CESU, BLM AZ Yuma Field Office (YFO) Flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) (FTHL) Corridor/Linkage Analysis
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Project Background Information: The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network is a national consortium of federal agencies, academic institutions, tribal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental conservation organizations (300 partners). The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) is a cooperative network, transcending political and institutional boundaries, which creates innovative opportunities for research, education, and technical assistance in support of the management and stewardship by partner agencies of the Colorado Plateau's natural, cultural, and social resources. The CESU has a unique collaborative relationship with research scientists, end users of research products, the public, and educators who are trained to bridge the gap between researchers, science users and educators. A Conservation Agreement signed in 1997 by various federal and state agencies responsible for managing land within flat-tailed horned lizard (FTHL) habitat is an important conservation effort that reduces threats to FTHL in the US and benefits the FTHL throughout its range. The associated Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Range wide Management Strategy (FTHL ICC 2003; RMS) provides a framework for conserving and managing sufficient habitat to maintain several viable populations of the FTHL throughout the historical U.S. range. The main objective of the RMS is to maintain viable long-term, stable populations of FTHLĂ‚Âżs in five management areas (MAs) in the U.S., including the Yuma Desert MA in Yuma County, Arizona; and the East Mesa, West Mesa, Yuha Desert, and Borrego Badlands MAs in Imperial and eastern San Diego counties, California. Key planning actions were included in the RMS to ensure long-term, stable FTHL populations were maintained within each MA. One of the planning actions included in the RMS recommends that land managers establish and maintain effective habitat corridors (linkages) between naturally adjacent FTHL populations to ensure occasional interchange between adjacent FTHL populations. However, large areas of historical FTHL habitat have not been surveyed; therefore, land managers currently do not have enough information to identify effective habitat linkages. Research is necessary to identify important linkage areas that should be established and maintained. Once such potential linkage is located between the Dos Palmas ACEC in Riverside County, CA and the East Mesa ACEC in Imperial County, CA. This area could be suitable for large-scale renewable energy development. Information obtained would help predict and identify surveyed areas of FTHL suitable habitat. The project would help to ensure the continued existence of the FTHL, a public trust resource, within this part of its historic range. Project Objective: The principle purpose of this project is to provide research opportunities to students through the CESU. The objective of this agreement is to provide the public recommendations on management of FTHL populations and their habitats as it relates to the distribution model.
Office: Bureau of Land Management
ebell@blm.gov
