Biological Assessment. This section provides a concise overview of the taxonomy, life history, demography, population trends, distribution and ecology of the species. Summarized information from the most relevant and authoritative sources 1 The AEWA Conservation Status Report provides population trend estimates of the biogeographical populations and should be used as the reference/starting point: xxxx://xxx.xxxx- xxxx.xxx/xxxxxxxxxxxx/xxxxxxxxx_xxxxxx/xx00_xxxxxxxxxxxx_xxxxxx_xxxxxx_xxxxx.xxx should be used to describe clearly the key characteristics of the population concerned. Extensive detail should, however, be avoided and graphic presentation should be used wherever possible. Where relevant and necessary, the information included in the overview may be further clarified by results from ringing schemes, satellite telemetry, stable isotope analysis, and distribution surveys. One or more map(s) of key stages of the life cycle (eg breeding and non- breeding distribution, flyways, key stopover sites, historical range) should be included to illustrate the information above (BirdLife produced species’ range maps can be used if appropriate). For plans for species that are huntable in the EU, a web link should be added to the dates of spring migration and breeding on the European Commission website1. If the species is hunted, information about the harvested numbers becomes essential for management and should be included, where available2. The following information on population size and trend by country should be presented as Table 2: • Breeding numbers. Specify if pairs or individuals. The same unit should be used for all breeding countries. • Quality: Good = Reliable quantitative data available (eg atlas, survey or monitoring data) for the whole period and country. Medium = generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available. Poor = Poorly known with no quantitative data available. Unknown = information on quality not available. • Breeding population trend in the last 10 years (or three generations). If possible, provide the actual trend (in %) or use the following (with + or - according to direction): 0-19%; 20-29%; 30-49%; 50-79%; >80% or “unknown” when data is lacking. For some species, actual percentage values may not be known due to insufficient data, and the use of categories should be based on the best available data or expert judgement. • Migration or non-breeding numbers: numbers in individuals. • Use separate tables for each biogeographic popula...
Biological Assessment. Taxonomy and biogeographic populations • Notes (where relevant) explaining the taxonomic status of the species /sub-species/biogeographic population dealt with by the action plan. Distribution throughout the annual cycle • Very brief description of distribution and movements, including info on timing and location of breeding, spring migration and moulting etc. • Country by country data provided in Figure 1 and Table 1. Habitat requirements • Brief description of the habitat used by the species. • Breeding (including nest site) and non breeding habitats used • Feeding habitats and diet • Habitat description could include also important habitat requirements for the species, if these are known. Survival and productivity • Summary of available information (figures, trends) on generation length, age of first breeding, clutch size, productivity, survival of the age classes (adult, juvenile, chick, nest) and factors affecting it. Population size and trend • Ideally for each biogeographic population, current population and historical and recent trends in population size and range (breeding, wintering, migration). Table 2 Population size and trend by country Country Breeding numbers Quality Year(s) of the estimate Breeding population trend in the last 10 years (or 3 generations) Quality Maximum size of migrating or non breeding populations in the last 10 years (or 3 generations) Quality Year(s) of the estimate Country 1 Overall Notes ✓ Quality: Good (Observed) = based on reliable or representative quantitative data derived from complete counts or comprehensive measurements. Good (Estimated) = based on reliable or representative quantitative data derived from sampling or interpolation. Medium (Estimated) = based on incomplete quantitative data derived from sampling or interpolation. Medium (Inferred) = based on incomplete or poor quantitative data derived from indirect evidence. Poor (Suspected) = based on no quantitative data, but guesses derived from circumstantial evidence.
Biological Assessment. The population of Svalbard pink-footed geese is well studied, with monitoring of several variables to support an international species management plan. For an overview of ongoing monitoring activities, see Appendix 1.
Biological Assessment. If, during preparation of the NES-MI, the project is determined to have the potential to result in adverse effects to a federally listed species or critical habitat that necessitate mitigation, preparation of a BA will be required. The BA shall be prepared to evaluate the potential impacts to species that are listed as threatened, endangered, or candidate species under the FESA. The BA shall be prepared in accordance with the legal requirement founds in Section 7(a)(2) of the FESA (16 United States Code [USC] 1536(c) and shall follow the latest template in the Caltrans SER.
Biological Assessment. 1.1. Taxonomy and population structure Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Anser (Linnaeus 1758) Species: Anser albifrons ((Scopoli) 1769) Sub-species: Anser albifrons flavirostris (Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx 1948) Of the four currently recognised races of holarctic Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons, the Greenland-breeding race flavirostris is the most morphologically distinct (Ely et al. 2005; Xxxx 2005), and the most recently described (Dalgety & Xxxxx 1948). Some commentators have suggested a specific rank for the taxon, though Ely et al. (2005) demonstrated that whilst flavirostris is morphologically separable from other populations, it represents an extreme form within a demonstrable pattern of increasing body size throughout the circumpolar breeding range of the species.
Biological Assessment. Although the project area is highly urbanized, the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) shows occurrences of federally listed San Francisco garter snake and western snowy plover within 1 mile, and the Maple Street drainage may provide habitat for those and other species. CONSULTANT will identify species with potential to occur in the project area based on a review of the CNDDB, the California Native Plant Society Electronic Inventory, USFWS species lists, and previous studies. CONSULTANT will conduct one focused reconnaissance-level survey of the biotic resources of the project area to characterize its plant and animal communities. Species presence will be evaluated based on the survey, records information, and existing available documentation on species presence from biological studies previously performed in the project vicinity. This scope does not include protocol-level surveys for special-status plants and animals or surveys over multiple seasons. CONSULTANT will prepare a Biological Assessment in accordance with Caltrans District 4 standards. If the USFWS indicates in the project field meeting that compensatory mitigation would be needed for impacts to federally listed species, CONSULTANT will include conceptual-level mitigation options in the Biological Assessment. Detailed mitigation plans are not proposed in this scope of services. USFWS normally prepares the Biological Opinion based on the Biological Assessment; CONSULTANT is therefore not assuming preparation of the Opinion. Although Redwood Creek provides habitat for fish, no project activities would take place there. Drainages in the project area do not appear to support fisheries. A separate Biological Assessment for NOAA Fisheries is therefore not proposed and is assumed to not be required. Any aquatic habitat and aquatic species will therefore only be addressed briefly in the project’s Natural Environment Study.
