Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Survey

Transcription

1 I - 15 CORRIDOR CAMPUS MASTER PLAN DRAFT EIR MT. SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Appendices Appendix D3 Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Survey August 2017

2 I - 15 CORRIDOR CAMPUS MASTER PLAN DRAFT EIR MT. SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Appendices This page intentionally left blank. PlaceWorks

3 Draft Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Survey Mt. San Jacinto CCD/MSJC, Southwest Campus Wildomar, Riverside County, CA (T6S, R3W, Section 31, Murrieta, 7.5 Minute USGS Quadrangle) Prepared for: Placeworks 3 MacArthur Place, Suite 1100 Santa Ana, CA By Arthur Davenport Davenport Biological Services P.O. Box 1692 Barstow, California May 28, 2015 D3-1

4 INTRODUCTION Davenport Biological Services was contracted with by Placeworks to complete a survey for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) within a potential school site in Wildomar, CA (i.e., Mt San Jacinto CCD/MSJC Southwest Campus). The survey methods followed the survey guidance provided by the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (CFWO 2014). The survey was completed by Arthur Davenport under Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit No SITE DESCRIPTION The survey area was approximately 34 hectares (84 acres) in size. The elevation within the survey area ranged from approximately 417 to 485 meters (1,368 to 1,592 feet) above mean sea level. Most of the site was gently sloping and increased in elevation to the north. A large hill (Rattlesnake Hill) is located in the northern portion of the site (Figures 1 & 2). Figure 1. Shows the geographic location of the project site (Murrieta USGS 7.5 Quadrangle, Section 31, T6S, R3W). 2 D3-2

5 Figure 2. Shows project/survey boundary (red polygon), and surrounding land uses. The most common plant communities within the survey area include annual grassland, coastal sage scrub, and chamise chaparral. In addition, an arroyo with coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), willow (Salix sp.), and mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia) is located on and adjacent to the site. Common plants observed on site included petioled evening-primrose (Camissoniopsis ignota), small-flowered evening-primrose (Camissoniopsis micrantha), common cat s-eyes (Cryptantha intermedia), fasiculated tarplant (Deinandra fasiculata), fire poppy (Papaver californicum), California plantain (Plantago erecta), summer mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), common fiddleneck (Amsinkia intermedia), flat-topped buckwheat (Eriogonum fasiculatum), California sagebursh (Artemisia californica), brittle bush (Encelia farinosa), black sage (Salvia nigra), white sage (Salvia apiana), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), yellow bush beardtoungue (Keckiella antirrhinoides), California matchweed (Gutierrezia californica), deer weed (Lotus scoparius), coast live-oak (Quercus agrifolia), blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea), and chaparral coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica). There is evidence of historic dryland farming (e.g., old plow marks). Plant community identification and plant taxanomic names follow Holland (1986) and Baldwin et. al. (2012), as appropriate. SPECIES INFORMATION Listing History The Quino checkerspot butterfly was listed by the Service as endangered on January 16, 1997 (USFWS 1997). Critical habitat was designated for this species on June 17, 2009 (USFWS 2009). Distribution The species historical distribution included Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego Counties (USFWS 1997). Based on a review of the California Natural Diversity Data Base (2012), no occurrences of this species were listed for the site. However, based on location records maintained in a GIS database by the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (CFWO 2015), the species has been documented at several locations near the site (Figure 3). Habitat The Quino checkerspot butterfly is associated with chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal sage scrub, and native and introduced grasslands. The host plants documented to be used by this 3 D3-3

6 species larvae include California plantain (Plantago erecta), woolly plantain (Plantago patagonica), southern Chinese houses (Colinsia bicolor), purple owls clover (Castilleja exserta), Coulter s snapdragon (Antirrhinum coulterianum), and dark-tipped bird s beak (Cordylanthus rigidus). Adult Quino checkerspot butterflies nectar on a variety of flowering plants. The species elevational range lies between, approximately, sea level and 5,577 feet (0-1,700 meters) above sea level (USFWS 2003). Dwarf plantain had been documented on site (Davenport 2013). Critical Habitat No proposed or designated critical habitat for this species occurs on the project site. The nearest designated critical habiat unit is the Skinner/Johnson Unit, and is located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) to the east of the proposed project site. 4 D3-4

