Five-year status reviews give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the opportunity to periodically review the best available scientific information about a listed species and assess its progress toward recovery. Inhabiting rangelands along the central coast of California, the Santa Barbara County Distinct Population Segment of the California Tiger Salamander is managed across six metapopulation areas. A final Recovery Plan was published in 2016, which outlined both quantitative criteria and priority actions to help recover the species. Here, I present findings from an evaluation of population status and threats to the species, progress made toward achieving recovery criteria, and future recommended actions to advance recovery of the species. After reviewing the best available scientific information, we concluded that the California tiger salamander remains an endangered species in Santa Barbara County, with increased threat from climate-induced drought and inbreeding depression. Five-year status reviews assist the Service and its partners in identifying conservation needs and enhancing prioritization of conservation efforts for listed species.

Dr. Andrew Dennhardt is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist in the Listing & Recovery Division of the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office. He received his Bachelor's of Science from Southern Illinois University, his Master's from West Virginia University, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University---studying myriad aspects of population and community ecology at each step along the way. Today, his work focuses on evaluation and recovery of federally threatened and endangered species such as the endangered least Bell's vireo and arroyo southwestern toad as well as the Santa Barbara County population of the California tiger salamander, the focal species of his presentation today.