Tab D-2 Florida Scrub-jay Manag Plan.pdf

45 SW INRMP

Tab D-2, Florida Scrub-jay Operational Management Plan

Biology The Florida Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is endemic to Florida. It is a 30-centimeter (12-inch), bluish-colored, crestless jay. It is habitat-specific, depending on the availability of Florida scrub for its survival. Because of the loss of optimal scrub habitat due to disruption of natural fire cycles and clearing for homes and agriculture, the populations that remain are small, demographically isolated, and likely to decline. The core populations remaining for Florida scrub-jays are the Archbold Biological Station (ABS) population located on the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida, the Ocala National Forest population, the Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge population, and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) population. A core population is defined as a contiguous population that exceeds 400 territorial pairs. The CCAFS scrub-jay population is considered part of the larger meta-population that includes birds on Merritt Island (KSC and the Canaveral National Seashore).

Scrub-jays are non-migratory, extremely sedentary, and have very specific habitat requirements. Scrub-jays exhibit a short, highly synchronized, cooperative breeding and nesting season (Woolfenden 1973). Except where subject to habitat loss and fragmentation, most scrub-jays disperse short distances (one to three territory widths) and occupy a territory for life after becoming breeders (Breininger, et al. 1996).

Scrub-jays are cooperative breeders in that non-breeding adults, referred to as helpers, participate in territory and nest defense, mobbing predators and breeding activities (excluding nest construction, egg-laying and incubation) within their natal territories.

Clutch size varies from 2-5 eggs with a mean of 3.4. Clutch size generally increases with a female's breeding experience. Incubation of eggs requires approximately 17 days. Predation of nests on CCAFS is extremely heavy (Stevens and Young 2000). Virtually all nest losses at CCAFS are attributed to nest predation. The complete loss of eggs and young from nests that appear undamaged by the removal of their contents implicates snakes as the prime candidates (Stevens and Hardesty 1998). Stevens and Hardesty (1998), found that on CCAFS, nesting activities begin in mid-March and continue through late June.

Florida Scrub-jays are omnivorous, consuming about 60 percent animal matter.

Insects comprise the bulk of the diet for most of the year and are particularly important in the spring, fulfilling the high energetic demands associated with nesting. Various small vertebrates may also be consumed when available.

Acorns form the primary plant food and are eaten throughout the year. Acorns are an essential plant component of the scrub-jay's diet, providing a staple food source during periods of low insect availability. Other plant items eaten when available include palmetto seeds, tread softly, briars, blueberries, gallberries, rosemary seeds and there is evidence that scrub-jays consume hickory nuts at

CCAFS.

Habitat Requirements The Florida scrub-jay is restricted to a xeric scrub community consisting of low, dense oak thickets including live oak, sand live oak, myrtle, and Chapman oak with numerous interspersed open sandy areas (Woolfenden 1978). Scrub-jays show an obligatory reliance on oaks, especially those growing in low open scrub as previously described. A minimum scrub height of 1m is required for scrub-jay habitation (Westcott 1970), and scrub heights of 1.2-1.7 meters are optimal (Breininger et. al 1995). The preferred scrub-jay habitat includes 10-30% bare sand or sparse herbaceous growth, greater than 50% oaks, less than 15% pine canopy cover, and greater than 100 m of forest (Breininger et al. 1996).

Wildfires are believed to have maintained scrub communities as a low, open habitat suitable for scrub-jays. Exclusion of fire in these communities eliminates open sandy areas and can lead to succession from low scrub to xeric hammock (Veno 1976). The period of time for this succession to occur is not well documented, and varies based on site characteristics. Cox (1984) suggested that fires need to occur at least every 20-30 years if scrub is to remain suitable for Scrub-jays. The US Fish and Wildlife service recommends a fire cycle of every six years.

