Private Open Space- Rancho Carrillo Master HOA
Future PreservesFuture Preserves- Other Future Preserve- Pending Management- Undeveloped Standards Area
Figure 2
Date: 1/20/2021
* Managed by Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM)
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Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 4 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
2. Vegetation Communities
2.1 Influence of Weather on the Preserve System
In the past decade, drought and wildfire had a significant impact on the condition of the preserve
system. Severe drought conditions were especially prominent during the 2012/2013 and
2013/2014 rainy season (generally November through April), which brought 5.2 and 4.0 inches of
rain, respectively (NOAA 2020) (Table 1). Average annual precipitation in Carlsbad based on
historical weather data from Palomar Airport is approximately 10 inches. Total precipitation in
Carlsbad was below average from the 2011/2012 rainy season to the 2015/2016 rainy season;
however, the 2016/2017, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 rainy seasons were above average, with 15.4
inches, 13.39 inches, and 20.07 inches, respectively (NOAA 2020). The 2019/2020 rainy season
had the highest precipitation documented across the period, with nearly 200 percent of the
historic precipitation average (NOAA 2020).
The drought conditions starting from the 2011/2012 rainy season helped pave the way for the
Poinsettia Fire, which burned over 300 acres in Carlsbad in May of 2014, most of which was on
HMP preserve lands. On the day the fire broke out, the area was experiencing extreme Santa Ana
conditions, which is a fairly rare occurrence at that time of year, bringing the humidity levels
down and bringing temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Burned habitats are recovering,
but not without added threats, such as the presence of invasive plant species. This is true
particularly in the coastal sage scrub habitat, which has historically not recovered from fire as
well as chaparral habitats and some of the oak woodland.
Projections of climate change in the region include warming by approximately 4 to 9° Fahrenheit,
an approximately 20 percent decrease in precipitation, longer periods of drought, and rare but
extreme flooding occurrences (Climate Science Alliance 2021). These extreme weather
conditions, along with increased human presence, are expected to continue to put added stress
onto our already vulnerable natural lands.
2.2 Vegetation Mapping
Long-term vegetation monitoring within the preserve system is accomplished through periodic
mapping (required by the HMP) and focused studies. Mapping is conducted within preserves by
the preserve managers every five years to document changes in vegetation community boundaries
over time. Vegetation communities were originally mapped using Oberbauer-modified Holland
classification system (Holland 1986, Oberbauer 2008), which is the classification system upon
which the HMP habitat targets are based. However, the preserve managers now use Vegetation
Classification Manual for Western San Diego County (SANDAG 2011), the current standard
classification system for this area. This system is based on alliances and associations, which are
defined by the presence and abundance of diagnostic species. This classification is much more
fine-scaled, and provides more information about variation within the habitat. Site-specific
vegetation mapping submitted by preserve managers is incorporated into a single citywide
geospatial vegetation layer. Because the HMP requirements are tracked in the older classification
system, the city’s vegetation layer uses a crosswalk to the Oberbauer system for tracking
purposes.
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
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Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
TABLE 1 PRECIPITATION IN CARLSBAD
Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Recent Average
Precipitation Total (in)* 5.77 4.69 11.32 10.0 11.7 14.1 9.25 5.22 4.04 7.07 6.6 15.4 6.03 13.39 20.07 9.6
* Measurements from Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad, CA (NOAA 2020). Data taken from Nov-April. The year presented coincides with the end of the rainy season (April).
Total Annual Precipitation from 2006–2020
* Measurements from Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad, CA (NOAA 2020). Data taken from Nov-April. The year presented coincides with the end of the rainy season (April).
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Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
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Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
2.3 Long-Term Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring
The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) began a long-term monitoring program in
coastal sage scrub habitat during the spring of 2009 by setting up modified Whittaker plots (see
CNLM 2010 for methods and rationale). Fifty-nine plots distributed evenly across the landscape
in Carlsbad have been visited every year from 2009 to 2019 on a three-year return interval. The
plots are located on CNLM-managed preserves, CDFW Ecological Reserves, and the Aviara
Master Association Preserve. One-third of the plots are monitored each year, and thus, each plot
is visited every three years (termed rotating panel). The advantages of using a rotating panel
design rather than visiting the same plots every year are that (1) it allows for sampling within a
broader area, and (2) it reduces potential impacts from trampling from monitoring activities. The
purpose of the study is to track and evaluate changes in the structure, composition and species
richness of coastal sage scrub over time. Species richness was collected for 9 years (3 rotating
panels), through 2017; it was stopped at this time as there were no meaningful trends expressed
(such as loss of species). Coastal sage scrub monitoring did not occur in 2020 due to the COVID-
19 stay-at-home order, but is anticipated to resume in 2021.
2.3.1 Results of Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring
From 2009 to 2016, average percent cover of all shrubs showed a generally even trend, while
2017 showed an increase in percent cover. Shrub cover in 2019 increased from its slight dip in
2018 and was the second highest cover recorded in the 10-year trend. Average percent cover of
native forbs and native grasses increased dramatically from previous drought years, potentially
due to higher seed load produced in the heavy rains of 2017 and 2019. Average percent cover of
both native forbs and native grass in 2019 were the highest on record for the 10-year trend.
Average percent cover of non-native forbs increased slightly, while non-native grasses decreased
slightly in 2019. See graphs below.
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 7 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring: Percent Cover of Native Shrubs. Precipitation in inches on left axis and percent cover on right axis (+/- 1 standard error).
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring- Percent Cover of Native Forbs and Grasses. Note that data was collected incorrectly in 2016 and 2017; therefore, those years are not included. Precipitation in inches on left axis and percent cover on right axis (+/- 1 standard error).
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Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 8 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Coastal Sage Scrub Monitoring - Percent Cover of Exotic (Non-Native) Forbs and Grasses. Note that data was collected incorrectly in 2016 and 2017; therefore, those years are not included. Precipitation in inches on left axis and percent cover on right axis (+/- 1 standard error).
2.4 Post-Fire Recovery Monitoring
In May of 2014, approximately 317 acres of natural land burned in the Poinsettia Fire; of this,
approximately 295 acres of habitat was within the HMP hardline. The majority of this habitat was
unmanaged preserves (private HOA lands), actively managed preserves (established private and
city-owned), and future preserves (Standard Areas) (Figure 3). The city, in coordination with the
Preserve Steward and CNLM, developed and implemented the Carlsbad HMP Post-Fire
Monitoring Protocol (Protocol, City of Carlsbad 2014). This protocol consisted of quantitative
and qualitative assessments in 26 locations throughout the burn area, stratified by habitat type
(southern maritime chaparral [SMC], chamise chaparral [CC], coastal sage scrub [CSS], oak
woodland, and vernal pools). The monitoring was conducted annually for five years, starting in
the spring of 2015 and completed in spring 2019, to evaluate the trajectory of recovery of each
vegetation community, and compare it to known post-fire response expectations.
In 2019, three unburned SMC reference plots were added at La Costa Greens and City Ventures,
and one unburned CSS reference plot was added at Emerald Point to provide data comparison to
unburned areas. Data from the city-wide CSS monitoring program is also used in this report to
provide comparison to unburned CSS in the city. Reference plots were chosen based on close
proximity to the burned areas, but were just outside of the burn limits.
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Date: 3/3/2021Document Path: J:\GIS\HMPdata\RH Working\HMP_PoinsettiaFirePerimeter.mxd
Post-Fire Habitat Recovery Monitoring
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2014 Poinsettia Fire Perimeter
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Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 10 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
2.4.1 Results of Post-Fire Recovery Monitoring
The CC, SMC, and CSS vegetation communities are mostly recovering as expected after the
Poinsettia Fire and are headed towards the desired self-sustaining trajectory. Higher than average
precipitation in 2017 and 2019 was very beneficial, with most native shrub species showing good
vigor, and the cover of native herbaceous species increasing and showing the expected post-fire
type of species diversity.
Although non-native species were observed, the cover and density is also in-line with what is
expected and tolerated, and is mostly not considered a threat that would alter the recovery and
long-term species composition within each community. The relatively low cover of non-native
species observed should allow for healthy vegetation communities to return overtime, given
another fire is not experienced in upcoming decades.
It will take many more years for the SMC and CC communities to attain the over 90 percent cover
of native shrubs that typifies these communities (including the SMC reference sites). Native shrub
cover in the CSS community will likely take fewer years to recover than the chaparral communities.
