Recovery Plan for the Arroyo Southwestern Toad ('Bufo microscalphus californicus').

摘要

The arroyo southwestern toad (Bufo microscaphus californicus) is listed as endangered. In California, it is known from 22 river basins in the coastal and desert areas of 9 counties along the central and southern coast. The range extends into northwestern Baja California, Mexico. Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: The arroyo southwestern toad (arroyo toad) is endemic to primarily the coastal plain and mountains of central and southern California and northwestern Baja California. These toads breed in stream channels and use stream terraces and surrounding uplands for foraging and wintering. Direct habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and dam construction is the main cause for the decline of arroyo toads. Other threats include water management activities and diversions; road construction, maintenance, and use; livestock grazing; mining; recreational activities; loss of habitat due to exotic plants; and predation by introduced species. Although the species evolved and has survived in an environment periodically impacted by fire, flood, and drought, the interactions ofnatural events with human alterations of the habitat may lead to the extirpation of local populations or metapopulations.