PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The success of any conservation or recovery program depends on eliminating or reducing the impact of activities that threaten the species existence. For consistency, the general format is based on the five criteria considered for federal listing of a species in Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA.
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The success of any conservation or recovery program depends on eliminating or reducing the impact of activities that threaten the species existence. Several problems and threats have been identified and described for spotted frog by federal and state agencies as well as the public. These threats were identified based on the criteria for Federal listing as required by Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA. The following discussion summarizes the significant threats to spotted frog that will be addressed by conservation actions described in this Strategy. Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of its Habitat or Range (Habitat Loss) Habitat loss and degradation have been indicated as major causes of the declines in spotted frog populations and distribution (Hovingh 1993, Xxxx et al, 1993). Loss of habitat due to water and urban development and agricultural practices has resulted in many small isolated populations. This increase in fragmentation has caused a loss in population connectivity that maintains the genetic integrity of spotted frog. This threat is particularly present along the Wasatch Front. Habitat degradation due to agricultural practices is also a major threat facing all populations in Utah. Although specific studies on the effects of grazing on Columbia spotted frog habitat have not been conducted on the springs occupied by spotted frog, numerous other reports link livestock trampling and grazing with frog habitat degradation (water quality, vegetation type, habitat morphology etc.). The majority of occupied and unoccupied habitats are currently not protected against grazing practices, and those that are have only recently been protected with cattle exclosures. Other habitat alterations also threaten spotted frog populations such as water development activities (e.g. irrigation practices). Water levels have been identified as important in the life history of spotted frog (Hovingh 1993). Many springs along the Wasatch Front have been depleted through diversions or capped and pumped. Similarly, the conversion from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation systems may eliminate currently occupied habitats. Interest has also been expressed in water development and mining activities within Snake Valley. These activities could significantly lower the water table, dry up springs and/or contaminate springs and marshes populated by spotted frog. Recent studies have implicated that the pesticide Atrazine acts as an endocrine disruptor in amph...
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. Populations of Virgin spinedace currently exist in the mainstem Virgin River and eleven of its tributaries including East Fork Virgin River, Shunes Creek, North Fork Virgin River, North Creek, La Verkin Creek, Ash Creek, Santa Xxxxx River, Beaver Dam Wash, Coal Pits Wash, Xxxxx Wash and Magotsu Creek (Table 1). According to Addley and Hardy (1993), the largest populations are in the upper mainstem above Quail Creek diversion and in drainages of the Santa Xxxxx River and Beaver Dam Wash. Small populations exist in Ash Creek, La Verkin Creek, and the lower mainstem below Pah Tempe Springs. The remaining areas contain intermediate sized populations. The present distribution of Virgin spinedace is significantly smaller than historically, with approximately 37-40% (84 km/52 mi) now unoccupied (Table 1). In addition, 24% of currently occupied habitat has experienced some degree of adverse modification (Table 1). Dewatered streams, water depletions, introductions of non-indigenous fish, and habitat degradation through agricultural and recreational uses have been identified as the primary factors involved in the reduction of range of the species (Xxxxxx et al., 1991; Addley and Hardy, 1993). In 1994, the FWS described pertinent problems and threats they perceived as facing the Virgin spinedace based on criteria for federal listing as required by Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA (59 FR 25875). The threats they listed do not necessarily reflect the view of all signatories to this Agreement. The following discussion summarizes the significant threats to Virgin Spinedace that will be addressed by conservation actions identified in this Strategy. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range. Virgin spinedace habitat modification and/or elimination has occurred primarily through human activities such as dam and diversion construction, water depletion or diversion, and agricultural practices (Table 1). Approximately 7 km (4 mi) of Virgin spinedace historical habitat has been inundated by reservoirs including Quail Creek Reservoir on Quail Creek, Gunlock on the Santa Xxxxx River, and Xxxxxxxxx Reservoir on Beaver Dam Wash (Figure 1). Approximately 60 km (37 mi) of historic habitat has been dewatered by diversions. Furthermore, diversions have depleted water in approximately 31 km (19 mi) of currently occupied habitat. Lack of stable instream flows and low water levels as a result of diversions cause changes in water temperature, affect...
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The FWS assessed real and/or potential problems facing the species based on five criteria as required by Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA. Within each of these criteria, several factors which may have contributed to the elimination or degradation of Virgin spinedace habitat and its populations were identified (59 FR 25875 dated May 18, 1994). The threats identified and described by the FWS (59 FR 25875) do not necessarily reflect the views of all signatories to this agreement. The Conservation Strategy provides a detailed review of problems and threats to the species that signatories to this agreement will address with management actions.
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. Throughout the range, habitat is rapidly disappearing due to development activities, forestry practices, grazing, and roadside maintenance. In Xxxxxxx County: • Succession due to fire exclusion threatens to replace natural open canopy Pacific madrone/incense cedar woodland with dense shrub or tightly clustered conifer stands, causing loss of suitable habitat. • Encroachment of non-native species such as Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom and hedgehog dogtail as well as other non-native species threaten to degrade suitable Xxxxxxx’x lupine habitat. • Small habitat patches that often occur along county and private roadsides face greater vulnerability from road maintenance than those occurring along non-roadside areas.