Native herbaceous cover in the CSS community is already robust, and will likely decrease as native
shrub species become more dominant. Non-native herbaceous and grass species may be an issue in
CSS, and have higher percent cover than the reference transects; however, these functional groups
are expected to decrease as native shrub cover increases and out-competes these species.
Generally, the oak woodlands are on the trajectory towards recovery, with many native plant species
repopulating the area. Mortality of oak trees was low on the Rancho La Costa Preserve, but much
higher (35 percent) on the Manzanita Partners Preserve. The remaining oaks on the two preserves are
slowly recovering. Invasive non-native species such as pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and black
mustard (Brassica nigra) are abundant in this habitat, which may affect natural recruitment of oaks.
The presence of vernal pool indicator species on the Manzanita Preserve vernal pool site, including
endangered San Diego button celery (Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii) and federally endangered
San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis), indicates the habitat is on a positive trajectory
toward recovery. Non-native species are abundant on site, but no more so than the pre-fire conditions.
For more details, see the final report Poinsettia Fire Post-Fire Monitoring Results 2015–2019,
included as Appendix E in the Year 15 HMP Annual Report (CNLM and ESA 2020).
3. Species
This section summarizes the monitoring results for species with site-specific permit conditions
(i.e., those that require individual populations to be tracked) (MHCP 2003, Vol. III). The species
are grouped by general type, including upland plants, vernal pool plants and animals,
lagoon/coastal birds, riparian birds, upland birds, and wildlife movement. Long-term focused
species monitoring is conducted to document species persistence in the preserve system, and to
inform site-specific management actions. The information summarized in this report comes from
site-specific annual reports, regional species monitoring reports, and GIS data. Table 2 below
summarizes the years during which focused species surveys were conducted on each preserve.
Figures 4–9 show the known locations of these species based on data from preserve managers,
California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 11 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
TABLE 2 PRIORITY SPECIES SURVEYS CONDUCTED ON ACTIVELY MANAGED PRESERVES
Land manager
Species
Upland Plant Species
San Diego thornmint
Thread-leaved brodiaea
Del Mar manzanita
Del Mar mesa sand aster
Encinitas baccharis
Orcutt's hazardia
Vemal Pool Species
California Orcutt grass
Little mousetail
San Diego button-celery
Spreading navarretia
Riverside fairy shrimp
San Diego fairy shrimp
Lagoon/Coastal Species
Belding's sava nnah sparrow
California least tern
Western snowy plover
Light-Ridgway's rail
Riparian Bird Species
Least Beffs vireo
SW willow flycatcher
Upland Bird Species
California gnatcatcher
NP = Not present
NSI -No survey information
1 Every 5 years
t. Annually
3 Transplanted population
CDFW
Agua Hedionda
Lagoon ER
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
1973-20151' 6
not surveyed
2001-2017'
2000-20202
2008
NSI
2008, 2010,
2013
CDFW
Batiquitos
Lagoon ER
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
1973-20151' 6
2001-20162
2001-20172
2000-20202
NSI
NSI
2008, 2010,
2013
4 Vernal pools burned in 2014 fire
5 Year missed due to staff attrition
6 2020 missed due to Covid
7 Every 10 years
CDFW
1-Ac Brodiaea
Preserve
NP
2015-2020
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
CN LM
BV Creek ER
NP
2011-20192
NP
NP
NP
NP
2008, 2009,
2010, 2014,
2016, 2018,
2020
2008, 2009,
2010, 2014
2008, 2010,
2013
CDFW
BV Lagoon ER
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
CN LM
Calavera/Rob
Ranch
2008-2012'
2006-20192
NP
NP
NP
NP
Vernal pools do not occur on these
preserves
1973-20151' 6
not surveyed
2001-2017'
2000-20202
2008, 2009, 2013,
NSI 2014, 2017, 2018,
2019, 20206
2008, 2009, 2013, NSI 2014
NSI 2007, 2010, 2013,
2015, 2016
Table 2. Priority Species Surveys Conducted on Actively Managed Preserves
CDFW CNLM
Carlsbad
Highlands ER Carlsbad Oaks N
NP 2007-20202
2008, 2015, 2016 2007-20192
NP NP
NP NP
NP NP
NP NP
NSI NP
NSI NP
2008, 2010, 2007, 2010,
2013, 2018, 2019 2013
SDHC
Carlsbad
Raceway
2017-20202
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
CNLM UC SDHC CNLM
City Preserves City Ventures Emerald Pointe Encinas Ck
NP NP 2010, 2014-2020 NP
2010-20192 NP NP NP
NP NP NP NP
NP 2014-2020 NP NP
NP NP NP NP
NP NP NP NP
Vernal pools do not occur on these preserves
Lagoon species do not occur on these preserves
2009, 2010,
NP 2011, 2014, NP NP 2008-20202
2016, 2019
2009, 2010,
NP 2011, 2014, NP NP 2008-20112
2016 2019
2014 2011, 2013,
2018
2013, 2017,
2020 2009, 2012 2008-2020
CNLM
Kelly Ranch
NP
NP
2009, 2014, 2017,
2018, 2019
NP
NP
2004-2014, 2016,
2017-20202' ,, 5
NP
NP
2003-2007, 2010,
2013
CNLM
La Costa Glen
NP
NP
2013, 2014,
2015, 2017
2007, 2014-
2017
2013, 2014,
2015
NP
NP
NP
2013, 2017,
20206
Dudek
Manzanita
Partners4
NP
NP
2005, 2013 7
1998, 20137
NP
NP
NP
NP
2016-2020
NP
NP
2016-2017, 2019-
2020
NP
NP
2016
HOA UC
Morning Ridge Poinsettia Place
NP NP
NP NP
2008 2004, 2014,
2017, 2020
NP NP
NP NP
NP NP
Vernal pools do not occur on
these preserves
NP NP
NP NP
2005, 2013, 2013, 2017,
2018 2020
Dudek
Poinsettia
Station
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
2019, 2020
NP
2019, 2020
2019, 2020
2019, 2020
2020
NP
NP
NP
SDHC
Quarry Creek
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
CNLM
Rancho La
Costa
2005-20202
2005-20192
2005, 2008,
2014-2017
NP
NP
2004-2017-
20202'3
Vernal pools do not occur on
these preserves
2016, 2019 2014, 2019,
2020
NP NP
2005, 2007,
2016 2010, 2013,
2018
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 12 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
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Date: 3/1/2021Document Path: \\shares\GIS_App\RequestsMarch2015\PublicWorks\PEM\MuniProp\RITM0020672_20\Figure_5_VernalPoolSpecies.mxd
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Date: 3/1/2021Document Path: \\shares\GIS_App\RequestsMarch2015\PublicWorks\PEM\MuniProp\RITM0020672_20\Figure_6_LagoonBirdSpecies.mxd
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City of CarlsbadCurrent Status of Coastal California Gnatcatcher
USFWS Occurrence:
!Coastal California GnatcatcherHMP Database:
!(Coastal California Gnatcatcher
USFWS Critical Habitat:
Coastal California GnatcatcherCNDDB Occurrence:
Coastal California Gnatcatcher
Existing and Proposed Hardline Preserve
Figure 9
Date: 3/1/2021Document Path: \\shares\GIS_App\RequestsMarch2015\PublicWorks\PEM\MuniProp\RITM0020672_20\Figure_8_CAGNStatus.mxd
{"city of
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1111
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 19 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Site-specific species monitoring is designed to evaluate preserve-specific status, and does offer a
look at species across the city of Carlsbad, but cannot be used to understand overall species
population trends. Regional monitoring and associated research being coordinated by the San
Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP) provides information about species
population trends, genetic exchange, and best management practices for individual species. The
SDMMP prepared a science-based regional Management and Monitoring Strategic Plan for
Conserved Lands in Western San Diego County: A Strategic Habitat Conservation Roadmap
(MSP Roadmap) (2017), which provides regional and local (population-specific) goals and
objectives. This document is an adaptive management and monitoring implementation plan for
priority species and habitats within Western San Diego County and is coordinated across multiple
jurisdictions and key organizations and individuals in an effort to obtain a cohesive management
and monitoring strategy for these species, including databases and mapping tools, species-specific
monitoring protocols, and management techniques specific to local threats.