7 Figure 3. Shows locations of Quino documented by other surveys (Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Service 2015). 5 D3-5

8 HABITAT MAPPING The site was initally assessed regarding its suitability for the Quino checkerspot butterfly during completion of a habitat assessment of the stie for several listed species (Davenport 2013). The site was found to be suitable at that time for the Quino checkerspot butterfly based on the geographic location of the proposed project site within the range of the species, and the presene of host plants for the adults and larvae of this species. During the 2015 field season, the entire site was found to be suitable for the Quino checkerspot butterfly; there were patches of nectar sources and/or host plants for the larvae scattered across large areas of the site. Although nectar sources were distributed across the entire site, the host plants for the species larvae are not evenly distributed across the site. Additionally, the density of the shrub dominated plant communities varied from 100 percent cover to less than ten percent. The black sage dominated coastal sage scrub located on the northern and northeast side of Rattlesnake Hill, though suitable for nectaring adults, was mostly unsuitable for the larvae due to the dense cover and lackof host plants. Similarly, the chamise dominated plant community was also mostly unsuitable for Quino checkerspot butterfly larvae for the same reasons. Most of the dwarf plantain was located on the flats within the grassland or between scattered shrubs. Two additional host plants for the larvae, Coulter s snapdragon and purple owls clover, were found on site. Coulter s snapdragon was found to be located on the south facing slope of Rattlesnake Hill, and the purple owls clover observed in a small patch on the flats (Figures 4a & 4b). 6 D3-6

9 Figure 4a. Shows the 2015 field season distribtion of host plants for the Quino checkerspot butterfly larvae. 7 D3-7

10 Figure 4b. Shows the 2015 field season distribtion of host plants for the Quino checkerspot butterfly larvae. 8 D3-8

11 FIELD SURVEY METHODS For the Quino checkerspot butterfly, the newly revised Federal survey protocol was followed (USFWS 2014). As such, the site was surveyed 12 times; weather conditions are provided (Table 1). Although the site was surveyed using approximately parrallel transects, survey rate was not constant, as additoinal time was spent near patches of larval host plants and robust patches of nectar sources. Surveys were initiated on February 20 and concluded on May 4, Accumulated growing degree days (GDD)(a measure of heat accumulation) are provided to compare conditions this year, to the average (Table 2); heat accumulation affects both plant and invertebrate development rates. Table 1. Shows weather data for each day of the survey. Survey Dates Time Temperature (F o ) Wind Speed Cloud Cover (24 Hour) (mph) (%) Start/Stop Start/Stop Start/Stop Start/Stop 20Feb / /70 0/ /50 ML 25Feb / /70 0/0-4 0/0 4Mar / /64 1-4/1-4 0/0 10Mar / /86 0/0-3 0/50 H 17Mar / /75 0/5 0/25 H 24Mar / /76 0-2/1-4 0/0 30Mar / /82 0/8 0/0 6Apr / /65 1-3/1-5 25/10 13Apr / /80 0-1/0-1 0/0 20Apr / /70 0-3/0-3 0/0 27Apr / /80 0/0-4 0/0 4May / /71 4/9 60/10 Table 2. Shows the average and accumulated growing degree days (data from Weather.com) Dates GDD Average GDD* Difference Dec 1-31, Jan 1-31, Feb 1-28, Mar 1-30, Apr 1-31, May 1-15, * Based on 30 years of data. RESULTS No Quino checkerspot butterflies were observed or othewise detected. A list of the other 24 butterfly species observed during this survey is provided (Appendix 1). 9 D3-9