Biological Assessment. As USACE permitting is required, X. X. Xxxxxx & Associates will prepare a single BA to facilitate Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding potential impacts on federally listed species such as California red-legged frog that the agencies consider to be present in the project area and that could be impacted by the project. The BA will assess the potential effects of the proposed project on these species and propose measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate these effects. The BA will be prepared in accordance with the applicable agency guidelines. This task includes some time for X. X. Xxxxxx & Associates senior staff to coordinate with the USFWS following submittal of the BA, including a site visit with USFWS staff, if necessary. This task also includes time for coordination with Cal Water regarding potential mitigation requirements, if the USFWS requires compensatory mitigation for impacts on federally listed species.
Biological Assessment. Buyer at Buyer's sole expense may conduct --------------------- a biological survey assessment for Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly and/or San Bernardino County Kangaroo Rat on the Property. Neither Buyer nor Seller will seek an U.S. Fish and Wildlife clearance letter. In addition, Buyer shall have the right to review biological information pertaining to the Property in Seller's possession; provided, however, all such information shall be deemed confidential in accordance with Section 11.12
Biological Assessment. General Information The Madagascar Pond-heron Ardeola idae is a small (45-48 cm) white heron with reddish legs. In breeding plumage it is all white, with long crest and scapular plumes. It has a blue bill and bare orbital skin, the former with dark tip. In non-breeding plumage, it is dark brown on crown and streaked dark brownish on mantle and underparts. It is found singly or in small groups, often with Squacco Heron A. ralloides or egrets. It nests colonially with other herons. It is listed as Endangered in the 2008 IUCN Red List because it has a very small population that is undergoing a continuing decline as a result of many of its breeding colonies being heavily and increasingly exploited for eggs and young (BirdLife International 2008). This exploitation is exacerbated by pressures on its wetland habitats. Currently, the Madagascar Pond-heron is listed in Appendix II (Migratory species conserved through Agreements) of CMS1 and in Column A, Categories 1b and 1c of the AEWA Table 12. Taxonomy and systematics Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Suborder: Ardeae Family: Ardeidae Subfamily: Ardeinae Genus: Ardeola (Xxxx) Species: Ardeola idae (Xxxxxxxx, 1860) Ardea idae Xxxxxxxx, 1860. Journal of. Orn. 8, p. 167; east coast of Madagascar. Alternative names: Malagasy Pond Heron, Madagascar Squacco Heron Taxonomic sources: Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx (1993), Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx (1990, 1993) Population development There is one population which breeds in small colonies in many places in Madagascar (X. Xxxxxxx per Xxxxxx, 2002), on Aldabra, where the main known breeding site is Ile aux Aigrettes (Betts 2002), in Mayotte (2 breeding sites known: Xxxxxxx com. pers.) and on the atoll of Europa in the Mozambique Channel. X. Xxxxxxx (per Xxxxxx 2002) believes that colony size in Madagascar is often less than 10 pairs, and there might be 100-200 colonies or perhaps substantially less, giving a maximum estimate of some 6000 birds, and minimum of 2000. One of the highest counts is 1 Migratory species that have an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements are listed in Appendix II to CMS. For this reason, the Convention encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional Agreements for the conservation and management of individual species or, more often, of a group of species listed on Appendix II. 2 AEWA provides for coordinated and concerted action to be taken by t...
Biological Assessment. General information The Lesser Flamingo is an itinerant species adapted to respond to changes in local environmental conditions by moving, and thus depends on a network of suitable sites. Although the most numerous of the world's flamingos, it is classified “Near Threatened”, nearly qualifying as threatened under criteria A3c: A population size reduction of 30%, projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat. The species is also listed in Columns A and B of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) Action Plan, Appendix II of the Bonn Convention (CMS) and Appendix II of the CITES convention. Systematic Classification & Taxonomy Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Phoenicopteridae Genus: Phoeniconaias Species: Phoeniconaias minor (Xxxxxxxx Saint-Xxxxxxx, 1798) The taxonomic relationships of flamingos have been difficult to establish. Historically, they have been thought to be most closely related to Anseriformes, Charadriiformes or Ciconiiformes by different researchers. Recent DNA analyses have shown that flamingos are most closely related to the Podicipedidae and are divided into two clades based on their genetic similarities: one containing Phoenicopterus ruber, Phoenicopterus roseus and Phoenicopterus chilensis, with the other containing Phoeniconaias minor, Phoenicoparrus andinus and Phoenicoparrus jamesi. Population development Four separate populations are recognised for conservation purposes, although it is assumed that some interchange probably occurs among the populations. The largest population, estimated to be 1.5 - 2.5 million individuals, occurs on the alkaline-saline lakes of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. Smaller populations occur in the Xxxx of Kachchh in north-western India, estimated to be approximately 390,000 birds, in southern Africa, estimated to be 55,000 - 65,000 birds, and in West Africa, estimated to be 15,000 - 25,000 birds. Declines have been suggested for much of Africa, but are difficult to clarify due to widescale movement within the continent. Increasing numbers of vagrant Lesser Flamingos are sighted each year in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. Geographical distribution The Lesser Flamingo is regularly seen in 30 countries from West Africa, across sub- Saharan Africa a...