As part of the MSP Roadmap, a rare plant monitoring protocol was developed by SDMMP to
identify and prioritize management objectives regarding status, threats, and management needs
for 30 rare plant species (six of which occur in Carlsbad) on conserved lands in Western San
Diego County. The city encourages preserve managers to participate in the regional Inspect and
Manage (IMG) program for Nuttall’s acmispon (Acmispon prostratus), Orcutt’s brodiaea
(Brodiaea orcuttii), Orcutt’s hazardia (Hazardia orcuttii), San Diego goldenstar (Bloomeria
clevelandii), San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia), and thread-leaved brodiaea
(Brodiaea filifolia). The MSP Roadmap also includes strategic plans for wildlife movement
(SDMMP 2011) and invasive plants (CBI et al. 2012). The city will continue to coordinate with
these regional management and monitoring efforts as feasible.
3.1 Upland Plants
3.1.1 San Diego Thornmint
Acanthomintha ilicifolia
Status: federally threatened, state endangered
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
The MHCP identified critical locations and major populations in scattered locations throughout
Carlsbad, mostly in private HOA preserve lands. Other populations of San Diego thornmint are
located within the Carlsbad Oaks North and Rancho La Costa Preserve.
Long-Term Monitoring
Within Carlsbad, long-term monitoring for selected populations has been ongoing since 2008.
Populations of San Diego thornmint at Carlsbad Oaks North, Emerald Pointe, and Rancho La
Costa Preserves are regularly monitored by Preserve Managers (Figure 4). Populations monitored
as part of the SDMMP rare plant monitoring program include Carlsbad Raceway, Emerald
Pointe, Palomar Airport (County-owned preserve), and Rancho Carrillo (HOA-owned and
managed preserve).
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 20 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Status
As is typical for many annual species, San Diego thornmint counts varied tremendously at each
location between 2008 and 2020 (Table 3). Due to the high annual variability of the populations,
it is difficult to determine the overall trend of a specific population or the species as a whole. To
better understand what drives dynamics of the species populations in Carlsbad, CNLM is
conducting studies to evaluate the status of the plants in relation to weather, cover of native and
non-native forbs and grasses, and invasive species removal. CNLM is also conducting genetic
studies to understand the genetic diversity and structure of the species.
Overall, this species appears to be thriving and is well-protected on Carlsbad Oaks North,
Palomar Airport (outside the HMP), and Rancho La Costa Preserves; however, populations on
Carlsbad Raceway, Emerald Pointe, and Rancho Carrillo Preserves are very small and vulnerable
to extirpation, which appears to have happened on the Calavera Hills/Robertson Ranch site.
TABLE 3 POPULATION OF SAN DIEGO THORNMINT ON CARLSBAD PRESERVES
Number of Individuals
Preserve 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Calavera Hills/Robertson Ranch 2 4 2 0 0 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
Carlsbad Oaks North 505 556 648 342 464 151 327 420 276 474 123 207 2,593
Carlsbad Raceway NS NS 26 NS NS NS NS NS NS 3 9 5 15
Emerald Pointe NS 110 93 NS NS NS 6 14 39 17 22 40 0
Palomar Airport (outside HMP) NS NS UR NS NS NS NS NS 15,000 35,107 1,708 6,380 1,475
Rancho Carrillo NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS 23 3 5 11
Rancho La Costa (the Greens) 194 251 380 936 965 79 652 378 237 996 278 1,396 2,580
NS = not surveyed
UR = surveyed but unreported
* Measurements from Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad, CA (NOAA 2020). Data taken from Nov-April. The year presented coincides with the end of the rainy season
San Diego Thornmint Population on Carlsbad Preserves
*Calavera Hills/RR East = Calavera Hills/Robertson Ranch **Outliers Carlsbad Raceway, Emerald Pointe, and Palomar Airport not included. Refer to Table 3.
3000
2500 .,
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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
YEAR
■ Calavera Hills/RR East
■ Carlsbad Oaks North
■ Emerald Pointe
■ Rancho La Costa
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 21 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Major Threats
The major threats to San Diego thornmint are invasive plant species, such as tocalote (Centaurea
melitensis) and purple false brome (Brachypodium distachyon); human use and trampling; habitat
fragmentation with loss of pollinators; climate change and prolonged drought; and small
populations that are more vulnerable to environmental conditions (SDMMP 2017a). Where small
numbers of the species are found, such as Carlsbad Raceway, Emerald Pointe, and Rancho
Carrillo, hand watering, seed bulking and population augmentation could help ensure that the
population does not become extirpated. It is critical to continue intensive invasive plant species
removal efforts, as this currently appears to be the largest threat to the species’ decline.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Management and monitoring strategies for San Diego thornmint have been developed by
SDMMP and CNLM based on the best available science and local knowledge of land managers.
The strategies include implementing a seed banking and bulking plan, inspecting conserved
occurrences on an annual basis, developing habitat suitability and climate change modeling, and
additional refinement of BMPs. Management generally focuses on intensive invasive species
removal around San Diego thornmint populations (including hand weeding around plants), thatch
removal, and access control. The Rancho Carrillo population remains unmanaged.
In addition to general management, CNLM has commenced a San Diego thornmint out-seeding
program in 2017 to enhance and buffer their existing occurrences (CNLM 2018a). CNLM
attained both federal and state permits for these activities. Seed was collected from 2017 to 2020
from within Carlsbad, and was distributed to unoccupied habitat in 2019, 2020, and 2021,
occurring once per out-seeding location. Results have been mixed; San Diego thornmint have
flowered in several locations and increased in numbers each year, but at other locations, only a
few have flowered. San Diego Habitat Conservancy has initiated seed collection for future seed
bulking and expansion of the small populations on Carlsbad Raceway and Emerald Pointe and
will continue weeding and hand watering as necessary to prevent extirpation.
3.1.2 Thread-Leaved Brodiaea
Brodiaea filifolia
Status: federally threatened, state endangered
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
The MHCP identified critical locations/major populations in the following preserves: Calavera
Hills Phase II, Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve, Rancho Carrillo, Fox-Miller, Brodiaea
Preserve, and Rancho La Costa. This is an endemic species to San Diego County and known from
20 occurrences on Conserved Lands (SDMMP 2017a).
Long-Term Monitoring
Index Plot Monitoring
Long-term monitoring of thread-leaved brodiaea consists of monitoring index plots at preserves
managed by CNLM and CDFW. Index plots are used to sample a subset of the entire populations
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 22 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
to evaluate trends in vegetative individuals and flowering rates. Some occurrences have
thousands of individuals, which is too difficult and exhaustive to monitor. This is a preferred
method to counting just flowers, as vegetative growth occurs annually, and flowering rates vary
in relation to total precipitation. Index plots were monitored annually between 2012 and 2017,
then every other year thereafter when numbers indicated the population was stable enough to
reduce frequency (CNLM 2019a).
Life-History Study
CNLM initiated a 5-year life-history study in the winter of 2013–2014 that was completed in
2018 on its preserves. Life-history plots tracked individual plants throughout the vegetation and
flowering phases of thread-leaved brodiaea each season from year to year, with the purpose of
providing information about the degree of flowering, variance of dormancy, and how these
factors relate to flowering. This information was used to determine the best method for estimating
counts (e.g., whether flowering counts are a suitable replacement for vegetative counts).
Pollinator Study
CNLM and other entities have observed a lack of seed pod and seed production on flowering
thread-leaved brodiaea individuals. This lack of seed production may be attributed to a reported
self-incompatibility issue (Niehaus 1971), but could also be due to a lack of pollinators or
effective pollination services. To investigate the lack of seed pod and seed production in thread-
leaved brodiaea, CNLM developed a pollinator study to assess pollinator diversity and
abundance, flower visitation rates, and seed pod and seed production. The study began in 2019
within known areas of thread-leaved brodiaea occurrences on CNLM Preserves (Rancho La
Costa, Buena Vista Creek, and Calavera Hills).
Status
Overall, this species is considered to be doing relatively well within Carlsbad. Vegetative counts
of this species appear to be relatively stable but flowering counts vary tremendously year to year
depending on timing and amount of precipitation, the season during which the surveys were
conducted, and other factors that are undetermined. CNLM has determined that the plant count
during the flowering season may represent 0 to 35 percent of the actual population size, since
only a fraction of a population flowers at a given time. Figure 4 shows known locations of thread-
leaved brodiaea in Carlsbad and USFWS critical habitat for this species. Tables 4 and 5 show the
vegetative and flowering counts.
