An exploration of the importance of the Salton Sea and associated ecosystems to birds: a global and regional perspective



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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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