An example of the analysis the study team is conducting for the Draft EIS is related to the habitat assessment for animal and plant species listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In the vicinity of the Loop 1604 corridor, there is potential habitat for eight federally listed species that are afforded protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Two of these are bird species (the black-capped vireo and the golden-cheeked warbler) and six are karst invertebrates (also known as cave species).  Occupied karst invertebrate habitat is known to occur along the Loop 1604 corridor in USFWS designated Critical Habitat Units 9 and 16.  These units are afforded additional protection under the ESA. Surveys for these species are currently ongoing.

These species are important to consider because they act like "canaries in the coal mine," or sensitive indicator species that give advance warning to the degradation of the ecosystem that animals and humans both rely on.  Their habitats have an intrinsic value and also are valuable for recreation,

Photo: Dr. Jean K. Krejca

aesthetics, and scientific study.  Preserving biodiversity also helps ecosystems resist catastrophe (e.g. climate change, fires, blight, exotic species).  These ecosystems provide food, water, medicine and industrial materials for people, as well as ecological services (e.g. breakdown of plant and animal material into soil, transformation of CO2 into O2, filtering of water, stabilization of stream banks, etc.).  Biodiversity also adds intellectual, cultural and aesthetic value.

Caves and karst regions are valuable resources because they contain groundwater, endemic species, well-preserved paleontological and archaeological remains and they allow access to study the geology of an area from the inside out.  Karst invertebrates live in caves and smaller voids underground.  Because their habitats are difficult to reach, little is known about the population status or natural history of these cave species and the state of knowledge is constantly being updated by new findings, and revealing studies.  Information from surveys helps to modify known ranges, reveals evolutionary history, and deepens our understanding of the creatures that live in caves beneath San Antonio.

 

Bexar County contains hundreds of known caves and probably many undiscovered ones. These caves were formed so long ago that some of the invertebrates that inhabit them, mostly insects and spiders, have become truly unique species (nine are on the endangered species list). By examining where cave species are known to occur, as well as the geology that either connects or separates cave systems, researchers developed a map of Karst Faunal Regions (KFRs), pictured below courtesy of the USFWS. Each region contains unique biodiversity and represents the known range of some cave species. Look for more information regarding important species and their habitats in the future as part of the EIS, or visit the USFWS and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department  websites. 

For a larger view of this map, click here.

As the Loop 1604 EIS works to identify long-term solutions, the Alamo RMA and our partners are implementing other short-term projects.  One of these is the proposed 1604 Underpass Project for the mainlanes of 151 and connecting 151 into the existing Alamo Ranch Parkway. Please join us for an Open House/Public Meeting. A brief formal presentation will be made two times during the course of the evening.

November 18, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Calvary Hills Baptist Church
910 West Loop 1604 North, San Antonio, Texas 78251

To stay current on other Alamo RMA projects, please visit our Projects page at www.AlamoRMA.org.