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a <br /> The dramatic population decline from historic levels has been attributed <br /> to loss of native nesting and foraging habitat, and morerecently frau the <br /> conversion of agriculture to urban land uses, es to inccupatible crop <br /> types and loss of suitable nesting trees. In addition, pesticides, shooting, <br /> disturbance at the nest site, and other disturbances on wintering areas may <br /> have contributed to their decline. The loss of nesting habitat within <br /> riparian areas has been accelerated by flood control practices and bank <br /> stabilization programs. Smith (1977) estimated that in 1850 over 770,000 <br /> acres of riparian habitat were present in the Sacramento Valley alone. Today <br /> less than 12,000 acres of riparian habitat remain. A 989. decrease in <br /> riparian vegetation has been docuMLnted within Central Valley (K <br /> 1983) . atibah <br /> In =morY. T1anage'-nt needs of the Central Valley population of <br /> Swainson's hawks include ensuring the availability of suitable nesting habitat <br /> through the 1) preservation and recruitment Of suitable nesting trees, 2) <br /> protection of existing nesting habitat from destruction Or disturbance, 3) <br /> maintenance of compatible agricultural practices to preserve forage habitat, <br /> and 4) mitigation for loss of breeding and/or foraging habitat. Coordination <br /> and cooperation with local agencies must be continued to prevent further <br /> habitat destruction from development projects. <br /> 6 <br />