12 DISCUSSION Historically, Quino checkerspot butterflies had been documented within approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) of the project site (Figure 3). Unfortunately, urban development appears to have degraded or destroyed the suitability of these historic sites. The status of Quino checkerspot butterfly population to the west and north of the site is unknown. That is, the species may still occur in these areas or be extirpated. Despite the presence of suitable habitat for the larvae, such as abundant patches of California plantain, and the presence of Coulter s snapdragon, the Quino checkerspot butterfly was not detected on site this spring. The reason for their apparent absence is unknown. However, there is a possibility that adult Quino checkerspot butterfly emerged earlier in the year than expected due to the unusally warm weather in December 2014 and January Based on the GDD, both December, 2014, and January, 2015, were significantly warmer than normal (Table 2). Regarding the potential affects of a warmer winter, the California plantain was already flowering by 20 Feb 2015 (the beginning of the survey)(figure 5). In addition, due to the warm winter and spring, and dry conditions, the California plantain had finished flowering and died by 24 March 2015 on this site (Figure 6). Figure 5. Shows growth stage of California plantain on February 20, 2015; at the beginning of the survey. 10 D3-10

13 Figure 6. Shows growth stage of California plantain on 24 March Given the distribution of historically occupied patches of habitat by the Quino checkerspot butterfy, the dynamic nature of insect populations, and the remaining presence of suitable habitat on the north and west sides of the project area, the species should be anticipated to use habitat within the project site in the future as the local population of Quino checkerspot butterfly cycles through changing popoulation densities and distribution. This scenario of course presumes that populations of the Quino checkerspot butterfly remains in adjacent habitat. CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS Complete an alternative site analysis and attempt to avoid or reduce impacts to the suitable habitat of the Queno checkerspot butterfly. CONCLUSION Although suitable habitat for the Quino checkerspot butterfly was found on site, the species was not detected during this field season. 11 D3-11

14 REFERENCES Davenport, A Habitat Assessment, Mt San Jacinto CCD/MSJC Southwest Campus, Wildomar, CA. Prepared for The Planning Center, Santa Ana, California. Draft. Baldwin, B. G., D. H. Goldman, D. J. Keil, R. Patterson, T. J. Rosatti, and D. H. Wilken, editors The Jepson Manuel: Vascular Plants of California, second edition. University of California Press, Berkeley. Holland, R. F Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. California Department of Fish and Game, Non-game Heritage Program, Sacramento, CA. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of endangered status for the Laguna Mountains skipper and Quino checkerspot butterfly; final rule. Federal Register: January 16, 1997 (Volume 62, No. 11), pages Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; designation of critical habitat for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino); final rule. Federal Register: April 15, 2002 (Volume 67, No. 72), pages Recovery Plan for the Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino). Portland, Oregon. x pp Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Survey Guidelines. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, California. 12 D3-12

15 Appendix 1 List of All Butterfly Species Observed During Quino Survey COMMON NAME Queen Anise Swallowtail Western Tiger Swallowtail Checkered White Cabbage White Sarah Orangetip Harford s sulfur Orange Surlfur Bramble hairstreek Gold-Hunters Hairstreak Gray Hairstreak Brown Elfin Mormon Metalmark West Coast Lady Mourning Cloak Painted Lady West Coast Lady Common Buckeye Propertius Duskywing Funeral Duskywing Northern White Skipper Reakirt s Blue Acmon Blue Dotted Blue SCIENTIFIC NAME Danaus gilippus Papilio zelicaon Papilio rutulus Pontia protodice Pieris rapae Anthocharis sara Colias Alexandra harfordii Colias eurytheme Callophrys dumetorum Satyrium auretorum Strymon melinus Callophryas augustinus Apodemia mormo Vanessa annabella Nymphalis antiopa Vanessa cardui Vanessa annabella Junonia coenia Erynnis propertius Erynnis funeralis Heliopetes ericetorum Hemiargus isola Plebejus acmon Euphilotes enoptes 13 D3-13

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