Habitat Conservation

Protect, study, and manage the natural areas that support plant and animal communities.

• Develop new conservation programs that utilize flagship species to protect associated habitats

We recognize the conservation value of wide-ranging charismatic animals to serve as flagship species that can promote protection of entire ecosystems vital to hundreds of lesser known species of plants and animals. We are building on our past ground-breaking success with giant pandas by extending this promising approach to other species, including Asian leaf-eating monkeys, koalas, and elephants.

• Design and implement science-based approaches for the long-term conservation of managed natural areas

There is a pressing need to put into action habitat monitoring and management strategies that will ensure the long-term viability of preserved lands and the ecological communities they support. CRES has the expertise and tools to design and implement innovative methods to achieve this goal. In particular, we are expanding our efforts to develop long-term databases on population trends of key indicator species and pioneering new methods for invasive weed removal and restoration of disturbed areas.

• Apply advanced telemetry and mapping technologies to habitat conservation issues

CRES scientists incorporate GIS technologies, remote sensing, and advanced GPS satellite tracking telemetry systems to detect patterns of habitat change and resource use, better understand species distributions, and document animal movement patterns. Such approaches generate important data that can be used in the design of reserves that optimize population persistence by establishing corridor systems that connect areas of natural habitat, promote dispersal, and allow gene flow between small, isolated populations.

• Use the natural lands surrounding the Wild Animal Park to develop effective management strategies for San Diego’s native biodiversity

Of the 1,800 acres that comprise the Wild Animal Park, 900 are undeveloped, consisting largely of high quality coastal sage scrub vegetation. This expanse of natural habitat, which occurs at the nexus of two regionally important habitat corridors, provides an unparalleled opportunity for determining science-based management strategies for our native biodiversity. As stewards of one of the largest remaining tracts of coastal sage scrub habitat in San Diego County, CRES is committed to taking a leading role in local habitat preservation and management.