Taxonomic discussion

[infernalis]

While the San Fran is limited in it's range, what's left has been protected- so I believe, so what habitat remains will not be further imposed upon.

Deterioration of that habitat is inevitable.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Yes, Bay Area habitat is a rare commodity. Dare I say we should not forget all those species upon which garters prey?! If there even was a rare chance of re-introduction (setting diseases, immunities, etc. aside... HA!), success of the species would be based on whether or not there are any prey species left. In the case of tetrataenia, habitat loss (primarily) and over-collection are the danger. Frogs and salamanders however are on the decline everywhere. Chytrid fungus has no cure; pollution, global warming are additional factors we can throw into the disaster plan.

I hate to sound depressing, but I think we can count on more garter species' declines in the future due simply to loss of prey species.

Steven

[drache]

Deterioration of that habitat is inevitable.

actually - no
there are places where degradation of the environment has been halted and even reversed - this is true for some river systems that used to be so polluted that the only life forms they supported any more were molds and algae, and that now support a thriving population of fish, amphibians and water fowl
I am not entirely certain of the exact habitat parameters of the SF garter, but if it's the SF peninsula . . .
Loren, Jerry, help me out here - where do they live? up along Skyline Blvd, in the farm areas along the coast, or by the ditches of the inner Bay (Bair Island and that area)?
I may be in denial, but I think the area west of 280 is mostly threatened by construction and that has been limited by zoning laws; the inner bay has been blighted already and is been rehabilitated
not that I know anything . . .
but I don't think their habitat is going to shrink much further
it is true though, that whatever niche of this area they inhabit, the range is small and thus the population cannot be large enough to support collecting, even at optimal habitat conditions

[infernalis]

Good point and an optimistic view Rhea.

However as time moves forward and if the human race continues in the current direction it has been, that little preserve would need a miracle to remain un affected by urban progress.

Folks have strange views concerning snakes, Like Shannon pointed out, Many will deliberately aim the tires of their car at a snake crossing the street.

As Steve pointed out just this morning, something that seems harmless, Stocking trout for fishermen has left a sizable dent in garter populations.

One swarm of bugs carrying the wrong pathogen, one ruptured pipeline, one derailed train carrying the wrong cargo, Or how about those rampant wild fires or whatever...

Will the primary food source still be available in necessary numbers say in 100 years from now? Will acid rain change the PH of the water ways?

Too much population surrounding too small of an area.