Water quality is a critical component of ecosystem health. Studying aquatic organisms is a useful indication of the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. One such group of organisms, benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs), are considered excellent indicators of water quality and in-stream habitat conditions. What are Benthic Macroinvertebrates? Benthic macroinvertebrates are organisms that live on, in, or
endangered under CESA and will make a final listing decision within 1-2 years. There are three key questions to consider when determining how to proceed with your project: Is my project located in an area where burrowing owls may occur? Is my project located in an area where an existing habitat conservation plan (HCP)
What is the current listing status for California bumble bees? On May 31, 2022, the Third Appellate Court District in California ruled that “…a terrestrial invertebrate, like each of the four bumble bee species, may be listed as an endangered or threatened species under the [California Endangered Species Act],” under the definition of ‘fish.’ This
Public trails, when thoughtfully designed, are excellent for recreation and environmental education. By integrating unique features and a variety of amenities on trails, users can enjoy an elevated experience that inspires a connection with nature. And with travel to the trailhead typically as the only cost, trails promote environmental justice by providing accessible recreation opportunities
Plant growth and its relationship to climate is very nuanced, but in general the higher the rainfall, the more likely it is that rare plants will grow and bloom, making them detectable during surveys. Dudek Botanist Megan Enright said, “We often receive comments from the public, resource agencies, and non-governmental organizations about weather patterns and
Every spring biology survey is slightly different because of varying rain, temperature, and other factors. While some species—plants and some invertebrates, to name two—have variable survey seasons, others have well-established or agency-mandated survey seasons. Missing a survey window can adversely impact a project’s schedule and defensibility. By working closely with expert biologists, you can identify
The arid lands of western North America contain many dry lake beds that typically hold water for only a few weeks or months of the year. However, at various times in the past, when precipitation was more abundant and evaporation was less severe, these areas (paleolakes) were inundated to create large and relatively stable inland
From November 1 through March 31, manatees migrate south from along the Eastern Seaboard, seeking warmer waters off the coast of Florida and along the Gulf of Mexico. During these five months, manatee presence in the area increases significantly, so many in-water construction activities must be halted. In 2021, an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) was
Throughout California, riparian habitat and water resources are threatened by the effects of climate change and continued population growth. Buena Vista Creek in Oceanside, California is one such place. The creek has been highly fragmented due to development and contains engineered creek segments, which has degraded native habitat, decreased native riparian and freshwater wetlands, and
On December 28, 2021, the USFWS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register listing four of six Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) under the Endangered Species Act. This follows the 2020 listing by the California Fish and Game Commission of five of six clades of the foothill yellow-legged