Protection Measures The Florida Scrub-jay was federally listed as a threatened species on 3 June 1987 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The scrub-jay population on CCAFS is believed to be one of the largest populations currently in existence (Cox 1984, 1987, Stevens and Hardesty 1998). In order to identify species and habitat needs, a number of studies have been conducted to provide information needed to develop a management plan. Management actions for scrub-jays on CCAFS are primarily oriented toward habitat improvement. Since about half of CCAFS is or could be restored to scrub-jay habitat, many land clearing activities have the potential to adversely impact scrub-jays and their habitat.

Section 7 of the ESA mandates Federal agencies to consult with the FWS on any action that is has the potential to adversely affect listed species. Conducting Section 7 Consultation on projects that may impact scrub-jays is identified as an initial protective measure for this species. The Recovery Plan for the Florida Scrub-jay, prepared by the FWS, identifies, “…reasonable actions believed required to recover and/or protect this species” (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990).

The primary recovery objective for the Scrub-jay is to “halt the long term and continuing decline of its numbers and distribution, and to protect and enhance as much of its remaining habitat as possible.” A more specific objective is to protect and enhance scrub-jay numbers and habitats at the existing large, viable populations, including CCAFS.

Part II of the Recovery Plan describes recovery objectives and specific management actions required to achieve these objectives. The Recovery Plan provides an implementation schedule of actions to be conducted by various cooperating organizations including the U. S. Air Force (USAF). The first objective, and most applicable to the USAF, is to “protect, manage and enhance Florida scrub-jay habitat on public lands.” This objective is of primary importance and must be met to prevent an irreversible decline or extinction of the species.

Federally owned lands need to be maintained at a stage suitable for Scrub-jays.

Therefore, the Air Force must initiate habitat enhancement and protection measures on CCAFS, including, but not necessarily limited to:

1. Maintaining mowed grass areas along roads and facilities.

2. Conducting prescribed burns of oak scrub to prevent possible succession into a xeric hammock or having scrub reach a height unsuitable for Scrub-jays.

3. Improving degraded habitat by mechanical clearing methods followed by burning.

4. Monitoring Scrub-jay numbers to determine effects of management recovery efforts.

5. Conducting exotic vegetation control in areas that have been improved.

Another objective of the Recovery Plan is to identify research needs of the species. The plan identifies the following research on basic biological requirements of the Florida Scrub-jay that should be conducted:

1. Determine minimum size of an area of suitable habitat that can support a viable Scrub-jay population.

2. Provide more information on Scrub-jay basic biology, particularly for areas where little or no data are currently available. Topics should include reproductive success, nesting, fledgling dispersal, mortality, predation, survival and food habits.

3. In order to objectively assess recovery efforts it will be necessary to continually monitor the stability and health of existing populations.

CCAFS Scrub-jay Population Numbers Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) is contracted by the Air Force to study the demography of Florida Scrub-jays on CCAFS. A census of all suitable, accessible jay habitat is completed between January and March each year.

Censuses are performed on virtually all roadways, lines-of-sight, fire breaks, canal banks, and any other edge areas. Census protocols were adapted from Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick (1991). Where possible, census points are spaced at 100-yard intervals to minimize the potential for over- or under-counting groups and individual birds. Areas with high Scrub-jay densities are surveyed repeatedly to improve the accuracy of the census (Stevens and Hardesty 1998).

Nesting activity is monitored from February to July. Observers locate nest sites within the study areas and follow their progress. Currently there are five primary study sites on CCAFS. Nestlings are banded on or about 11 days after hatching using procedures discussed in Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick (1991). Banding is conducted by placing a uniquely identifying open ended metal ring around the leg of the bird. The bands are very light-weight and do not appear to impede the birds in any way. All steps are taken to minimize disturbance to the animals.

Approximately half of the estimated 7,000 - 11,000 Scrub-jays statewide exist on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge/CCAFS complex. Considering the importance of the CCAFS scrub-jay population for maintaining stable statewide population, special consideration and management of this species and its habitat is required.

