Habitat Loss
The Santa Ana Watershed is losing much of its native habitat to development within the watershed. Of special concern is the loss of native riparian (streamside) habitat. A member district of the Santa Ana Watershed Association (Riverside-Corona RCD) runs a Native Plant Nursery which produces native plant species for planting within the watershed.
The least Bell's Vireo is listed on the Federal Endangered Species List. The vireo's preferred habitat is the lower portions of riparian growth in the vicinity of water. The destruction of this habitat in many areas, combined with habitat degredation and the introduction of species unsuitable for vireo nests (especially Arundo donax), have been a major factor in the decline of the species.
The southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) is a smaller bird currently recognized by both the Federal Government and the State of California as endangered. Once common, in 1987 only 300-500 nesting pairs remained. Since that time, virtually all monitored nesting groups have continued to decline. Habitat loss, combined with increased predation bycowbirds has been the primarily responsible for this decline.
The riparian (streamside) vegetation where the southwestern willow flycatcher nests has been degraded, and much of it has been destroyed. Removal of vegetation to clear land for agriculture, the invasion of non-native species such as arundo and saltcedar, and the alteration of hydrology by humans have all contributed to the loss of riparian vegetation. The Santa Ana Watershed is dedicated to the eradication of arundo and saltcedar throughout the watershed to preserve the riparian habitat for these species.
The Santa Ana Sucker is a small fish that was common in the Santa Ana Watershed. Changes in the Santa Ana Sucker's habitat, especially through water diversions, stream channelizations, erosion, and pollution, have been the prime cause in the decline of the species. Efforts are underway to preserve the Santa Ana Sucker. The Riverside-Corona RCD is in the process of creating an artificial stream to aid in the recovery of the fish to the watershed.
Copyright 2005 by Santa Ana Watershed Association. All rights reserved.
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Updated07/28/2005 08:41:10 AM
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