The results of the life history study concluded that vegetative production is relatively consistent
across years despite differences in annual precipitation, and dormancy associated with little
precipitation was not observed; individuals with four leaves tend to flower more than individuals
with fewer than four; and flowering percentage seems to be correlated with total precipitation
(CNLM 2020a).
Pollinator diversity and abundance results from pan traps are included in Table 6, and pollinator
visitation rates are included in Table 7. Seed production results are included in Table 8. Based on
2020 pollination study results, specifically the level of seed pod development and seed
production, CNLM concluded that pollinators can effectively pollinate thread-leaved brodiaea
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 23 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
and produce seed under the right conditions; however, total seed production is low compared to
other native plants within the same habitat (CNLM 2020b).
TABLE 4 SAMPLE POPULATION OF THREAD-LEAVED BRODIAEA BY VEGETATIVE COUNT ON CARLSBAD PRESERVES
Preserve 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Buena Vista Creek 647 817 753 979 1,047 1,338 NS 1,684 NS
Calavera/Robertson Ranch 226 628 481 505 784 773 NS 1,211 NS
Carlsbad Oaks North 102 224 189 145 217 325 NS 492 NS
Rancho La Costa NS 3,457 2,421 4,833 2,946 3,293 NS 2,662 NS
NS = not surveyed
* Measurements from Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad, CA (NOAA 2020). Data taken from Nov-April. The year presented coincides with the April date
Sample Population of Thread-Leaved Brodiaea
on Carlsbad Preserves (by Vegetative Count)
TABLE 5 SAMPLE POPULATION OF THREAD-LEAVED BRODIAEA BY FLOWERING COUNT ON CARLSBAD PRESERVES
Preserve 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Buena Vista Creek 0 13 2 6 25 48 NS 139 NS
Calavera/Robertson Ranch 1 3 0 22 3 26 NS 20 NS
Carlsbad Oaks North 14 1 4 30 15 67 NS 103 NS
Rancho La Costa NS 0 0 29 90 835 NS 323 NS
NS = not surveyed
* Measurements from Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad, CA (NOAA 2020). Data taken from Nov-April. The year presented coincides with the April date
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020No. IndividualsYEAR
Buena Vista Creek
Calavera/Robertson Ranch
Carlsbad Oaks North
Rancho La Costa
■
■
■
■
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 24 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Sample Population of Thread-Leaved Brodiaea
on Carlsbad Preserves (by Flowering Count)
TABLE 6 POLLINATOR DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE ON CARLSBAD PRESERVES
Preserve
Pan Trap Diversity1 Pan Trap Abundance2 Net Capture Diversity1 Net Capture Abundance2
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Buena Vista Creek 6 4 43 36 5 3 11 27
Calavera Hills 8 5 80 24 4 3 24 31
Rancho La Costa 5 3 44 13 4 3 12 14
NOTES:
* Diversity and abundance is based on pan trap data only
1 Diversity = number of potential pollinator species detected.
2 Abundance = number of distinct potential pollinator individuals detected.
TABLE 7 THREAD-LEAVED BRODIAEA FLOWER VISITATION RATES ON CARLSBAD PRESERVES*
Preserve 2019 2020
Buena Vista Creek 100.0 33.3
Calavera Hills 34.1 29.0
Rancho La Costa 75.0 64.3
Average 61.4 37.5
* Visitation rate: average number of minutes between pollinator visits per thread-leaved brodiaea flower.
0
200
400
600
800
1000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020No. IndividualsYEAR
Buena Vista Creek
Calavera/Robertson Ranch
Carlsbad Oaks North
Rancho La Costa~
f
l r1
■
■
■
■
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 25 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
TABLE 8 SEED PRODUCTION OF PIN-FLAGGED THREAD-LEAVED ON CARLSBAD PRESERVES
Preserve
Total Seeds Individual Thread-Leaved Brodiaea With Seeds # Flowers With Seeds
20191 20202 20191 20202 20191 20202
Buena Vista Creek 0 10 0 3 0 3
Calavera Hills 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rancho La Costa 6 62 2 13 2 24
NOTES:
1 In 2019, 25 thread-leaved brodiaea individuals were pin-flagged at each Preserve. 2 In 2020, 30 thread-leaved brodiaea individuals were pin-flagged at each Preserve.
Major Threats
The main threats to this species within Carlsbad are invasive non-native grass species (e.g.,
slender wild oat [Avena barbata] and purple false brome) and non-native forbs (e.g., black
mustard and bristly ox-tongue [Helminthotheca echioides]), thatch build-up, and self-
incompatibility limiting seed production (CNLM 2020a). Although it is difficult to determine the
population trajectory of Carlsbad occurrences (increasing, decreasing, or stable), the populations
managed by CNLM and CDFW appear to be well protected due to intensive, localized
management efforts that are regularly conducted. Populations managed by other entities should,
at minimum, be inspected to confirm presence and population-specific threats should be
identified and addressed.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
A management and monitoring approach developed by SDMMP and CNLM includes inspecting
conserved occurrences every two years beginning in 2017, implementing routine management as
determined when monitoring, developing habitat suitability and climate change modeling,
surveying historical occurrences to determine status, and initiating seed collection and banking.
Invasive non-native species management is the primary management for this species.
3.1.4 Del Mar Mesa Sand Aster
Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. linifolia
Status: California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) 1B.1
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
There are no MHCP critical locations in Carlsbad. The closest MHCP major population is at the
southern boundary of Carlsbad. The majority of the population within the MHCP Subregion is in
the City of Encinitas but may extend into Carlsbad on private HOA lands. However, this species
does occur within three Carlsbad preserves.
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 26 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
Long-Term Monitoring
Long-term monitoring was initiated in 2014 for the La Costa Collections population of Del Mar
Mesa sand aster. The surveys consist of delineating the boundaries of sand aster patches and
estimating the density of the patches using 20 stratified, random 0.25 square meter plots (J.
Whalen Assoc. 2014). In 2014, the density was 0.85 per 0.25 square meter. The densities in 2015,
2016, and 2017 were 0.65, 0.8, and 0.95, respectively. A complete count from 2005 recorded
1,540 total individuals at La Costa Collections Preserve. The preserve manager estimates that
numbers have increased from this count, but recent counts have not continued.
Long-term monitoring for the Manzanita Partners Preserve population was initiated in 2013.
Monitoring on this preserve consists of general rare plant surveys every 10 years to confirm
presence. This population was burned in the Poinsettia Fire and has not been observed within
Manzanita Partners Preserve since the fire. A survey for this species will be performed in 2023
within the Manzanita Partners Preserve.
Within City Ventures Preserve, a Del Mar Mesa sand aster survey was conducted in 2018 to map
the current population boundaries. The 2018 survey effort included flagging the limits of the
population and initiated an annual census count, which resulted in 672 individuals. In 2019 and
2020, 662 and 828 individuals were counted within the mapped population area, respectively.
Figure 4 shows the locations of Del Mar Mesa sand aster on actively managed preserves.
Status
Del Mar sand aster seems to be stable.
Major Threats
The greatest threats are unauthorized access including trails, trampling, and other edge effects,
such as trash and invasive plant species.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Populations are being managed through general habitat management (e.g., invasive plant species
removal, trash removal, access control [HRS 2014; G. Cummings, personal communication,
2018]). Potentially suitable habitat for this species within the HMP preserve system, which
consists of coastal bluff scrub and openings within coastal sage scrub and chaparral, is also being
managed through general habitat stewardship. Del Mar Mesa sand aster was not identified by the
SDMMP as a high priority for regional management and monitoring; therefore, BMPs have not
been developed for this species.
3.1.3 Del Mar Manzanita
Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia
Status: federally endangered
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 27 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
The MHCP identified critical locations/major populations on preserve lands owned by the city,
the County, private HOAs, and La Costa Villages.
Long-Term Monitoring
Surveys for Del Mar manzanita are conducted periodically on the following preserves: La Costa
Glen, Kelly Ranch, Manzanita Partners, Morning Ridge, Poinsettia Place, and Rancho La Costa
(see table below for dates) (Figure 5). Because the non-sensitive Eastwood manzanita
(Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. glandulosa) also occurs on Rancho La Costa Preserve and Kelly
Ranch Preserve, Del Mar manzanita has been re-mapped individuals to the subspecies level by
taxonomic experts (Spiegelberg and Vinje 2008, CNLM 2018b).
