Endangered Species
Currently there are only 2 endangered species within the California Intertidal Zone that are protected by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:
These birds are critically endagered birds in the Marine Intertidal - Tidepool habitat according to IUCN Red List.
These birds are critically endagered birds in the Marine Intertidal - Tidepool habitat according to IUCN Red List.
Alauda Razae |
The population was estimated at 1,490 individuals in November 2011 which equates roughly to 990 mature individuals. However, when the population is lower it can be strongly male-biased, meaning the effective population size is smaller than it first appears and the population is therefore placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals.
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It is found on level plains with volcanic soil and is associated with small vegetated patches along dry stream beds in which it feeds and breeds.
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Drought over successive breeding seasons reduces the population. Given the species' sensitivity to drought, long-term desertification in the Cape Verdes is clearly a major threat (Ratcliffe et al. 1999). In addition, nest predation (probably by a near-endemic gecko) is high in some years (Donald et al. 2003). Ground-nesting makes it extremely vulnerable to the potential accidental introduction of rats, cats and dogs brought to the island by fishers.
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Telespiza ultima |
VanderWerf (2012) estimated 4,475 birds, which very roughly equates to 3,000 (2,400-3,600) mature individuals. This is larger than the previous estimate of 1,400-2,400 mature individuals, which was based on an estimate of 2807 ±744 (95% CI) individuals in March 2007.
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It occurs in low shrubs and grasses covering some two-thirds of the island. It feeds on seeds, invertebrates, other plant parts and eggs. It nests in cavities in cliffs, rock crevices or in piles of loose rock .
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It is thought that the presence of the introduced grasshopper Schistocerca nitens on Nihoa, and its periodic irruptions which lead to the virtual defoliation of the island, may be a significant threat to the species. Other potential threats include the introduction of detrimental non-native species and diseases and stochastic events.
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