ECOSYSTEM UNDERSTANDING (BIODIVERSITY)

San Diego is considered a Mediterranean ecosystem, with warm, dry summers and relatively cool, intermittently wet winters, which provides a habitat with possible flourishing biodiversity. Being part of the California Floristic Province, San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot with over 1,500 endemic plants and animals. Many of these native plants include the San Diego Sunflower, Torrey Pine, and Tecate Cyprus. Some native animal species include the Burrowing Owl, Quino Checkerspot Butterfly, Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard and California Condor.

Despite the extraordinarily potential for high levels of biodiversity, many of these species are facing extraordinary threats. The San Diego region has lost at least 70% of its original habitat and is projected to continue to reduce at unprecedented rates. Human activity in this area is creating a “biodiversity deficit”, making the rates of ecosystem destruction accelerate. It is estimated that the rate of species extinction is around 100 to 1,000 times higher than before humans. San Diego County is home to 200 plant and animal species that are considered as endangered, threatened, or rare. Thus, as development continues in the San Diego area, it is imperative that species protection is a fundamental part of the design process.