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. Throughout the range, Xxxxxxx’x lupine habitat is threatened by development activities, natural succession due to fire exclusion, grazing, and roadside maintenance. Much of the remaining prairie habitat patches that support Xxxxxxx’x lupine in the Willamette Valley are threatened by invasive exotic grasses and shrubs and to varying degrees by forest succession (Xxxxxxx et al. 2003; Xxxxxx et al. 2003; Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx 1993). As a result, many of the remaining populations of Xxxxxxx’x lupine are isolated, further threatening the long-term persistence of this species. In Xxxxxxx County: • Succession due to fire exclusion and reduced Federal land management activities threatens to replace natural open canopy Pacific madrone/incense cedar woodland with dense shrub or tightly clustered conifer stands, causing loss of suitable Xxxxxxx’x lupine habitat. • Encroachment of non-native species such as Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom, as well as other non-native species threaten to degrade suitable Xxxxxxx’x lupine habitat. • Small Xxxxxxx’x lupine habitat patches that often occur along county and private roadsides are vulnerable to loss of habitat by road maintenance activities.
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The FWS assessed real and/or potential problems facing the species based on five criteria as required by Section 4(a)(1) of ESA. Within each of these criteria, several factors which may have contributed to the elimination or degradation of Virgin spinedace habitat and its populations were identified. The descriptive statements below reflect the problems and threats identified by the FWS (50 CFR Part 17). The Conservation Strategy provides a detailed review of these problems and threats and their affect on Virgin spinedace populations. The strategy also presents specific actions that the signatories to this agreement will take to reduce or eliminate threats that warrant its listing as a sensitive species by state and federal agencies, and as threatened or endangered by the ESA. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range * Alterations to habitat due to water development and storage projects have had an impact on the Virgin spinedace range. - Approximately 6.8 km (4.2 mi.) of Virgin spinedace habitat has been inundated by dams and reservoirs. - Approximately 59.9 (37.1 mi) of historic habitat has been dewatered. - Approximately 30.9 km (19.2 mi.) of currently occupied habitat has experienced flow depletions - Dams and diversions have often functioned as migration barriers and have caused fragmentation of habitat and populations. * Agricultural activities such as grazing and cultivation practices have contributed to alterations of Virgin spinedace habitat. * Deterioration of water quality from historic levels has occurred in several reaches. Water depletions have been the primary factor altering water quality in the basin. Other contributing factors include runoff, and contaminated return flows in isolated areas. Competition, Predation, and Disease * Several species of nonnative fish occur in the Virgin River Basin; many of which negatively interact with Virgin spinedace. Jan95 Draft5 * Diseases and parasites such as the Asian Tapeworm have been introduced into the Virgin River Basin. Other natural or factors affecting the species' continued existence * Drought often limits usable habitat and isolates individual populations. * Potential loss of instantaneous flow events (ie: floods) could reduce stream integrity. for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes * Over-utilization has not been identified as a factor in the decline of Virgin spinedace populations. * There is no indication that recent ...
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The success of any conservation or recovery effort depends on reducing or eliminating threats to the continued existence of the species. The Service uses five criteria defined in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA to evaluate threats to species, and these criteria are briefly addressed below as they relate to current threats to the robust redhorse. In addition, the “Robust Redhorse Conservation Strategy” (see Appendix I) contains additional information concerning the threats to the species. The limited range of the species and the historical loss of suitable habitat are the primary factors affecting the decline of the robust redhorse. The construction of dams in the 1950's and 1960's reduced available spawning habitat and altered natural stream flows. Historic land use practices, including intensive agriculture and deforestation, also played a major role in the degradation of riverine habitats through erosion and sedimentation. There is currently no evidence to support overutilization, exploitation, or disease as contributing factors to the decline of the species. The flathead catfish, a predatory species introduced to the lower Ocmulgee River and High Falls Lake, has been identified as a potential threat to the robust redhorse, but has not become established in the Project Site. There are currently no identified inadequacies in existing regulatory mechanisms. The robust redhorse is protected by the State of Georgia as an endangered species and is a species of management concern for the Service. Existing State and Federal laws serve to protect robust redhorse and its habitat including the Xxxx Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Power Act, and the Rivers and Harbors Act. Erosion and sedimentation regulations are in place and best management practices can help protect existing habitat. No other natural or manmade threats to the robust redhorse have been identified. In summary, the limited geographic range of the robust redhorse and the presumed low numbers of wild individuals are considered to be the most serious threats facing the species. These threats are compounded by gaps in our understanding of life history requirements for the robust redhorse, particularly the habitat requirements of juveniles. This Agreement will create the third reintroduced population and allow the collection of additional information to fill these gaps in our understandi...
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The success of any conservation or recovery program depends on eliminating or reducing the impact of activities that threaten the species existence. In the proposed rule to list the least chub as an endangered species (60 FR 50518), the FWS identified and described pertinent problems and threats facing the least chub. These threats were identified based on the criteria for Federal listing as required by Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA. The following discussion summarizes the significant threats to least chub that will be addressed by conservation actions as described in this Strategy.
PROBLEMS FACING THE SPECIES. The success of any conservation or recovery program depends on eliminating or reducing the impact of activities that threaten the species existence. The following list is a compilation of threats as perceived by the researchers and managers of spotted frog populations. The Strategy provides a detailed review of the problems and threats to the species that signatories to this agreement will address with management actions. For consistency, the general format is based on the five criteria considered for federal listing of a species in Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA.
