National Wildlife RefugeSan Diego, California

About the Refuge..

• Established in 1996• Stretches from Jamul to communities in

Spring Valley• Over 11,152 acres of costal sage scrub,

chaparrral, riparian forest, and vernal pools

• Part of the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) a habitat conservation plan to preserve habitat and species

Riparian Forest

• Occurs along streams and rivers. • Consists of trees generally taller than 20

feet high. • Shrubby willows, and mature deciduous

trees including Fremont’s cottonwood and several species of tree will.

Threatened and Endangered Species

• California Gnatcatcher

Polioptila californica californica

Endangered: on the brink of extinction now.

Threatened: any species that is likely to become endangered in the near future.

• Least Bell’s VireoVireo bellii pusillus

• Quino Checkerspot ButterflyEuphydryas editha quino

San Diego Mesa Mint

San Diego Fairy Shrimp

Water Quality Testing

• Coliform Bacteria• Dissolved Oxygen• Biochemical Oxygen Demand• Nitrates• pH• Phosphates• Temperature• Turbidity

Test #1: Coliform Bacteria

• Naturally present in human digestive track. • Presence indicates sewage or fecal

contamination. • Test indicates above or below 20 coliform

colonies per 100 ml of water.

• Has to stand for 48 hours.

Test #2: Dissolved Oxygen • Important to the health of an ecosystem.• Cold water holds more oxygen. • High amounts of sewage or rotting plants can

decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen.

• Need temperature first!!

Test #3: Biochemical Oxygen Demand

• BOD is a measure of the quantity of dissolved oxygen used by bacteria as they break down organic wastes.

• Takes 5 days!

Test #4: Nitrate• Nitrate is a nutrient needed by all aquatic

plants and animals. • Decomposition of plants and animals release

nitrates. • Excess nitrates increase plant growth and

decay and increase bacterial decomposition, decreases oxygen.

• Sewage is the main source of nitrate. • Agricultural runoff and fertilizer also

contribute.

Test #5 pH

• Natural waters is usually between 6.5 and 8.2.

• Can be affected by industrial waste, agriculture runoff, or drainage from improperly run mining operations.

Test # 6: Phosphate

• Phosphate is a nutrient needed for plant and animal growth and for fundamental metabolic reactions.

• High levels can lead to overgrowth of plants, increased bacterial activity, and decreased dissolved oxygen levels.

• Comes from human and animal waste, industrial pollution, and agricultural runoff.

Test #7: Temperature

• Affects the amount of dissolved oxygen, rate of photosynthesis, and the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites and diseases.

• Thermal pollution, the discharge of heated water from industrial operations can cause temperature changes that threaten the balance of aquatic systems.

Test #8: Turbidity

• Clarity of water. • Caused by suspended and colloidal matter

such as clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms.

• May be the result of soil erosion, urban runoff, algal blooms, and bottom sediment disturbances.