SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTSE. NATURAL RESOURCESthis EIR. These grasslands contain unique wildlife values, including potential San Joaquin kitfox habitat, burrowing owl habitat, and known nesting golden eagles. Special-status speciesinclude, but are not limited to, the San Joaquin kit fox and short-eared owl.Serpentine barrens 1 habitat is underlain by serpentine soils and is characterized by speciallyadapted plant species. Structurally this habitat is very open, with sparse ground cover to a heightof 1 to 2 feet. Serpentine barrens are generally similar in value to grasslands but do not offerabundant cover or food for wildlife, except for a few specifically adapted invertebrates thatrequire specialized microhabitats or food plant species.Perennial grassland supports a variety of wildlife species that use the grassland as part of theforaging complex of the more dominant coastal scrub habitat. Grassland habitat attracts reptilessuch as western fence lizard, which feed on invertebrates found within and underneath grasstussocks. This habitat also attracts avian seed eaters such as California quail and mourning dove,as well as insect eaters such as scrub jays and mockingbirds. Mammals such as the Californiavole, deer mouse, broad-footed mole, and Audubon’s cottontail forage and nest within thegrassland. Grasslands are important foraging grounds for aerial- and ground-foraging insecteaters such as Myotis bat species and pallid bats. Small rodents attract raptors such as red-tailedhawks and American kestrels.Freshwater emergent wetland is one of the most productive habitats for wildlife because itoffers water, food, and cover for a variety of species. Northern harrier, black necked stilts,avocets, red-winged blackbirds, and killdeer use these areas for foraging and nesting. Snowyegret, black-crowned night heron, and cinnamon teal also forage in this habitat. Mammalscommon to this habitat are meadow voles found along the edges of the marsh area, raccoons thatforage on eggs and invertebrates, striped skunk, and gray fox. Reptiles in this habitat includecommon garter snake, tree frogs, and potentially red-legged frogs.Riverine habitat comprises streams, rivers, and their banks. Streams in upper elevations of theWatershed flow in rocky beds along a steep gradient at relatively high velocity. At lowerelevations the velocity decreases, the water becomes sluggish, sedimentation causes the streambottom to become muddy, and water temperature and turbidity increase. Riparian vegetation istypically present on the banks of lower elevation riverine habitat. This habitat supports a varietyof species that use the stream course and the banks, such as American dipper, kingfisher, and redleggedand yellow-legged frogs; the understory is foraged bymule deer, raccoons, Californiaquail, brown towhee, and garter snakes. The canopy is used for nesting and roosting byBewick’s wren. Open water is an important link to the Pacific Flyway, which runs along theCoastal mountain ranges, and provides breeding habitat for reptiles and amphibians and apermanent water source for resident wildlife.Pond or reservoir (lacustrine) habitat contains standing water, from either a dammed riverchannel or an inland depression. Sizes may vary from pond size (less than one hectare) toreservoir size (several square miles). Most permanent lacustrine systems support fish, while1 The term “barrens” refers to the sparse distribution of vegetation and not to the biotic values of this habitat type.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan III.E-15 ESA / 930385January 2001