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Wildlife

Problem:

Background

Many of the Estuary's wildlife species are in long-term decline, due to factors including urban growth, pollution, water development, disease, predation, and loss of habitat. In particular, development has drastically reduced and fragmented the Estuary's native wildlife habitats, forcing wildlife to concentrate in small, isolated areas. As a result of habitat loss, several species have become extinct and others are threatened, such as the California Clapper Rail and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. More

Current Challenges

• Continued loss of seasonal wetlands, transitional zones and riparian habitat
• Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and flame retardants, as well as aquatic legacy pollutants, such as mercury and PCBs, as well as emergency contaminants. These pollutants significantly impair wildlife populations.

Major Accomplishments:

• Completed Baylands Ecosystem Species and Community Profiles Report (requirements of key plants, fish and wildlife).
• Habitat restoration projects benefiting wildlife and native endangered species such as the salt marsh harvest mouse and the California clapper rail.

Current Focus:

• Stem and reverse the decline of estuarine plants and animals and the habitats on which they depend.
• Ensure the survival and recovery of listed (and candidate) threatened and endangered species, and other status species.
• Optimally manage and monitor the estuarine wildlife resources.

Current Activities:

The San Francisco Estuary Project and its partners have a number of initiatives aimed at restoring habitat and protecting wildlife. Among them are:

The Habitat Goals Project:

The partners in the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture are implementing the Habitat Goals Project, which aims to triple the amount of tidal marsh around the Bay. A key success has been the acquisition of the South Bay salt ponds, which will be restored to tidal marsh and other habitats.

Recovery Plans for Endangered Species:

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Game, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Bay Conservation and Development Commission ion are working together to develop/update and implement detailed recovery plans for all species listed as endangered.

For a list of priority actions for wildlife, click here.

For More Information:

Wildlife Chapter, Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. This plan provides more detail on the problem, approach, goals and actions related to wildlife.