Laguna Mountain Skipper - Population Decline

Population Decline

The Laguna Mountain Skipper's population decline is credited mostly to habitat destruction. Having a single larval host plant makes reproduction difficult if the Cleveland's Horkelia Horkelia clevelandii population encounter environmental stochasticity . Habitat destruction and degradation is primarily associated with urban and agricultural development as well as recreational activities. Most common degradation is affiliated with overgrazing and trampling of the Cleveland's Horkelia Horkelia clevelandii by cattle leading to fragmentation, Habitat fragmentation, of Habitat (ecology). Due to their small,sensitive population size, any manipulation/disturbance to skipper habitat has large impacts on skipper populations. Additionally, the Cleveland's Horkelia Horkelia clevelandii see population declines during dry season leading to Laguna Mountain Skipper population decline. Because the Laguna Mountain Skipper has no known predators, changes in population size is a direct result of habitat manipulation or environmental stochasticity. Furthermore, over collection of Laguna Mountain Skipper populations by scientists pose as a potential threat to population size.

The Laguna Mountain Skipper was listed a federal endangered species on January 17, 1997. The California Endangered Species Act does not allow listing of insects, but the California Department of Fish and Game include it on their Special Animals list. January 2007 saw the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service designate a critical habitat for the Laguna Mountain Skipper. Critical habitat is defined as specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing and specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species if the agency determines that the area itself is essential for conservation. Approximately 6,242 acres (25.26 km2) in Southern California were designated critical habitat. This habitat is located under Federal, State, and private ownership. Protection of habitat is crucial for successful conservation activity. No effects on the Laguna Mountains Skipper populations have been seen since the addition of this critical habitat.