During the 2007 census, 391 birds in 126 groups were documented on CCAFS (Figure 1). Although this was an increase from 2005, it is still a much smaller population than what was observed in 1996, the year of the largest recorded population in the ten years of studies. Figure 2 illustrates the number of groups and individuals observed on CCAFS between 1995 and 2007.

Population growth has been observed at a mean annual rate of nearly 7% with a population that is larger than at any time since the epidemic prior to 2000 that caused a sharp decline in Scrub-jays. Recent growth is largely a function of reproductive success since there is little emigration and survivorship is usually high. The best predictors of population size in the following year seem to be the proportion of groups that fledge young and the post fledgling survival rate.

Reproductive success was above average for 2005, and slightly higher than 2004. Proportion of groups fledging young (47%) was very nearly equal to the mean for all study sites combined (46%), though number of juveniles surviving to July from successful nests was greater. On average, nesting groups in 2005 produced .84 juveniles that survived to July, which was considerably higher than the .70 juveniles present in July that nesting groups in the study sites averaged over the previous ten years.

Figure 1 – CCAFS 2007 Scrub Jay Group Census Data

Figure 2 – CCAFS Scrub-jay Population 1995-2007

Scrub-jay Habitat on CCAFS Low altitude aerial infrared imagery was analyzed and it was estimated that approximately 7,700 acres of scrub potentially suitable for jays exist on the station (INRMP 1997). Mercadante (1990) estimated acreages for oak scrub (includes all inland scrub and oak woodlands), disturbed oak scrub, coastal strand, and disturbed coastal strand habitats. Analysis further refined estimate acreages for two vegetation height classes; less than or equal to three meters and greater than three meters (Table 1, Analysis of Scrub-jay Habitat on CCAFS). Note that these data were developed over a decade ago using the 3-meter criteria instead of 2-meter scrub height.

Table 1. Analysis of Scrub-jay Habitat on CCAFS (Derived From 1989 Low Altitude Aerial Infrared Imagery)

Cover Type Height(m) Area(ac) %Cover

Oak Scrub <3 964 12.4

Oak Scrub >3 5,359 69.3

Oak Scrub (Disturbed) Various 1,027 13.3

Coastal Strand <3 321 4.1

Coastal Strand (Disturbed) Various 676 6.0

Total Potential Scrub-jay Habitat 8,347

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This estimate of potential habitat also includes some ruderal areas (e.g., road shoulders and facility grounds) adjacent to scrubs, which are used by, and provide habitat (primarily the open space components) for jays. Large, contiguous open sites that lack oak shrubs or trees are probably not utilized by scrub-jays for nesting but could be used for foraging for insects and caching acorns.

In 1990, nearly 70 percent of all potential jay habitat on the station exceeded optimal scrub height (1-2m) for jay use, and only 18 percent of undisturbed oak scrub was considered optimal for Scrub-jays. This does not mean that 70 percent of the scrub on CCAFS is not inhabited by jays, but may indicate populations are pressured by marginal habitat conditions. Scrub-jay territories located in marginal habitat on the station could be population sinks, where mortality exceeds natality (birth rate) (Breininger et al. 1998).

Florida Scrub-jays defend relatively large territories (5-15 ha) that often include habitat patches with different fire histories (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984, Breininger et al 1995). Breininger et al (1995) concluded that reproductive success for Florida Scrub-jays exceeded mortality only in areas where scrub was a mixture of short (< 1.2 m tall) and optimal height scrub (1.2 – 1.7 m tall). It was hypothesized that the absence of scrub > 1.2 m tall would have negative impacts on Scrub-jay populations because they need scrub taller than 1.2 m to provide cover for nest sites and to escape predators.

It was concluded that long-term survival of Florida Scrub-jays would require a habitat where virtually all the scrub is burned within the last 20 years and includes a mosaic of different age classes and sizes.

