Practical, cost effective solutions to environmental regulatory requirements

  

CALIFORNIA TIGER SALAMANDER

(ambystoma californiense)

Endangered Species

The USFWS has determined that the Sonoma County California Tiger Salamander is a distinct population segment threatened by loss of habitat.  

CTS LIFE HISTORY                   

CTS is a large salamander with a black body and pale yellow spots that may live more than a decade.  Adult salamanders spend most of their life underground in small mammal burrows in grasslands and woodlands. Adults can migrate over land as far as 2 km from their subterranean refuge to a breeding pool, although shorter distances are more common.  Breeding occurs during winter in vernal pools or other seasonal wetlands. Eggs hatch within a few weeks and larvae require at least 10 weeks to metamorphose into terrestrial salamanders.

SITE ASSESSMENT

A "Site Assessment" is the first step in this process.  After USFWS reviews the site assessment, they will make a determination whether surveys are required.  The Biological Assessment includes a discussion of historic occurrences within 5 km (3.1 miles) of the project area, descriptions of habitat within 2 km (1.2 miles), and an evaluation of habitat on-site.  All data is collected and mapped on an orthophoto according to USFWS protocol.

SURVEY METHODS        

BioConsultant LLC's reports are conducted in accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service entitled Draft Standard Protocols for Site Assessment and Field Surveys for Determining Presence and Absence of the Sonoma Distinct Population Segment of the California Tiger Salamander, dated November 8, 2002.