Terrestrial Wildlife Connectivity Barriers - Bay Delta Region (3)

Regional Summary

CDFW staff identified a total of 29 wildlife barrier segments in Region 3 including eight new barriers in 2024 (W194, W195, W196, W197, W199, W200, W201, W202). Eight of the 29 segments were identified as priority wildlife barriers and three were identified as top priority barriers. Two top priority barriers are shared with Region 4. Priority and top priority barriers in Region 3 range in length from 3.7 to 46.7 kilometers (km) (mean = 15.1 km) and collectively represented 165.8 km of linear infrastructure.

A diverse array of species was associated with priority and top priority barriers in Region 3. Amphibians were the most frequently associated taxa, included in nine priority or top priority segments. Mountain lions were associated with seven segments, followed by deer (six segments) and mesocarnivores (five segments). Reptiles were associated with four priority segments, black bears with two, and elk and small mammals with two each. Birds (Aves) and other species were noted in one segment each. Smaller species were more frequently associated with priority barriers in Region 3 relative to other regions, and three priority barriers (W021, W025, and W158 were associated exclusively with herpetofauna and/or small mammals. Nine of the 11 (82%) priority and top priority segments were identified as significant barriers for at least one herptile species, all of which are rare, threatened or endangered, endemic, or otherwise sensitive. Target species included California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, western pond turtle, Alameda striped racer, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and western spadefoot. Camera studies are underway at several priority barriers in Region 3, and several other priority segments are in various stages of planning and implementation.

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