Management Implications Studies of several banded populations of Scrub-jays in different scrub habitats provide a wealth of information that can be used to document the status of populations and project their future status.

1. The current population is well below what is needed for long-term population persistence.

2. The long-term Scrub-jay population is decreasing.

3. Most scrub habitat on CCAFS is currently sub-optimal in quality.

An analysis of risks and the development of targets or goals for Florida Scrub-jay population management on CCAFS was conducted in May of 2001 (Schmalzer and Stevens). The future status of this population remains questionable, however, CCAFS contains sufficient scrub habitat to support a population large enough to weather most anticipated challenges to its long-term persistence. The immediate need is to improve the quality of the remaining scrub at a pace that will minimize short-term losses to the existing Scrub-jay population and provide sufficient optimal habitat to sustain long-term persistence.

The goal is to establish a viable population of Florida Scrub-jays on CCAFS.

The characteristics of a viable population are:

• A population size sufficient to weather catastrophic events, (e.g.

epidemics, hurricanes).

• Long-term population persistence.

- Time frame of 100 years is a common metric.

- An acceptable risk of extinction, usually less than or equal to 10%.

After analyses were run on three population sizes – 100 groups of birds, 200 groups, and 300 groups, the determination was that approximately 300 groups would be necessary for long term survival. The 45 SW will make efforts to improve habitat and strive to meet the recovery goals.

Activities That May Impact Scrub-jays In accordance with AFI 32-7061, Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP), all CCAFS projects are reviewed for environmental compliance with state and Federal regulations. Any impacts to Scrub-jays will be reviewed during this process. Identification and implementation of the proposed construction and mitigation guidelines will be accomplished through the EIAP.

Lack of habitat management in prior years and the removal of scrub associated with construction activities are the primary threats to the Scrub-jay population on CCAFS. However, incidental impacts result from operation of motorized vehicles and potentially result from the application of pesticides. On CCAFS, Section 7 Consultation is initiated by the U. S. Air Force with the FWS, Region 4, Endangered Species Field Station, Jacksonville, Florida. Since the majority of Florida Scrub-jays are located on Federal lands, Section 7 is considered one of the most powerful tools to protect this species and its habitat.

After an informal review held in 1999 between the Air Force and FWS, a document was developed entitled Scrub Habitat Compensation on CCAFS. In the meeting, the FWS stated that all habitat on CCAFS is potential “scrub” and is considered scrub habitat that must be compensated for if lost/developed.

Because of this, the Air Force has adopted a policy that was agreed upon by FWS for a 4 to 1 compensation rate for scrub lost to development. Funds will be given to the on-going CCAFS scrub restoration program coordinated by 45 SW Environmental.

Although construction activities are not the only actions that have the potential to adversely impact threatened and endangered species, it is one of the most significant impacts on Scrub-jays at CCAFS. In compliance with the Endangered

Species Act, the Air Force will informally consult with the FWS for all projects located in scrub or other actions that have the potential to impact the Scrub-jay.

If through the Informal Consultation process it is determined that an action is likely to adversely impact Scrub-jays, the Air Force (or project proponent) will prepare a Biological Assessment addressing potential impacts, and enter into Formal Consultation with the FWS.

Construction of new facilities and expansion of existing facilities on CCAFS are periodically needed to meet mission requirements. A significant portion of this development will undoubtedly impact existing scrub habitat on CCAFS. During the past 8-10 years, construction projects have resulted in the loss of approximately 15-20 acres of scrub per year. However, destruction or disturbance of scrub can be minimized through proper site planning and construction practices. Unavoidable scrub loss will be offset (mitigated) through scrub compensation measures currently in place on CCAFS. A recent Environmental Assessment was completed that covers land clearing activities and their impacts on scrub habitat.