Status
The number of individuals reported on other actively managed preserves ranges from 2 clumps
(number of individuals unknown) to 313 individuals (Table 9). Three preserves burned during the
Poinsettia Fire in May 2014, and post-fire surveys have not included Del Mar manzanita census
counts to determine how many of the burned individuals survived. However, based on transect
studies conducted to determine cover of native and non-native species, most Del Mar manzanita
shrubs have resprouted at the stump, which is to be expected, as this species is highly adapted to fire.
The species is likely to persist in the Carlsbad with appropriate management of the vegetation
community, rather than species-specific management. By protecting and managing the vegetation
community as a whole, this species is expected to remain in stable condition.
Major Threats
Primary threats at this preserve are anthropogenic, such as frequent fire, trespass, and vandalism, as
well as the introduction of invasive non-native plant species (CNLM 2019b). Several shrubs on the
unmanaged Santa Fe Trails Preserve population have been removed to create bike jumps and trails.
Prior to the fire, threats to the actively managed Carlsbad populations were considered minimal due
to the robustness of woody shrubs (i.e., they are not as vulnerable to drought, invasive plant species
encroachment, or edge effects as small annuals) and the inaccessibility of most of the known
locations. In burned areas, the major threat to recovery is erosion—many of the plants occur on very
steep slopes that now have little to no vegetation holding the soil in place. Generally, wildfire is not
considered a major threat to Del Mar manzanita as this species evolved with fire. It typically re-
sprouts from a basal burl after it has been burned and the seeds are dependent on fire to germinate
(USFWS 2010). However, even with fire-adapted species, if the natural fire regime is altered (e.g., if
fires become too frequent or burn too hot), the long-term effect on the species could be detrimental.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Management actions include invasive plant species removal, access control, and public outreach.
Special attention has been given to the burn areas in Rancho La Costa, Poinsettia Place, and Morning
Ridge Preserves to encourage recovery of these populations.
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 28 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
TABLE 9 DEL MAR MANZANITA AT CARLSBAD PRESERVES
Number of Del Mar Manzanita Individuals
Preserve 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
La Costa Glen NS NS NS 2001 NS NS NS NS NS 313 Unk2 Unk2 NS Unk2 NS NS NS
Kelly Ranch NS NS NS NS NS 23 NS NS NS NS 2 NS NS 23 5 13 NS
Manzanita Partners NS 117 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS 117 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
Morning Ridge NS 8 NS NS 8 NS NS NS NS NS burned4 NS NS NS NS NS NS
Poinsettia Place 53 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS burned4 NS NS NS NS NS 38
Rancho La Costa NS >5005 NS NS 9 NS NS NS NS NS burned4 19 19 19 NS NS NS
NS = Not Surveyed
1 Conducted for the MHCP, prior to long-term management
2 Unknown number; survey conducted but exact number of individuals not reported
3 Number of clumps is reported; number of individuals is unknown
4 Pre-fire surveys were conducted on Poinsettia Place. Morning Ridge, and Rancho La Costa in 2014; post-fire counts are presumed to be zero since the entire preserve burned, including above-ground biomass. A post-fire inspection on Rancho La Costa reported seven resprouting shrubs, and one near, but undamaged by the bulldozed fire line.
5 Survey performed prior to long-term management; taxonomic confirmation of subspecies not yet conducted
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
Triennial Monitoring Summary Report 2018–2020 29 ESA / D201700606.04
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) March 2021
3.1.5 Encinitas Baccharis
Baccharis vanessae
Status: federally threatened, state endangered
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
The closest MHCP major population is at the southern boundary of Carlsbad. The majority of the
population is within Encinitas but may extend into Carlsbad on La Costa Glen Preserve. Within
this major population, there are critical locations identified that may occur within Carlsbad;
however, presence or absence of these observations has not been confirmed in the field since
surveys were conducted in the 1990s for the MHCP, except in the La Costa Glen Preserve, as
described below.
Long-Term Monitoring
One Encinitas baccharis locality was reported on the La Costa Glen Preserve in the 1990s during
surveys conducted for the MHCP. Long-term management for this preserve was established in
January of 2013. Focused surveys were performed by CNLM: two in 2013, two in 2014, and one in
2015. Encinitas baccharis was not observed during these surveys.
Status
The status of populations within Carlsbad, if they exist, is currently unknown.
Major Threats
Major threats to this dioecious (having separate male and female individuals, both necessary for
reproducation) species are altered fire regime, low seedling recruitment, low seed viability,
reduced reproductive potential at older age classes, fuel modification, trampling, and invasive
plant species. Small, isolated occurrences with little connectivity and dioecious life history make
this species more vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions (SDMMP 2017a).
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
A management and monitoring approach was developed by SDMMP (2017a) for this species and
includes inspecting conserved occurrences every two years, implementing routine management
informed by monitoring, surveying historical occurrences to determine status, initiating seed
collection and banking, and additional refinement of BMPs. Potentially suitable habitat on
actively-managed preserves in Carlsbad is being managed through general invasive plant species
removal and access control.
3.1.6 Orcutt’s Hazardia
Hazardia orcuttii
Status: state threatened
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MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
There are no naturally occurring MHCP critical locations or major populations of Orcutt’s
hazardia in Carlsbad. If the transplanted populations in Carlsbad prove to be self-sustaining, they
would be considered critical populations.
Long-Term Monitoring
Orcutt’s hazardia was transplanted by CNLM to CNLM’s Kelly Ranch and Rancho La Costa
Preserves in 2003. Since then, CNLM has been tracking these transplants and documenting
flowering adults and recruitment of juveniles and seedlings annually.
Status
By 2004, a total of 146 Orcutt’s hazardia individuals were transplanted to Kelly Ranch Preserve
and 200 individuals were transplanted to Rancho La Costa Preserve. As of 2020, a total of 137
individuals (85 adults, 50 juveniles, and 2 seedlings) were observed on Kelly Ranch Preserve, and
144 individuals (125 adults and 19 juveniles) were observed on Rancho La Costa Preserve
(CNLM 2020d, CNLM 2020e [Tables 10 and 11]). Overall, the adult plants on both sites have
fared well over time, becoming generally stable within a few years after the initial transplantation.
The number of juvenile and seedlings at Kelly Ranch Preserve has dropped, for reasons unknown.
Monitoring will continue in future years.
Major Threats
The biggest threat to this species is that it occurs in only a few locations (only one of which is a
natural population, located in Encinitas; all others were transplanted), and populations are very
small and isolated, making this species highly vulnerable to extirpation by a catastrophic event,
such as fire or disease (SDMMP 2017a). Ongoing drought also appears to be a major threat to this
species.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
All known populations, including the single naturally occurring population in Encinitas and
transplanted populations in Carlsbad, are under active management by CNLM. Management
activities consist of intensive invasive plant species removal, access control, and transplant
studies, which have been approved by the wildlife agencies. By better understanding population
dynamics, it is hoped that this program will reduce the possibility of local extinction (the species
still occurs in northern Mexico) due to unforeseen events.
