Laserfiche WebLink
INTRODUCTION: The greatest loss of wildlife species throughout <br /> the world is a result of environmental disturbance and the <br /> associated loss of wildlife habitat. Concurrently, as an attempt <br /> to reduce wildlife habitat loss and the loss of .wildlife <br /> diversity, environmental protection by public and private <br /> interest groups is as great today as it has ever been in the <br /> past. <br /> Within the United States, the State of California has witnessed <br /> the greatest loss of wildlife habitat and wildlife species <br /> numbers. The time has arrived in California for developers and <br /> environmental groups to work together to develop and implement a <br /> program of "responsible development", where development projects <br /> can benefit both wildlife and developers. <br /> Mature riparian woodlands offer the most diverse habitat <br /> resources for birds and other wildlife. These woodlands maintain <br /> the greater values than all other Delta habitats in the number of <br /> wildlife species that require specialized habitats essential to <br /> their continued existence. Other wildlife species in our area, <br /> although not essential for survival, use the plants species as <br /> preferred habitats. The value of riparian habitat is made even <br /> more significant by their limited distribution and by the added <br /> resources which they provide to adjacent habitats. <br /> The riparian shrub/brush, while not productive as riparian <br /> woodlands, support a great variety and diversity of migratory and <br /> resident fish and wildlife. The dense cover found in these <br /> habitats are systematically used. by a high diversity of wildlife <br /> species while the complexity of horizontal and vertical patterns <br /> provide essential cover for passage from edge to edge. Sig bird <br /> species require riparian shrub/brush habitats for their continued <br /> existence while woodland mammals use both riparian habitats <br /> interchangeably. Reptiles and amphibians of the riparian corridor <br /> rely on these habitats daily for hunting and nesting. (See <br /> "Habitat Use" , attached. ) <br /> A total of 107 wildlife species fall within these two <br /> categories and a number of others are able to use riparian <br /> habitat as secondary to their preferred environmental niche and <br /> continue to thrive. These species are listed in greater detail in <br /> the attached reference notation, "Habitat Use" , taken from the <br /> Sacramento J a WiHabitat <br /> Restoration Plan, proposed by the California Department of Fish <br /> and Game and The U.S. Fish and wildlife Service, December of <br /> 1980. <br /> 1 <br />