Chinook salmon are a federally protected species in Sonoma County, California.
Sonoma County, California, is on the northern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area. It harbors a variety of wildlife species in the Sonoma and Cotati Valleys. Some of these species are considered endangered due to human encroachment, habitat loss and urban development. Most of Sonoma County's endangered animals and plants receive protection from the U.S. Endangered Species Act and California Endangered Species Act.
Fish
The chinook salmon, the coho and the steelhead, or rainbow trout, are found in the freshwater Russian River in Sonoma County. All three federally protected fish are endangered according to the Sonoma County Water Agency. Part of the agency's mission is to maintaining flood control and create sanitation facilities to protect the fish. Another endangered fish species in Sonoma County is the Sacramento splittail, which dwell in Sonoma Creek and the Petaluma River. As of May 2011, this fish does not receive protection from the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Plants
Sonoma County is home to three endangered plant species -- the Sebastopol meadowfoam, the Sonoma sunshine and the Pitkin Marsh lily -- that only live in this northern California county. The Pitkin Marsh lily is a reddish-yellow flower found on Sonoma County's coastal region. The yellow Sonoma sunshine is found in pockets of the Sonoma and Cotati Valleys. The Sebastopol meadowfoam is an aquatic plant found in Cotati Valley and certain portions of Americano Creek, Laguna de Santa Rosa and Washoe Creek. The primary causes of these plants' endangerment is urban development and habitat fragmentation.
Amphibians
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the California tiger salamander has been listed as endangered in Sonoma County since July 2002. The California tiger salamander population is not endangered in other California county. The tiger salamanders in Sonoma County have been separated from other populations by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Another endangered amphibian is the northern red-legged frog. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claims this frog species only lives in three streams throughout Sonoma County as of May 2011.
Warm-Blooded Animals
The California clapper rail has been listed as endangered by the U.S. government since 1970. The ground-dwelling bird spends most of its time in aquatic environments. California clapper rails are found around San Pablo Bay in the southern part of the county. The salt marsh harvest mouse is also found near San Pablo Bay. This small rodent is endangered due to loss of habitat and the invasive Spartina plants, which are not suitable habitats for this mouse.
Tags: Sonoma County, Endangered Species, County California, Sonoma County California, species Sonoma