The operation of motorized vehicles on CCAFS is a potential source of mortality for Scrub-jays on the station. Much of the suitable habitat on CCAFS is adjacent to major roads that are heavily utilized during early morning and late afternoon hours. Those peak traffic hours correspond to the Scrub-jay’s most active periods. Scrub-jays are often observed foraging along mowed road shoulders.

Vehicles traveling at speeds in excess of 50 miles an hour have little opportunity to avoid hitting a startled Scrub-jay or an individual that has darted into the roadway in pursuit of food. Both of these behaviors are frequently observed along CCAFS roadways. Young fledgling birds are more likely than older birds to succumb to vehicular strikes. Determining a reasonable estimate of Scrub-jay mortality from vehicular strikes is difficult due to the rapid removal of carcasses by scavengers (e.g., vultures and raccoons). However, there have been documented vehicle strikes, resulting in Scrub-jay mortalities on both CCAFS and KSC. At least 16 mortalities are known to have occurred from 1989-1998 (Oddy 1998, pers. comm.). Although some amount of vehicular related jay mortality on CCAFS is unavoidable, a better understanding of the problem and potential solutions are required.

A long-term investigation to monitor mortality of Scrub-jay groups with territories abutting major roads and groups in similar habitat that are not adjacent to major roads could provide some insight into road related mortality. Putting aside the unknowns of where and how many vehicular related Scrub-jay mortalities occur, there are actions that can be implemented immediately that would reduce this mortality on the station. Ongoing efforts are:

1) Encourage law enforcement to lower and enforce speed limits during the months when fledglings are moving across particular roads with known high nest densities and high speed limits (i.e., Pier Road).

2) Increase public awareness of Scrub-jays and other wildlife through Cape Bulletins and possibly road signs.

Monitoring of Scrub jays Monitoring of the population is necessary to assess impacts due to Air Force actions on a species that is easily disturbed. Activities involved in Scrub-jay censuses and monitoring, described earlier, are carried out by a strict protocol adopted from Woolfenden et al (1991). Monitoring of the birds does cause some habituation, but it has not been considered to be detrimental to the species.

The FWS Recovery Plan for the Florida Scrub-jay indicates that little information on Scrub-jay basic biology is available outside of data collected from the ABS and MINWR. Suggested research topics for other locations include: defining optimal habitat, reproductive success, nesting, dispersal of fledglings, mortality predation, survival, and food habits. The Recovery Plan states that it will be necessary to continually monitor the stability and health of existing wild populations. The Air Force is included in the following research tasks: determine minimum habitat size, obtain information on basic biology, determine introduction capabilities of Scrub-jays, determine current distribution of small populations, and conduct periodic censuses. However, not all of these activities, such as determining introduction capabilities and distribution of small populations, are applicable to CCAFS.

The research objectives in studying the demography of Scrub-jays on CCAFS were to document the size of the population, monitor reproduction and survival of color-banded individuals, monitor the bird’s response to habitat modifications, and to suggest management recommendations. Prior to 1989, no formal studies on Scrub-jays were conducted on CCAFS.

There were five primary study sites for their Scrub-jay research on Cape Canaveral (Figure 3, Study Sites). Three of these sites, the Beach (BCH), Enhancement (ENH) and Rosemary (ROS), were established in 1994. The North Rosemary (NRO) site was added in 1995. The fifth site, Parkway (PKWY), was added late in the summer of 1998. This site, along with the BCH and combined NRO and ROS sites are in the largest clusters of Florida Scrub-jay groups on CCAFS (Stevens and Hardesty 1998).

The Air Force will continue monitoring the Scrub-jay population at CCAFS to obtain information needed to properly manage the species and its habitat. When a sufficient amount of data has been compiled to make these determinations, the research effort will be reduced proportionately. Periodic monitoring of the population must be continued until the species has fully recovered.

