It's their home, too

Southern California's national forests are recognized by scientists as one of the richest areas of plant and animal life on the planet, home to roughly 3,000 plant and 500 animal species-many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

The national forests of Southern California (the Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino, and Cleveland) form the backbone for the conservation of the natural beauty and extraordinary biological diversity of the region. One of the great pleasures of hiking in the forests is to see this diversity of life, from rare butterflies, fish, and frogs to mule deer, bighorn sheep, and bobcat.

As the largest natural open spaces in south-coastal California, these public forests are an important refuge for plants and animals under siege from the development of surrounding private lands. Urban sprawl, roads, pollution, off-road vehicles, and commercial development are threatening the very survival of many of our unique flora and fauna. About 200 species of plants and 200 species of animals are currently considered threatened or sensitive by government agencies and conservation groups in Southern California, and scientists have documented approximately 180 species-at-risk, including 76 species listed under the California or federal Endangered Species Acts, within the boundaries of the four Southern California forests.

One species in need of special attention in the Angeles National Forest is the beautiful and elusive Nelson's bighorn sheep, whose population has plunged from 700 to 100 in the last 20 years. A recovery plan has been devised by a variety of cooperating conservation groups and government agencies. These plans need to be incorporated into the forest management plans that the Forest Service is finalizing for release this August.

Two years ago a group of environmental organizations, scientists, and technical experts teamed up to create a plan to best protect our forest species. This Conservation Alternative forest plan outlined standards for managing troubled species like bighorn sheep, arroyo toads, and California condors so that they can be brought back from the brink of disappearing forever from our local forests. One measure of how strong the forest plans are in protecting species is how much of the Conservation Alternative makes it into the final forest management plans.

What is at stake in these management plans? The Angeles National Forest hosts some of the most important stream habitats in our region. Portions of the Santa Clara, San Gabriel, and Tujunga river watersheds are aquatic biodiversity hot spots, with populations of endangered arroyo toads and southwestern pond turtles. Soledad Canyon also supports unarmored three-spine sticklebacks and Santa Ana suckers, two highly endangered fish species.

Although they may have funny-sounding names, these aquatic species are important gauges of the health of our streams for people and animals alike-like canaries in the coal mine. Because native fish and amphibians are so sensitive to pollution, nonnative species, and damage to vegetation on the slopes of streams, their population numbers let us know how healthy our forests are and whether water quality is good or bad.

The Cleveland National Forest could be considered paradise for our delicate winged friends, the butterflies. The Cleveland supports about 95 percent of the known population of Laguna Mountains skipper, one of the rarest butterflies in San Diego County, as well as one of the only known Hermes copper butterfly populations in the region. Much of the Cleveland contains suitable habitat for endangered Quino checkerspot butterflies. These exquisite native invertebrates have been impacted by loss and degradation of habitat, including roads and other development, off-road vehicles, alterations in fire frequency, and livestock grazing.

By protecting our native plants and animals that depend upon the forests for survival, we will be ensuring that our forests remain great places to visit and enjoy. By participating in the Southern California Forests Campaign, you can help the Forest Service get the message loud and clear: We want the health of our forest species protected for generations to come.

In April the Center for Biological Diversity will be issuing a report on Southern California forest biodiversity hot spots-areas in our forests where species are especially imperiled and where better Forest Service management can make a difference. Contact Monica Bond at mbond-at-bioloicaldiversity.org for more information on the project.