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TABLE 10 COUNTS OF ORCUTT'S HAZARDIA TRANSPLANTED TO KELLY RANCH PRESERVE
TABLE 11 COUNTS OF ORCUTT'S HAZARDIA TRANSPLANTED TO RANCHO LA COSTA PRESERVE
Life Stage
Number of Individuals Counted, by Year
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013* 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Adults (flowering) 160 NS NS 156 156 156 156 NS 147 144 157 125 125 126 125
Juveniles NS NS NS NS 2 10 15 22 24 13 0 14 18 22 19
Seedlings NS NS NS NS 8 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total count 160 unknown unknown 156 166 170 172 unknown 171 157 157 139 144 148 144
NS = not surveyed; *= only seedling counts performed
Life Stage
Number of Individuals Counted, by Year
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Adults (flowering) 121 97 104 104 104 104 104 104 105 103 102 NS 105 105 102 98 85
Juveniles2 0 0 0 1 1 4 15 42 119 157 152 NS 141 97 89 91 50
Seedlings 0 0 0 4 17 14 68 77 55 0 0 NS 0 0 0 0 2
Total count 121 97 104 109 122 122 187 223 279 260 254 NS 246 202 191 189 137
NS = not surveyed; counting was planned in 2015, but could not be completed due to staff attrition
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Counts of Adult, Juvenile, and Seedling Orcutt’s Hazardia
0
50
100
150
200
Number of AdultsYEAR
Kelly Ranch
Rancho La Costa
0
50
100
150
200
20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020Number of JuvenilesYEAR
Kelly Ranch
Rancho La Costa
0
20
40
60
80
20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020Number of SeedlingsYEAR
Kelly Ranch
Rancho La Costa
I I I
_n1
I
I -
I
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■
■
■
■
■
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3.2 Vernal Pool Species
California Orcutt Grass
Orcuttia californica Status: federally endangered, state endangered
Spreading Navarretia
Navarretia fossalis Status: federally threatened
Little Mousetail
Myosurus minimus ssp. Apus Status: CRPR 3.1
Riverside Fairy Shrimp
Streptocephalus woottoni Status: federally endangered
San Diego Button Celery
Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii Status: federally endangered, state endangered
San Diego Fairy Shrimp
Branchinecta sandiegonensis Status: federally endangered
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
There are three vernal pool complexes in the HMP preserve system: (1) Poinsettia Station, (2)
Hieatt property, north of the airport, and (3) Manzanita Partners Preserve, east of El Camino Real
and south of the airport (Figure 6). The Poinsettia Station vernal pool has been identified as a
MHCP critical location and major population for all vernal pool species listed above. The city
received HMP coverage for these species in 2019 as a result of taking over long-term
management of the site. Neither Hieatt Property nor Manzanita Partners Preserve were identified
by the MHCP as critical locations or major populations.
Long-Term Monitoring
Baseline rare plant surveys and hydrological monitoring was conducted by Dudek at the
Poinsettia Station pools in 2019 and 2020 when long-term management by the city was initiated.
Long-term monitoring at the Manzanita Partners Preserve consists of annual general condition
assessments. Although the Hieatt Preserve pools are not under active management, a site visit to
evaluate status and threats was conducted by the HMP Preserve Steward and the city in January
2018 following a minor rain.
Status
Poinsettia Station
In 2019 and 2020, 16 vernal pool indicator plant species were observed on site during baseline
vernal pool floral surveys. Of these 16 species, 4 are recognized as special-status species by
USFWS, CDFW, and/or considered a Narrow Endemic under the MHCP: Orcutt’s brodiaea
(Brodiaea orcuttii), San Diego button celery, spreading navarretia (Navarretia fossalis), and
California Orcutt grass (Orcuttia californica). In addition, two federally endangered fairy shrimp
species were detected, including San Diego fairy shrimp and Riverside fairy shrimp
(Streptocephalus woottoni). In 2019, both pools were visited too late in the season to detect
presence of San Diego fairy shrimp; however, San Diego fairy shrimp was detected in both pools
in 2020. Riverside fairy shrimp was detected in the southernmost pool in the preserve in 2019 and
2020.
Hieatt Properties
When surveyed in 2006, the pools did not contain any sensitive species, but contained the
following vernal pool indicator species: dwarf wooly-heads (Psilocarphus brevissimus var.
brevissimus), water pygmyweed (Crassula aquatica), chaffweed (Centunculus minimus), and
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grass poly (Lythrum hyssopifolia). During the January 2018 visit to the Hieatt Properties, there
was no sign of ponding; however, there were clear signs of a vernal pool matrix throughout the
property, as previously mapped.
Manzanita Partners
Federally endangered San Diego fairy shrimp was observed in four pools during 2019 and 2020
monitoring efforts with thousands to hundreds of thousands of fairy shrimp individuals detected.
San Diego button celery (Eryngium aristulatum) was documented during 2018, 2019, and 2020
monitoring (HRS 2020). All but two of the vernal pools were full during rain events in the winter
of 2019/2020. Site visits conducted in 2020 indicated that non-native grasses and forbs, such as
longbeak stork’s bill (Erodium botrys), are no longer a major issue within the vernal pools due to
weed control efforts and increased pooling from adequate precipitation.
Other Locations
Additional vernal pools have been identified to the north of the Poinsettia Lanes site along the
same NCTD right-of-way (Rosie 2010), although these are outside of the HMP boundary. Several
of these pools are reported to support San Diego fairy shrimp. These pools, which are generally in
poor condition (few vernal pool species and dense cover of non-native grasses), are not currently
protected by a conservation easement or other open space protection.
Major Threats
Non-native plants, as well as lack of precipitation, remain key threats to vernal pools. However,
with adequate precipitation, non-native plants are drowned out and native species adapted for
vernal pool conditions are able to dominate. Encroachment of upland shrubs and altered
hydrology are the primary threats at the Poinsettia Station Preserve.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Poinsettia Station
The city has recently obtained legal control over the protection, management, and monitoring of
the Poinsettia Station vernal pools. Intensive weed removal within the pool basins was performed
in 2019 and 2020. Future management will focus on annual non-native plant control and control
of native shrubs that are encroaching into the pools.
Hieatt Property
The Hieatt property vernal pools are not being actively managed.
Manzanita Partners
Long-term management focuses on invasive species control and access control.
3.3 Lagoon/Coastal Bird Species
3.3.1 Belding’s Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi
Status: state endangered
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MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
The MHCP critical locations and major populations for Belding’s savannah sparrow are located
in Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Batiquitos Lagoon, which are managed by CDFW.
Long-Term Monitoring
Surveys are conducted approximately every five years as part of an ongoing statewide census
effort. The most recent census information available is from 2015; 2020 surveys were postponed
due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order but are planned to occur in 2021 (R. Zembal, personal
communication, 2020). In 2015, 27 coastal salt marshes in California were surveyed (Zembal et
al. 2015).
Status
The number of territories rose at Batiquitos Lagoon since the 2010 surveys and remained
largely the same for both Agua Hedionda and Buena Vista Lagoons (Table 12, Figure 7). At
Agua Hedionda Lagoon, the 2015 surveys revealed one fewer territory than 2010 surveys—a
6 percent decline in territories from 2010. At Batiquitos Lagoon, the 2015 surveys showed a 32
percent increase in territories from 2010 surveys, which revealed there was a 19 percent
increase from the 2006 surveys; this was after a 44 percent decrease from the 2001 numbers
due to an inundation of brackish marsh habitat (Zembal et al. 2015). At Buena Vista Lagoon,
the 2015 surveys revealed that the formerly occupied territories (2006 and prior) did not
contain Belding’s savannah sparrow.
TABLE 12 NUMBER OF OCCUPIED BELDING’S SAVANNAH SPARROW TERRITORIES BY YEAR
1973 1977 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2010 2015
Buena Vista Lagoon 0 5 1 0 0 6 5 0 0
Agua Hedionda Lagoon 37 16 45 13 29 22 24 18 17
Batiquitos Lagoon 0 20 47 50 36 66 37 44 58
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1973 1977 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2010 2015No. of Occupied TerritoriesYEAR
Buena Vista Lagoon
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Batiquitos Lagoon
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Major Threats
Encroachment of freshwater and the transition of saltwater marsh habitat to brackish marsh, as
well as the corresponding rise of territorial song sparrows, proliferation of invasive species, and
human disturbances continue to exert pressure upon Belding’s savannah sparrow and the habitat
necessary to support the species (Zembal et al. 2015).
Human trespass and off-leash dogs continue to be a problem, resulting in habitat that is too
heavily trafficked to support this species in much of the lagoon. Although CDFW is actively
working to control detrimental species, including invasive algae (Caulerpa taxifolia) and
Algerian sea-lavender (Limonium ramosissimum), much of the previously existing Belding’s
savannah sparrow habitat has been affected and no longer supports adequate nest cover (Zembal
et al. 2015).
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Past restoration of Batiquitos Lagoon resulted in the expansion of pickleweed, which is a critical
component of Belding’s savannah sparrow habitat, and likely led to the doubling of the
population between the 1996 and 2001 surveys. At Agua Hedionda Lagoon, CalTrans has
installed low fencing along the northern edge of the lagoon, which helped minimally to exclude
potential trespassers. CDFW’s top management priorities are habitat enhancement, protection,
and restoration to improve tidal flushing; sediment control; limiting human disturbances; and the
continued funding of a statewide census.
3.3.2 California Least Tern
Sterna antillarum browni
Status: federally endangered, state endangered and fully protected
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
MHCP critical locations have been identified in all three lagoons. The population at Batiquitos
Lagoon is considered an MHCP major population.
