The Vulnerable, Threatened, and Endangered Species of the Coachella Valley Preserve

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1 Scriven 1 Don Scriven Instructors: R. Griffith and J. Frates Natural Resources Law Enforcement 24 October 2012 The Vulnerable, Threatened, and Endangered Species of the Coachella Valley Preserve The Coachella Valley Preserve was formed in 1986 by five separate entities: The Nature Conservancy, The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, The Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Fish and Game. The California Department of Parks and Recreation soon joined this group. It was formed in order to preserve some of the dwindling dune system habitat remaining in the valley, primarily for the benefit of the Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard. This species is designed through evolution for hot temperatures and moving sand dunes. When temperatures reach the high triple digits, it literally dives beneath the sand where the temperature is much cooler. It s double set of eye-lids, special ear scales, unique over bite and internal nostrils allow it to breathe under the sand. Another feature is its long rear foot with fringes along the outside toe, enabling it to glide along the top of the sand with superb traction and speed. This species occurs only in the Coachella Valley.

2 Scriven 2 In 1900, this continuous ephemeral (moving) sand dune system stretched from Cabazon, located in the San Gorgonio Pass, to an area just north of the Salton Sea. In the period of time since, particularly in more recent times, the human population has grown rapidly. Along with this population explosion came the need for housing and businesses. As the need increased, more development encroached on the valley floor and around the edges along the mountains and coves. Today we call this activity fragmentation. Where the original system was comprised of almost 100 square miles, the sand dune habitat on the southern tip of the preserve is a meager 3,709 acres, or 5.8 square miles. This area is called The Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Large and sometimes small tracts of this special habitat still remain throughout the valley. However, the natural corridor, necessary for a strong gene pool, is broken, slim, or in many places, no longer exists. As we learned in Chapter 4, an endangered species is a species in danger of extinction. A threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. A vulnerable species is one that is declining, and could become threatened. A species of concern could soon become vulnerable. National parks, preserves, wilderness areas, refuges, designated Bureau of Land Management lands, and some private properties are often the only places these flora and fauna species remain. We strive to protect and recover imperiled species and ecosystems upon which they depend. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is the custodian of this refuge. Consequently, because few viable populations remain, the Coachella Valley Fringe- Toed Lizard, Uma inornata is an endangered species struggling to survive. It is considered a Flagship species because of the positive and negative media publicity received during the early days and formation of the preserve. At that time, stake holders (property owners) and developers

3 Scriven 3 dubbed it that damned lizard. This lizard is also an Umbrella species because, like an umbrella, every other species in the refuge is covered or protected. The Coachella Valley Giant Sand Treader Cricket, Macrobaenetes valcum is a vulnerable species that occurs in the active sand dunes of the Coachella Valley. Primarily a nocturnal insect, evidence of the Sand Treader Cricket can be found on morning walks by observing tracks and the small tunnels it digs into the sand dunes at night. This large insect feeds on vegetation and smaller insects as well. The Flat-tailed Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma mcallii was withdrawn from the threatened/endangered list in 2011, and is not currently listed. With a fairly limited range in Arizona and California, this lizard has the smallest range of the horned lizards in the United States. While walking the refuge, you will find some areas where the sand is stabilized or fixed. Upon closer examination, you will find more silt and clay mixed with sand that hardens after a rain. This is the terrain preferred by the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard. The largest threats to its habitat are development, agriculture and off-road vehicles.

4 Scriven 4 The Coachella Valley Milk-Vetch Plant, Astragalus lentignosus var. coachellae is another endangered species endemic only to the valley. It occurs on undisturbed dunes, sandy flats and washes throughout the refuge and in other sandy areas in the Coachella Valley where development does not encroach on the natural habitat. Because all of these species require this specific habitat, and the primary feature is wind driven sand, (ephemeral sand dunes) the habitat is constantly moving. Most often, the majority of the severe wind comes from the west, through the San Gorgonio Pass. Strong winds create sandstorms. As a large sandstorm passes through our valley, the landscape changes as the sand is blown east. Believe it or not, there is only so much sand. The process of breaking down boulders to rocks to sand, silt and clay from the surrounding higher elevations, then transporting it into the valley by wind and flooding, is extremely slow.

5 Scriven 5 This natural process of sand dunes moving east creates a huge problem as the moving sand encroaches on 38 th Avenue, the eastern boundary of the refuge. Because this immediate area is the main focus of habitat for the fringe-toed lizard population, the sand has to be transported to a pre-determined location on the west side of the refuge by dump truck. Usually the chore must be repeated twice a year just to keep 38 th Avenue open. The job is costly and never ends. However, because saving the sand is crucial for the refuge and the species within, we are actually re-cycling sand. Other problems addressed are trespassing, off-road vehicles, and the illegal dumping of trash. These problems are monitored daily by patrolling, educating the public and occasionally writing citations. Several other species could be mentioned; there is a long list on every landscape globally. These are just a few native plants and animals in our valley that would have eventually become extinct without the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, and the forming of the Coachella Valley Preserve. By protecting this habitat, we protect the flora and fauna within. Thank You, Don Scriven