Terrestrial Wildlife Connectivity Barriers - South Coast Region (5)

Regional Summary

CDFW staff identified a total of 31 wildlife barrier segments in Region 5, including five new barriers added in 2024 (W209, W214, W215, W216, W231). Six barriers are shared with other CDFW regions, including two top priority and two priority barriers with Region 6. Two segments were identified as top priority wildlife barriers and ten were identified as priority wildlife barriers. Top priority and priority barriers in Region 5 ranged in length from 4.3 to 33.5 kilometers (km) (mean = 15.5 km) and collectively represented 186.4 km of linear infrastructure.

Although Region 5 does not contain SO 3362 priority areas, each of the top priority and priority segments included an ungulate as a target species (deer = 83%, bighorn sheep = 25%). Felids were also well-represented as target species, with ten of 12 top priority and priority segments (83%) including mountain lions and five of 12 priority segments (42%) including bobcats. Other mesocarnivore species affected by priority barriers included badgers (18%) and kit foxes (9%). Black bears were priorities at two barriers (2%). Region 5 was one of two regions to identify a passerine as a target species: priority segment W107 was identified as a barrier for California gnatcatchers. The list of target species for Region 5 also included western toad, which was associated with priority segment W044. A diverse suite of remediation methods will likely be necessary to accommodate all target species across Region 5, including new and/or improved culvert crossings, undercrossings, overcrossings, fencing, elevated infrastructure, curtailing illegal activities, and securing additional parcels to facilitate connectivity.

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