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. 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. 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.
2.1 Taxonomy and biogeographic populations
1). On the basis of ring recoveries and resightings of neck-banded individuals, it has been estimated that there is an exchange of individuals between the two populations of 0.1- 0.7% per year (Ebbinge et al. 1984; Xxxxxx et al. 1999). The exchange seems to increase in severe xxxxxxx such as in 1995/96, 1996/97 and particularly 2009/10 when there was snow cover for an extended period from Denmark to Belgium (X. Xxxxxx unpubl. data). Analyses of mtDNA from individuals from the two populations show that there is significant genetic differentiation between populations which confirms that there is a low rate of gene flow, highest from the Svalbard population towards the Iceland/Greenland population (Ruokonen et al. 2005).
Fig. 1. The Svalbard pink-footed goose flyway and range states (copyright NINA, Norway).
2.2 Distribution throughout the annual cycle
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...
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. On November 16, 2009 a biological assessment of Tanyard Creek and Peavine Creek was conducted, and on December 17, 2009 a biological assessment of Stone Mountain Creek was conducted to sample the creeks for macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates are affected by the physical and chemical conditions of the stream rendering some macroinvertebrates to be more sensitive to pollutants than others, therefore the presence or absence of macroinvertebrates in a stream can be used as an indicator of water quality. All four sites, A, B, C, and D, were sampled for an average of twenty minutes to check for the abundance and order richness of macroinvertebrates in the area. Adopt-A-Stream’s Biological and Chemical Stream Monitoring Manual reports index values for water quality based on the variety of organisms present in the creek. The index values are based on the sensitivity of the macroinvertebrates and the categories are broken up as follows: an index value greater than 22 is considered excellent water quality, an index value between 17 and 22 is considered good water quality, an index value between 11 and 16 is considered fair water quality, and an index value below 11 is considered poor water quality (Adopt-A-Stream, 2001). At Tanyard Creek 6 orders of 13 invertebrates were found. The crane fly larvae (Diptera Tipulidea) was the dominant order found in the xxxxxx, leaf packed, woody debris, and sometimes silt, rocky, sandy, or gravel stream bed. Based on the Adopt-A-Stream biological assessment of water quality index Tanyard Creek scored a 9 which categorizes the creek as having poor water quality (Appendix B, Table 7). At Peavine Creek 3 orders of 16 invertebrates were found. The caddis fly larvae (Trichoptera Hydroppsychidae) was the dominant order found in the xxxxxx, leaf packed, woody debris, and rocky stream bed. Based on the Adopt-A-Stream biological assessment of water quality index Peavine Creek scored a 5 which categorizes the creek as having poor water quality (Appendix B, Table 8). At Stone Mountain Creek 2 orders of 58 invertebrates were found along the 65 meter stretch of the creek. Isopods were the dominant species found in the leaf pack, woody debris vegetated bank, and granite bedrock streambed. Based on the Adopt-A- Stream biological assessment of water quality index Stone Mountain Creek scored 15 which categorizes the creek as having fair water quality (Appendix B, Table 9).
Biological Assessment. 1.1. Taxonomy and population structure
1.2. Distribution throughout the annual cycle Table 1. Geographical distribution of the Greenland White-fronted Goose.
Biological Assessment. Taxonomy and biogeographic populations Distribution throughout the annual cycle Habitat requirements Survival and productivity Population size and trend 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 Overall
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. The bridge project will a Biological Assessment and consultation with the USFWS because past surveys have found California red- legged frogs and tadpoles in the West Branch of Xxxxxx Slough and because the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is assumed to be present in the project area. Xxxxx Xxxxxx will coordinate with the USFWS to discuss California red-legged frog, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and other federally listed species that may be affected by the project and to determine the most efficient approach for achieving ESA Section 7 compliance. At this time, it is not known whether be required on listed species in addition to California red- . legged frog and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. If additional consultation is required, the scope of work and cost estimate will need to be reviewed and possibly revised..
