Exhibit 7.5 LBVI Suitable Habitat Criteria.pdf

SUITABLE HABTIAT CRITERIA FOR LEAST BELL’S VIREO

USFS 2000

Starting point for habitat assessments will be areas identified as “modeled habitat.” These mapped areas are considered potential least Bell’s vireo habitat based on two simple habitat characteristics -- stream segments with gradient of 2 percent or less, at elevations between 10 and 2800 feet.

AN AREA WILL BE IDENTIFIED AS SUITABLE HABITAT IF IT HAS ALL FOUR OF THE FOLLOWING

CHARACTERISTICS:

1. Woody riparian vegetation is present.

Field assessments for this characteristic need to meet the following criteria:

a) This is defined by the presence of at least one shrub or tree species that is classified as an obligate or facultative wetland species (per ACOE wetlands delineation manual).

b) Shrubby willows or mulefat must be present at a minimum and in addition to any other woody riparian species.

2. Patch size is at least 0.5 acres, which can include non-riparian woody vegetation

(coastal sage scrub, chaparral, or oak woodland) so long as riparian vegetation is present.

Open grassland would not be considered suitable habitat or included in patch size.

3. Understory (less than 1 meter) and/or mid-story (1-4 meters) vegetation cover (shrub + herb) meets the following minimum values:

0-1 m -- 20% 1-2 m -- 20% 2-3 m -- 15%

3-4 m -- 10%

4. Dense clumps of woody vegetation are present.

Within the 0.5-acre patch, there are dense clumps of vegetation (understory, midstory, or overstory) with at least 50 to 60 percent cover.

Other items to consider:

- During the FY2000 field season, Forests will complete field forms at known vireo sites to develop additional data about vireo habitat. If analysis of this new data reveals opportunities to refine, add to, or change the above criteria, we will reconvene next year to revise these guidelines.

References and unpublished reports reviewed for this process include:

Kus, Barbara E. 1998. Use of restored riparian habitat by the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo.

Restoration Ecology 6(1):75-82.

Kus, B.E. and K.L. Miner. 1989. Use of non-riparian habitats by Least Bell’s Vireos. Pp. 299- 303 in Abell, D.L., tech. coord., Proceedings of the California Riparian Systems Conference.

General Technical Report PSW-110.

Steve Loe, biologist, San Bernardino National Forest, personal communication 5/24/00.

Olson, T.E. and M.V. Gray. 1989. Characteristics of Least Bell’s Vireo nest sites along the Santa Ynez River. Pp. 278-284 in Abell, D.L., tech. coord., Proceedings of the California Riparian Systems Conference. General Technical Report PSW-110.

USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Draft recovery plan for the least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 139 p.