Terrestrial Wildlife Connectivity Barriers - Inland Deserts Region (6)

Regional Summary

CDFW staff identified a total of 46 segments in Region 6, including eight shared with other regions. Three barriers are considered remediated (W135, W217, and W224). Fifteen barriers were added in 2024 (W205, W217, W218, W219, W220, W221, W222, W223, W224, W225, W226, W227, W228, W229, W230). Twelve segments were identified as top priority or priority wildlife barriers, four of which are shared with Region 5. Top priority and priority barriers in Region 6 ranged in length from 0.1 to 230.7 kilometers (km) (mean = 40.0 km) and collectively represented 479.9 km of the State Highway System.

One top priority and one priority segments (W054, and W055) coincided with a SO 3362 priority area, and eleven of the top priority or priority segments identified at least one ungulate as a target species (deer = 8, bighorn sheep = 7). Mountain lion are identified as a target species for ten of top priority and priority segments; bobcats are associated with six top priority and priority segments, and black bear are  associated with five top priority and priority segments. Less common target species included mesocarnivore species such as coyote, badger, and ringtail. Bats were identified as a target species for priority segment W057. Target bird species included California gnatcatcher (1 segment) and Bi-State Sage-Grouse (1 segment). Priority segment W166 also included two small, special-status target species: desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel. Region 6 contained the segment with the greatest diversity of target species: in addition to several species noted above, priority segment W053 also included western pond turtle, arroyo chub, and the federally listed arroyo toad and Quino checkerspot butterfly. Several priority barriers in Region 6 bisect critical landscape linkages, and elevated rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions have been documented at three priority barrier segments in Mono County along US-395.

Contacts