Are southern California's fragmented saltmarshes capable of sustaining endemic bird populations?

摘要: Loss of coastal saltmarshes in southern California has been estimated at 75–90% since presettlement times. The remaining wetlands are mostly fragmented and degraded, most frequently have harsh edges adjacent to urban landscapes. Non-migratory Belding’s Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) Light-footed Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris levipes) endemic Baja California, Mexico. Population sizes show a positive relationship with saltmarsh area, but few large wetland fragments remain within their range California. sensitive fragmentation isolation, small isolated marshes acting as population sinks. In addition, this subspecies shows low genetic variability, limited dispersal, effective sizes. habitat specialists, found good tidal fl ushing that support cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) habitats. rails also variability dispersal the remnant populations clapper relatively from one another. Large complexes may serve sources for both species, while small, act sinks more research is needed estimate model dynamics these two metapopulations. Mitigation loss restoration projects should not be evaluated simply by presence rare bird species alone, instead efforts made determine sustainability.