Long-Term Monitoring
Least tern monitoring, funded by CDFW, has been conducted annually at Batiquitos Lagoon from
1973 to 2020 as part of a statewide census (Figure 7).
Status
Estimates of number of breeding pairs, nests, and fledglings are presented in Table 13. Data for
2020 surveys were collected but not available during the preparation of this report. Based on 2016
monitoring data, Batiquitos Lagoon was among six breeding sites within the state of California
that had over 300 breeding pairs, which represented 72 percent of the state’s total (Frost 2017).
Measures of productivity, including number of nests, breeding pairs, clutch size, and number of
surviving fledglings have been variable over time, and it is difficult to evaluate the overall trends
of this subpopulation. However, the precipitous drop in the number of surviving fledglings, which
decreased by more than 80 percent between 2010 and 2011 was likely due to the lack of funding
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for monitoring and predator control (Foster 2011, Sisson 2011). Another steep drop in number of
fledglings occurred between 2017 and 2019, but the reasons are unknown (J. Boland, personal
communication, 2021).
Major Threats
Monitoring reports for 2017–2020, which discuss potential threats to this species, were
unavailable during the preparation of this report. As of 2016, the threat of predation from
peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), common raven (Corvus corax), northern harrier (Circus
cyaneus), rat species, and coyote (Canis latrans), was an ongoing concern for the species (Frost
2017). However, in 2016, mortality due to non-predation factors was significantly greater than
mortality due to predation, with the largest factor being abandonment both prior to hatching and
post-term (Frost 2017). A lack of sufficient foraging habitat was thought to be a major limiting
factor in California least tern population growth and could be contributing to abandonment.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
A management and monitoring approach for this species was developed by SDMMP (SDMMP
2017a) and includes predator control at breeding colonies, annual monitoring per CDFW
protocols, inspection of habitat and document management needs, and implementation of routine
management as necessary. Annual management actions for this species include fencing,
interpretative signage, nest marking, chick shelters, vegetation management, and predator
management (Frost 2017).
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TABLE 13 NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA LEAST TERN NESTS, PAIRS, AND FLEDGLINGS BY YEAR
2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. Nests 222 226 615 596 627 594 610 649 480 532 563 558 479 415 451 692 684 548
No. Pairs 192 203-205 574 571 601 575-578 596 576-620 457-480 457-519 550-562 433-559 478 296-413 445 658-671 667-684 481-548
Estimated No.
of Fledglings
73-99 53-66 155-228 109-128 223-270 146-226 143-187 212-233 208-261 20-37 34-38 117-163 232-269 90-143 175-200 175-225 94-99 22-31
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Number of Pairs or FledgelingsYEAR
No. Pairs
No. Fledglings
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3.3.3 Light-Footed Ridgway’s Rail
Rallus longirostris levipes (Rallus obsoletus levipes)
Status: federally endangered, state endangered and fully protected
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
MHCP critical locations and major populations have been identified at all three lagoons in
Carlsbad.
Long-Term Monitoring
In 2020, the 41st consecutive annual census of Ridgway’s rails in California coastal wetlands was
conducted in 25 locations by assessing call counts. This long-term annual monitoring program,
which extends from Mugu Lagoon in Ventura County to Tijuana Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
on the Mexican border, is funded by CDFW. Ridgway’s rails are typically monitored by spring
call counts and winter high tide counts.
Status
Three subpopulations occur in Carlsbad in the Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos
Lagoons, which account for approximately 10 percent of the total California population
(Figure 7). Batiquitos Lagoon supports the fourth largest subpopulation in the state and the largest
subpopulation in Carlsbad. This subpopulation has shown a steady increase since census
monitoring began in 1980. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Buena Vista Lagoon populations
have been variable over time. Results through the 2020 season are summarized below for areas
within Carlsbad (Zembal et al. 2020) (Table 14).
Implementation of the management actions described below appear to be successful in protecting
and expanding this species within Carlsbad, although it is unclear if the Batiquitos Lagoon, Agua
Hedionda Lagoon, and Buena Vista Lagoon subpopulations are stable and self-sustaining without
the introduction of captive-bred individuals.
Major Threats
Significant habitat degradation due to increasing tides and ocean inlet closures (as well as
invasion by non-native trees and shrubs), development, and predators continue to be the greatest
threats to the light-footed Ridgway’s rail (Zembal et al. 2020).
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
A management and monitoring approach for this species was developed by SDMMP (SDMMP
2017a). It includes monitoring occurrences annually through 2021 to record abundance, threats,
and management needs and implementing routine management of habitat and vegetation per the
needs of Ridgway’s rail. CDFW priorities for the species are continued habitat
enhancement/restoration, and funding of the statewide census.
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TABLE 14 NUMBER OF PAIRS OR UNPAIRED INDIVIDUALS OF RIDGWAY’S RAILS BY YEAR
Lagoon 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Buena Vista 51 31 61 51 51 61 81 81 91 91 6 31 91 2 4 10 4 7 91 10 10
Agua Hedionda 2 2 1 4 5 41 71 4 7 6 21 7 9 8 71 8 4 9 4 7 5
Batiquitos 21 31 31 5 11 161 191 22 22 261 361 431 431 45 40 45 52 41 16 32 35
1 represents pairs only but singles were also observed
UR=Currently, data is unreported
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020No. Individuals or PairsYEAR
Buena Vista Lagoon
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Batiquitos Lagoon
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Management actions at all three lagoons Buena Vista Lagoon, Agua Hedionda Lagoon, and
Batiquitos Lagoon, include habitat restoration and tidal enhancement, predator study and control
program, nesting site provision, adaptive management studies, captive breeding, genetic and
demographic augmentation of smaller subpopulations, and continued long-term monitoring of
population status and effects of management actions (Zembal et al. 2020). A total of 67 rails were
released from captive-bred rails in Batiquitos Lagoon between 2004 and 2019; at Agua Hedionda
Lagoon, 36 rails were released between 2004 and 2013; and at Buena Vista Lagoon, 20 rails were
released between 2011 and 2016 (Zembal et al. 2020).
3.3.4 Western Snowy Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus
Status: federally threatened
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
MHCP critical locations and major populations have been identified at all three lagoons. The
western snowy plover does not nest at Agua Hedionda Lagoon or Buena Vista Lagoon and has
not been observed at either location during winter surveys. It nests at Batiquitos Lagoon
Ecological Reserve (C. Beck, personal communication, 2018).
Long-Term Monitoring
Western snowy plover monitoring has been conducted annually at Batiquitos Lagoon through
2017 as part of a statewide census (Figure 7).
Status
Monitoring results from 1997 to 2019 are summarized below (Table 15). Monitoring data were not
obtained for 2018 and 2020. Numbers were obtained for 2019 (M. Burlaza, personal communication,
2021). The numbers of nests, breeding adults, and fledglings at Batiquitos Lagoon plummeted in
2006 and remained low thereafter, which is consistent throughout California (Squires and Wolf
2010). A further decline has occurred at Batiquitos since 2014, which is not consistent with the rest
of the state (Feucht et al. 2017). None were observed in 2017. The reason for this is unclear.
Major Threats
Avian predators continue to be a major threat to the western snowy plover, as well as a decline in
suitable foraging habitat as loss of salt pan and mud flat areas has reduced typical food sources
for this species (C. Beck, personal communication, 2018).
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
CDFW performs the following activities to encourage western snowy plover nesting: (1) habitat
management - maintaining pathways linking the breeding habitat with the north mudflats; (2)
predator control - placing wire cages over active nests to protect the eggs; and (3) vegetation
management around nesting sites (Beck 2016). In addition, a management and monitoring approach
for this species was developed by SDMMP (2017a), which includes monitoring occurrences through
2021 to document abundance, threats, and necessary management actions; refining BMPs based on
results; implementing high priority management actions; and monitoring the success of such actions.
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TABLE 15 WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER MONITORING RESULTS FOR BATIQUITOS LAGOON
Year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Breeding Pairs 36 39 11 14 17 22 22 33 27 17 6 10 8 8 6 6 8 10 7 2 0 UR 1
Nests 38 26 7 9 19 25 29 28 25 16 5 6 5 3 5 3 6 10 4 1 0 UR 1
Fledglings 12 8 4 6 12 17 10 12 11 10 3 4 3 6 0 3 7 9 4 0 0 UR 1
NOTE: Averages are displayed for ranges given in original data set
UR = surveyed but unreported
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017COUNT DATAYEAR
Nests
Breeding Pairs
Fledglings
■
■
■
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3.4 Riparian Bird Species
3.4.1 Least Bell’s Vireo
Vireo bellii pusillus
Status: federally endangered, state endangered
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
There are no MHCP critical locations or major populations of least Bell’s vireo in Carlsbad.