CCAFS Scrub Habitat Compensation Plan

Purpose In order to improve the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) regarding scrub habitat conservation at CCAFS, a meeting was held on 13 January 2000 to clarify the expectations of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the 45th Space Wing (45 SW). Historically, compensation was completed by two methods: 1) enhancement of existing over-mature oak scrub/woodlands, and 2) restoration of previously disturbed scrub habitats. Certain compartments on CCAFS were chosen as scrub enhancement/mitigation sites and this acreage was used as compensation for activities that required scrub removal. Any enhancement acreage completed in excess of the 45 SW’s obligation to compensate for scrub removal (at a 4:1 ratio) was identified to FWS, documented and “banked” for future compensation requirements. During the past few years, new information has become available from compensation projects and lessons learned at KSC and CCAFS. FWS also stated that the ongoing CCAFS scrub restoration program is considered a 45 SW requirement that does not compensate for future development at CCAFS. New construction in scrub habitat will be handled on a case-by-case basis consistent with the scrub habitat compensation plan. The creation of an updated scrub habitat compensation plan for CCAFS was critical to clarifying how the Environmental Flight (45 CES/CEVP) should proceed in guiding future development actions that affect scrub habitat.

The following plan was developed as a result of the January 2000 meeting between the 45 SW and FWS.

Implementation The 45 SW and FWS stewardship role is to develop CCAFS with the intent to follow a stepwise approach of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation/ compensation. CEVP will notify all proponents requesting land clearing of the need for compensation through the work order review or other EIAP process.

When a project involving land clearing is proposed, the following items will be considered:

All scrub habitat loss, regardless of size, will be considered for compensation. All habitat on CCAFS that is “potential scrub”, in terms of current vegetation and soil type, will be considered scrub habitat. This classification will hold whether or not it is occupied by scrub jays. This is due to the fact that despite the condition of this scrub, it is part of a Core Scrub jay area and therefore is considered by FWS to be highly valuable to the recovery of the species.

Unless otherwise negotiated, and in lieu of typical mitigation on a site-by-site basis, all scrub on CCAFS that is lost to development will be compensated at a rate of 4 to 1 by putting funds toward the ongoing 45 SW scrub restoration program coordinated by CEVP. The 4 to 1 compensation rate was agreed upon by the 45 SW and FWS. As sites are earmarked for development, the proponent will be required to compensate for acreage lost to development.

Payment Process The payment by non-45 SW entities will be calculated based on the cost of restoring one acre. This includes preparing the land (i.e., hydroax, bulldozing fire lines, etc.) burning the land, monitoring both the jay populations and the vegetation, and finally, maintenance of the habitat via best land management practices. Calculations performed in January 2000 resulted in the costs found in the following table.

Habitat Management Component

Cost /Acre

Costing Source

Burning $125.00 FWS

Land Preparation $964.00 ESC

Monitoring Jays $33.75 TNC

Monitoring Vegetation (Veg)

$236.00 ESC

Maintenance: basic burn $40.00 FWS

Maintenance: line preps $482.00 ESC

Maintenance: exotic veg control

$462.00 ESC

5% administration fee for use of NFWF fund

$113.00 NFWF

Total Cost per Acre $2455.75

The current base cost (FY 2000) is calculated to be $2455.75 per acre and therefore every acre or part of an acre compensated for will be this base rate times 4, or $9,483.00 per acre.

In the case of 45 SW projects, the scrub habitat restoration work currently being funded by CEVP will be used to help “mitigate” a project. If the mitigation requirements exceed the baseline set-aside in the Environmental Support Contract (ESC), proponent funding will be required.

Payments made in lieu of actual habitat restoration will be made by the proponent to a fund with the sole intent of use in the 45 SW scrub restoration program. The funds will be sent to the 45 SW, with appropriate cost accounting, and then forwarded to the 3rd party trust National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The foundation is administered by FWS, Jacksonville Office. NFWF will hold the money for 45 SW with a 5% administration fee. Funds from the account will be withdrawn to pay for future habitat restoration activities on CCAFS.

Figure 3: CCAFS Scrub Jay Study Sites

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