An exploration of the importance of the Salton Sea and associated ecosystems to birds: a global and regional perspective An exploration of the importance of the Salton Sea and associated ecosystems to birds: a global and regional perspective Presented to: California Water Dialogue Sept. 16, 2003 Los Angeles Daniel S. Cooper, M.Sc. (University of California, Riverside) Director of Bird Conservation Audubon California Pasadena
Habitat diversity in the Lower Colorado River Valley (“LCR”) ecosystem Habitat diversity in the Lower Colorado River Valley (“LCR”) ecosystem Rare vs. rare Defining the Salton Sea avifauna (= birdlife) Outlook for Salton Sea avifauna, and what Audubon is doing to help
Shallow, open water Shallow, open water - Salton Sea, northern Gulf of California
Islands Freshwater/brackish marsh Mudflat/Impoundment - Mainly South End Salton Sea
Mesquite Bosque - Algodones Dunes, Lower Colorado River Valley
Cottonwood/Willow Woodland - Lower Colorado River Valley, Locally in Imperial Valley
Agricultural fields
Species formerly common in California, now declining or lost entirely Species formerly common in California, now declining or lost entirely Species formerly absent or in low numbers; now present but still rare - Due to habitat alteration or climate/global change
- e.g. Gull-billed Tern
Species never common in California, and only occurring as vagrants
Lower Colorado River (“LCR”) Endemics Lower Colorado River (“LCR”) Endemics “Last Stand” breeders/winterers Winter congregants Summer dispersers Passage migrants Vanishing (vanished?) nesters
Confined to extreme northwestern Mexico, western AZ, southern NV and southeastern CA Confined to extreme northwestern Mexico, western AZ, southern NV and southeastern CA - “Yuma” Clapper Rail
- “Van Rossem’s” Gull-billed Tern
- Abert’s Towhee
- “Salton Sea” Song Sparrow
- “Large-billed” Savannah Sparrow
Mountain Plover Mountain Plover - 30-40% Global population in Imperial Valley (formerly widespread)
Burrowing Owl - 70% of California pop. in Imperial Valley
- Associated with agricultural fields
- 60% of CA population lost in 1980s
Western Snowy Plover - Largest wintering concentration in interior of U.S.
- Major interior-U.S. breeding site
Begin arriving late July/August – November Begin arriving late July/August – November Occur in two main roles: - Agricultural fields
- Largest agricultural/grassland area in southern California
- The Salton Sea itself
- Largest and shallowest body of water in California
“Do nothing” (Increased salinity/pollutants = fewer fish) “Do nothing” (Increased salinity/pollutants = fewer fish) - Declines in pelicans
- Unhealthy birds?
- Lower Colorado River continues to dry/degrade
“Save” the Sea w/o retaining some agriculture Audubon is pushing for maximum restoration of entire LCR system, including the Salton Sea - Improvement to threatened ecosystems
- Reflective of historic conditions
- No “net loss” of birds
- No increase of exotic vegetation
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