Long-Term Monitoring
Focused species surveys were conducted in suitable habitat on several preserves by CNLM
between 2008 and 2020. Incidental observations made during other activities were also recorded.
The purpose of the surveys is to periodically inspect suitable habitat, map occurrences, and
identify threats to inform site-specific management. Figure 8 shows the locations of observations
from focused surveys and incidental observations.
Status
Since surveys began in 2008, the number of least Bell’s vireo pairs and/or individual males on
Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve, Calavera Hills/Robertson Ranch, Encinas Creek, and
city-owned preserves is variable (Table 16). On Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve, which
has the greatest number of territories as indicated by pairs or territorial males, numbers varied
from 3 to 12 over 13 years. On actively managed preserves, least Bell’s vireo habitat is well-
protected and appears to be in good condition.
Major Threats
Threats to this species include loss of overall riparian habitat, altered hydrological conditions, nest
parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird, and habitat degradation through the introduction of tamarisk
(Tamarix spp.), giant reed (Arundo donax), and other invasive species. The shot hole borer
(Euwallacea spp.) and the associated fusarium dieback disease, which is known to harm, and often
kill, many riparian tree species least Bell’s vireo depend on for habitat such as willows (Salix spp.), is
a major threat to this species. Shot hole borer was identified at The Crossings Preserve in 2016.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
This species is managed through general habitat management (e.g., trash pick-up, access control,
patrols, invasive species removal), as well as brown-headed cowbird trapping (CNLM 2020c).
Restoration and habitat enhancement activities are performed annually and have occurred on over
5 and 55 acres, respectively (CNLM 2020e).
Many of the riparian trees that were most impacted from shot hole borer at The Crossings Preserve
were removed in September 2018. The removal area is monitored annually, with no increase in
infected trees since; additionally, about 25% of the cut trees have since re-sprouted (CNLM 2020c). A
direct correlation between negative impacts from shot hole borer and a decreased presence of least
Bell’s vireo has not been observed within Carlsbad.
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TABLE 16 ESTIMATED NUMBER OF LEAST BELL’S VIREO PAIRS
Preserve 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve 3–4 pair 3 pair 7 pair 3 pair1 NS NS 10–12 males2 NS 2 pair NS 10–12 males2 NS Det.1
3 males 3 males 2 males1 7 males
Calavera Hills/ Robertson Ranch 1 pair1 1 indv1 NS NS NS 3
males1
2 males1 NS NS 3 males 1 pair1 Det.1 Det.1
1 male1 3 male1
Encinas Creek 1 pair 1 pair 1 male 1 male 0 1 male 0 0 0 0 0 0 NS4
3 males
Rancho La Costa Preserve NS NS NS 2 indv1 NS NS 03 NS NS NS NS 0 Det.1
Quarry Creek Preserve NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1 pair1 NS NS 7 indv 2
indv1
1 male
City Preserves
The Crossings Golf Course NS 1 pair 1 pair 0 NS 1 male3 NS NS 0 NS NS 0 NS
3 males 3 males
Lake Calavera NS 0 0 0 NS 0 1 male1 NS 0 NS NS 0 NS
Poinsettia Park NS 0 0 0 NS 0 NS NS 0 NS NS 0 NS
Lagoon Lane NS 0 0 0 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
NS = not surveyed
NA = not applicable because preserve was not acquired yet. Det. = detected, but number of individuals not confirmed. 1 Incidental observation 2 Territorial 3 Migratory male 4 Survey cancelled/postponed due to COVID-19.
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3.4.2 Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii extimus
Status: federally endangered, state endangered
MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
There are no MHCP critical locations or major populations in Carlsbad and it appears that there
are only two nesting colonies within San Diego County—one along the Upper San Luis Rey
River and one along the Santa Margarita River (SDMMP 2017a). USFWS proposed critical
habitat is located along Agua Hedionda Creek, east of El Camino Real, and along the eastern
portion of Agua Hedionda Lagoon, west of El Camino Real (Figure 8).
Long-Term Monitoring
Focused species surveys for the southwestern willow flycatcher are conducted concurrently with
least Bell’s vireo surveys on CNLM-managed preserves, as these species have similar habitat
requirements.
Status
This species does not appear to breed in Carlsbad, and suitable habitat is limited within the
preserve system. A migratory southwest willow flycatcher was observed many years ago at The
Crossings Preserve (Cotton/Beland/Associates, Inc. 2000), and suitable habitat exists from near
Cannon Road up to the old quarry area along Macario Creek and at Lake Calavera (CNLM 2013).
One willow flycatcher was also observed at Lake Calavera in 2016, presumed to be a migrant due
to the time of year (M. Spiegelberg, personal communication, 2018).
Major Threats
Threats to this species in San Diego County include loss of and modification to natural habitat,
predation by the brown-headed cowbird, altered hydrology within habitats, urbanization,
agricultural practices, and heavy recreational use (SDMMP 2017a). Loss of habitat from shot-
hole borer/Fusarium die back may also be a threat. SDMMP has stated that daily management
activities alone will not ensure that this species is protected.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Annual non-native species removal and shot hole borer surveillance continue annually to improve
riparian habitat onsite (CNLM 2020e).
3.5 Upland Bird Species
3.5.1 Coastal California Gnatcatcher
Polioptila californica californica
Status: federally threatened
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MHCP Critical Locations and Major Populations
No MHCP major or critical populations occur in Carlsbad; however, the regional stepping-stone
corridor that provides dispersal opportunities between south San Diego County and Camp
Pendleton (and into Orange and Riverside Counties) runs through Carlsbad. In addition, several
areas of USFWS Critical Habitat have been identified within the city (Figure 9).
Long-Term Monitoring
The city initiated a coordinated long-term monitoring survey effort across approximately 1,500
acres of coastal sage scrub in 2010 to assess the current condition (abundance, status: pair or
single, and distribution) of gnatcatchers throughout the HMP preserve system (CNLM and ESA
2013). Follow up surveys were conducted in 2013. Surveys were also conducted on managed
preserves and selected unmanaged preserves in the vicinity of the Aviara Master Association. In
2015, due to the stability of the local population (high occurrence, high density, and high habitat
quality throughout the preserve system) and occupancy of even the smallest habitat fragments, it
was decided to delay triennial monitoring and instead monitor the species at nine-year intervals.
The next citywide survey is scheduled for 2022.
Status
A total of 85 pairs and 42 males (127 total territories) were observed in 2010, and 117 pairs and
33 single males (150 territories) were observed in 2013, showing an increase of 23 territories
despite little change in survey acreage (CNLM and ESA 2013). Gnatcatchers were observed
across the jurisdiction and in all habitat patch sizes. Gnatcatcher territories on both managed and
unmanaged preserves that were surveyed in 2010 and 2013 are thriving and appear to be well-
protected from unauthorized access and other edge effects. Additionally, long-term coastal sage
scrub monitoring has shown the habitat to have adequate shrub cover and high native species
diversity.
Major Threats
The largest threats to this species regionally are habitat degradation and loss of habitat due to
wildfire (Kus et al. 2017). In May 2014, occupied habitat supporting three documented
gnatcatcher locations burned in the Poinsettia Fire. Post-fire monitoring suggests that the habitat
is recovering well, although it may take many more years for the coastal sage scrub communities
to attain the composition and cover of native shrubs that can support nesting gnatcatchers.
Management Actions Conducted to Protect the Species
Most of the suitable habitat in the city is under active management, or protected by a conservation
easement. This species is managed through general habitat stewardship, including invasive plant
species removal, patrolling, fence and sign maintenance, erosion control, habitat evaluations, and
monitoring, and targeted restoration. Regional goals for this species include maintaining,
enhancing, and restoring coastal sage scrub habitat to be resilient to environmental change and
catastrophic events (SDMMP 2017b). A regional management strategy, based on long-term
monitoring being conducted throughout the species’ range, is under development (Kus et al. 2017).
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